North Carolina Mason
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See more Traveling, page 15 May/June 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 TRAVELING THE TAR HEEL STATE SDURHAM – One of the oldest Masonic charity golf tournaments in North Carolina celebrated a big milestone this year. On May 8, Fellowship #687 raised thousands of dollars for our Masonic charities. In its 30-year history, the tournament has raised more than $300,000. Funds raised have benefitted more than 3,500 kids and 2,000 brothers and sisters at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and at WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community in Greensboro. Four players and two sponsors, Bud Ross, owner of Refuse Equipment Corp., have participated in all 30 charitable tournaments. Brother Mark Stephens, chair for the very first tournament in 1989, said, "We've been blessed for 30 years, with the support of the lodge and its members and families, sponsors and players, all for our charities. Back in 1989 with that first tournament, even with 10 teams and in raising $2,300, we thought we'd did well. With gifts now over $12,000 each year, we are thankful for all who continue to believe and help all for our Homes through this tournament." SKERNERSVILLE – Education is a priority for the broth- ers of Kernersville #669. The lodge recently awarded schol- arships to two local students, Nicholas Murphy and Lindsey Bourbanais. SBRYSON CITY – Oconee #427 held a Civil War degree in March to raise Shawn M. Smith to the sublime degree. Oconee has had a busy year, initiating two candidates, raising one brother and affiliating one brother. The lodge also has donated biweekly to local elementary schools, and helped a community member who lost everything when her house burned down. WSMasons around the state are helping their communities keep things neat and tidy. In late March, the brothers of Mooresville #496 joined the Mooresville "Adopt- a-Street" program. The lodge selected a one- mile stretch of a heavily traveled road. In one day, 14 brothers collected enough trash to fill 10 bags. Meanwhile, in Kan- napolis, Allen-Graham #695 conducted road- side cleanup projects on a mile-long stretch of South Main Street in Kannapolis.