NEBRASKA

NEBRASKA – A Great Plains State

 

As we arrived at the airport in North Platte, Nebraska we thought we had time-warped back to Austin and our Celebration on the floor of the Grand Lodge.  Hand clappers, beach balls, lighthouses, beads and posters were all in abundance.  As we received warm hugs from state sponsor PGER Jim and Karen McQuillan, we were surrounded by the Nebraska Elks Association representatives, including State President John Folcik and First Lady Lynn, several of the Vice Presidents and as a special surprise, Past Grand Secretary Jack Jensen. 

After settling in our hotel, we took a quick trip out to the Bailey Yard, the largest train yard in the world.  Stretching over eight miles long and two miles wide, the yard processes over 10,000 train cars going east and west every day.  It was quite a sight from the observation tower, “The Golden Spike.”  That evening we had a relaxing dinner at the local Country Club with several of the Past State Presidents, the DDGERs and the Convention Commission.

Friday morning, Tom headed out early to ride along in the golf cart with Jim McQuillan for their annual golf outing.  The morning was beautiful and he enjoyed his time with the golfers as they "mastered" the course.  Venita had breakfast with Karen, Lynn and several other ladies and then a group of fifteen carpooled to the Dancing Leaf Cultural Center south of North Platte.  Dancing Leaf is the dream of Les and Jan Hosick.  Having bought an old Boy Scout Camp over 16 years ago, they set about turning it into a prehistoric museum and Indian culture center, not to mention their beautiful home.  We were treated to a lunch of buffalo stew, blue corn muffins and other assorted vegetables which would have been available to the Native American populations of the area.  Lunch was followed by a guided tour of the museum and the earthen house that they had constructed, using early Native American construction principles.  This was an inspiring afternoon and one Venita thoroughly enjoyed. 

Friday evening everyone gathered to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Nebraska State Elks Association.  Each Lodge had put together a memory board depicting their many years in Elkdom and their activities for the Association.  It was fascinating to look at the rich heritage of these Lodges over the years.  The dinner was finished off with a special cake to commemorate the anniversary celebration, followed by two very funny comedians who had the entire group laughing until tears were rolling down their faces.

Saturday morning Tom attended the business sessions of the Association.  They followed an avant-garde pattern of early morning announcements followed by breakout sessions grouped by area of interest.  There was a session for Secretaries, a session for fund raising and ENF, and other sessions on specific topics.  Each breakout group received excellent and detailed instruction on their subject matter.  We reconvened for the afternoon training sessions for all of the Exalted Rulers conducted by the three District Deputies.  It was evident that Nebraska has a rock solid state association based upon their financial strength and the depth and breadth of their working dedicated members.  Tom later commented on the superb work being done by these special Elks as they shared valuable information and educated their officers.

Publicity was just excellent.  Mark Flohr arranged for a newspaper interview that returned a three column write up of the 100th Convention of the State Association and about the generosity of Elks in general.  He arranged for two television interviews that aired on the late evening news with the gracious female anchor wearing the GER’s pin throughout the entire telecast!  Great work getting our message out, Mark.

Meanwhile, Venita attended the First Lady's Brunch where she had a chance to speak to the ladies about her background, to thank them for all of their hard work and volunteer hours for the Elks and to encourage them to consider membership in the order.  One of the highlights of the morning was when Rita Norton, United States Air Force Retired spoke about her work with the "Army of Hope" and how she was working to start a local shelter for homeless veterans.  She also told us that she had recently been presented with a quilt from the Quilts of Valor, a volunteer program that puts together quilts for our veterans.  She said it was a proud moment and something she will treasure.

 

That afternoon, Venita visited the Lincoln County History Museum where one of the feature exhibits detailed the activity of the North Platte Canteen.  The Canteen was started on Christmas Day in 1941 when a troop train scheduled to stop in North Platte carrying hometown soldiers turned out to be an error.  Not wishing the fruit and homemade baked goods they had brought for their boys to go to waste, the citizens of North Platte stepped forward and gave the food to the soldiers who were on the train!  And the North Platte Canteen was born.  Throughout the war years, many soldiers were heard to tell others, "Just wait until this next stop.  You're going to get a wonderful surprise."  And that wonderful surprise continued until 1946, with every train being greeted and the soldiers being thanked and fed, all with homemade goods donated by the generous folks of North Platte, Nebraska. 

Saturday evening was the Association convention banquet and the culmination of the Anniversary Celebration.  Tom shared his vision for the future of Elkdom with the audience and congratulated them on their hundred years of service to the Order.  We were presented with a beautiful sculpted elk statue made from local Nebraska clay and Tom was made an Admiral in the Great Nebraska Navy, with a commission by the governor himself.  Venita received a lovely pearl necklace and earring set as well as a donation to the ENF in her name.  As we finished the evening with these warm and hospitable Elks, we couldn't help but reflect on what a powerful and strong state Nebraska is and how privileged we were to share this time with them.  Thanks, everyone!  We'll hope to see you all again very soon.