The Omaha Scottish Rite had a busy Lodge dinner in February. The February Lodge evening celebrates our sweetheart’s, and Valentine’s was the theme for the evening, and the Scottish Rite welcomed over 150 Scottish Rite Masons and their ladies. Cheryl Wonder decorated each table with a Valentine’s-themed centerpiece and red napkins, and the Line Officers gave each lady a beautiful bag with a dreamcatcher and Baker’s chocolates.
The Knights of St. Andrew exemplified the 29° in front of a large audience of 85 members. This was done so that members of the last Class would be eligible to join the KSA, having seen the 29th Degree. T.J. Brumfield, 32° KCCH thanked members of the cast, several of whom stepped in at the last moment to cover for Brethren who could not be present.
After a fantastic dinner of chicken cordon bleu served by the Culinary Masters, John Hardy, 32° KCCH welcomed each member of the November, 2023 Fall Class with their lady or top-line signer, who presented them with their 32° cap. Dan Wellendorf, 33°, SGIG in Nebraska, and John Maxell, 33° PGM helped present each member of the Fall class with their 32° patents, which the Valley had professionally framed. John Maxell presented Perpetual Membership certificates to 7 Brethren, and Dan Wellendorf exercised executive privilege, taking the opportunity to make an impromptu presentation of framed copies of the 33° Class photograph to Bill German, 33° and Mike Stuhr, 33°, who received their Scottish Rite honors last August. A larger print of the 2023 Inspectors General Honorary Class will be framed and hung in the 33° Conference Room later this year.
Finally, Cheryl Wonder drew the winning raffle ticket and presented Melissa Booker, whose husband Jesse joined in the Fall Reunion, a beautiful basket with coffee and snacks.
The evening ended with an appeal to the Almoner’s Fund, which raised $300. The Almoner draws on this fund throughout the year and makes gifts to those in need, usually no more than $250, and given completely anonymously with neither the need for or expectation of thanks.
The Sweetheart’s Dinner is always a busy evening, but a wonderful evening to celebrate our ladies and the accomplishments of the Omaha Valley Scottish Rite.