Brother Koko Sessou gave an error-free presentation of Answers in the Fellow Craft Degree Q&A when proving up prior to his Master Mason Degree in Bellevue Lodge No. 325 on October 21, 2020. To recognize his outstanding performance, Deputy Grand Master Jim Carlton awarded him the Grand Master’s Full Form Proficiency Excellence Coin. Pictured left to right are Brother Dan Alati (Koko’s mentor), Worshipful Master Kyle Beckner, Brother Sessou, and R.W. Jim Carlton.
On October 12, 2020, James D. Gansemer of Plattsmouth Lodge No. 6 was presented with a Masonic Achievement Award from the Lodge. Grand Master Ron Stites was also received that evening and assisted with the presentation.
On September 15, 2020, Most Worshipful Brother George C. Smith was awarded with his 60-year pin from Alliance Lodge No. 183. M.W. Smith was raised in Alliance in 1960 and has a dual membership with Ashlar Lodge No. 10 in Wyoming. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming in 1998. The current Grand Master of Wyoming, Wayne E. Christensen, along with two other Past Grand Masters of Wyoming also attended the ceremony: The presentation was made at Ashlar Lodge No. 10 in Douglas, Wyoming.
On September 17, 2020, Worshipful Brother David A. Kipp of Florence Lodge No. 281 in Omaha earned 25 years of continuous individual proficiency. W.B. Charlie Odorizzi, DGC, presented W.B. Kipp with his eternal certification card on Sepember 21, 2020.
Despite the COVID-19 lock down of The Nebraska Masonic Home, technology came to the rescue. A 70-year pin, certificate, and card were presented to Home resident Brother John W. Richart, a member of Shiloh Lodge No. 327, on September 18, 2020 via a Zoom Conference. As requested by the Shiloh Lodge Master, W.M. Rex Waller, and with the assistance of W.B. Steve Barchus, The Nebraska Masonic Home’s Foundation Director, M.W. Ron Stites presented Brother John with the honor. Also, joining in the Zoom Conference were M.W. John Maxell, Past Grand Master (2015) and Past Master of Shiloh Lodge, and Brother John’s son, Brother Fred Richart.
Picture 1: On the big screen is Brother Fred Richart, seated is Brother John Richart, and presenting the certificate is W.B. Steve Barchus.
Picture 2: Grand Master Stites on the big screen with Brother John Richart and W.B. Barchus.
Picture 3: Worshipful Master Waller on the big screen with Brother John Richart and W.B. Barchus.
Picture 4: W.B. Barchus places the pin on Brother John Richart’s lapel.
Brother Matthew C. Briggs of George L. Lininger Lodge No. 268 in Omaha and Daniel Alati of Bellevue Lodge No. 325 in Bellevue earned their full individual proficiency certification on September 20, 2020. Grand Orator and Deputy Grand Custodian John Herbolsheimer instructed them through the certification course. Congratulations Brothers Briggs and Alati, and thank you for your commitment to becoming fully certified in the work.
Originally scheduled for June 13, 2020, the annual George W. Lininger Lodge No. 268 Memorial Service for its namesake was held on September 12, 2020. Officers and members of the Lodge met at M.W. George W. Lininger’s interment site in the Forest Lawn Cemetery and conducted the Masonic Memorial Service. M.W. Lininger, who was a member of Capitol Lodge No. 3, was the 12th Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Nebraska in 1877. He was also a driving force in the development of The Nebraska Masonic Home located in Plattsmouth, Nebraska.
A 70-year membership pin was presented to Brother Robert D. Hauver of Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 in Kearney on September 9th. The presentation was made by Grand Master Ron Stites, Worshipful Master Steen Kendle and lodge members present, as well as Bro. Hauver’s wife Fran, two daughters and a son-in-law.
Brother Koko Sessou did a flawless performance of Q&A and earned the Entered Apprentice Grand Master’s Proficiency Coin at Bellevue Lodge on September 8. Pictured are Worshipful Master Kyle Beckner; Junior Steward Dan Alati, who served as Koko’s mentor; Brother Koko Sessou; Deputy Grand Master Jim Carlton; and Junior Warden Bill Pickle, who conferred the Fellow Craft Degree.
Brother Kevin Loontjer earned a Fellow Craft Grand Master’s Proficiency Coin on September 1 at Waterloo Lodge No. 102. Pictured are Worshipful Master Richard Sherburne, Brother Kevin Loontjer, and Deputy Grand Master Jim Carlton.
