On Wednesday, July 1, 2020, Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 in Kearney held its first regular communication after the Grand Master lifted the ban on all lodge activities due to COVID-19. All members who attended wore masks and were very happy to be able to gather together again.
The Omaha Area Masters and Wardens Club presented The Nebraska Masonic Home with an iPad for resident use on June 9, 2020. iPads are used by residents to FaceTime with their families. As you might guess, the iPads receive a lot of use, especially during the current COVID-19 Pandemic threat and restrictions.
Have you donated blood yet? John Herbolsheimer, Grand Orator, added his name to the list of donors last week.
The need for blood products is ongoing. My father was hospitalized last week and needed two transfusions. I thank the donors who gave to allow him to be treated. (Michelle)
As elective surgeries are starting to be allowed again, the need for blood will be increasing. Call your local blood donation site to make an appointment and be counted in the Nebraska Masonic Blood Drive Challenge. We can make a difference.
With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting nearly every aspect of our lives these days, the Brethren of Craftsmen Lodge No. 314 in Lincoln decided to make a difference. As we all know, personal protective equipment (PPE) is in very short supply. A member of Craftsmen Lodge decided to put a recreational hobby to work.
In a span of two weeks, the donations of the members of Craftsmen Lodge allowed over 600 reusable 3D-printed face shields to be presented to Lincoln-area medical personnel.
Recently M.W. Ron Stites, Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska, authorized a statewide blood drive to help Nebraskans in need, particularly during this time of social isolation and quarantine. Due to CDC restrictions, mobile blood donations are not possible, which accounts for 1,500 pints of blood that cannot be collected.
M.W. Ron is leading the way with a donation of platelets, requiring 3 hours hooked up to the machine. This may be the most rest the Grand Master has enjoyed so far in his term as Grand Master! A regular blood donation only takes minutes, and saves lives of Nebraskans throughout the state!
Read more about the Blood Drive Challenge here: https://www.glne.org/documents/BloodDriveInfo.pdf
See you at the Blood Bank!
The Grand Lodge Officers are doing their part for the Blood Drive!
Grand Chaplain Roger Moore is doing his part for the drive by stepping up to offer a pint!
All blood collection organizations are in need of donors whether it be small community hospitals or areas served by the Nebraska Community Blood Bank or the American Red Cross. In April, cancelled blood drives in Lincoln and Omaha alone will account for 1,500 pints of needed blood that cannot be collected!
The contest will have two categories: Greater Nebraska and Omaha vs. Lincoln, and will run April 1 through May 31. Members and their families and friends are eligible to participate.
Information on the contest and how to make your donations count can be seen here.
We must emphasize that you MUST CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to donate blood.
Just because we can’t gather as a Lodge doesn’t mean we can’t practice our Masonry and support our communities! Together we can make a difference!
All blood collection organizations are in need of donors whether it be small community hospitals or areas served by the Nebraska Community Blood Bank or the American Red Cross. In April, cancelled blood drives in Lincoln and Omaha alone will account for 1,500 pints of needed blood that cannot be collected!
The contest will have two categories: Greater Nebraska and Omaha vs. Lincoln, and will run April 1 through May 31. Members and their families and friends are eligible to participate. Information on the contest and how to make your donations count can be seen here.
At the conclusion of the Challenge, the Lodge with the most donations statewide will receive an award for their Lodge. There will also be a “Best of Lincoln”, “Best of Omaha” and “Best of Greater Nebraska” award.
I strongly encourage you to participate in this important service to our communities and look forward to a successful blood drive!
Sincerely and Fraternally,
M.W. Ronald Stites, Grand Master
We must emphasize that you should CALL TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to donate blood.
f you have any questions, comments or need help with this project, please contact MWB Thomas Hauder, who will be coordinating this effort.
PH: 402-304-0137 Email: tom@nebraskagrandmaster.com
Myron Coleman, Past Master of Craftsmen Lodge No. 314 in Lincoln, created a fun contest among the Lincoln Lodges where a traveling gavel is used and members of other lodges must visit to try to “capture the gavel” from the current lodge holding it.
This isn’t your Grandfather’s “Traveling Gavel”! This is a 7-pound replica of “Mjölner” or Thor’s Hammer. At least three brothers of a lodge have to travel to Lodges in Lincoln to capture the gavel. At the end of the day, the Lodge with the most members present at that function will be able to take the gavel home to their lodge for a time.
The rules of the contest:
Tuesday, March 3, 2020, was the first opportunity for a visiting lodge to “capture the gavel” from Craftsman Lodge No. 314. Liberty Lodge No. 300 had 4 members in attendance for the business meeting and took the gavel home.
