Taken from the Lodge Newsletter,'Comet Commentaries' & The Minutes. Thanks Bro. McIntosh!
May: W.M Jack Johnson Installed Bro. Roger Hill as Senior Deacon with WB Gene Peterson acting as Installing Marshal. The Lodge was certified in the Master Mason Degree by the Deputy Grand Custodian. The date for the certification in the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees will be determined at a later date.
April: The Spring Highway Cleanup was held and we had an attendance of 15 brethren and a couple of young helpers! The job was finished in about an hour. Bro. Greg Prososki gave a short report on the Schools of Instruction held by the Grand Lodge.
March: A Spaghetti Feed was held for the Tiger Rock TaeKwonDo Academy held in Ceresco so that they could purchase the approved mats they needed for the class. The fundraiser was a great success and the class was able to purchase the mats they needed. A Soup Supper was held in conjunction with a Ceresco History event in the Lodge room. People were asked to bring in historical artifacts, photos and memorabilia from the Ceresco area and Chili, Oyster and Potato Soups were served. Bro. Russ Roberts was examined by S.W. Greg Prososki in the Fellowcraft Degree and was declared proficient by W.M. Jack Johnson. The Sublime Degree of a Master Mason was then conferred on Bro. Russ Roberts with assistance of brethren from Wahoo and Craftsmen Lodges. A Bible was presented to Bro. Russ and he expressed his thanks to the Lodge and its guests for the excellent presentation.
February: It was decided that two $500.00 academic scholarships be funded for students at Raymond Central High School. Bro. Scott Ohle was installed as Junior Steward and WB Darrell Beaman was installed as Marshal.
January: Installation of Officers was held, with WB Gerry Brodd as Installing Master, WB Bob Schmucker as Installing Marshal & WB Jim Hunter as Installing Secretary.
The following Officers were Installed: WB Jack Johnson, Worshipful Master Bro. Greg Prososki, Senior Warden Bro. Merv Moeller, Junior Warden WB Jerry Niday, Treasurer WB Jim Hunter, Secretary Bro. Doug McIntosh, Junior Deacon Bro. Andrew Tanner, Senior Steward WB Erv Rolofson, Tyler WB Gene Peterson, Chaplain
Bro. Russell Roberts was presented, examined & declared proficient in the Entered Apprentice Degree. The Degree of a Fellowcraft Mason was then conferred on Bro. Roberts with the Middle Chamber Lecture given by WB Bob Schmucker, The Q&A given by WB Darrell Beaman and WB Gerald Brodd, The Letter "G" was given by WB Jack Johnson and the Charge by WB Jack Lefler. Bro. Russ expressed his thanks for an impressive performance and said that he found the Middle CHamber Lecture to be especially significant. Present for the Degree were brethren from Wahoo Lodge who we wish to thank for the assistance they provided. It was decided that the Lodge would again sponsor a Raymond Central student for the Masonic All Star Marching Band Camp this coming summer.
December: The Annual Banquet was enjoyable as always, with over 50 in attendance, including the Raymond Central Band Director, and two of the Band Students who attended the Masonic All-Star Marching Band Camp this summer. The Band Instructror and Band Students also provided the entertainment for the evening by playing a few songs, and the students gave a short presentation on attending the Band Camp. WB Jack Johnson announced that there would be a closed Installation of Officers at the January Meeting, with WB Gerry Brodd as Installing Master. The Degree of an Entered Apprentice Mason was conferred on Mr. Russ Roberts by the sitting Officers.
November: A Petition for the Initiation for Russ Roberts was read and a Committe of Investigation was appointed. Plans for the Annual Banquet were finalized, with the menu being pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn, lettuce salad and ice cream & cookies for dessert. Members of the 2009 Masonic All-Star Marching Band and their families will be invited as guests of the Lodge, as will the Raymond Central Band Director. It was moved and carried that the ladies restroom get a pair of new fixtures, and the mens, new paint and supplies.
Elections were held for the year 2010, withthe following results: WB Jack Johnson, Master Bro. Greg Prososki, Senior Warden Bro. Merv Moeller, Junior Warden WB Jerry Niday, Treasurer WB Jim Hunter, Secretary
October: The Lodge Highway Clean-up was held on Oct 17th and there were a good number of brethren in attendance, (along with a helper or two!), and the work was done well and quickly. The date of the Annual Lodge Banquet was scheduled and plans are in the works.
September: Bro. Greg Prososki and Bro. Merv Moeller attended and reported on the Grand Lodge Leadership Meeting at the Scottish Rite in Lincoln. Bro. Greg Prososki reported that the new Dan Brown book, The Lost Symbol was to be released on Sept 15th and that the book was to focus on the Masonic Fraternity. After the books release many of the brethern have read it and are pleasantly surprised that he treated the Freemasons very fairly.Wb Jerry Niday reported on the CHIP Program at the State Fair, put on at the Nebraska Sheriff's Association building was well attended.
August: Bro. Andrew Tanner was presented with his commerative Masonic Bible. The Degree of Master Mason was conferred on Bro. Marc Grimminger, who also received his Masonic Bible. WB Erv Rolofson reported that his granddaughter had greatly enjoyed participating in the Masonic All-Star Band Camp and the Shrine Bowl Parade in Havelock and the East-West game and was thankful for the scholarshipthe lodge provided for her to attend.WB Jerry Niday reported that the Raymond Central Band Director had been in contact with the Grand Lodge Office, and that she was able to utilize three scolarships from lodges which had funded scholarships, but had no candidates. The RC Band Director was a chaperone again this year for the Masonic Band Camp as well.
July: The Oasis and Quilt Show were a huge success, as well as the Golf Tournament in Wahoo. Thanks again to Bro. Doug McIntosh for again for all the work involved in making the Golf Outing a success!
June: Preparation for this years Oasis and Quilt Show are underway. The Lodge was successfully certified in the EA, FC & MM Degrees. WM Gerry Brodd and Helen are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in Ashland at the VFW! The Degree of a Fellowcraft Mason was conferred on Bro. Marc Grimminger.
May: A new flag was purchased for the Lodge as the old one had gotten frayed and tattered. Discussion of the Soup Supper, which was a success! WB Jack Johnson and WB Gerry Brodd visited Craftsman Lodge # 314 and assisted in degree work. The Entered Apprentice Degree was conferred on Mr. Marc Grimminger.
March: A new microwave was purchased for the lodge from the Memorial Fund. Discussion of a date for highway clean-up was discussed and set. The petition of Mr. Marc Grimminger was read, voted on favorably, and an Investigation Committee appointed. The Sublime Degree of a Master Mason was conferred on Bro. Scott Ohle, by the sitting officers. Congratulations Bro. Scott!
February: WB Gerry Brodd, WB Jack Johnson & Bro. Greg Prososki attended Grand Lodge in Kearney Feb 6th & 7th, which was very informative and an enjoyable time. During the Regular Meeting, it was discussed that Ceresco Days would be here before we know it and plans are in the works for the upcoming events.
Bro. Doug McIntosh is planning the annual lodge Swing for Kids golf tournament at the Hilltop Country Club, near Wahoo, for Saturday July 11th, with a shotgun start at 8am.
WB Jerry Niday has built a new display case for the Past Masters pictures that is a work of art and a great improvement over the frames that held them previously. Take a look at it when you attend the next Regular Meeting or Degree. Thanks Jerry! The Lodge has been busy practicing for the Master Mason Degree to be held soon, so keep an eye on the events calendar, the date will be posted soon!
January: After a brief Business Meeting, Installation of Officers was held, with W.B. Leroy Hanson, serving as Installing Master, W.B. Robert Schmucker, serving as Installing Marshall, W.B. Jim Hunter, serving as Installing Secretary and W.B. Jack Lefler, serving as Installing Chaplain.
The Degree of a Fellowcraft Mason was conferred on Bro. Scott Ohle on January 29th. The Degree was done very well, as usual, and Jack Johnson's potato soup was enjoyed before the degree by all who attened. We would also like to thank all the visitors that attended the degree!
December: The Committe of Investigation reported favorably on the petition of Mr. Scott Ohle that was read and it was voted that the Candidate was to receive the Degrees of Masonry. Bro. Doug McIntosh reported that he and his crew had installed the insulation in the ceiling above the Lodge Room. W.B. Gerry Brodd reported that Brother Lloyd Edwards, our Deputy Grand Custodian for so many years, remains in the Ashland Care Center and visitors would be welcomed. Our Annual Masonic Banquet was held on December 5th with a meal that included Steakettes, Baked Potatoes, Green Beans and Lettuce Salad, prepared by the "Val Ladies". There were over 40 in attendance and a good time was had by all.
On December 11th, the Degree of an Entered Apprentice Mason was conferred on Mr. Scott Ohle. A date for conferring the Fellowcraft Degree will be decided on at the January 8th Regular Meeting.
November: The Highway Clean-up Program contract was renewed for 2009. The new ductwork was installed in the lodge room so it is now more evenly heated. A petition was read and will be voted on during the Regular Meeting on December 4th!
Election of 2009 Officers was held: Master-Gerald Brodd, Senior Warden-Jack Johnson, Junior Warden-Greg Prososki, Treasurer-Jerry Niday, Secretary-Jim Hunter.
On August 26th in Ceresco, and on August 28th and 29th in Valparaiso, Comet Lodge together with the Raymond Central PTO held the first ever CHIP event at the two grade schools! Organized by Doug & Laura McIntosh and the RC PTO, and with funds raised by Comet Lodge, approximately 90% of the elementary students participated in the program! For those who aren't familiar with the CHIP Program, It is the 'CHild Identification Program', which is a kit that consists of a video interview of the child which captures the child's appearance and speech, a still photograph, the child's fingerprints, a dental impression, and finally a cheek swab to get a sample of the child's DNA. Data collected by the National Crime Information Center and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports that a child is reported missing every 43 seconds. Having this much of the child's information at your fingertips could greatly assist the authorities if the child ever went missing. The Lodge would again like to recognize the tremendous job Doug & Laura McIntosh did in spearheading this event!
