The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2019 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 TravelinG the tar heel state WINSTON-SALEM – Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound … Well, the sound may not have been the sweetest, but the happy heart in the man twang- ing that old hymn was. You never know what you'll see at Annual Communication. One of the attractions was an old homemade "Band-Jo" made by brother WB Jack Thrower, former District 32 DDGM and member of Steele Creek #737 and James K. Polk #759. Why "Band-Jo?" Because it's made from an old piece of wood, some chopped-off finishing nails, and a tin Band-Aid box. Connect it with a tiny amplifier and twang the only string on it, and you have what he called "a poor man's banjo." ELIZABETH CITY – Eureka #317 raised about $300 for the Masonic Home for Children and MESH LLC at a district-wide chili cookoff in October. Thirteen pots of chili were entered among three categories: classic, heat and exotic. Partici- pants brought the heat and their appetites. Everyone was given four beans, which were used to cast votes for the best chili in each category. The winners were: Classic—with traditional ground beef chili, Candy Marriner; Heat –with Jalapeno Sausage and Ghost Pepper Chili, Corey Marriner; and Exotic – with Pork Tenderloin and Black Bean Chili, Barbara Roberts. Pictured from left with their trophies are Barbara Roberts, Corey Marriner and Candy Marriner. OXFORD – Seventh Dis- trict DDGM Bobby Mead- ows, left, "made a splash" as he presents a $500 check to Kevin Otis, administrator of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, on behalf of the district's lodges to help pay for the new MHCO Aquatic Center. OXFORD – Cooking up some love … George Raech- er, Master of Goldsboro #634, and PM Bob Murphy, secre- tary, in October delivered a new cooker to the Home. THE MIDDLE CHAMBER PROGRAM Presented by The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education INTRODUCTION TO MASONIC ALLEGORIES AND SYMBOLS ● 9 a.m. Jan 4 Wilmington SR Temple ● Cary Lodge #198 ● Charlotte YR Temple ● Nichols-W Asheville #650 ● 1 p.m. Feb. 1 Greensboro Masonic Temple ENTERED APPRENTICE SESSION ● Feb. 29 Long Creek #205, Huntersville ● March 21 Relief #431, Benson FELLOW CRAFT SESSION ● May 15 Long Creek #205, Huntersville ● May 30 Relief #431, Benson MASTER MASON SESSION ● July 18 Long Creek #205, Huntersville ● July 25 Relief #431, Benson Each of the degree sessions will be 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (lunch on your own) Cost: Introductory Class is free to attend. The degree sessions require a one-time purchase of a $150 Program Kit, which includes a personal journal and a variety of study materials. C rafted for brothers searching for a deeper, more esoteric interpretation of our symbols and allegories. Each session – facilitated by "well-informed" brethren – utilizes a mixture of open discussion, self-study, and contemplative exercises to investigate the Mysteries of our Order. The Middle Chamber Program provides North Carolina Masons an opportunity to explore the rituals and symbols of the Craft and improve themselves as men and Masons. Instructors are experienced Masons specially trained to assist each brother as he examines the Masonic rituals, himself, and his relationship with Deity. Four sessions are offered and are progressive in nature – that is, you must have completed each of the previous sessions in order to continue to the next session. For additional information visit www.grandlodge-nc.org/education-resources or contact the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Education at ncglcme@gmail.com or (910) 572-7678.

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