Wednesday, September 18th was a warm day for the Fall Outing, and we welcomed 160 Scottish Rite Masons, their guests and prospective members for an evening of trap shooting, Husker chops, cocktails and beer at the Papillion Gun Club.

Rex Waller, 32°, Bob Pelletier, 32° and TJ Brumfield, 32° ran the bar during the evening, and Kyle Beckner offered 50-50 drawing tickets for sale. The money was divided into two drawings, and the winners - Steve Barchus, 33° and Andrew Muska, 32° KCCH-elect - both donated $100 of their winnings back to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha.

The Culinary Masters outdid themselves with perfectly grilled Husker baked potatoes, corn, salad, and brownies and spice cake for dessert.

Kyle Beckner, 32°, Senior Warden for the Knights of St. Andrew, drew winning tickets for the KSA’s fundraiser, raffling off two bottles of excellent Scotch. Mike Precella, 32° KCCH-elect won a bottle of Glenfiddich and Alan Boulter, 32° won a Balvenie’s 12-year old Scotch. The fundraiser raised about $400 for the KSA, and money goes back to the Valley in donations for items the Scottish Rite might not have budgeted for. Over $50,000 has been given back to the Valley over the years, including the donation of a defibrillator, curtain repairs in the theater, a new ice machine for the kitchen, CPR training, benches in the courtyard, and more.

A number of prospective Masons came to the Spring Outing, learning about Masonry at the relaxed event, and both Lodges and the Scottish Rite have picked up a few petitions from the Spring and Fall Outing. Several Brethren expressed an interest in petitioning, and we look forward to seeing them in the Fall Reunion.

The Scottish Rite extends its appreciation to all the Line Officers, Knights of St. Andrew, Culinary Masters and Brethren who volunteered during the evening.

Great weather, great fellowship, and of course, great food is never a thing to miss - so mark your calendars for the Spring Outing on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. And invite a few prospective Masons!