The North Carolina Mason

January/February 2013 The North Carolina Mason Pilot Mountain Traveling the Tar Heel State Pilot 493 nearly hit the goal of their November 26 blood drive. They brought in 37 of the hoped for 43 units. Joe Arnder and Junior Morrison were elected to honorary memberships in Pilot Lodge in October. Money from their fundraiser this fall was sent to the kids at the Masonic Home for Children in the form of gift certificates. ��� The Pilot Mountain Traveler News from North Carolina's Lodges Charlotte By Ric Carter Spencer Santa Claus was pleased with Spencer 543 this holiday season. He even visited the lodge December 8 to let kids give a whisper of their under the Christmas tree wishes. To help the old bearded round one, the lodge participated in Toys for Tots. On December 19, they delivered 200 toys to the program for distribution to needy children. Spencer Lodge held their Yard Sale and Grandfather Clock Raffle October 27. Their earlier barbecue chicken dinner brought in money for local and Masonic charities. They held their Thanksgiving and Awards Dinner on November 20. ��� On the Square and Johnny Hatley Kinston St. John���s 4���s widows got Christmas cookies from the lodge during the holidays. The lodge put the packages on a table at the lodge with labels and addresses. Volunteers grabbed bags and took them to the ladies. St. John���s 4 selected Jefcoat Cottage at the Home for Children to help with their wish list. Each of the lodges in Lenoir County was picking a cottage and doing the same. The Lenoir County Lodges were holding their Annual Memorial and Anniversary Service December 9 at Richard Caswell 705. Postal rate increases are making St. John���s 4 newsletter editors consider a stop to mailing the newsletter. ��� The Trestleboard Page 3 Winston-Salem At a pre-holiday pre-meeting supper, Old Town 751 collected food and donations for Sunny Side Ministries assistance to the needy. Members were asked to bring five dollars worth of food or simply donate five dollars to the drive. They managed a nice table of food and $200 for the charity. On December 22, the lodge made its traditional delivery of fruit baskets to their widows and infirm. The volunteers enjoyed a breakfast together before starting their labors. Masonic and lodge charities benefitted to the tune of more than $3,350 as a result of Old Town���s fall raffle. They awarded entrants a shotgun, a television, and an iPad. ��� On the Level at Old Town Lodge Charles M. Setzer lodge named Donnie Wrenn their Mason of the Year for 2012. Two lodge members recently gave Setzer Lodge a new staircase lecture carpet. In December, Setzer Master Allan Mann had to pay the promised $50 for attendance by 25 of the lodge���s members at a meeting. Abner Fortner was so pleased that he sent Mann a birthday card and a matching $50 donation to Masonic charity. ��� Trestleboard There have been improvements around Mint Hill 742. There���s a new ice machine, and the officer aprons are out being repaired. Members are being urged to choose stations and jobs early for the Mint Hill���s Spring Fish Fry. ��� Mint Hill Lodge James K. Polk 759 held their all-you-can-eat Community Breakfast for charity and their Red Cross Blood Drive on November 11. The lodge awards night was held on November 2. ��� Chris Minor and Marc Whitman Derita 715 is planning on building a new home after highway construction takes their old home. They are currently taking the process slowly to make sure they get a location which will well suit them. Derita is also instituting a degree team which will be open to all interested members. James Bullock was named 2012 Mason of the Year by Derita Lodge. ��� Derita Lodge Raleigh Semper Fi raises big money with big prize JACKSONVILLE ��� On October 20, Semper Fidelis 680 held their raffle drawing for a 2012 Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide motorcycle. On the day of the drawing, approximately 100 motorcycles and crew from all over the state arrived for the first Semper Fidelis Motorcycle Raffle and Poker Run. It was a great day for our charities and for Masonry. Food Paw Creek The Fall Chicken Fry at West Gate 738 set a new record, bringing in more than $11,000. Junior Warden Randy Tamson was garnering much of the credit. The lodge helps out with the Toy Ride at Easy Eddie���s Bike Shop each year. Riders bring toys for the Masonic Home for Children. They enjoy chili and door prizes and live music. They sent toys and more than $1,000 to the Home this year. November 17 was the big day. West Gate Lodge held a special fundraiser for a local woman who needed help paying for an organ transplant. She had insufficient health insurance and a disabled husband. They were playing the course at Green Meadows. ��� West Gate Lodge Southport Pythagoras 249 had their Annual Widows Appreciation and Masonic Awards Dinner November 17. Three widows were given red roses. Veteran���s Emblems for 50 years membership went to Ozen Carrier, Roy Daniel, R. P. Robinson, and Ivey Gaskill. The annual Gene Cowan Award went to Jack Terry. A Fin and Oink Award was presented to Marvin McKeithan for work on their fish fries and barbecues which raise so much money for charity each year. There were more awards shared at the November 20 stated meeting of the lodge. Another Fin and Oink Award went to Charles ���Skeeter��� Trot. Joe Maggiola���s work on the lodge golf tournament earned him the lodge���s Projects Award. They gave Daniel Fink his 50-year award on behalf of Allen 276, his lodge in Ohio. Pythagoras Lodge sent $400 to help with Hurricane Sandy relief in New York and New Jersey. Half was from lodge funds and half from donations that night. ��� Pythagoras Lodge Green Level Members of Green Level 277 have garnered community recognition recently. The Town of Apex selected Horace Johnson as Citizen of the Year. Stan Latta got an NC Governor���s Award for Volunteer Service. ��� Green Level Lodge was abundant, a band was playing, and the kids had a great time on the various inflated games. Semper Fidelis was pleased and excited to be able to donate $7,000 to WhiteStone and $7,000 to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. Many of the non-Masons present showed an interest in our craft and learned that Masonry supports charity. ��� Howard Kahn Gastonia Wingate King Solomon 704 named Alfred B. Bradshaw their 2012 Mason to the Year. The lodge is trying a new pre-meeting supper plan this year in lodge. They are gathering at a local cafeteria to eat together before they head to lodge. ��� The Plumb Line Meadow Branch 578 held its annual Breakfast with Santa December 15. Five dollars got you all the pancakes you could eat. Another five got you two four-by-six-inch photos of you and Santa. ��� Scott Rinehults and Brandon Thomas Thomasville Three widows were among the attendees when Allen Graham 695 held their Ladies��� Night Banquet in November. Brian Heintz, who was active in taking care of lodge meals and refreshments, was named Mason of the Year. Volunteers were having breakfast together at a local restaurant before the December 15 delivery of fruit baskets to Allen Graham Lodge widows. ��� Wallace Sheppard After its very successful softball tournament last summer, Thomasville 214 has decided to do more in the coming year. As with the previous one, these USSSA sanctioned events will provide funds for the Masonic charities. ��� Trestle Board Kenansville St. John���s 13 sent checks for $1,200 each to the NC Masonic Foundation, WhiteStone, and Masonic Home for Children. ��� Lodge Log Asheville After initiating 20 new members last year, Mount Hermon 118���s Education Committee is concentrating on getting coaches trained and activated. Planning is already underway for Mount Hermon���s marking of the 100th anniversary of the Asheville Masonic Temple. The Centennial Celebration Committee is setting a 21-month calendar of events. They will later launch with a cornerstone rededication this year and ending in April 2015 with a large banquet. Laying mosaic tiles and a blazing star for the lodge room floor is the current top project at the temple. Membership costs are going up at Mount Hermon. Dues are going to $115 plus Grand Lodge per capita, initiation fee to $125, and affiliation fee to $50. ��� Trestle Board Greensboro Revolution 552 held their Second Annual Boston Butt Charity Drive November 17. That was the pickup butt day and matched with the continuation of their yard sale. Butts were $35 with sauce included. Plates were also available. ��� Bill Hill Kannapolis Wilmington Orient 395 was hosting a ladies��� luncheon November 17. Derwin Hinson was to entertain as the lodge showed their appreciation for the ladies in their lives. ��� Freddy Szakasits Salisbury The Rowan County Masonic Blood Drive was held at the Salisbury Masonic Temple January 3. ��� Steve Schenk Concord Cabarrus 720 held a chicken and dumpling fundraiser not long ago, the first such event they���ve had in ���many years.��� They had great fun and raised $1,200 for the Masonic Homes. They thought it ���went incredibly well.��� Ken Cruse was presented his Veteran���s Emblem at the Cabarrus stated meeting in October. His family was on hand to see him get the 50-year award. ��� Newsletter Warsaw Warsaw 677 held their Annual Pancake and Sausage Breakfast November 10. It helped the lodge raise $500 each for the Masonic Home for Children, WhiteStone, and the NC Masonic Foundation. Their Ladies��� and Awards Night was set for December 4. ��� Warsaw Lodge James B. Green 735 held their Past Masters and Awards Night November 17. Donald Grider was presented his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years as a Mason. The lodge also got their first look at the new lodge history project. Ambitious goals in their fall fundraiser got good results for Green Lodge. Their goal of 600 plates translated to more than 500 plates sold, the first time they���ve been that successful. Each of the Masonic Homes got $1,000 and the balance of the money raised went to the North Carolina Masonic Foundation which provides permanent funding for both institutions. Green���s new Master Joe Teague has adopted a theme for his year: DARE (Dream, Anticipate, Reach, Execute). ��� The James B. Green Scene Hookerton Jerusalem 95���s charity contributions to the two Masonic Homes totalled nearly $1,200 last year. Leroy Whitfield has just reached his tenth year of putting together The Jerusalem Journal, the lodge���s monthly newsletter. ��� The Jerusalem Journal Statesville The 30th Masonic District sponsored the Statesville Christmas Parade again this year. This was the fourth year they have done so. ���Al Jones Members of Statesville 27 reached out to their neighbors during the holidays. They manned the Salvation Army���s red kettles, ringing their bells, and asking for donations to brighten Christmas for the needy. They also delivered 35 fruit baskets and poinsettias to the lodge���s widows. Statesville Lodge held their Family Night November 10. Larry Stroud was honored with the J. C. Brown Award. The Lon Shulenberger Award went to Wayne Craddock. Both honors are given for service to the lodge. Fred Clarke, David Gosnell, and Henry Milholland got their Veteran���s Emblems for 50 years Masonic membership. The lodge���s Ugly Man Contest is finally concluded. Voting was done with cash. Lodge Master David Potter was the runaway winner getting more votes than all the other candidates combined. All the votes (totalling $215.50) were donated to the Masonic Home for Children. ��� The Joppa Informer see STATE, page 4 If your lodge has a newsletter for its members, make sure The North Carolina Mason is on your mailing list. Lodge newsletters are a major source of news for Masons around the state. If you don���t have one, think about starting one. Newsletters are a good way to keep your members active, happy, and informed.

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