The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 TravelinG the tar heel state CONOVER – A thing of beauty is a joy forever, as the poet says. He must have been gazing at the restored sign now hanging proudly in front of Conover #709. Senior Deacon Mike Matty reports that as the lodge grows in number, brothers have been motivated to the focus more on beautifying the lodge. One of the first projects: restoring the outside of the lodge brothers call home. Last year, brothers restored the front of the building and this year had the historic neon sign restored. Restoration will continue with plans to renovate the dining hall bathrooms and some other projects before the year ends. Matty passes along this advice to other lodges considering a facelift: "Get in touch with your city planning departments and see if they have any grant money available for your projects. Ours did." ELIZABETHTON, TN – Brothers, family & friends from Cranberry #598 and Linville #489 in North Carolina and Tennessee lodges Hampton #750, Roan Creek #579 and Roan Mountain #566 gathered in June for food & fellowship. This event was orchestrated by Cranberry Master Mike Smith and Joe Sluder of Roan Mountain Lodge 566. The gathering was held to increase the harmony between the Brothers in NC District 37 and TN District 24. These districts are just a few miles across the state line from each other. It also provided a great opportunity for the Brothers in the Districts to meet each other. The event was such a success planning for a Fall event got under way soon after. WILSON – Four scholarships were awarded this year at Wilson #712's annual T. Bruce Boyette scholarship banquet. Each year the lodge gives three $1,000 scholarships to each local high school and one to Wilson Community College. Left to right, Nirrya Cleroyon Foster is entering Winston-Sa- lem State University, W. M. Robert Worton and Alan Romero who is entering Wilson Community College. Not pictured is Vanessa Urieta-Robles, who is entering Pitt Community Col- lege. Wilson Community College will announce its recipient at a later date. PILOT MOUNTAIN – Pilot #493 Past Master Rick Smith presents a $500 scholarship to East Surry High School senior Sharon Olivia Gaskill. Brothers have raised the funds for the scholarship from stated communication dinners and have given the award every year since 1986. GREENSBORO – Gate City #694 reports a great season for its new youth baseball team. The lodge sponsored a team – the Gate City Green Machine – for the first time this year. The team is made up of 11- and 12-year-olds. The squad did well, losing by only one run in the semifinal game of the tournament.

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