North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/136144
May/June 2013
The North Carolina Mason
Page 5
Ric Car ter photos
Lodge and
America
offer refuge
CHARLOTTE — On December 15, 2012,
Temple 676 installed Matofam Eric Tamandja
as its treasurer for 2013. Brother Tamandja was
born in 1971 in Togo, Africa, and was initiated
and passed in a regular lodge in that country.
Tamandja was elected to Togo's national legislature and served as alternate speaker of Parliament until 2004. That year, a heated political disagreement ensued followed by a hostile takeover
of Togo by its military leader. An attempt was
made on Brother Tamandja's life after he spoke
publicly in disagreement with the new president
over the use of land and the president's plan to
forcibly remove people living there in order to
create a personal hunting reserve. Fearing for his
life and the safety of his family, Tamandja left
Togo for the United States by way of Canada,
where his native language, French, is spoken.
When Tamandja arrived in North Carolina,
he immediately began searching for a lodge in
which to complete his degrees. He found his
way to Temple 676 in Charlotte. He insisted on
receiving his first and second degrees again in
his new lodge and was elected to receive the degrees in 2007. He passed proficiency on all his
catechisms in English.
Tamandja began his quest for US residency in
2004. After eight years, multiple attempts, and
great expense, Tamandja finally became a legal
resident of the United States in November. Tamandja, married with two children, is finally in
a position to seek gainful employment worthy of
his education and credentials, and is now pursuing a master's degree in business administration.
Tamandja is the first African American to be
initiated, passed, and raised, and elected to office
in Temple Lodge.
— Tim Counts III
First District extends
a helping hand
By Phil Johnson
SOUTH MILLS — It all started with a simple comment
made after the closing charge was given at a stated communication at New Lebanon 314. A Mason was in need of assistance.
Within a few days, the First Masonic District had met to develop
plans to help.
At 5:30 a.m. on Saturday November 10, 15 Masons from five
of the eight lodges in the district gathered to fire up the cookers
that would supply chicken plates.
At 10:00 a.m., more members arrived to take up money and
park cars for the truck pull set for the day. Soon, a second shift of
Masons joined by the Newland Ruritan Club arrived to prepare
and distribute 1,500 plates over the next seven hours. More crews
of volunteers showed up to staff the truck pull.
The Newland 4-H sold tickets during the day for a raffle of
items donated by Dennis Anderson of Grave Digger Fame. The
4-H team as well as the winner of the raffle donated all monies
to the fund raiser. More than 70 members from all eight of the
district's lodges, including seven of the eight presiding masters,
came to help. Seventeen hours after their start, the Masons left
the grounds to go home, mission accomplished, Brother aided.
Friends who gave at Christmas
• Gil Caldwell and his friends from Denver 757 came to
deliver presents to the Home he grew up in as a child, then
known as Oxford Orphanage. This year's gifts included more
than $700 in gift cards, used during the holidays, as well as into
the New Year.
• Greg Riffe and Brian Lee of Newell 739 made another trip to
the Masonic Home for Children this Christmas, again delivering
gift cards and special funds to the oldest of the Home's residents.
For the past several years Newell Lodge has helped the Home's
Independent Living residents.
• Inez O'Dell of Eden enlisted the help of Carson Dawson of
Leaksville 136 to bring her handmade quilts to the children of
MHCO. This special lady is 85+ years young and has provided her
special gifts to the Home for more than ten years.
You're invited
Golf Tournament
September 18
CLEMMONS — Clemmons 755's Charity Golf Tournament
is set for September 18 at Meadowlands Golf Club in WinstonSalem. Registration and lunch are set for 11:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. Snacks and drinks will be served on the
course. Entry fee is $300 per team. Singles and non-Masons are
welcome. September 11 is the deadline for signing up. For details, contact Bob Charlier at (336) 970-3959 or