York Lodge No. 56 Honors Members with Year Pin Ceremony

W.B. Kevin Scheele, Grand Orator, had the pleasure of presenting three year pins at York Lodge No. 56 on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Brethren and guests enjoyed a dinner served by members of the lodge. Following dinner and dessert, all present entered the lodge room for the presentation ceremonies. The honorees included Bro. Larry Harding, a 50-year Mason, and  Bro. Fred Branz and Bro. Vic Michel celebrated 65 years in Masonry. W.B. Scheele felt especially honored to present the two 65-year pins, as Bro. Branz is a neighbor of his and Bro. Michel is the current Bronze Jordan Medal holder for York Lodge No. 56. Unable to attend the ceremonies were Bro. Ben Kohl (25 years) and Bro. Jack Moomey (50 years). Congratulations to each of these Brothers for their combined 255 years of dedication to Masonry!

Left picture: Vic Michel and his wife; Fred Branz and his wife; and Grand Orator Kevin Scheele.  Right picture: Larry Harding and his wife with Grand Orator Kevin Scheele.

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Entered Apprentice in Wahoo Earns EA Proficiency Coin

Steven Holst, a newly initiated member of Wahoo Lodge No. 59 recited the full form questions and answers on October 27, 2018 to receive the Grand Master’s EA Full Proficiency Coin. R.W. Jim Carlton, Grand Junior Warden, and Charlie Odorizzi, Grand Chaplain, were present to witness the recital and to present the coin.

Pictured are W.B. Terry Foxworthy (grandfather of the new Brother), Steven Holst, W.M. Jared Ketner (seated), R.W. Jim Carlton, and W.B. Greg Nabity. Picture taken by Charlie Odorizzi.

 

Bellevue Lodge Presents Check to The Nebraska Masonic Home

On Tuesday October 9, 2018, Secretary of Bellevue Lodge No. 325, W.B. Hal Cottrell, presented a check in the amount of $500.00 to W.B. Steve Barchus, Nebraska Masonic Home Foundation Director. This money will be used to update the Masonic Home’s nurse’s call system.

 

Jobies Present Closing Ceremony

Prior to opening Miloma Lodge No. 328 in Omaha on Wednesday, October 3, 2018, the education portion of the stated meeting was a demonstration of the closing ceremony for Job’s Daughters. It was incredibly well done and fun to watch, and was definitely appreciated by all present.

The Job’s Daughters are left to right: Rachel, Shelby, Audrey, Honored Queen Audrey, Emily, Emily, and Ashley. The men pictured left to right: VW Charlie Odorizzi Grand Chaplain, WM Don Hawkins, WB Barry Higgins, and WB Matt Schell.

 

Sonny Eatmon Traveling Gavel Presented to Prince Hall Grand Master and Passed On

On Sunday, September 16, Joel Green, Worshipful Master of East Lincoln Lodge No. 210, presented the Grand Lodge of Nebraska Sonny Eatmon Traveling Gavel to Henry D. Atkinson, Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nebraska, at the Prince Hall Americanism Day and Public Installation of Grand Lodge Officers. This is the first time in the history of the gavel that it has been presented to Prince Hall.

Then on Wednesday, October 3rd, Prince Hall Deputy Grand Master Freddie Clopton presented the gavel to Worshipful Master Myron Bell and the members of Bellevue Lodge No. 325.

In 2005, the James L. “Sonny” Eatmon Traveling Gavel was presented as a gift to the Grand Lodge by the family of Past Grand Master James L. “Sonny” Eatmon, Grand Master in 1992.  In honor of this gift, this gavel or wood maul was commissioned at the Annual Communication in February 2006 to start its journey at the newly elected Grand Master’s lodge each year.  The purpose of the gavel is to encourage lodge visitations by lodge officers and members to pass on the gavel from lodge to lodge.

The above picture shows the gavel being presented to Prince Hall – Back row left to right: Fitzroy Mitchell,  Robert Hill, Jerome McCowin, Cecil Austin, Percy Newton, and Freddie Clopton. Front row: MW Grand Master Henry D. Atkinson, WM Joel Green.

The above picture shows PH Deputy Grand Master Freddie Clopton presenting the gavel to WM Myron Bell of Bellevue Lodge No. 325.

 

Washington Lodge Rededication

On August 25th, the Grand Lodge Officers traveled to Blair, Nebraska for the 150th Anniversary and rededication of Washington Lodge No. 21.  At the conclusion of the Ceremony, M.W. Patrick Barger presented two Fellow Craft Proficiency Coins to members of Washington Lodge.

Shown receiving their Coins from M.W. Barger are Brothers Chris Ray and Caleb Sandall.

 

CHIP Event Held in Lincoln by Cotner 297

On August 4, 2018, twelve Brethren from Cotner Lodge No. 297, Craftsmen Lodge No. 314 and Waterloo Lodge No. 102 gathered at the Northeast Family Center in Havelock in Lincoln, NE for a CHIP Event.

There were four computer stations, a dental station, and medical station. Brothers manned the check-in, computer and check-out stations. The dental station was manned by two students from the College of Dentistry where Toothprints, an impression of the kids’ teeth, were made. The medical station was manned by Rhonda Sanford and her daughter Kristen from Bethel #63, where DNA swabs were taken. All information collected from the children was then given to the parents and erased from the computers. The parents were educated by the Brethren on how to store the DNA and dental impressions, and the photos, interview and description of the kids, stored on a USB thumb drive, were also given to the parents.

In an event where the child is missing, all this information can be handed to the authorities, saving precious time. Instead of interviewing distraught parents, the authorities can use this information to immediately start search efforts. Since the program began, over 45,000 kids in Nebraska have had packets made and given to their parents. The event lasted for lasted for three hours and 40 identification packets were processed and given to grateful parents.

The event was organized on behalf of the Northeast Family Center by W.B. Rob Sanford, a member of the Nebraska Freemasons CHIP Foundation Board, and W.M. Mark Rossignol of Cotner Lodge. W.B. Rob commented that it was great to see so many Brothers willing to come out and support this event. W.M. Mark provided technical support for the computers when there were technical difficulties. The event went smoothly and the interaction between the Brethren and the Community gave everyone involved a great sense of pride and fellowship.

If your Lodge would like to host an event such as this to interact with and serve with your community, please contact the Grand Lodge. Events such as Back to School nights, company picnics and health fairs are excellent opportunities to get Freemasonry in front of the public. Who knows, you might even get someone interested in your Lodge and Freemasonry!