The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2018 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 TravelinG the tar heel state GREENSBORO – Lux Libertas #772 on Nov. 10 treated WhiteStone resi- dents and friends to some Stamey's Barbecue and football as they gathered at the home in Greensboro to watch the Carolina-Duke game. The Heels came up short on the field but it was a win-win for the home and the lodge. The lodge in 2016 and 2017 took children from Oxford to games in Kenan Stadium, and then decided to rotate annual game-day events between MHCO and WhiteStone. Lux Libertas's founding master was Past Grand Master Gene Jernigan, who serves WhiteStone as chairman of the board of directors. Joining the fun are from left, then-Grand Master Speed Hallman, WhiteStone resident Carroll Davis, and WB Johnny Surles. ELIZABETH CITY – More than 100 brothers were on hand at the Elizbeth City Shrine Club to hear Worshipful Brother Billy Mutter, right, past master of Drummond #178 and member of the Grand Lodge of Virginia Lodge Service Com- mittee, urge them to consider making blood and organ donations. He told the First District quarterly meeting that the life of his daughter, Stephanie, was saved when she was 10 when the parents of a 10-year-old boy chose to donate his heart. Twenty years later, she needed and received a second heart. Sadly, due to complications, Stephanie passed away in May 2016. Brother Mutter has made it his mission to edu- cate others about the gifts of blood and organ donation. Mutter spent some time with Worshipful Brother Jimmy Nash, left, of New Lebanon #314, who is a heart transplant recipient. WILMINGTON – Taking a tragic loss and honoring the memory of a fallen Brother, the members of Wilmington #319 enlisted the charity and trust of over 28 lodge members, Masons, businesses, and friends to collect more than $11,000 in donations for the pool project at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. This major gift was given in memory of Wilmington's WB James "Bill" William Haines III, who died in a motorcycle accident last spring. The husband, father, and past master of Wilmington #319 was remembered through this gift for the children of Oxford and in turn, the Children's Home and NC Masonic Foundation honored the Lodge, presenting a token of appreciation for the generosity, time, and care given by the lodge and in remembrance of WB Haines. Pictured is Mas- ter Jimmy Moore, center; Chris Richardson, NCMF eastern region development director, right; and lodge Secretary Michael Hoff. The official dedication of the MHCO Pool is tentatively scheduled for next spring; a special memorial dedica- tion will be held for WB Haines, including his wife and children. OXFORD – William R. Watson, 86, and a member of Lucama #527 for 50 years, has since the early 1980s written a check every sin- gle month to the Masonic Home for Children. He got some special thanks in November for that gen- erosity recently with a night of rec- ognition at the lodge. Among the guests: Mrs. Mary Helen Parrott of MHCO, who has processed every one of Brother Watson's gifts to the home – but never met him in person. Follow- ing a catered dinner, Mrs. Parrott gave Brother Watson a much-deserved hug and pointed to him as an example of a Mason whose legacy of giving extends beyond being a member, to one who accepted his obligation and fulfilled it with passion and commit- ment. Gifts from MHCO, including a blanket and tie tack, were presented to Brother Watson as a token of thanks. Worshipful Master Tony Fer- rell recognized Brother Watson as a true "Masons' Mason," and said the lodge is grateful to have him as a member and as a generous, kind brother.

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