NCM 131-6.indd

NORTH CAROLINA
The Mason
Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina
Volume 131
Number 6
Oxford, North Carolina
November/December 2006
Southern Historical Collection to preserve records
By Ric Carter
CHAPEL HILL — The Grand Lodge of North Carolina has
long guarded its archives, some for more than 200 years. With an
October packing and move, the documents’ chances of safety and
access for another 200 years is greatly improved. After a year of
talks between the Board of General Purposes, other Masonic officers and committees and the Southern Historical Collection at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, thousands upon
thousands of pages of historic Masonic records are now in their
new home at the University.
The bulk of the records moved are old annual returns (1780s
through the early 1940s) and minute and ledger books from extinct lodges. Our guardianship of those records has varied in effectiveness. We have done well with some things, but likely not
so well with others. Changing offices several times has surely lost
some pieces, as has changing opinions of what is important. Theft
has likely taken some toll. But, by and large, a huge body of Masonic documents has been pretty well maintained.
Collection information says, “The Southern Historical Collection documents the American South with massive holdings of
unique, primary source materials… This is the largest assemblage
of materials anywhere in the world documenting the region.” They
offer “strong documentation of all periods of southern history.”
What do we offer the Southern Historical Collection?
We give them an extensive collection of documents that place
specific people in specific places at specific times. We send them
first hand records of fraternal and community life from a century and a half of North Carolina history. As the state’s oldest fraternal organization, we offer information older than most
other organizations.
What do they offer us?
They offer an accessible home for our history that can be
shared with more people than we ever dreamed. They offer a
staff that will be able to catalog and retrieve documents. Most
of all, they offer the resources to protect the documents better
than we ever could.
The Wilson Library Conservation Lab has the tools and
know-how to treat, mend, and maintain these unique records.
They are held in an environment especially designed to keep the
appropriate levels of temperature and humidity to maximize the
life of the archives.
Masonry and the University have a relationship that goes
Ric Car ter photos
Oldest archives moving to UNC
Professionals, above, from UNC packed old annual
returns from lodges. Right, are the stacks for which
those returns are bound.
back to the creation of the University. William R. Davie, our
third grand master, was the “Father of the University.” It was he
who shepherded the creation of the world’s first state university
through the North Carolina legislature. Davie and other Masons
selected and donated the land on which the University stands to
this day. Grand Master Davie led the first public Masonic procession of the North Carolina Grand Lodge October 12, 1793 to
preside over the Masonic ceremony dedicating the cornerstone
for Old East, the first building on the campus and the oldest state
university building in the country. The layout of the old campus is
reminiscent of the floor of a Masonic lodge with three buildings
(named East, West, and South) arranged in a rectangle around
the Old Well, with no building on the north side. Masonic lodges
have officer stations referred to as the East, West, and South with
an altar between.
The Southern Historical Collection has its roots in the first
manuscript collecting of the North Carolina Historical Society
in 1844. Late in the 1800s, UNC inherited those files, and by
see ARCHIVES, page 4
First Pig Jig is a hog-sized success!
make $3,000. The $12,000 they raised feeding
500 visitors with the Carolina Pig Jig Barbecue
Cookoff exceeded any definition of success.
They first determined what they wanted
to accomplish. They listed three goals: to raise
money for charity, to enhance their community relationships, and to create an opportunity
for our lodges and Prince Hall lodges to share
a good time. If you’re in North Carolina, what
better event can you find than a pig picking.
Thus was born the first Masonic Carolina Pig
Jig BBQ Cookoff.
Fifty percent of this year’s earnings went to
the Raleigh Rescue Mission, 25% to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, and 25% to the
Central Children’s Home. Mammoth Grading,
Inc. was the Pig Jig’s Boss Hog Sponsor, making
a major contribution.
The eight teams took their positions at the
North Carolina State Fairgrounds on Friday
Ric Car ter photos
By Ric Carter
RALEIGH — Expectations varied last
spring when Raleigh 500 started talking about
doing a big fundraiser. The careful reminded
them that breaking even on a first time event
would be a success, especially if they had fun.
The bold hoped to feed a couple hundred and
Left, early arrivals enjoyed a large selection of flavors. Above, Grand Master Fitch, Representative Etheridge,
and Grand Master Jernigan all enjoyed
the barbecue.
Salem 289’s team of Joey Transou and
Cliff Pranke won both Grand Champion and People’s Choice awards.
afternoon, September 15. There they spent the
night stoking coals and basting pork. There was
also a good deal of tale telling and card playing
as the night came and went.
There were no presupposed definitions of
barbecue, just a freestyle cooking with any sauce
and presentation the team wanted. One team
used a home-built smoker, another used an ultra-high-end gas giant. One team wore uniforms
and another hula skirts and Hawaiian shirts. A
couple of teams brought campers, one complete
with trophies of their previous cooking victories.
see PIG JIG, page 5
THE BOTTOM LINE
Reflections
By Gene T. Jernigan
Grand Master
As my year as Grand Master of
Masons in North Carolina comes to
an end, I must tell you that the year
has just flown by. It seems such a short
time ago that many of you joined us for the installation of the
Grand Lodge officers at Plain View Elementary School. It
has been my privilege to travel across our great state and share
with Masons everywhere the exciting and good things that
are taking place in Freemasonry within our grand jurisdiction.
Lodge dedications, anniversaries, awards and ladies nights are
just a few of the events that I have been privileged to participate in. Our lodges have held fundraisers for our charities, motorcycle rides, golf tournaments, pancake breakfasts, and the
first annual Carolina Pig Jig. This barbecue cook-off, sponsored by Raleigh 500, featured teams from our Grand Lodge
and Prince Hall Grand Lodge competing for the bragging
rights and trophy for the best barbecue. This fundraiser benefited the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO),
Central Children‘s Home in Oxford, and the Raleigh Rescue
Mission. More than $7,000 was contributed to the charities
as Masons joined together to show the community what Freemasonry is. These are only a few of the many ways that our
lodges are working to support our charities.
The legacy of our charities, MHCO and the Masonic and
Eastern Star Home in Greensboro (MESH) is rich. As Masons,
we can be proud of these Homes. I do, however, have great concern for the future of our Homes, if our lodges and Masons across
North Carolina are not willing to assume more responsibility for
their financial support. At MHCO, annual giving is up slightly for the year; however, our average annual gift of $16.08 per
Mason during the year ended 2005 is far from what is needed
to fully support our children at Oxford. MESH has undergone
many changes that were necessary for us to continue to provide
for the care of our Home residents in Greensboro. Although we
have made changes to increase revenues and reduce expenses, it
is more important than ever before, that we increase our support.
The average annual gift of $8.92 per Mason to MESH for the
year ended 2005 is unacceptable. We must increase our support
of MESH! It is our obligation!
I have enjoyed serving as grand master, and our Grand Lodge has
enjoyed a good year. Through October, the grand secretary reports
the number of petitions for the degrees of Masonry is up significantly over the same time last year. Likewise, the number of members seeking plural membership is on the rise. There is a heightened
interest in Freemasonry. Our two specialty lodges, Wilkerson College 760 and Orphans 761, are enjoying great success. I encourage
you to visit and consider joining these lodges. You may even want to
help start some new special interest lodge of your own.
It is an exciting time to be a Mason. The opportunities to build
on our rich heritage have never been greater. We have accomplished much, but there are still hurdles for us yet. I believe there is
no challenge too great for us. If we will collectively put our shoulders to the wheel, we can accomplish anything we set out to do.
Our Annual Communication in Winston-Salem was well attended, and we enjoyed a good Grand Lodge. I was disappointed
in our failure once again to gain the two-thirds majority needed
to pass the resolution to recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodge.
The gap in the number of votes required for passage continues
to narrow, and more that 62% of the voting delegates favored
the resolution. I believe we must, and that we will, gain the votes
necessary to put this issue behind us. I am confident that it is in
the best interest of our great fraternity for us to recognize Prince
Hall Grand Lodge. The legacy that we leave for generations to
come is being written by the examples that we set each day. What
will our legacy be?
I am proud to be a Mason; however, I am not always proud of
what we as Masons do. I encourage each of us to examine ourselves
and strive daily to do all that we can to make Freemasonry the very
best that it can be. If we will honor our obligations and daily live
the lessons we have learned within the lodge, we will help make
the world a better place in which to live. Will you do your part?
To serve you as grand master has been the greatest honor of
my life. I will always be indebted to you for honoring me with this
special privilege. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless
our great nation, our fraternity, and each of you. Thank you.
Page 2
The North Carolina Mason
FROM
November/December 2006
A Masonic Christmas
THE EDITORʼS DESK
By Jason L. Whitehorn
We wish you a joyous holiday.
May you rejoice in the blessings you
have in your life without
concern for that you lack.
May the new year
present you opportunities
that surpass your needs.
In the area where I live, there is a young child
who comes from a single-parent household
where his mother struggles just to put food on
the table. The boy spent most of his summer riding the bicycles of other kids. It was sad to see
him beg other children to let him borrow their
bicycles. A man in the neighborhood saw this
pleading one clear day near the holiday season,
and it broke his heart.
In short order, he purchased a brand-new,
apple-red bicycle, a bicycle lock, and a simple
card in which he told the young boy how proud
he was of his accomplishments in school and
expressed his hope that his good grades would
continue. The card included the combination
to the bicycle lock and was simply signed “A
friend.” He left the bicycle, lock, and card by the
child’s front doorsteps.
Imagine the smile on that boy’s face when he
came home to find his new pride and joy and
take it for a spin all over the neighborhood! The
man who bought the bike has remained anonymous to the boy’s family, and, when I asked him
why he did such a thing, his answer caught me
off guard: “I am a Mason. I made a promise to
help others if I could.”
In preparing for the holiday this year, think
not only of your family, friends, and co-workers, but also of those who may be in need. The
days when Masons would purchase packages of
food for needy families and place the bags on
doorsteps without ever saying a word need not
be gone. Charity should be more than an ideal
for Masons. It should be a daily practice — a
way of life. We are not only to become charitable
to our fellow Masons, their wives, widows, and
orphans but also to all of humankind.
If we do nothing with the lessons we have
learned in Masonry, we do nothing for ourselves or the Craft. Make it a priority to think
of those who may be in need this holiday season.
Maybe it is a local family who has no money
for presents. Maybe it is a family who recently
lost their home due to a fire or flood. There are
many ways we can make this Christmas joyful.
‘Tis the season to give. As you give, you will
receive, and Masonry will shine even brighter
this Christmas.
Jason L. Whitehorn is a member of Hobart 198
in Hobart, Oklahoma and Mount Scott 540 in
Lawton, Oklahoma. From the Scottish Rite Journal by way of Blackmer Buzz.
Return of the Freemasons?
toward transforming themselves and their image. Since 1989, thirty-nine [US] grand lodges have extended mutual recognition to their
African-American brethren. To bolster their
membership more generally, some lodges have
accelerated the promotion process for all candidates. Others have opened their once mysterious
halls to non-Masonic visitors (New York Times,
October 4). The advertising campaign here in
Massachusetts seems designed to dispel myths
about the organization while, at the same time,
capitalizing on the surge in interest generated
by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and the forgettable film, National Treasure. Then there is
Brown’s forthcoming fictional work, The Solomon
Key, which will purportedly illuminate the role
of Masonry in the founding of the nation. For
these reasons and more, the Freemasons seem to
have chosen a propitious time for a revival.
Should we welcome them back? To be sure,
the Freemasons won’t single-handedly restore
the ideals of the Enlightenment. Nor do the
organization’s ads propose to do so. In fact, the
slick spots featured on www.askaFreemason.org
focus on the potential “greatness in you,” which
suggests that they might be more of a self-help,
rather than a social improvement society — and
we’ve got more than enough of the former. Yet,
if you click around the site, you will discover
the same venerable commitment to charity and
brotherly love between men of different backgrounds. Interestingly, the Massachusetts Grand
Lodge gives subtle priority to racial brotherhood over religious and political brotherhood.
Freemasonry is, according to the website, “a fraternity; comprised of men from every race, religion, opinion, and background who are brought
together as Brothers to develop and strengthen
the bonds of friendship.” Obviously that hasn’t
always been the case. It was religious inclusion
— not racial inclusion — that distinguished the
eighteenth and early nineteenth-century Masons
(think again of Washington, the slaveholding
Mason). The exclusively white faces featured in
the television ads, as well as the continued separation of black and white lodges throughout the
country, should also give a young man pause.
Still, it may be time to give the Freemasons another look. Outside of fantasy football
leagues, there are few durable forms of male
community around. Chat room exchanges, golf
outings, and water cooler conversations are a
poor substitute for the collective benevolence
and rational discussion that the Masons have
long prided themselves on. Moreover, in an age
of religious extremism and racial distrust, we
might benefit from the resurgence of a group
that at least aspires to balance faith, tolerance,
and brotherhood. This surprised radio listener
doesn’t have any immediate plans to become a
Freemason himself (the Catholic Church currently forbids it) nor does he expect them to
cure all that ails us, but he wouldn’t mind seeing
a few more apron-clad Brothers around.
Chris Beneke is an assistant professor of history
at Bentley College and the author of Beyond Toleration: The Religious Origins of American Pluralism (Oxford University Press, 2006). This is reprinted by permission of George Mason University’s
History News Network, http://hnn.us.
Ric Car ter photo
By Chris Beneke
If you live in eastern Massachusetts, you
might have heard the advertisement on the radio or seen it on television. I first encountered
it on a local hard rock station as I parked by my
neighborhood Dunkin’ Donuts. An older, distinguished, male voice — it’s supposed to be Benjamin Franklin — speaks vaguely, but solemnly,
about his own success and about the potential
in me, his presumably young male listener. A
driving, Hollywood-style orchestral score plays
in the background. The distinguished voice decries partisanship and appeals to “Men of Tolerance.” With a foot already out the door, I kept
the car running and listened to the end. On this
Sunday morning when I should have been going
to church rather than the office, Old Ben encouraged me to “ask.” Ask who? Ask a Mason.
The Freemasons were looking for new members.
Two hundred Harvard men had already joined.
Would I like to find out more?
I knew a little already. I had read a portion of the growing body of historical work
on Freemasonry (my favorite is Steven Bullocks Revolutionary Brotherhood) and studied a
number of texts penned by eighteenth-century
Masons. In many ways, the Masons embodied
the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, which
represented a budding Western commitment
to rational argument, religious ecumenism, and
tolerance for dissenting opinions. The Masons
took seriously the enlightened ideas of liberty of
conscience and the enlightened emphasis on locating points of common agreement. They also
emphasized moral discipline, public benevolence, and male friendship. As it happens, two
notable founders of our country, Ben Franklin
and George Washington, were each sympathetic to Enlightenment thought, tireless advocates
of personal virtue, and devoted Masons. And
they weren’t alone.
Like so many other fraternal societies of the
last few decades, the Masons have fallen on hard
times. Their membership has aged, and aspiring
young Masons have proved hard to attract. Allegations of deism and conspiratorial behavior
have hounded the brotherhood for almost two
centuries. More recently, the organization has
been confronted with yet another troubling accusation: racism. Since 1787, when Prince Hall
organized a separate African Lodge in Boston,
African-Americans have generally met separately from their white brethren. Though most nonAfrican lodges welcome African-Americans
these days, the pattern of segregation persists.
An October 23 Associated Press report revealed
that the trend toward mutual recognition by predominantly white lodges of predominantly black
lodges has ended somewhere around the MasonDixon line. Reciprocal privileges don’t exist in
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or West Virginia.
The recent decision of North Carolina’s Grand
Lodge to deny recognition to the state’s Prince
Hall lodges brought newfound attention to the
issue of race. (In fairness, 681 votes were cast for
the measure and only 404 votes against, but the
necessary 2/3 majority was not reached.)
Despite the setback in North Carolina, the
Freemasons have been making significant strides
Ivey, right, receives his citation from Grand Master Jernigan.
Orange County deputy honored
for his heroism
By Ric Carter
WINSTON-SALEM — University 408
Senior Warden London Ivey was honored
by Grand Master Gene Jernigan September
23. Even if you don’t know Ivey, you likely
know the story that got him on the stage at
Annual Communication.
On August 30, a disturbed teenager showed
up at Orange High School in Hillsborough. He
had pipe bombs, weapons, and ammunition in
his minivan. He exited the van armed with a
shotgun and a rifle. He opened fire.
Largely thanks to Orange County Sheriff ’s
Deputy London Ivey, the school’s resource officer, we will never know just how hideous Alvaro
So mote it be, Christmas!
By Steve Dyson
But, most peoples look at this time as the end
Once again we find ourselves coming to the
end of the year, with the closing of so many and beginning of the year, we look to the solthings and the new beginnings of so many more. stice, that time of the least light and most dark,
We close our calendar, add another year to the but more importantly, the beginning of more
date and elect new officers to lead us through light and less dark as we proceed into a glorious
the upcoming year. We look with anticipation to spring of rebirth!
I hope that for you the coming year shines
the conclusion of the year and the gathering of
family and friends to celebrate what has been brightly with hope and happiness like a beacon.
and what is to come. In my church we actually More importantly I hope that the last year, when
celebrate new beginnings starting with the first viewed through the mirror of recollection, fills
Sunday of Advent, the start of a time of reflec- you with joy and accomplishment such that you
tion and preparation of ourselves for the com- can state loudly and proudly, “So mote it be!”
Steve Dyson was master of Hickory 343 when he
ing of the celebration of Christmas, the ultimate
published this in their newsletter in 2005.
new beginning for Christians.
Issue
The Mason
Grand Master
Gene T. Jernigan
Third class postage paid at Oxford, NC 27565.
Board Of Publication
Eddie H. Moody Jr., Chairman
Don E. Bolden
John O. Newman Jr.
Thomas A. Pope Jr.
David E. Webb
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The North Carolina Mason, School Of Graphic
Arts, Masonic Home for Children, Oxford, NC 27565.
Editor
Ric Carter
(USPS 598-260) is published bimonthly by The Grand Lodge of AF & AM of North
Carolina, 2921 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27608.
NC Mason Deadlines
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THE MISSION OF FREEMASONRY IN NORTH CAROLINA IS TO RAISE THE MORAL, SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL,
TENETS OF B ROTH ER LY L OVE , R ELIEF , AND T RUTH , WHICH ARE EXPRESSED OUT WARD LY THROUGH SERVICE TO
NORTH CAROLINA
Castillo’s plan was. Ivey quickly drew his pistol,
confronted the 19-year-old, and forced him to
drop his weapons. Ivey and a teacher then subdued the shooter. The shooter’s father was later
found murdered.
At an Orange County Board of Education
meeting where he was honored as a hero, Ivey
said, “I was just protecting my kids. It’s my job. I
just did it good that day.”
The certificate Jernigan presented Ivey recognized Ivey for his “exemplification of the principles of our gentle craft and his service to his
community.” We all honor him for a job well
done and a life well dedicated.
AND
G OD ,
SPIRITUAL CONSCIENCE OF SOCIETY BY
FAMILY , COUNTRY , AND SELF UNDER THE
TEACHING
THE ANCIENT AND ENDURING PHILOSOPHICAL
OF G OD WITHIN THE B ROTHERHOOD OF M AN .
F A THER HOOD
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right to reject any submission not suitable for use is reserved. Pictures will be returned to the sender
only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions and other coorespondence
should be sent to the editor at PO Box 6506, Raleigh, NC 27628 or [email protected].
Reproduction of articles
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proper credits.
Each North Carolina Mason is a subscriber to The North Carolina Mason. If you know a member
who is not receiving the paper, please send us his full name, his complete address and the name
and number of his lodge. Masonic widows receive The Mason free upon request. Subscriptions are
available to others at a rate of five dollars per year. Subscription inquiries and address changes only
should be sent to: The School of Graphic Arts, Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street,
Oxford, North Carolina 27565.
Opinions expressed
are not necessarily those of The North
Carolina Mason, the
Grand Lodge, or Board
of Publication.
November/December 2006
The North Carolina Mason
Troutman
TRAVELING THE
TAR HEEL STATE
NEWS FROM
NORTH CAROLINA'S
LODGES
By Ric Carter
Greensboro
Columbia
Bailey
It’s parade season in Guilford County. The
23 Masonic District was scheduled for several
area Christmas parades. Among others, they
were to appear in Jamestown December 3 and
Stokesdale December 9. Each appearance needed volunteers to assemble and pull the float, as
well as a crew to ride and parade wave.
The 23rd District’s traveling gavel is back.
Their trophy gavel is delivered by five members
of a lodge. The receiving lodge then has 30 days
to deliver it to another district lodge. If they
don’t succeed, they have to buy dinner for the
lodge that brought it to them.
— 23rd District Happenings
Gate City 694 had a Brunswick Stew set
for October 28 at Carraway United Methodist Church. They work three shifts for the stew.
Shift one peels, cuts, and prepares the ingredients and loads the pots. Shift two stirs the pots
from about 9:00 o’clock in the morning until
about 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon. That’s when
shift three comes on to ladle out the stew and
package it for delivery.
— Trestleboard
Past Grand Master Bill Simpson was the
speaker at P.P. Turner 746’s Ladies’ and Awards
Night October 19. Patrick Terry, who ran the
lodge’s rabies clinic earlier this year, was named
their Mason of the Year for his community service. Terry also was a member of a veterinary disaster team aiding pets after Hurricane Katrina.
He spent five weeks away from home working
with that effort. He also participated in a training program that raised $4,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Kurt Van Tine was the chief cook for Turner’s
Lodge’s August 12 annual picnic. Tom Dolinger
hosted it at his community clubhouse.
— Our Trestle Board and 23rd District Happenings
A while back, Providence 678 helped with
Gary Gosh’s Masonic funeral. His home lodge,
Korea’s Harry S. Truman 1727, said thank you
by sending them a Masonic door knocker. It is
made of ammunition casings salvaged from the
Korean War.
Most lodges understand that building maintenance is a constant concern. Providence 678
has a newly improved parking lot and new
handicap ramp. A plumber is coming in to upgrade pipes and faucets. The local Eastern Star
paid for half the ramp‘s cost.
Their Halloween Ladies’ Night/Awards Ceremony featured seafood.
— Trestle Board
July brought lots of action in Bailey 411.
They served dinner in their newly air conditioned building. A couple of folks complained
about being too cold, something not heard
there during the summer months in quite
some time. They also elected three petitioners
for the degrees.
The improvements are so popular they’re
looking at doing some more sprucing up. They
are planning a bathroom expansion, ceiling
insulation, new windows, lighting, and blinds.
Most of those improvements should improve
appearances as well as utility efficiencies.
— Newsletter
rd
Jacksonville
A new spun aluminum flag pole is in place
at Semper Fidelis 680. Bob Canning, Howard
Kahn, Frank Hartman, Carl Poulsen, and Joe
Reyes dug the hole, raised the pole, and poured
the concrete for the pole that arrived in late August. They have donated American and North
Carolina flags flying from it. The old pole has
been cut up and recycled. Next on the building
improvement agenda is a sound system.
Onslow County lodges presented three
$1,200 scholarships this year.
Forty-four folks attended Semper Fidelis’s
Family Night with the Kinston Indians. They
said the food was “great” and they had a “good
time despite the Indian’s loss.”
Their September 5 Annual Barbecue fundraiser brought in $4,300 for charity.
A breakfast and cleanup session were scheduled for September 30.
— Trestle Board
Winston-Salem
Past Grand Master Graham Pervier has
spent years supporting emergency services
organizations around North Carolina. He is,
in fact, the chairman-elect of the North Carolina Emergency Medical Services Advisory
Council. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has named their newest building
after their recently retired county manager
— the Graham W. Pervier Emergency Medical Services Building. — Scottish Rite News
Old Town 751 had bad weather for their August 12 yard sale. Nonetheless, they made $900.
Old Town helped sponsor Bill Thornton’s
bicycle ride to Oxford for St. John’s Day again
this year. He has raised $5,000 to date for the
Masonic Home for Children.
The OTL Golf Tournament was played on
October 7. Ray Tomlinson, organizer, termed
it a “whopping success.” They expected to make
more than $3,500 for our charities.
— On the Level at Old Town Lodge
Charlotte
Phalanx 31 is now holding its meetings at
the York Rite Temple, 1229 North Sharon Amity Road in Charlotte. John Caudle oversaw the
move. Phalanx Lodge meets on first Tuesdays.
— Trestleboard
West Gate 738 held their Fall Fish Fry
October 20.
— News From the West
A few years back, Temple 676 built a new
lodge building. Circumstances prevented their
finishing the project. They were left with a large,
attractive, unfinished building. They recently
sold the building and property to a private
school. They are now facing returning the donations made to the building fund. They are giving
donors three choices: get their money back, keep
it in a building fund for later use, or pass it along
to one of our three Masonic charities.
Bill Maine, a member of Temple Lodge, recently was awarded the Beard Masonic Scouter
Award for his “outstanding dedication, work, and
support for the Boy Scouts.”
— Temple Tales
Page 3
Where were you when the lights went out?
If it was May 11, and you were a member of
Campbell 374, you might have been at lodge
preparing for a double Second Degree. They
were on the way into the lodge room when the
power failed.
After a little waiting to see what would happen, they decided to enjoy it.
They moved the necessities (altar and such)
downstairs to the dining hall where they could
tease a little light through the blinds. While
they were examining the candidates on their catechisms, a couple of brothers who lived nearby
ran to get lanterns.
Under the lantern light, they finished the degrees and what turned out to be a very special
night. They are still talking about how their ancestors felt in lodge and appreciating how easy
we have it today.
Kenansville
St. John’s 13 had its annual picnic at Maxwell’s
Mill this fall. They enjoyed chicken and pastry.
St. John’s Lodge recently gave Lebron Williams his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years
membership. Senior Grand Deacon Billy Dill
made the presentation.
— Lodge Log
Warsaw
Warsaw held its Veterans’ Day parade November 11. Warsaw 677 held it Annual Pancake
Breakfast to go with it. Get your pancakes and
hang out for the parade. They use it to promote
Masonry, enjoy good food, and make money for
their charity fund.
They were planning their Ladies’ and Awards
Night for December 6.
— Warsaw Lodge
Denton
Current building improvements have been
mostly completed at Denton 404. They’ve
gotten things so much nicer, they now feel
compelled to replace the lodge windows.
They’re inviting sponsors to adopt a window
at a cost of $150 each.
They had a Masonic Family Reunion
planned for December 12. Everyone was invited to bring friends and family. They were doing
a covered dish dinner. Members were invited to
“share some of their stories from their years in
the lodge.”
— Denton Lodge
Roxboro
New skills on the New River
SPARTA – This summer, Sparta 423, with the help of Traphill 483 and Piney Creek 432, hosted
a group of children from the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. The lodges gave the children a
weekend of fun — canoeing, fishing, and swimming.They also enjoyed a riverside cookout. Everyone
appreciated seeing the children having fun in the wonderful natural environment of the New River.
The lodges also enjoyed coming together for the event. It was the second consecutive year for the
event, and they plan a repeat next year.
— Mike Cleary
Person 113 has launched a web site. Lodges
often find this a way not only to keep their members informed, but also attract new members.
Person Lodge’s Toufielk Ameen recently got
his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years Masonic membership. David Boswell got his Veteran’s
Emblem for 50 years in Masonry.
The lodge is selling embroidered lodge golf
shirts for $18.
They were planning barbecue for their September 29 Past Masters’ and Ladies’ Night Dinner.
— Person ‘N Lodge
Gastonia
Asheville
Spruce Pine
Gastonia’s temple association has started a
fund to replace the tables and chairs in the temple’s dining room. They plan to sell the ones they
have now.
— The Plumb Line
Mount Hermon 118 awarded scholarships
in August. They went to Nicole Allman who
is headed for Western Carolina, UNC-Wilmington bound Cody Garrison, Lindsey Land to
Blue Ridge Community College, Todd Olsen at
Tusculm College, and UNC-Asheville bound
Duane Stepp.
— Asheville Masonic Bodies
Vesper 554 raised more than $5,000 for our
Masonic Homes with their October 7 golf tournament at Grassy Creek Golf Course. Fifty-six
golfers participated. The team of Bryan Dale
Johnson, Levi Harmon, Bill Beuttell, and Luke
Henderson won the event by one stroke.
Vesper Lodge Master Russell Duncan, who
works for Progress Energy, was the winner of the
Carolinas Lineman’s Rodeo. He went on to Kansas representing the region in national competition against more than 200 other linemen. He
placed fifth overall, with a second in the written
division and third in the utility competition.
— Newsletter
Gastonia 369 had their Past Masters’ Night
October 14. They enjoyed supper before the
stated meeting.
That was the same day the district fundraiser
began. The lodges of the 36th Masonic District
took turns manning a turkey shoot that ran
from October 14–November 18. Each lodge is
also to furnish items for runner-up prizes in the
shoot. They also were holding two raffles, one
for a grandfather clock and one for a boar hunt
in South Carolina.
— The Trestleboard
Raleigh
Tim Dumas was to entertain at Millbrook
97’s Ladies’ Night December 7. They were having it at the Wake County Shrine Club.
— Millbrook Messenger
The downstairs dining hall at James B. Green
735 looks top notch now thanks to several folks.
David and Mary Jensen led a 2005 crew that
repaired and repainted the dining hall. As his
Eagle Scout project, Josh Hollamon led a team
of Boy Scouts and Masons in painting the rest of
the downstairs there.
Green Lodge had a barbecued chicken
fundraiser for the Masonic and Eastern Star
Home October 6. The next day they held a
blood drive in cooperation with Rex Blood
Services in Raleigh. — James B. Green Scene
Masters 754 held their annual cookout at the
Masonic Home for Children at Oxford on Sunday, October 1.
Masters Lodge has their Advancement Night
every November. Officers move up one station
at the meeting before lodge officer elections. It
gives them some early practice. This year’s edition was set for November 14. — The Trowel
High Point
Acacia 674 is trying to organize a DeMolay
Chapter for the Triad. If you’d like to participate
or know a young man who would be interested,
call Fritz Falkson at (336) 414-6855 or [email protected].
— 23rd District Happenings
Black Mountain
Black Mountain 663 has been adding membership steadily from those who serve the emergency needs of their community. Recent additions to their rolls include a high ranking police
officer and a member of the fire marshal’s office.
Black Mountain Lodge was celebrating their
Past Masters’ Night in October.
— The Traveling Trowel
Wilmington
The Twelfth Masonic District’s Widows’
Picnic was set for September 30 at the Scottish Rite Temple. They were serving barbecued
pork and chicken, potato salad, baked beans, and
hush puppies. They were urging Masons to bring
friends who might be interested in becoming
Masons as well as family members.
— St. John’s Lodge
Elk Park
Cranberry 598 presented service awards
August 15. They gave Omer David Trivette,
Frederick George McGuire, and Charles Ellis Tomlinson their Veteran’s Emblems for 50
years membership.
— Carter L. Blair
Elizabeth City
Eureka 317 raised nearly $2,400 for the Masonic Home for Children with their Fish Fry
this year. They got to present the check at the St.
John’s Day celebration in June.
They had their annual Ladies’ Night set for
November 4.
— On the Level
Laurinburg
Stairs are no longer an issue at Laurinburg 305. They’ve installed a new chairlift to
get the less mobile members up to the lodge
room. They’ve also got the new air conditioning operating.
Laurinburg Lodge recently raffled an all-day
Gulf Stream fishing trip. They included accommodations for the stay over. They drew the winner during the October 15 John Blue Festival
in town.
— The Masonic Messenger
Franklin
Junaluskee 145 was to hold their Blue Lodge
Pancake Breakfast October 28. — Trestleboard
Thomasville
Two members of Thomasville 214 recently
got their Diamond Jubilee Awards for 60 years
membership. The awardees were Hubert Haskell
and Howard Walter Rachael. — Trestle Board
Manteo
Manteo 521 is installing a second floor fire escape.
They were planning their Past Masters’ and
Awards Night for October 9.
— More Light from Manteo Lodge
Hickory
Ninety-nine plates were served at Hickory
343’s Family Day on July 30. They had hamburgers and hot dogs. The York Rite Room was
turned into a kids’ gym, and there were lots of
kids’ games to be played. There was a hay ride
around the yard. Carl Isenhour set up his famous
ice cream bar featuring peanut butter ice cream
among its tasty adventures. It was so much fun,
they were planning to do it again in October.
Their annual bloodmobile was held August
11. Their Past Masters’ Night featured a steak
dinner. Eighteen past masters attended. Sixteen
of them took part in a “great” third degree. The
evening was dedicated to the memory of Past
Master Steve Dyson.
The lodge named Clay Rawn Secretary of
Distinction for being a “gentleman, scholar,
concerned brother supporting our ideals and a
true Mason.”
The lodge building at Hickory Lodge is
now smoke free except for one small room in
the back.
— Hickory Lodge
Hillsborough
Eagle 19 had its annual Barbecue and Brunswick Stew fundraiser scheduled for November
11. Proceeds were to go to the Masonic Home
for Children at Oxford.
Their Veterans’ and Past Masters’ Night was
set for November 18.
— Eagle Lodge
Mount Airy
There’s a 25th Masonic District activity calendar being printed again. If you’ve got something
you’d like to get in the 2007 edition, contact
Matt Goad at (336) 710-4519.
— District 25 Schedule of Events
Dallas
Gaston 263 planned a Poor Boy Supper
October 20. Proceeds were to go to Masonic
charities.
— The Summoner
see STATE, page 5
Page 4
The North Carolina Mason
November/December 2006
ENCOMPASSING THE WORLD
39th state recognizes
Delaware signs compact
with Prince Hall
By Ric Carter
WILMINGTON, DE — On September 16,
the Grand Lodge of Delaware and the Prince Hall
Grand Lodge of Delaware signed a compact of mutual recognition. They became the 39th United States
grand lodge to recognize their Prince Hall counterparts. After several false starts on recognition over
the past 100 years, the current movement began in
Ohio helps Special Olympics
WORTHINGTON, OH —
Ohio Masons, this summer, gave
$140,000 to the Special Olympics
of Ohio. Over the past 23 years, they
have given nearly $2.5 million to the
Annual Summer Games there.
Masons there give more than
money. They host a welcome center for athletes and their families,
provide volunteer help during the
competitions, and participate in
the opening ceremony parade.
Special Olympics there provides
year-round sports training and
competition for 18,000 children
and adults with intellectual disabilities. “Through successful experiences in sports, they gain and
build a positive self-image which
carries over into the classroom,
home, job, and community.”
— The Marion Star
1989 when Connecticut established normal relations
with Prince Hall Connecticut.
There are now only 12 US grand lodges not recognizing their predominantly black fraternal counterpart: North Carolina, West Virginia, Kentucky,
Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
Nebraska lodge awards
LINCOLN, NE — The Grand
Lodge of Nebraska presents a Rock
Maul and a Gold Pan award to a
lodge each year. The Rock Maul
Award is a 16-pound rock maul that
travels each year to the best all-around
lodge in the state. The maul was a gift
to the grand lodge from Grand Master Byron Jenkins in 1980.
The Gold Pan Award goes to the
lodge that shows the most improve-
Home and community college
team for new program
OXFORD — Vance-Granville Commu- cilities. “Culinary Technology students will learn
nity College is offering a Culinary Technology by doing,” Nelson said. “They will participate in
program, beginning this fall, using the cafeteria practical education training that translates classfacilities at the Masonic Home for Children at room learning into real-life experience. OpporOxford. The partnership was announced at a re- tunities include hands-on training in the statecent ceremony held at
of-the-art kitchen at
the Home. Graduates
the Masonic Home
of the two-year profor Children.”
gram will earn an AsIn a feasibility study
sociate in Applied Scifor the program, area
ence degree and will
employers indicated a
be trained for work
job demand of 150 jobs
in restaurants, hotels,
for first-year graduates
catering
operations,
and approximately 200
health care facilities,
jobs for the following
school food service,
class of graduates.
and other food service
Masonic Home for
operations.
Children
Financial
The classes are ofDevelopment Director
Guests toured the Home’s kitchen
fered in all four counChris Richardson said,
ties served by VGCC facility during the reception and formal “Our Home is excited
– Vance, Granville, program announcement.
about
collaborating
Warren, and Franklin.
with Vance-Granville
Marsha Nelson, VGCC’s vice-president of Community College.” He added that the Home
instruction said, “Hospitals, nursing homes, is looking forward to the possibilities the Culiand retirement centers in the area with large nary Technology Program may provide residents
cafeterias have also expressed an interest in of the Home’s forthcoming Preparation for
acquiring the type of trained personnel the Adult Living Program, tentatively scheduled to
program will turn out.”
kick off this fall. The Preparation for Adult LivIn a public/private partnership, Vance-Gran- ing Program will be in addition to the Home’s
ville is working with the Masonic Home for residential program, which continues today and
Children at Oxford to offer the culinary pro- has provided 134 years of service to the children
gram in the Home’s kitchen and dining room fa- of North Carolina.
ment or most significant contribution
to Masonry in the state. The pan, an
authentic tool for gold panning, was
presented to Nebraska by the Grand
Lodge of Alaska for being the first
grand lodge to recognize them after
the creation of Alaska’s grand lodge.
While the awards move from
lodge to lodge, the $500 cash
award that accompanies it does
not.
– The Nebraska Mason
Following Grandpa
OXFORD — Katherine follows her granddad’s
lead. Granddad is Don Lyerly of Eureka 283. Katherine worked through her Girl Scout Troop 1983
at Concordia Lutheran in Mooresville to hold two
charity dinners. She raised more than $1,500 that
she used to buy welcome baskets, arts and crafts,
toys, games, school supplies, summer essentials,
and passes to Carowinds. She sent all those things
to the Masonic Home for Children. She followed
a good example and now sets a good example for
you. Katherine is seen here with her mother Kim
and grandfather.
— Chris Richardson
Vesper celebrates 100th
By Ric Carter
SPRUCE PINE — Vesper 554 enjoyed its
100th birthday this year. The main event in the
year-long celebration was a birthday supper on
September 9. The big supper was for not just
Masons but also family members and invited
guests. Many described the occasion as “just
like a homecoming,” which is just what it was
in many ways.
David Greene, lodge historian, presented a
brief history of the creation of Vesper Lodge. It
was a great Masonic event for old friendships
being renewed and new ones being forged. There
was a time for sharing photos from the lodge
and its past events. Lots of fresh pictures were
taken to add to the lodge archives for future anniversary celebrations.
They honored their past masters that night.
Ten were on hand. The senior past master there
was John M. Pendley, their master in 1954.
Pendley received his Diamond Jubilee Award
for 60 years Masonic membership at the Centennial Supper.
They also presented an honorary membership to District Deputy Grand Lecturer
Charles Maxwell.
— The Beacon
Shining a light on
Prince Hall issues
The rumor:
The following was found on an Internet
Masonic discussion board. The discussion was
about North Carolina’s 2006 vote on Prince
Hall recognition.
“Anonymous said...
“As a Mason that was there, It was not about
Prince Hall, the vote was about the Grand Lodge
trying to make the Blue Lodges vote that Way.
First by changing an age old regulation from
2/3 to majority rule in order to pass Prince Hall
recognition. If the issue was not being made in
those conditions, as it has been for years, it most
likely would have passed. You can lead a horse to
water but you can’t make him drink. TUE SEP
26, 08:46:32 AM”
The truth:
The “age-old” recognition vote has been simple
majority. Opponents of recognition introduced
and passed the change to 2/3 at our Annual Communication in 2002 for the express purpose of
forestalling recognition. Without that change, we
would currently be in our third year of normalized
relations with Prince Hall Grand Lodge. It is the
innovation to our regulations by opponents that
makes us continue this discussion.
“SEC. 6-2 VOTE ON RECOGNITITON.
“No Grand Lodge shall be recognized by
the Grand Lodge of North Carolina until by an
affirmative vote by 2/3 of the voting members
present. (This subdivision added, effective January 1, 2003)” – The Code
Ric Car ter photos
ARCHIVES, from page 1
The study room for the Collection is carefully controlled.Yes, that’s Tyler Hansbrough.
UNC’s Wilson Library is the home of the Southern Historical Collection.
1915, history professor J. G. deRoulhac Hamilton was hard at adding to the collection. In
the mid-’20s Hamilton was promoting a “great
library of Southern human records.” In 1930,
UNC established the Southern Historical Collection with Hamilton at the helm. Today it has
grown to more than 15 million items in 4,500
discrete collections. Tim West is presently Curator of Manuscripts and Director of the Southern
Historical Collection.
According to West, “These records should be
a boon to researchers far into the distant future.
They will help scholars and others investigate
the contribution of Masons to the history of
North Carolina since the late 18th century. They
also will provide a window into the community
life of towns all across the state with information
that is simply unavailable anywhere else. The
Southern Historical Collection is grateful to the
Grand Lodge for its foresight in placing these
records in a publicly accessible archive where
they will be cared for properly and made easily
accessible to both the Masons of the state and
the large numbers of historical researchers who
use our materials annually.”
The Collection is housed in Wilson Library,
just under the Bell Tower at the center of the
UNC campus. They “welcome all researchers:
seasoned scholars, family historians, graduate
and undergraduate students, community builders, creative writers, and those with the simple
curiosity about life in the past and how it af-
fects us now and can contribute to our future.”
Materials are non-circulating, but may be used
in the supervised study center. Many documents
are available on the Internet.
You can use the Library from 9:00 a.m. until
6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00
a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, except during
University holidays. You must register and furnish a picture ID.
You can learn more at www.lib.unc.edu/mss
or contact the Collection at [email protected]
or (919)962-1345. Because of the size of the
North Carolina Masonic Archive, it will likely
be some months before they are fully cataloged
and available for use.
In the meantime, there are a couple of ways
you can participate. One is by donating to the
cost of maintaining the collection. You may
specify that your donation be used for the North
Carolina Masonic Archive alone or help with
the work of the entire Southern Historical Collection. The Southern Collection has been working on digitizing parts of their collection for direct Internet access.
If you or your lodge has Masonic manuscripts
and documents that you feel need protection,
they may also fit into the Archive. It may be
possible to bring them into the Collection with
the same protections extended to the rest of the
North Carolina Masonic Archive. To donate
historic documents or money, contact the Grand
Lodge office for more information.
Counter clockwise from above, Collection Director Tim West gathers old
minute books. Staffers collect annual
returns from the 1800s. The Collection
is more than old papers, with films and
recordings, and photos. The van-load of
records packed for Chapel Hill.
The North Carolina Mason
Page 5
Ric Car ter photos
November/December 2006
Fuller keeps a full life by working
NEW BERN — Grantham 725 member Fuller Saulter, a 59-year Mason, was recently named
Best Part-Time Employee of Key Memories Corporation. The 93-year-old (yes, 93) has been
working here at Cotten Funeral Home, one of Key Memories’ 175 locations, for 17 years. This
photo was taken when Cotten threw Saulter a birthday party in October. They also sent Saulter
and his daughter-in-law to Indiana to personally receive the award. Saulter says he’s not getting
old, he’s “just been here a long time.”
— George Herring
STATE, from page 3
Pilot Mountain
Holly Springs
August 10 was the night for Pilot 493’s Widows’ Dinner. Five lodge widows were among the
22 people who attended the dinner at a local cafeteria. Each of them was pinned with a corsage
to show that she was special to the lodge.
The lodge was holding its fall barbecue October 14, during Mount Airy’s Autumn Leaves
Festival. They were planing to cook 1,100 pounds
of pork.
— The Pilot Mountain Traveler
Holly Springs 115 instituted a Breakfast
with the Master program this year. Master
Rick Barton held a breakfast at the lodge
every third Saturday complete with education, fun activity, or “experience that people
can take home with them.” Masons, their
families, and f riends f rom the community
were all invited.
Programs during the year included an author
who wrote about the Knights Templar, a visit
from the mayor of Holly Springs, and a Barbecue Academy.
— Sam Prestipino
Spencer
Spencer 543 was to hold its annual Thanksgiving and Awards Banquet November 21.
— On the Square
Southport
Pythagoras 249 was cooking and selling Boston butts on October 13.
— Jim Robinson
Siler City
October 14 was the night for the Awards and
Recognition Banquet at Siler City 403. Seventyfive were on hand to enjoy the grilled barbecued
chicken prepared by Dalton Marsh. Each lodge
widow who attended was escorted to her seat
and presented a corsage. J. C. Bray was recognized for his years as lodge treasurer.
They were entertained by Columbus 102’s
Gary Blankenship with his magic and comedy
show. Bobby Ray Marsh performed a selection of
gospel music, accompanying himself on piano.
— Rod Tidy
Pittsboro
Columbus 102 made more than $1,900
raffling a Holland Grill. They took a lodge
trip to the Masonic Home for Children to
deliver the donation. Before they went, they
heard from the raffle winner. He decided to
give the grill to the kids. So they delivered
the grill and the check on the same weekend.
They even turned it into a cookout by firing
the grill up and cooking for the kids.
AF & AM Masons honored by
Prince Hall grand master
By Ric Carter
RALEIGH — Five members of the Grand
Lodge of North Carolina attended the public
opening here of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge
of North Carolina September 29. Grand Master
Gene Jernigan, Past Grand Master Tom Gregory,
Past Grand Master Leonard Safrit, Past Grand
Master Bill Mathis, and NC Mason Editor Ric
Carter were formally received and seated on the
stage with the Prince Hall past grand officers
and visiting grand lodge officers. They had been
personally invited by Prince Hall Grand Master
Milton “Tobie” Fitch.
While it was not the first time members of
our Grand Lodge have attended the event, it is
the largest number who have. Prince Hall Grand
Master Fitch presented the five honorary memberships in his grand lodge. Grand Secretary
Walt Clapp, who was unable to attend, was also
named an honorary member.
Wallace
Wallace 595 celebrated their Eastern Star
Ladies’ and Past Masters’ Night October 2. Julius Winfred Blanton II got his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership.
— Bulletin of Wallace Lodge
Concord
Cabarrus 720 planned to hold their Ladies’
Night Banquet November 18.
— Newsletter
GM Jernigan gave GM Fitch a Tar Heel
Masonic pin.
Gibsonville
Tabasco 271 had a picnic planned for October 7. It was a nice hot dog and hamburger affair.
Everyone was encouraged to bring family.
– Trestle Board
Stokesdale
They’re keeping up the facility at Stokesdale
428. There’s a new storm door at the back of the
building. They are also putting vinyl siding on
the cinder block wing.
Stokesdale Lodge held it Brunswick Stew
fundraiser October 7. —The Stokesdale Trowel
PIG JIG, from page 1
RIDE, from page 8
Clockwise from above,
there was mustard smoked
chicken, face painting, a
huge trophy, and chopping
good fun at the Masonic
Carolina Pig Jig.,
Waving goodbye to the Highway Patrol helicopter.
Ric Car ter photos
Sauces ran the base gamut from mustard to catsup to vinegar.
Just before lunch on Saturday, the judges started examining the
results. Tar Heel barbecue authority Jim Early helped coach the
judges through the score sheets. Anyone who bought a ticket to
eat got to sample all the versions available. They also got to vote
for their personal favorites.
Besides the super chow, there was music to keep toes tapping.
Just Desserts played an outstanding variety of tunes.
The team from Salem 289 in Winston-Salem claimed the
Grand Champion trophy as well as the People’s Choice Award.
Second place went to Goldsboro 634 and third to Forsyth 707
also of Winston-Salem. Green Level 277, Apex got the Best
Showmanship trophy. Western 9, PHA from Salisbury was honored for the best sauce.
The date for the 2007 edition is not yet set, but Raleigh
500 is excited about making the Masonic Carolina Pig Jig one
of the biggest Masonic events in the state. Start planning now
to take the title. Bring your best chef and sauce and show the
rest of the state how it’s done. We’ll bring you details as soon
as they are available.
As Pig Jig chairman Lee Dugas said, “Porkfat, Baby! What a
beautiful thing!”
PGM Gregory presented GM Fitch a
handmade cane.
Grand Master Fitch reported to his membership the failure of our Grand Lodge to recognize
theirs at our annual meeting in September. He
further cited the six Masons of color (officials
of the Grand Lodge of Scotland’s Provincial
Grand Lodge of the Bahamas) who sat on the
stage at our Annual Communication.
Fitch addressing his delegates, “We all, by
now, have heard of the vote at the Adams Mark
Hotel of our AF & AM Grand Lodge Brothers
for recognition. Well, it didn’t pass again, but it
was close. Again I say, ‘If Christ wouldn’t deny
you the Cup of Life, then how can and will one
Brother deny another the Apron of Life?’
“I used to think this vote was all about race,
but knowing what I now know that took place
at that grand session, I am not so convinced that
it is all race. At that session, the Grand Lodge
of the Bahamas was present and in attendance.
Six men darker than I represented the Grand
Lodge of Bahamas.
“Past Grand Master Albert Pike, AF & AM,
once said that ‘Prince Hall Masons are more
legitimate than we are. But, I’ll never sit in a
Lodge with one of them.’ But, yet last week six
sat in the AF & AM Grand Lodge of North
Carolina. My conclusion now is that it is NOT
racism; it is ignorance and the only way to combat ignorance is to Educate! Educate! Educate!”
He later mentioned the bravery of the men
he was about to recognize and presented honorary memberships to the six members of our
Grand Lodge. He also made honorary members of the officers of several other Prince Hall
grand lodges.
Our elected officers were received under the
crossed swords of the Prince Hall Knights Templar. Despite our Grand Lodge’s continued rejection of Prince Hall regularity by a minority
of our membership, the hospitality and welcome
our members received was impeccable.
Past Grand Master Tom Gregory presented
Fitch a Masonic walking stick made by Statesville 27 member Phil Keller who served as
Gregory’s Grand Tyler. Gregory presented it “as
a token of brotherly love and friendship on behalf of those of our Grand Lodge membership
supporting recognition.”
Ric Car ter photo
Fayetteville
Phoenix 8 presented their Annual Will Jones
and Bill Young College Scholarships August 19.
They went to John Lynch’s granddaughter Jessica Anne, Bill Ivey’s granddaughter Amanda Jo,
and Scott Morris’s son David.
August was also a busy month for them in
degree work. They raised ten new Masons, some
of them as courtesy work for other lodges.
Thieves were also busy at the lodge this summer. They stole the copper tubing from the air
conditioning system one weekend and came
back the next and took both compressors.
— Newsletter
AF & AM Masons were received under the crossed swords of PHA Knights Templar.
Tar River Cruisers. A North Carolina Highway Patrol helicopter
landed on the pasture behind the pool. Masons from the 13th Masonic District took care of lunch, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs
for the assembled crowd of nearly 500. The Veazey Ridge Boys, a
local bluegrass band, entertained under the picnic shelter.
A few awards were given to participants. The longest ride to
the Home went to a biker (non-Mason) from Shelby. The longest
ride by a Mason went to a brother from Hickory. Hickory 343
had more riders than any other lodge. The most participation by a
non-Masonic group went to the Southern Cruisers.
The first Ride was held nine years ago with 25 motorcycles and
a check for $1,500. With this year’s big success, they have now
given more than $100,000 total to the Home for Children. They
would also add that they’ve had an immeasurable amount of fun.
According to Jerry Edwards, who has planned and coordinated
the event since its inception, “We all had a great time and are looking forward to next year. I am hoping that more lodges will get involved and make the event larger and more fun for everyone at the
Home.” Edwards is already well into planning next year’s Ride. It’s
planned the second weekend in September. Start your own route
to get there and help make the tenth year of the event the biggest
ever. You can contact Edwards at [email protected].
Page 6
BENEATH
The North Carolina Mason
THE
November/December 2006
OAKS
Finding Ourselves
Administrator
Masonic Home for
Children at Oxford
WELCOME
1............................. Aaron Michael Bland
1...................... Donald McKenzie Brown
1..............................James Bissette Weber
1..........................James Craig Marshburn
1........................Johnnie Caswell Baker Jr.
1.......................... Robert Charles Denton
1..........................Robert Howard Seeling
3...........................Brian James McDowell
3............................. Larry Chris Schwartz
4.......................... Paul Harrison Taylor Jr.
4...............................Steven James Kanter
8............................. Carl Stephen Koonce
8..................................... David Ellis Peck
8..................................... Fred Lester Burr
8................................... Jerry Troy Cooper
8........................... Lloyd Douglas Bullard
8.................................Richard Todd Raby
8..................... Robert Raymond Kennedy
8..............................Scott Vinson Legg II
8............................. Troy Weston Thigpen
11............................ Wallace John Wright
11.......................... William Howard Tate
13..............................Harvey John Stroud
19........................ Daniel Thomas Seip III
27........................... Ronald Kevin Combs
27.................... Stephen Raymond Wilkie
31....................James Shepherd Lofton Jr.
32.........................Jeff rey Michael Howell
32...................................Keith Alan Fitch
32....................... Mark Hampton Sherrill
40..................... Jack Turner Lawrence III
40...........................James Benjamin Stem
40......................... Michael Ryan Wescott
45...............................Glenn Owen Clark
45.................... Harold Gordon Shepherd
45................ Michael Hughett Thompson
45............................... Michael Jared Belk
45...........................Randy Darryl Colbert
45.................................. Scott Dale Curry
45............................. Terry Paul Ferguson
53.................... Roger Holloway Williams
64.............................. Leonard Ray Hoyle
83......................... Brentin Francis Wenck
83..........Christopher Michael Holzworth
83........................... Joshua Wade Masters
83........................... Julius Harmon Whitt
83..................Matthew Lee Kirschenman
83........................... Wade Andrew Henry
84......................... Scott Andrew Dorman
85.............................. Gregory Reid Jones
90..........................Heath Duane Coffield
97.............................. John Stephen Beale
97....................Thomas Anthony Jameson
97........................Thomas Michael Nason
98.................. Ronie Thomas Robinson Jr.
99.............................. Eric Steven Schenk
112................... Richard Wade Pridgen Jr.
115.............................Karl Ashley Pittard
115...........................Steven James Kanter
115.............................. Stuart Craig Rhue
115........Vincent Alexander DeBenedetto
125........................... Victor Lee Smith Jr.
134.............................Jeremy Blake James
134.............................. Roger Lee Adkins
145......................Michael Dwight Shuler
146........................ John Albert Crosby Jr.
Let me help Masonry's charities
❍ The Masonic and Eastern Star Home
❍ The North Carolina Masonic Foundation
❍ The Masonic Home for Children
❍ The Jones Masonic Campus
❍ Send information about wills and bequests.
❍ Please have someone contact me.
✃
Many of the children and youth coming out of our children’s
homes, as well as our own children, have difficulty finding themselves in the world. To many of them, the world is a candy store
of adventures and opportunities, and they want to try them all. To
others it is a big scary place, and they just can’t seem to get started.
Many children leaving our Masonic Home in Oxford have come
from difficult childhoods and do not always have the self-esteem
and self-confidence that our own children have. Finding their way
in the world is a challenge, and small failures often are magnified
as they lack the social supports of an extended family and lack
strong community ties to help them through the rough times.
There is an old story about one young man, Kori, who was having difficulty finding his place in the world, feeling insignificant
and unimportant. He lived long ago in Japan and had the job
of a stone cutter. Kori worked hard every day and made scarcely
enough to pay his bills and buy his meals. Every day he went to
the mountain, bent down and chipped and chiseled away at the
stone mountain. Every night he took his stone to the builders to be
made into stone blocks for building beautiful castles and homes.
But, still Kori felt weak, small and insignificant. What he really
wanted was to be powerful and great as he had dreamed of being
when he was a boy. This was his ardent prayer each night before he
slept. “I want to be as powerful as the Sun,” Kori prayed.
In those days in Japan, there were many gods and one of them
overheard Kori’s prayer to be great and powerful. Then, before he
knew it, Kori became the Sun. He was powerful and bright and
threw light and warmth over everything. He was finally significant and could not be ignored.
Then a cloud passed over and blocked Kori’s view of the mountain so that he couldn’t shine his rays down. Immediately, Kori
was transformed into the cloud. “Now, I am really powerful,” he
said, “I can block the Sun. I can give the workers in the field shade
and drop rain on the crops.”
But, then the wind came and blew the cloud away. Immediately, Kori was transformed into the wind. “Now, I am really powerful,” he said, “I can move the clouds.” Kori blew a child’s kite
high into the sky and made the leaves swirl and turn. He helped
a ship leaving harbor.
But, then he began to pick up speed and suddenly Kori the Wind
hit the side of the mountain. And, the mountain easily deflected the
wind and took no notice of it at all. Kori was immediately transferred into the mountain. “Now I am truly the most powerful and
greatest thing on earth,” he claimed. “The Sun does not hurt me, the
clouds must move around me, and the wind has no effect on me.”
Kori the Mountain was proud and felt significant and important.
Just then Kori heard the sound of a stone cutter chipping and
chiseling away at his face and taking away stone for the builders. Even the powerful mountain could not withstand the slow,
constant work of the powerful stone cutter and, immediately, Kori
the mountain became Kori the stone cutter once again. Now he
understood that the most powerful thing one could ever be in this
whole world is ourselves, who we really are, and finding our own
place in the great scheme of things. Kori had come home to find
himself, but unless he had become the sun and the clouds, the
wind, and the mountain, he would have never known himself and
never have found his own important place in this world.
Like Kori, the youth of the Masonic Home for Children at
Oxford need to venture out and find themselves. They need to try
new experiences and fail; and try again. They need to discover, in
the end, just who they are and how they will make their contribution to the world and how they will fit into it.
Our new Preparation for Adult Living (PALs) Program and
our Independent Living Program are designed to help older youth,
those without the support of family and community to fall back
on, to find themselves. And, it is through your continued support
that we are able to do this important work and provide opportunities for them just like the ones we provide for our own children.
As this holiday season approaches, please remember the children, big and small, here at the Masonic Home through your gifts.
And, please keep your Masonic Home for Children at heart when
drawing out your wills and legacies so that your Home in Oxford
will be able to continue caring for others for many Christmases to
come. May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas
and may you have a wonderful and happy Holiday season.
Ric Car ter photo
By Doug McConnell
GREENSBORO — Residents of the Masonic and Eastern
Star Home have a full service hair salon right there at the Home.
Sarah Hunt is seen here getting her hair washed. Dale Craven is
rendering the service with a smile.
My name
Address
City
State
Phone
Thornton bicycles
donation to MHCO
Zip
My lodge
In memory of (optional)
Address
To assure that your gift is properly credited to the
fund of your choice, please make the check payable
to that charity.
Mail to The Grand Lodge of North Carolina,
PO Box 6506, Raleigh, NC 27628.
OUR NEW
146............................Mark Lee Patterson
146.................. Timothy Shane Crawford
151.................... Christopher Scott Crews
151...............................John Howe Miller
151........................Kevin McKinley Stack
151.................. Kurt Anthony Henderson
151......................Nickie Willliam Trudell
155...................Robert Wayne Rideout Jr.
155............................. Scott Allen Bassett
162..................... William Keith Spillman
170...................... Anthony Paul Zumwalt
181......................John Edmond Upton Jr.
187............................ Joshua Louis Keeny
205..................... David Edwin Goodman
205............................Jacob Wayne Bolick
207.................. Gary Marion Hamilton II
207.......................... Kenneth Hugh Kelly
207......................... Stephen Quinn Allen
207..............William Christopher Worley
208.....................Jonathan Andrew Miller
214........... Claude Raymond Widener III
218................................. Joshua Lee Price
231..............................Scott Wesley Pugh
231...........................Shaun Alan Mattern
243....................William Kenneth Barnes
244............................... Joe Daniel Moore
244................................. Roger Lee Clute
248..................... Michael Gene Rhyne Jr.
248....................Stephen Patrick Priestley
249.................... Adam Christopher Sauls
249....................... James Lavorne Hewett
253....................... Kenton Allen Childers
253..................... Michael Norman Harris
257........................ Justin James Rogerson
258.......................George Thomas Collier
258.......................Matthew Heath Prince
258........................... Trent Daniel Strayer
259......................Chadwell Allen Hamiel
259.............. Christopher Charles Hamiel
259............................. Jeffery Lee Haynes
259.......................Randall Morris Dills II
261.................................... Amit Chandra
261...................Clonnie Cephus Smith Jr.
262.................... Douglas Roy Bumgarner
262..................... Jordan Gavin Chambers
263...................Christopher Blair Houser
267...............................Jason Alan Brown
267.............................. Martin Scott Butz
267......................Scott William Boehmer
267....................... William Thomas Craig
272.............................. David Jason Payne
282.....................Andrew Michael Barrett
282.............................. Brian George Day
282.......................... Joseph Michael Falkl
283........................... Brian Lee Blackwell
283....................Cortley Scott Shoemaker
292...........................John Joseph Kosmeh
319...................... Louis Robert Smith III
319........................ Walter Eugene Horne
322......................... Edward Arvil Stanley
339.............. Christopher Michael Morris
339..................Edgar Oliver Murphrey Jr.
343................................ Chris Lee Powell
343............................ Dennis Lynn Grigg
343..........................James Lewis Johnson
343........................... Kent Edward Elliott
Pampering at the Home
OXFORD — In June, Forsyth 707 Master Bill Thornton
made his second bicycle ride from Winston-Salem to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. Thornton’s 135-mile trek
began Friday, June 23, included an overnight pit stop in Roxboro,
and ended with a special victory lap onto campus, prior to the St.
John’s Day parade. He named this year’s effort the Tom Joseph
Memorial Ride in memory of his late friend who was also a good
friend of the Home for Children. With the help of his family,
dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, this year’s ride generated over $5,000.
— Chris Richardson
BROTHERS
343.................Matthew Steven Broadway
343...........................Shey Garron Wright
344.......................Joshua David Lambeth
356........................... Heath Allen Houser
356................... Ronald Jason Satterwhite
359...........................Ralph Filandro Evey
363........................ Kevin Morrow Turner
374.................................. Jesse Lee Cogar
374.......................... Kent David Shoffner
377........................Michael Johnson Hurt
377...............Wayne Christopher Umfleet
384............................. Brian Powell Greer
384.......................... Jeremy Lee Wagoner
384.....................Larry Coleman Yount Jr.
384.........................Robert Kessler Turner
387....................... James Douglas Marion
387..............................Jerel Scott Surrette
388............................... Daniel Lee Smith
388..................... James Arthur Royster Jr.
388..................... Sidney Oliver Bryson Jr.
391...............................Barty Lee Sorrells
391............................ Brian Paul Slesinski
391......................David Robert Blackwell
391.............................. Jason Troy Bullard
391.........................John William Dees Jr.
391...................Lester McMillian Cole Jr.
391............. Stephen Paul Quesenberry II
395..................Christopher Evan Thomas
395.................George Graham Hinson Jr.
395................... Michael Terrence Collins
395....................Raymond Gene Flowe Jr.
395............................... Scott Alan Odom
395....................... Wesley Edwin Thomas
397.............................Cody Lee McElroy
397............................. Evan Keith Carroll
401...................... Michael Francis Lonon
405............................ Eric James Gregson
405........................ Mitchell Alton Wiggs
408...........................Daniel Victor Miller
408..............George Van Thomas Bennett
409........................Joseph Eugene Martin
409......................... Terry Steven Johnson
411......................... Randy Gerald Glover
411................................ Ricky Lyne Riley
411...........................Travis Daniel Denny
418................... Robert Lewis Bridgers Jr.
423...................... Christopher Ryan Lane
426............................ Vernon Lee Jenkins
428.....................Steven Salvatore Maschi
434...................David Thomas Lee Jaynes
434.......................Michael Aaron Church
434..................... Michael George Messer
437.......................... Wesley Gene Martin
439......................... John Garrison Griffin
446..................... Haywood Max Mitchell
446......................... Kyle David Kissmann
446..................Mark Milton Schneider Jr.
446....................... Michael Anthony Ford
446...................... Robert Ray Freeman Jr.
446................. Thomas Edward Knoebber
454.................... Richard Lannis Brinegar
460....................................Billy Mac Wall
461............................ Thomas John Daley
473......................Bobby Mathis Byerly Jr.
475........... Matthew Gabriel McLawhorn
482.......................... James Lewis Maybin
482...........................Justin Lloyd Maybin
483......................... Danny William Lyon
484........................ Clyde Clifton Ishee Jr.
491........................... Brint Eugene Argall
492............................... John Moody Isley
495....................... Matthew Elliott Wood
500...............Christopher Everett Stevens
500.........................Jason Donald Bennett
505.....................Edwin Glenn Homesley
505..............................Jody Glenn Fowler
505...................................John Pete Craft
505................................ Mark Alan Stout
505........................... Randall Bryan Stout
505...................... Steven Michael Badawi
515..............Charles Daniel Faulkenberry
515.................................Gary Don Scism
515......................Jeff rey Brandon Wilson
529.............................. Paul Gene Cheeks
532.......................William Archie Pate Jr.
550..................... Hubert William Platt Jr.
551...................... Michael Sean Newman
552...............................Paul Frazier Noah
552.....................William Michael Turner
554.............................. Stuart Ray Wilson
555.....................Zachary Charles Hussey
556....................Jamie Christopher Fisher
556.......................... William Roy Raynor
562..............................Michael Todd Eiss
564........................ Phillip James Rowand
576.............................. Gary Wayne Sipes
579...............Christopher Monroe Queen
579............................. Ernest Edison Lail
579................. Henry Edward Nichols III
583.................Joseph Fralkin Monette III
583................................ Robert Earl Byrd
583......................... Russell Robert Wilde
590........................ James Stratford Potter
590.......................Michael Gene Howard
593.......................... Roger Wade Hartsoe
594......................... Anthony Scott Roten
594.......................... David Austin Mikeal
594........................Matthew Gregory Key
598....................... Gabriel Israel Faulkner
598.................................. Jason Rod Jones
605............................Joel Bernard Burrell
605........................... Mark Kevin Jackson
607.........................Jason Scott McDaniel
607........................Ronald Dean Hayes Jr.
616...........................Robert Darren Corn
617........................... David Graham Holt
618........................Chris Steven Harrison
618..........................Duane Donald Burry
626.......................Ronald Wayne Sanders
629........................Michael Wayne Smith
643..............Daniel Claybourn Walters Jr.
646................ William Leslie Johnson III
663.......................... James Kevin Pressley
663..................Jerry Wayne Leatherwood
667................. Christopher George Rasor
667..................Ryan Christopher Thomas
668.................... Gene Monroe Minges Jr.
669.......................Michael Joseph Fischer
670...............................Aaron Clay Burns
670..................... Rodney Carroll Hudson
670...................William Richard Johnson
673.............................Henry Cole Griffin
679........................ David Russell Hughes
679...................... Gregory Stanley Hester
679................... Kenneth Alexander Ward
680....................... Terry Allen Rademann
681...................... Benjamin Alan Skinner
681..........................John Lyde Griggs III
681....................William Thomas Skinner
686.................Carlton Stephen Ashby III
688............................ Burton Ryan Miller
688...........................Dustin Neal Colwell
688...............Thomas Jeremy Brittingham
691.......................... Johnny Lee Marshall
693....................................... Saket Narula
694............................... Michael J. Sawyer
697............ Douglas Edward Galbraith Jr.
697......................Michael Wynne Crosby
699..........................Jimmy Wayne Idol Jr.
699......................Joshua Byron Strayhorn
701........................Mark Randall Johnson
702.................... Theodore Wilson Yandle
703........................ Michael Elliott Taylor
703........... William Christopher Lambert
705................ Christopher Todd Edwards
705.................... Jonathan Rodolph Grant
705..........................Timmy Ray Woolard
705............................. Tony Alan Gordon
705..........William Hughes Von Canon Jr.
709..........................Brian Taylor Murphy
713............................Jeff rey Scott Painter
713..................... Stephen Riley Skidmore
715............................ Brian William May
715......................David Kimmel Warstler
720..........................Charles Francis Bush
720............................. Pete Ian Townsend
720....................................... Steven Beyer
724........................ Wade Patrick Gaskins
725..................................... James Koonce
725...........................Jimmy Lee Heath Jr.
725.................................Val Jay Robinson
727............................. Ronald Foley Jessie
727.......................... Roy Edwin Stephens
727............................Scott Buntina Ward
727...................... Timothy Adam Fulford
730........................ Michael Deon Bullard
734......................Duane Alec Sinquefield
736......................Joseph Daniel St. Pierre
738................................. John Adam Park
738.......................Jonathan Mark Conrad
738.................Michael Channing Hoover
738............................Ronald Alan Blaney
738............................. Roy Charles Tench
738................Walter Wesley Rowlette III
739.............................. Ali Issam Aintrazi
739................... Raymond Harvey Monks
741...............................Brian Keith Wade
741................. Bruce Morton Williamson
741............................. Justin Neill Parrish
742............................ Steve Brian Walters
743.................Carlton Stephen Ashby III
744.................. Roland Daniel Morneault
745.............. Edward Reginald Johnson II
749............................ John Austin Brewer
755........................ Richard Allen Shelton
755............... Robert Brenden Hernandez
757.....................Joseph Francis Goryl III
November/December 2006
The North Carolina Mason
SENIOR MOMENTS
MESH — straight talk
By Bryant Webster
Finance Chairman
Masonic and
Eastern Star Home
Since August 21, 2006, the Masonic and Eastern Star Home of
North Carolina, Inc. (MESH) has been using the management services of Life Care Services, LLC (LCS). Also, since the August quarterly meeting of the MESH Board of Directors, held August 12, 2006,
an Executive Committee (composed of the chairman and vice-chair
of the Board, the chairs of Personnel, Audit, and Finance Committees) has been meeting on a monthly basis to make decisions between
regular Board meetings, to allow MESH to function in a much more
efficient and nimble manner. At the November quarterly Board meeting, held November 11, 2006, the full Board of Directors considered
and ratified all decisions made by the Executive Committee during the
period from August 12 through November 2006. Major decisions during the time period were:
1. The contract with Aramark, which had been providing dietary,
plant, and facility services, will be terminated effective December 31,
2006. Residents had been dissatisfied with Aramark, and since the
retention of LCS, Aramark’s services were redundant.
2. Twenty-five additional beds in the Care and Wellness Center
have been certified for Medicare placement and reimbursement, effective January 1, 2007, providing a strong additional revenue source and
enhancing our services in the Care and Wellness Center.
3. Mark Kolada, who was introduced to the Craft at the Grand
Lodge Annual Communication, was appointed as permanent executive director of MESH, effective November 1, 2006.
4. A budget has been approved for 2007, which projects operating
revenue of $8,742,433, a 26% increase over the $6,929,948 budgeted
for 2006. The budget also projects operating expense of $8,690,333,
Page 7
an 8.9% increase over the $7,976,636 budgeted for 2006. This will
mean a net operating gain of $52,100 in 2007 as opposed to a budgeted loss of $812,188 in 2006. Clearly, we are doing what we need
to do to return to fiscal health, namely increasing income and holding the line on expenses. PLEASE NOTE: The budget still requires
significant charitable income, in excess of $1.9 million. Our monthly
subsidy to provide charity to our residents is approximately $160,000.
We need your help.
5. The services of Banyan Senior Living with regard to the proposed
expansion project have been terminated, and the other members of the
project team are being reevaluated, as we completely reexamine the
scope and drive of any expansion project with the leadership of LCS.
Over the next 90 days, we will be studying the project, reassessing the
market, and the scope, and determining how best to replace our obsolete buildings with marketable accommodations which will serve our
residents well into the future.
The Board of Directors is cautiously optimistic that we are beginning to see the fruit of many difficult decisions over the past years. We
ask for your continued support and assistance as we make the hard
decisions to move your Home in the right direction. Please give generously to your Home so that we can fulfill our mission of providing
solace to our elderly brothers and sisters.
Ric Car ter photo
MILEPOSTS
FAYETTEVILLE — Clyde Rhodes, of Fort Bragg 667, was
recently presented his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic
membership. He is seen here, left, getting the award from Fort
Bragg Lodge‘s 1956 Master Robert A. Carter. — John Franklin
ARAPAHOE — On September 30, Rainbow 479’s Russell
Lee, right, got his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years lodge
membership. He is seen here receiving the certificate from his
cousin, 99-year-old Harry Lee. It was Harry who got Russell
started in Freemasonry. Russell was home on leave from the
Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia in 1946. While Harry was grinding some corn for him, Russell asked about the Masons. Harry
got him a petition, and a few trips home from Norfolk later,
Russell was raised at Rainbow Lodge.
— H. T. Banks
WINSTON-SALEM — Past Grand Master Lester P. Martin
Jr., left, recently got his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years Masonic membership. Grand Master Gene Jernigan, right, made the
presentation at Annual Communication. Martin is a member of
Mocksville 134 and served as grand master in 1991.
SILER CITY — Byron Oldham, right, of Siler City 403 got
his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years membership. Siler City Lodge
Master Thomas Emerson is seen here making the presentation at
their October 14 awards night.
— Rod Tidy
MOUNT AIRY — Round Peak 616’s Grover A. Holder, left,
got his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership
recently. Holder’s son-in-law Vann Tate, Round Peak Lodge’s
master, is seen here presenting the award during the lodge’s
annual Family Day.
— Vann Tate
EAST LAPORTE — On August 26, East Laporte 358 hosted a Widows’ and Awards Celebration fish fry supper. Eight of the lodge’s seventeen 50-year members attended the function. Five
of their fourteen widows were there. Fortieth District Deputy Grand Master Mike Hooper and
Past Grand Master Charles Cathey were special guests. Ninety-eight-year-old Felix Hooper, East
Laporte’s oldest living member was also on hand. Seen here are, front from left, Mike Hooper, Felix
Hooper, Charles Cathey, and Eugene Vosecky. Back: Winfred Ashe, Jack Wood, Harrell Hooper, John
D. Buchanan, Linzie Hollifield, and Baxter Wood.
— Ron E. Stephens
EAST LAPORTE — On August 26, East LaPorte 358 hosted
a Widows’ and Awards Celebration fish fry supper. Among the
widows who attended were, from left, Thelma Dills, Marcie Williams, Nancy Clayton, Gladys Parker, and Audrey Buttery.
— Ron E. Stephens
SWANSBORO — William
Thacker, right, was recently
named Onslow County Mason
of the Year. He is seen here
being congratulated by Grand
Master Gene Jernigan. Thacker
is a member of Seaside 429.
— Stephen Svetlovics
NEW BERN — Joshua A. Bell, center, received St. John’s 3’s
2006 scholarship. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney K. Bell of
New Bern. In the picture, from left, are Scholarship Committee
Chairman Glenn N. Norman, Joshua’s mother, Joshua, his father, and
Billy R. Joiner, acting master of St. John’s 3. This is the 17th year that
the Lodge has participated in a scholarship program for a graduating senior from the local community.
— Coy Wetherington
SILER CITY — Siler City 403 Master Thomas Emerson, left,
made two Diamond Jubilee Award presentations at the lodge’s
awards night October 14. They went to Willis Wrenn, center,
and Jack Tanner, right. The Diamond Jubilee is given by the Grand
Lodge for 60 years membership.
— Rod Tidy
FAYETTEVILLE — Harold Williams, of Fort Bragg 667 was
recently presented his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic
membership. He is seen here, left, getting the award from Fort
Bragg Lodge‘s 1956 Master Robert A. Carter. — John Franklin
Ric Car ter photo
SWANSBORO — Seaside 429 held their Past Masters’,Widows‘, and Awards Night October 6. Grand Master Gene Jernigan
presented service awards to several of their members. John Gillette got his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years membership.
Spencer Parker and Lendo Brown got their Veteran’s Emblems
for 50 years as a Mason. Seen here are, from left, Jernigan, Gillette, Parker, and Brown.
— Stephen Svetlovics
WINSTON-SALEM — Clemmons 755 is a perennial leader
in supporting our Masonic charities. At Annual Communication
in September, Clemmons representatives presented each of the
Masonic Homes a check for $7,000. Grand Master Jernigan is
seen here accepting the gifts.
Page 8
The North Carolina Mason
November/December 2006
Masonic
Blood
Drive wins
national
award
The bikes took a parade lap of the campus when they arrive.
By Ric Carter
OXFORD — The Ninth Annual Ride for
the Kids rolled onto the campus of the Masonic
Home for Children on September 9 and set a
new record for themselves, presenting a check
for more than $22,000 to the Home. As usual,
Eureka 283 in China Grove was the focus at the
beginning of the day. The home lodge for the
event served breakfast early that morning to see
off the contingent of motorcycles.
But it’s not the only place they start. There are
groups and lone wolves making their own paths
from all over North Carolina. They first rallied
at a shopping center in Raleigh where they held
their registration, admired each other’s bikes and
automobiles, and handed out their door prizes.
After resting there for a while, more than 120
riders queued up for the last 30 miles of police
escorted procession. City police from Raleigh
and Oxford, and deputies in Wake and Granville
counties secured intersections and made sure the
parade was a safe one.
At the Home, they were greeted by kids and
Masons. More than 20 classic and show cars were
parked on the front circle, the entries in a cruisein car show organized by Harry Fulmer and the
Ric Car ter photos
Ride Nine brings more than $22K
The Veazey Ridge Boys entertained.
see RIDE, page 5
NORTH CAROLINA
PAID
OXFORD, NC 27565
PERMIT NO. 56
In this issue of
The NC Mason
The 13th District made sure everyone ate well.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
AUTO
U.S. POSTAGE
Kids admired the hardware.
STATESVILLE — The AABB, the American Association of Blood Banks, presented its
national 2006 Group Award of Merit to the
North Carolina Masonic Community Blood
Drive. This award recognizes the efforts of
groups, such as chambers of commerce and civic
and religious organizations, for their significant
participation and support of blood banking.
Their citation recognizes the participating
lodges in the 30th and 34th Masonic Districts
“for the collaborative effort… and their 17year history of holding a successful community
blood drive…” Most lodges in the collection areas, Statesville, Mooresville, Conover, Hickory,
and Taylorsville, help staff and promote the
drive. The drive was nominated for the award
by the American Red Cross Carolinas Blood
Services Region.
The North Carolina Masonic Community
Blood Drive holds blood collections in five
towns on the first Friday of every new year,
and has done so for the past 17 years. A total
of 6,575 units of blood have been collected. In
January 2006, the Masonic Community Blood
Drive collected 658 blood units, topping the
organizations goal of 630 units. Supported by
mailings, business involvement, raffle sponsorship, media coverage and attentive customer
service, the Masonic Community Blood Drive
has grown into the largest annual blood drive in
Iredell County.
The Masonic community has established a
partnership with Statesville’s WFMX Radio,
which provides strong public relations support
during the preceding weeks and at live remotes
throughout the duration of the blood drive. This
coverage is a key factor in promoting blood drive
awareness and securing special door prizes for
random drawings for donors.
The next drive is set for January 5 in
Statesville, Mooresville, Conover, Hickory,
and Taylorsville. Check your local media or
lodge for locations. All donors will get a longsleeve Red Cross tee-shirt and a chance to
win a seven-day cruise.
The Mason
Volume 131 Number 6
November/December 2006
page 1
Masonic documents headed
for Southern Collection.
page 1
Raleigh 500 launches
Masonic Pig Jig.
It was the
ninth year
for the Ride
for the Kids
at the Masonic Home
for Children.
Bikers from
across the
state struck
out for fellowship and the
children. This
year’s version brought
in more than
$22,000 for
the Home.
You can learn
more on page
eight of this
issue.
Ric Car ter photo
Kids
flip
over
The
Ride
The Ride makes new
records in ninth year.
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
page 8
The Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF&AM
600 College Street
Oxford, North Carolina 27565
AF & AM Masons honored
by Prince Hall GM.
The North Carolina Mason
page 5