Nebraska Lodge #1 A:.F:.& A:.M:. - Nebraska Lodge #1 A:.F:.& A:.M:.

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150th Year ~ 2005 HISTRIC TESTLE BOARD ~ Activities

Grand Master's
Humanitarian Award Recipient

"CLICK" to see a Special Tribute to a Great Mason!

Latest Lodge News:
(In chronological order)

BrotherYoni Mensah and his father R:.W:. Joseph Mensah Visited from the Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO
Presented Worshipful Pepper Aasgaard with beautiful Heavy Ebony Gavels for our 150th Year Anniversary.

Schedule for the Month of June 2005

June 06th Regular Communications
June 13th Entered Apprentice Degree one candidates 7:00pm
June 20th Fellow Craft Degree one candidatess 7:00pm
June 27th Master Mason Degree two candidates 7:00pm

Schedule for the Month of May 2005

May 02th Regular Communications
May 09th Entered Apprentice Degree one candidates 7:00pm
May 20th - 22nd Pioneer Campout with all the fixings!
May 23rd Fellow Craft Degree one candidatess 7:00pm
May 30th Dark for Holiday ~ Next Meeting June 6th 2005

Schedule for the Month of April 2005

April 04th Regular Communications
April 11th Entered Apprentice Degree one candidates 7:00pm
April 18th Fellow Craft Degree one candidatess 7:00pm
April 25th Master Mason Degree one candidates 7:00pm

Congratulations:
Brother Jeffery Welch become a Master Mason on March 28th 2005.

A special thanks goes to those visiting brotheren who helped with the degree. WB Steve Barchus of Mizpah Lodge #302, John Sheffield of Bellevue Lodge #325, Potentate Thomas K. Brummett of Covert Lodge 11, WB and Chief Rabban John J. Wonder of John J. Mercer Lodge 290, Brother Al Burton of Florence Lodge #281, numerous members and Past Masters from Nebraska Lodge.

Schedule for the Month of March 2005

March 07th Regular Communications
March 09th Wednesday Entered Apprentice School of Instruction 7:00pm Covert #11
March 14th Entered Apprentice Practice for proficiency 7:00pm
March 15th Tuesday Fellowcraft School of Instruction 7:00pm Centennial #326
March 21st Fellow Craft Practice for proficiency 7:00pm
March 23rd Wednesday 1st Master Mason School of Instruction 7:00pm Map: Papillion Masonic Center
March 28th Master Mason Practice for proficiency 7:00pm
March 29th Tuesday 2nd Master Mason School of Instruction 7:00pm Map: John J. Mercer #290

Congratulations:
Brother Sean Murta and Brother Jason Callaway on becoming Master Masons!

L-R: Curt Edic, 33° General Secretary Valley of Omaha; Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33° Grand Commander Southern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite Masons W:.M:.Pepper Aasgaard, 32°-Worshipful Master; Philip A Lorenzen, 33° Past Grand Master: M:.W:.Ivan Vrtiska, 33° Grand Master

Scottish Rite Reunion held in Hastings Nebraska on March 19th, 2005

Nebraska Lodge had in attendance Pepper Aasgaard, 32° Master; Keith Neisler, 32° Senior Deacon; Curt Edic, 33° General Secretary and Philip A Lorenzen, 33° Past Grand Master and Chaplin for Nebraska Lodge #1. Nebraska lodge had eight candidates, however only three could make the trip. John Brommer, 32°; Chris Martin, 32° and Patrick McCormick, 32° all traveled to Hastings by bus provided by the Scottish Rite and enjoyed seeing wonderful work performed by the Valley of Hastings, the Valley of Omaha, the Grand Lodge Officers. The Spring Reunion in April here in Omaha we will have five candidates who were unable to attend this special Hastings Reunion.

Schedule for the Month of February 2005

February 07th Regular Communications
February 14th Entered Apprentice Degree 2 candidates 7:00pm
February 21st Fellow Craft Degree 2 candidatess 7:00pm
February 28th Master Mason Degree 2 candidates 6:30pm

Congratulations Brother Brad Nietfeldt on becoming a Master Mason!

150^thYear Public Installantion of Officers January 22, 2005

Back Row(s) L-R: W:.Cary L. Manson -Treasurer -Recorder Tangier Shrine; John Brommer -Junior Steward, M:.W:. Philip A. Lorenzen, PGM -Chaplain; Dathe BENISSAN-MESSAN -Senior Steward; Reverend Bill Martin -Installing Chaplin; David Bean, Marshal; W:. Curtis Edic, 33° General Secretary of the Omaha Valley of the Scottish Rite -Installing Marshal; Yoni MENSAH, Tyler,
Bottom Row L-R: R:.W:.Ivan Vrtiska - Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska; Keith Neisler -Senior Deacon; Gregory Wells -Senior Warden; W:. Pepper Aasgaard -Worshipful Master; Sean Reed -Junior Warden; W:.Jack Duffield, Secretary; W:.Joseph M. Restivo -Installing Secretary; Yoni MENSAH -Tyler;
Not Pictured: Thad Freeman, Junior Deacon.

Officers and Appointed Officers

Master (Elect).......................... W:. Pepper Aasgaard
Senior Warden (Elect)............................... Greg Wells
Junior Warden (Elect)................................ Sean Reed
Treasurer (Elect).............................. W:. Cary Mason
Secretary (Elect)............................. W:. Jack Duffield
Appointed
Chaplain........................... M:.W:. Philp A. Lorenzen
Senior Deacon....................................... Keith Neisler
Junior Deacon...................................... Thad Freeman
Senior Steward............ Dathé BENISSAN-MESSAN
Junior Steward.................................... John Brommer
Marshal..................................................... Dave Bean
Tyler..................................................... Yoni Mensah

Pepper Aasgaard, Brad Carne and Sean Murta

Schedule for the Month of January 2005

January 03rd Regular Communications
. . . Br Michael Singleton of Rockford Lodge #469 in Rockford, TN visitor.
January 10th Entered Apprentice Degree 1 candidates 7:00pm
January 17th 7:00pm Installation practice all officers are requested to attend.
January 22nd 7:00pm West Omaha Masonic Center
. . . Public Installation of Officers for 2005 Deputy Grand Master Ivan A. Vrtiska Presiding
January 24th Fellow Craft Degree 1 candidates 7:00pm
January 31st Master Mason Degree 1 candidates 7:00pm

Brother Richard Gillies
Raised 12-15-2004 of
Lodge 518 St Andrew M.T,
School Street, New Pitsligo
Scotland has made plans to visit our Lodge on January 31st 2005

Congratulations Brother Bradley A Carne and Brother Mark Penney

Wednesday December 29th, 2004.

Bradley A Carne
Mark Penney

No Lodge on Monday December 27, 2004.

Announcing the Officers and Appointed officers for 2005.
150^thYear Public Installantion of Officer January 22, 2005

Master (Elect).......................... W:. Pepper Aasgaard
Senior Warden (Elect)............................... Greg Wells
Junior Warden (Elect)................................ Sean Reed
Treasurer (Elect).............................. W:. Cary Mason
Secretary (Elect)............................. W:. Jack Duffield
Appointed
Chaplain........................... M:.W:. Philp A. Lorenzen
Senior Deacon....................................... Keith Neisler
Junior Deacon...................................... Thad Freeman
Senior Steward............ Dathé BENISSAN-MESSAN
Junior Steward.................................... John Brommer
Marshal..................................................... Dave Bean
Tyler..................................................... Yoni Mensah

Business Meeting - Special Election Junior Warden
This December we will have a special election for Junior Warden. The Election in November there was not a clear majority in the ballot, and by permission of the Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska Les Seiler, we will ballot as such.

Business Meeting - Election of Officers 2005
This November business meeting will feature our traditional Chili Feed along with our historically served New England style clam chowder. Come join the feastivities!

Please welcome Brother Charles A. Mueller our newest member! Brother Mueller was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason on October 25th, 2004. We were honored to have several Grand Lodge officers in attendance and participated in the degree work. Among those in attendance were our Chaplin: Most Worshipful Philip A. Lorenzen, Deputy Grand Custodians: Worshipful Brother James E. Cornish and Worshipful Ronald D. Grass both of Tekamah Lodge #31, Tekamah, NE. Worshipful Ron Grass preformed the traveling charge indigenous to the lodges located in the Northeast area of our state. Also traveling from Lincoln Nebraska was Brother Bob Brommer Senior Warden of College View Lodge #320 who joined his son Brother John Brommer and his son-in-law Brother David Ramsay who were just raised last month.

It's Official, Our 150th Year of Masons in Nebraska Ceremonies begun!

Our lodge delegates traveled to the Grand Lodge of Illinois to re-enacting a request for dispensation as did our forefathers 150 years ago on October 9th 2004.
Brother David Miller Most Worshipful Grand Master Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois, listened as Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Ivan A. Vrtiska, personal representative of the Grand Master of Nebraska reads our requests for dispensation written by Most Worshipful Phil A. Lorenzen PGM and signed by Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska Les Seiler. Worshipful Pepper Aasgaard addressed the Grand Lodge and reported the current standings of Nebraska Lodge #184, which is now Nebraska Lodge #1 "Illinois their first son of Nebraska".

The Grand Master of Illinois was then presented a colorful booklet with the history of our lodge and was presented with a detailed copy of the original charter by Chris Marten our Tyler.

Pictured are Most Worshipful Grand Master David Miller of Illinois, Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master Ivan A. Vrtiska,
Worshipful Pepper Aasgaard, Master of Nebraska Lodge #1, and Brother John Christopher Matin, Tyler.

Regular Communications Monday October 4^th2004
Worshipful Master Pepper Aasgaard presided.
150th Year of Masons in Nebraska will kick off with a reenactment of the 1854 request for special dispensation on October 9th, 2004. A delegation from Nebraska Lodge will attend the Grand Lodge of Illinois.

Mr. Charles Mueller was favorably balloted upon. Mr. Mueller has optioned to receive the traditional degrees of ancient craft Masonry this October.

Schedule for the Month of October

October 11th Entered Apprentice Degree 1 candidates - 6:30pm
October 18th Fellow Craft Degree 1 candidates - 7:00pm
October 25th Master Mason Degree 1 candidates - 7:00pm

Please Welcome Our Newest Members! (September 2004)
Our congratulations go to Brothers, (Real Brother in-laws) John Brommer and David Ramsay who were raised to Master Masons on September 27th, 2004.
Brother Bob Brommer SeniorWarden of College View Lodge #320 in Lincoln participated in all degrees of his son and son-in-law. Those in attendance were Most Worshipful Past Grand Master Phil Lorenzen, Chaplin, Right Worshipful Ivan A. Vrtiska, Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska, Past Grand Custodian Gus Scolaro of Capitol Lodge #3, Worshipful Jason Phelps, Master of College View Lodge #320, Chief Rabban Thomas K. Brummett of Covert Lodge 11, WB and Assistant Rabban John J. Wonder of John J. Mercer Lodge 290, Brother Al Burton of Florence Lodge #281, numerous members and Past Masters from Nebraska Lodge. A beautiful memento of the degree was made by Brother Sean Reed our Senior Deacon. Refreshments were served with a special twist; a cake was made by the Grandmother of visiting Worshipful Master Jason Phelps. The famous "Master's" double chocolate cake had a special white icing square and compass designed on each piece!

Regular Communications Monday September 13^th2004
Worshipful Master Pepper Aasgaard motioned for a perpetual Memorial Fund to be established and named in honor of W:. Lyle F.Ward Past Master 1990., reviewed and passed unanimously.

Schedule for the Month of September

September 20th No Meeting, gathering local Past Masters
September 27th Master Mason Degree 2 candidates 6:30pm

Congratulations Brother Dathé BENISSAN-MESSAN!
Worshipful Pepper Aasgaard appointed Brother Dathé Tiler.
Brother Dathé is from of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA. Brother BENISSAN-MESSAN became an affiliated member of Nebraska Lodge in Spring of 2004. Brother Dathé will fill the Tiler’s position held by Brother Chris Martin* while he is absent. Brother Dathé is a medical student here in Omaha and in the short time he has been affiliated with our lodge has learned all the charges for all the degrees. If any visitor is in need an interpreter when visiting our lodge we are in luck, Brother Dathé is conversant in six languages.

^{*Brother Martin has taken a job which includes a great amount of travel, he is presently in Texas.}

David Bean and son Tucker

Brother David Bean, a Naval Officer stationed at Offutt AFB became an affiliated member of Nebraska Lodge #1 May of this year. Brother Bean has helped with our degree work as his schedule permits. Brother Bean is an affiliated member from Alexandria-Washington Lodge #22 of the Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM.

^{Pictured: Brother Bean and his son Tucker.}

Regular Communications Monday August 2^nd2004
Presiding at Worshipful Master's Request: W:.Keith Winheim Past Master 1977
Worshipful Master Pepper Aasgaard will at a Memorial Service for W:. Lyle F.Ward in Greenup, Illinois.

Schedule for the Month of August

August -9th Entered Apprentice Degree 2 candidates
August 16th Fellow Craft Degree 2 candidates - Lodge Opens 6:30pm
August 23th Master Mason Degree 3 candidates Lodge Opens 6:30pm
August 30th To Be Announced

Note from the Master . . . If you weren’t there you missed one of the most delightful Master Mason’s Degrees we have had in many years. Our Junior Steward Keith Neisler, not only learned the Second Ruffian role (in less than two days), soloed our Masonic funeral dirge then went on to give the Third Section Lecture!

Further, our Senior Deacon Brother Sean Reed, also learn the First Ruffian’s role (in two days), then played the organ for the funeral dirge. Sean also took time to make a pamphlet of the degree participants. Each attendee received one of these wonderful mementos using early Masonic art and reproductions of old Masonic lithographs.

I am humbled and in total admiration of both these fine Masons.

Having a soloist, an organist and handing out historical mementoes truly added elegance and meaning to our degree ritual.

Regular Communications Monday July 12^th2004
Congratulations Lodge Officers on becoming Proficient Once Again!
Nebraska Lodge #1 is now a fully certified and proficient Lodge in all degrees!

Schedule for the Month of July

July 19th Fellow Craft Degree 3 candidates - Lodge Opens 6:30pm
July 24th All Sitting Worshipful Master's Degree Tekamah #31
July 26th Master Mason Degree 1 candidate Lodge Opens 7:00pm

Regular Communications Monday June 7^th2004
Lodge will open at 7:30 p.m.

Worshipful Brother Lyle F. Ward died Monday June 21st 2004
. . . . . "CLICK" to see a Special Tribute to a Great Mason!
Schedule for the Month of June

June 14th Proficiency All Officers are requested to attend.
June 21st Fellow Craft Degree 3 candidates Cancelled will be rescheduled
June 26th Past Master's Dinner 6:00 pm
June 28th TBA- EA Degree or Master Mason Degree.

Regular Communications
Monday June 7^th2004
Lodge will open at 7:30 p.m.

Monday May 17^thand 24^th2004
Lodge will open at 7:00 p.m. All Officers are required to attend for Proficiency

Monday May 10^thLodge will open at 6:30 p.m. Two Entered Apprentice Candidates!

Regular Communications Monday May 3^rd
Lodge will open at 7:30 p.m. Merle Johnson of Wachovia Investments and Tom Brazer, our Finance Committee Chairman will summarize our financial status.

Monday April 19^thand 26^th2004
Lodge will open at 7:00 p.m. Officers are requested to attend this practice for Fellow Craft proficiency. We have only a few weeks left until we are required to prove-up.

Monday April 12^th 2004
We have five candidates for the Entered Apprentice Degree.
Lodge will open at 6:30 p.m. We encourage all members to lend a helping hand.
Please come and enjoy the degrees with these fine men.

Saturday April 10^th 2004

One Day Degree West Omaha Masonic Center
30 Candidates were raised, 10 Lodges were represented. Worshipful Master Pepper Aasgaard was King Soloman and also resided in the East during Fellow Craft Degree.

Regular Communications Monday April 5^th 2004
We welcome our visiting Brothers tonight from the Grand Jurisdiction of Virginia and other visiting members from Nebraska Lodges!

Monday March 29^th2004 7:00 pm

Florence Lodge^#281 is hosting the Grand Lodge School of Instruction.
Master Mason Degree: Our Lodge will meet there for the evening.
Refreshments will be served after the School of Instruction.

Monday March 22^nd2004 7:00 pm

Nebraska Lodge^#1 is hosted the Grand Lodge School of Instruction.
Master Mason Degree: Our Lodge supplied the candidate and open the lodge.
Refreshments were served after the School of Instruction.
The Grand Custodian gave the officers of our lodge a grand complement by pointing out the manner in which we opened the lodge and the professionalism shown.

We don't know if they came to listen and learn or to eat . . . . One of the Mysteries of Masonry!

Below:
Pepper Aasgaard opens the Master Masons School of Instruction and recognizes the Deputy Grand Custodians_.Top Row:
Cary Mason, Treasurer; Pepper Aasgaard, Master; WM Philip A. Lorenzen, Chaplin
Bottom Row:
David Kipp (Trainee) Halsey Phillips, Harold Noble, Gus Scolaro Past Grand Custodian Emeritus, Sean Reed, Senior Deacon.

Below Right:
MW Phillip A. Lorenzen gives a few ponters on the fine points of sandwich making as Keith Neisler and Greg Wells observe.
With his camouflage nose gear DGC Trainee Dave Kipp is almost incognito as he observers the training session unnoticed!

Wednesday March 17^th2004 7:00 pm
Officers are requested to attend the School of Instruction in Bellevue.
For directions: Cleck Here!
Monday March 15^th2004
We will be meeting at: Florence Lodge #281

. . . . . . . . . . .Located at: 8223 North 30th Street, Omaha, NE
We have been blessed with the support of the lodge members of Florence Lodge #281 numerous times over the years. This week they have requested us to help during a Master Masons degree this Monday and it is my desire that all who are able to attend do so. We are truly honored to assist in any way we are able.

Monday March 8^th22^ndand 29^th2004 scheduled for Proficiency Review.

Regular Communications Monday March 1^st 2004 Business Meeting
Special Notice:
Please keep Brother Rick Logsdon and his family in your prayers; three members of his immediate family have passed on this past week. We will keep you posted.

Congratulations to Pepper Aasgaard who received Grand Master Ken Beebe's commendation for his membership recruitment efforts in 2003 as the top recruiter in Nebraska! Pepper recognized all members "It takes team effort to re-build a lodge!" Nebraska Lodge was also recognized for two years of positive membership growth!

Monday February 9^th, 16^thand the 23^rd2004
We will be practicing for proficiency, all officers are requested to attend.

^{_{Pictured R to L:}} Pepper Aasgaard, Worshipful Master; Brother Dathé BENISSAN-MESSAN of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA; Right Worshipful Tété A. BENISSAN-MESSAN Grand Chaplin of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA; Most Worshipful Philip A. Lorenzen, PGM of Masons in Nebraska, Chaplin

Our Lodge was honored this business meeting with the presents of Right Worshipful Tété A. BENISSAN-MESSAN Grand Chaplin of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA. WR Tété A. BENISSAN-MESSAN is Brother Dathé BENISSAN-MESSAN's father who is visiting from TOGO West Africa and will be attending our Grand Lodge Session this week. WR Tété A. BENISSAN-MESSAN presented W:. Pepper Aasgaard with a scarf and a hand carved Square and Campus made with four different hardwoods and graced with a quartz timepiece. W:. Pepper Aasgaard then surprised our guests with the TOGO Flag which is displayed behind W:. Aasgaard. The flag will accompany WR Tété A. BENISSAN-MESSAN while he is visiting our Grand Lodge Session as a symbolic gustier of goodwill accorded visiting dignitaries from other jurisdictions.

NOTICE: February 2^nd Business Meeting 4x4's available!
If you need to have someone pick you up, please call the Master! NOTICE: January 26^th Meeting Cancelled (Snow Storm!)

Back Row(s) L-R: Keith Neisler, Junior Steward; Don Gockley Senior Warden-Elect of Covert Lodge 11 - Installing Secretary; R:.W:.Ivan Vrtiska -Grand Junior Warden; W:.Harold Noble: Deputy Grand Custodian - Installing Chaplain; M:.W:.Kenneth D. Beebe -Grand Master of Masons in Nebraska; W: Curtis Edic, 33° General Secretary of the Omaha Valley of the Scottish Rite -Installing Marshal; Rick Logsdon, Marshal; Dathe BENISSAN of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA.
Bottom Row L-R: Aric Aasgaard -Junior Deacon; W:.John B. Holzhey, Secretary; Gregory Wells -Junior Warden;
W:. Pepper Aasgaard -Worshipful Master; W:.Billy Ray King -Senior Warden; W:.Cary L. Manson -Treasurer -Recorder Tangier Shrine; ; Sean Reed -Senior Deacon; Yoni MENSAH of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO, WEST AFRICA;
Not Pictured: MW Philip A. Lorenzen, PGM -Chaplain; Thad Freemen, Senior Steward; John Christopher Martin, Tyler.

Installation of Officers 2004
The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Nebraska
Kenneth D. Beebe
Presiding
General Secretary of the Omaha Valley of the Scottish Rite
Curtis Edic, 33°
Installing Marshal
Monday January 10th, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

Regular Communications Monday January 5^th 2004 Business Meeting

Please Welcome Our Newest Members! (January 2004)

By your ballot our membership has elected Andrew Fisher to receive the degrees of Masonry. We also favorably balloted on three Master Masons from other jurisdictions to become united with us.

Please welcome Yoni MENSAH, and Dathe BENISSAN both of whom are from the of The Grand Jurisdiction of TOGO – WEST AFRICA. Brother Paul S. Rutherford of West Allis Lodge - 291 of the Grand Jurisdiction of Wisconsin.

Monday January 12th: Review of events for 2004,
Monday January 19th: Practice FC Degree Open and Close,
Monday January 26th: Practice FC/MM Degree Open and Close.

Back Issues of the Pioneer!

Winter-Spring-Summer 150th Year Pioneer 12 page (On Line version) PDF

Winter-Spring 150th Year Pioneer 12 page (6 Month Mailed version) PDF

Winter-Spring 2004 Pioneer 16 page (6 Month Mailed version) PDF

Summer- Fall 2003 Pioneer 12 page (6 Month Mailed version) PDF

March 2003 Pioneer 8 pages (3Month mailed version) PDF

December 2002 Pioneer (3 Month mailed version) PDF

September-October 2002 Pioneer

June-July-August 2002 Pioneer

150 Years of Masonry in Nebraska