Sonny Eatmon Traveling Gavel On The Move

WM Brett Jendro of Centennial Lodge No. 326 presenting the Sonny Eatmon Traveling Gavel to WM Donald Eckstein of Acacia Lodge No. 34.

 

Lininger Lodge Regular Communication at the Nebraska Masonic Home

Brethren of George W. Lininger Lodge No. 268 moved its Charter to the Nebraska Masonic Home on July 6, 2022 to conduct its July Regular Communication.  Reportedly George W. Lininger Lodge was the first lodge to conduct a lodge meeting at the Home in nearly two years due to pandemic precautions.  George W. Lininger Lodge is very appreciative to the Home for allowing it to meet and for the cookies and drinks they provided.  Following the meeting the brethren adjourned to a local eating establishment for socializing and dinner.  Shown in the photo are left to right front row: B Mike Precella, B Gary “Grip” Gray, WB George “Fritz” McMullin II, WM Mario Buda, WB Okley “Gibbie” Gibbs, B Nick Warner, and B Robert Johansen.  Back row left to right: WB Patrick Watson, B Patrick Graves, B Brian Pickett – the Lodge’s newest Entered Apprentice, WB AJ Johnson, B John Dart, WB Don Leu, and B Cannon Kinchelow.

 

Grand Lodge of Michigan Visitation

Waterloo Lodge No. 102 was pleased to host WB Shawn Bashore, Grand Senior Steward of Grand Lodge of Michigan, F.& A .M. at our business meeting last night.  His daughter lives in Waterloo so he stopped by while he was visiting.  As usual, our business meeting was well attended.

 

Grand Master awards 60 year pin

GM Alex Straatmann recently visited Jachin Lodge #146 in Holdrege and honored one of its long time members, Lemoyne Exstrom and presented Lemoyne with a certificate, card, and a 60-year pin. In the background above the certificate is a picture of W.Eugene Exstrom, Lemoyne’s father, who initiated Lemoyne in 1962 and served as Master of Jachin Lodge #146 in 1959 and 1968.

 

Mizpah Lodge No. 302 Installation

On 4 January 2014, Lady Ann and I plus several Grand Lodge officers attended the installation of WB Travis R. Bader to Worshipful Master of Mizpah Lodge No. 302.  WB Travis has virtually grown up in Masonry and it was great to see him be installed as Master by his step-father WB Steve Barchus (who also raised him a Master Mason!)  Good luck to WB Travis and his officers for a great 2014!

 

Sts. John Lodge Winter Meeting

On 27 December, Lady Ann and I attended the Winter meeting of Sts. John Lodge at Mahoney State Park.  We had a nice meal followed by presentations of two different papers.

The first presentation was by MWB John T. Parsons on the difference between F&AM and AF&AM and why it makes little difference today.  (Hint:  Look at your charter.  It says “Free and Accepted Masons”.  Now read the charter.  It says AF&AM, and the Grand Lodge is styled AF&AM.)

The second presentation was made by a very new member to Lodge, Taylor Keen.  Bro. Taylor is a Native American and gave us an overview of the connections between Freemasonry and Native American culture.  It was one of the best talks we’ve had in some time!  He is putting together a Part 2 that we will have at a future meeting.

Sts. John Lodge is a special purpose Lodge for the purpose of doing Masonic research and education.  We meet twice a year, on the Sts. John days and share papers and research from the members.  If you are interested in joining Sts. John Lodge, feel free to contact me.

 

New Master Mason Bro. Max Carter

On 18 December, RW John Maxell, WB Bob Moninger and myself had the pleasure and honor of conferring the first section of the Master Mason degree on Bro. Max Carter who is also DeMolay State Master Councilor.  This is first time in 20 years that all State Master Councilors will be Master Masons by Annual Communication!  Welcome Brother Max!

I also want to congratulate Mizpah Lodge for putting on a great Master degree!  If you want to see a great degree, one with interest and passion and accuracy, stop by Mizpah for a Master degree sometime.  They really do a great job!

 

Magnolia Lodge No. 220

On 17 December, I met with the Brothers of Magnolia Lodge No. 220 at the Masonic – Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont.  The tradition at Magnolia is to visit the Home at this time of year, take the tour so the new members can learn about the Home and then enjoy a nice meal with the Director Ron and his wife Teresa.  They brought their charter along and we opened Lodge in the Fremont Lodge room and took care of elections as well.  A great night with some great Brothers!

 

Mt. Zion Commandary No. 5 Christmas Event

Lady Ann and I had the pleasure and honor of attending the annual Christmas Event presented by Mt. Zion Commandary No. 5 in Plattsmouth today.  It is a wonderful tradition that was first enjoyed almost 90 years ago at Plattsmouth.  The ceremony is solemn and very apt for this time of year.

 

Omadi No. 5 Christmas Open House

Lady Ann and I traveled to South Sioux City, NE on Saturday 7 December to visit Omadi Lodge No. 5 to spend some time with the Brothers and their wives for a bit of holiday cheer!  They had great snacks, Christmas music and we quite enjoyed our time talking with everyone.

The exciting news it that Omadi Lodge is going to add on to the Lodge building in 2014!  As seen in the picture below, they already have a plan and are beginning the search for a contractor.  As soon as it warms up next year, they will break ground.  It’s great that a Lodge is working on expanding!