The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2013 The North Carolina Mason Page 3 Southern Pines Traveling the Tar Heel State One of the big events at Southern Pines 484 last year was their participation in their hometown's April Springfest. They sold breakfast and lunch to hundreds of visitors to the town. The money raised went to their scholarship fund. Scholarship candidates were interviewed in April. The recipients were honored at a banquet at Pinewild Country Club in May. The lodge was back at it August with their major fundraiser for the scholarship — a golf tournament at Pinewild. Southern Pines Lodge held their Ladies' Night February 9 at Table on the Green. They recently made Wes McIntyre an honorary member of their lodge. — The Trestle Board News from North Carolina's Lodges By Ric Carter Black Mountain Wendell It was a good year for Wendell 565 — they finished 2012 with 73 members, up four from 2011. They also did well by the charities: $3,000 for the Home for Children, $600 for WhiteStone, $200 for Seniors Christmas Fund, $300 for Scout of the Year and Wendell recreation baseball, and $200 for Hurricane Sandy Relief. Wendell Lodge has their Past Masters' Night set for April 13. Steak headlines the menu. Widows of the lodge are always guests of honor that night. — Let There Be Light Spencer On February 12, Spencer 543 hosted two representatives of the Rowan Family Crisis Council who told them about the importance of the agency's mission in fighting domestic violence. The lodge quickly concluded their business for the evening to better hear out the guests. During the winter, Spencer Lodge has been selling chances on a "Wildflower" pattern quilt. The drawing was set for March. Tickets were only one dollar each. Proceeds were marked for Masonic charities. — Johnny Hatley and Sam Krohn Pilot Mountain Pilot 493 sent gift cards to the kids at the Masonic Home for Children this year. When they went to Walmart to purchase 47 $20 gift cards, management wanted to know why so many. The ensuing story resulted in a $100 shopping voucher. They used that to buy two vacuum cleaners for the Home. The $300 left over from the project went to the NC Masonic Foundation. New double-glazed windows have been installed in Pilot Lodge. — The Pilot Mountain Traveler Lodge adopts Christmas mission By Wayne N. Watson BAHAMA — Some 30 years ago, C. B. Anderson began a "men only" breakfast on the last Saturday before Christmas each year. He invited a few friends and business associates. Anderson, now a member of Oak Grove 750, would pay for the meal and pass the hat for donations to Durham Rescue Mission to assist in feeding the underprivileged during the holidays. Through the years, more $100,000 have been collected for the Rescue Mission. As time went on, the group grew. Finding adequate space for the breakfast became a problem. A few years ago, Anderson contacted lifelong friend Wayne Watson, and asked whether Knap of Reeds 158 in Bahama would be interested in holding the event at the lodge. The lodge agreed to prepare the food for the breakfast and has enjoyed participating ever since. Anderson continues to pay for the food and makes a generous donation to the lodge each year. Knap of Reeds Lodge has named the event the Brother C. B. Anderson Prayer Breakfast. 2012's breakfast was held on December 22. A minister opened the meeting with prayer and remarks about the reason for the season. A breakfast of eggs, ham, sausage, bacon, grits, biscuits, orange juice, and coffee was enjoyed by all. After breakfast, Brothers and guests left to begin their Christmas celebrations with smiles on their faces. And well they should. Wayne N. Watson is a member of Knap of Reeds 158. Statesville Statesville Historical Collection Curator Steve Hill and Past Grand Master Tom Gregory have a special program planned for April 2 at Statesville 27 — A Pictorial History of 217 Years of Masonry in Statesville. More than 300 units were collected at the 24th Annual Masonic Community Blood Drive on January 4. — The Joppa Informer Paw Creek Back in November, West Gate 738 hosted a golf tournament to help Cheryl Bowers with medical expenses. They raised more than $20,400 for the cause. West Gate Lodge held its Ladies' Night February 9 at the Metrolina Shrine Club. They served the ladies their choice of rib eye steak or grilled chicken. The Paw Creek Praise Band entertained. When West Gate Lodge held their Spring Chicken Fry March 15, they had something to prove. At their Fall Chicken Fry, organizer Randy Tamson set a new record for the lodge taking in more than $11,000. — News From the West Charlotte Charles M. Setzer 693 Master Allan Mann finally had to get off his promise to pay $50 if the lodge produced more than 25 members for a meeting. They topped the mark in December. Abner Fortner even sent a matching gift to the lodge celebrating Mann's birthday. Setzer Lodge is again raffling a vacation in an Oak Island beach front house. A lodge member donates the home for a visit each year. Last year, the lodge made more than $2,000 on the drawing. Two members of Setzer have given the lodge a new second degree staircase lecture carpet. — Trestleboard Derita 715 recently congratulated Ed Schweiger II on his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership. They also reached out to member Rick Milligan, offering assistance during his severe illness. —Derita Lodge Highlands Blue Ridge 435 was very happy to sign a new lease for their downstairs space in March. — Trestleboard Gatesville Gatesville 126 was hosting their annual blood drive January 9 at the community center. Gatesville Lodge helped out with the First Masonic District's November fundraiser for Jimmy Nash. The tractor pull raised more than $15,000 for their brother. — The Compasses Gastonia King Solomon 704 voted in February to buy new officer aprons, jewels, collars, and a storage case for them all. They wore them the first time in March. On January 14, ten King Solomon Lodge members traveled to Gaston 263 to take the 36th Masonic District's Traveling Gavel. — The Plumb Line Asheville Bowling may be making a comeback at Mount Hermon 118. On February 25, the lodge was having a family and friends bowling night at All Star Bowling Lanes. You got unlimited bowling and shoes for $17. — Ron Lambe Kannapolis Bad weather got Cannon Memorial 626's Charity Breakfast rescheduled for Ground Hog's Day. The all-you-can-eat extravaganza featured country ham, bacon, sausage, eggs, grits, rice, gravy, biscuits, juice, and coffee. I feel full just writing it. They hold the breakfast twice a year. Cannon Memorial is making their second effort with Relay for Life April 19. The lodge is urging their members to "create a world with less cancer and more birthdays." The national drive of the American Cancer Society rallies communities to help fight cancer and support its victims. — Thomas Van Etten Andrews On February 23, Andrews 529 held a pancake breakfast benefit to help Buddy and Anna Lunsford with mounting medical expenses. — Brian Rau Franklin Dunn's Rock 267 elected Keith Harbin Secretary of Distinction January 24. They saluted his sacrifice and dedication as well as the way he "organized and modernized the secretary's position in [their] lodge in a most thorough and exemplary manner." — Dunn's Rock Lodge Murphy Time is drawing nigh for Cherokee 146's annual Ramp Festival at the L&N Depot here. The date set is April 20. — Brian Rau Union Grove Grassy Knob 471 held an open house January 31. Members were urged to bring prospective members. — Tom Gregory Carthage End of the year recognitions went out late in 2012 to several hard workers of Carthage 181. Billy Freeland Jr. was named their Mason of the Year. Other recognitions went to Treasurer Paul Ritter, coach Kin Suggs, and Bobby Lester. In January, they made Wes McIntyre an honorary member. — Quarterly Trestle Board Hookerton There's new equipment in the house at Jerusalem 95. Ronnie Harper donated a refrigerator. It's already stocked with drinks and water and ice cream. They've also added the "latest hi-tech projector and lecture slides." Jerusalem member Chris Seymour, a farmer in Lenoir County, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association. — The Jerusalem Journal Highlands Blue Ridge 435 was very happy to sign a new lease for their downstairs space in March. — Trestleboard Kinston The second Annual Corn Hole Festival of St. John's 4 is set for May 4. It coincides with the 43rd Festival on the Neuse Hog Happenin'. — The Trestleboard Swannanoa Most Masonic communities have a guy they regard as Mr. Mason, the spark plug of Masonry. Swannanoa 561 lost theirs, Carl John Hogue, in February. Hogue served as lodge secretary for 24 years as well as district deputy grand master and lecturer. — Marion Hogue Seaboard Seaboard 378 and American George 17 held a blood drive November 20 at the Seaboard Lions Club. — Floyd Stephen Fowler Thirty-six people attended Black Mountain 663's Valentine Dinner February 9. Dinner featured a choice of baked chicken, fresh trout, beef pot roast, and spinach ravioli. Each of the ladies got a red rose. Lodge Treasurer Matthew Kinne entertained them on classical guitar. — The Traveling Trowel Raleigh William T. Bain 231 reached out to help a needy family during the Christmas holiday. They made the season brighter for a family of five in Benson. Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison was scheduled to speak at Bain Lodge's February 4 oyster stew. All you can eat, $15 sounds like a bargain. In December, they took the 15th District Traveling Gavel from Holly Springs 115. —Rod Grindle James B. Green 735 Master Joe Teague recently said, "James B. Green has a history of meeting well, acting right, and parting fed." A new evidence of that is their recent launch of second stated Sandwich Night. They've had suppers before first stated since their 1965 founding. Last year they resumed serving meals on emergent degree nights. Green Lodge held Ladies Appreciation night February 16. — The James B. Green Scene Winston-Salem Salem 289 had their Past Masters' Night set for March 5. — The Salem Sentinel Old Town 751 is a long-time champion of Bikes-for-Books, a program which encourages local elementary students to improve their reading. At teacher recommendation, this year they will place the actual bikes to be awarded on display at the school. It seems real bikes get the kids more excited than a poster. Old Town Lodge is driving to rebuild their emergency fund after replacing an air conditioning unit recently. The $6,000 job knocked their fund down to $20,000. There is no time like the present to start paying for those costs you know will be coming; roof, heating, appliances. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Mount Gilead Blackmer 127 tried something new this year when they changed their Ladies' Night to a Ladies' Luncheon catered in the lodge dining room. Fifty folks attended. Joy Sharpe, 12-yearold daughter of the lodge Master Jim Sharpe, read two Civil War era letters from Caroline Cooke to her brother Blackmer Past Master D. H. Cooke. Willie Haywood was presented his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership during the luncheon. Blackmer Lodge's building is now 65 years old. They have just completed their three-year building care plan. The penultimate accomplishment was the conclusion of the pledge drive that payed for the installation of the new roof. — Blackmer Buzz Fayetteville They're coaching coaches at Creasy Proctor 679. From 6:00–9:00 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday they're offering instruction to guys who want to help coach candidates. — Creasy Proctor Lodge Southport Pythagoras 249 had their annual barbecue fundraiser set for March 29–30. Their annual fish fry is coming up the first Friday of June. — Newsletter see STATE, page 5 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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