The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2010

North Carolina Mason

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Page 8 The North Carolina Mason NC legislator/Masons thanked by the fraternity By Ric Carter RALEIGH — A number of members of North Caro- lina’s legislature are Masons. Whenever the legislature is in session, our Grand Lodge and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge hold a reception for them. During this year’s short session, the reception was held June 16. Tey were hosted in a restaurant near the legislative offices. Other govenmental leaders who are Masons were also invited. Te reason for the get- together is twofold and simple. First, we thank them for their service to the citizens of North Caro- lina. Second, we give them the opportunity to recognize their fellow Ma- sons in the legislature. While they talked a little politics (after all, that is what they are doing in town), most of the conversation was much more social. Tey smiled and chatted. Officers from both grand lodges were there to personally say, “Tank you.” Our Grand Lodge Annual Communication was linked to meetings of the state legislature in our early history. When our Grand Lodge was formed in 1787, it was in Tarboro during the legislative session. Our members in the North Carolina Sen- see LEGISLATORS, page 5 CHARLOTTE — Masonic motorcycle en- thusiasts now have a North Carolina lodge which shares their interest. On June 29, Grand Master William L. Dill signed and presented a dispen- sation creating Knights of Solomon Lodge, UD. As may be obvious from the lodge’s focus, while based officially in Charlotte, Knights of Solo- mon will be a travelling lodge, meeting at vari- ous locations around the state. For bikers, get- ting to meetings will be half the fun. Allan Mann, of Charles M. Setzer 693, was the organizing force behind the creation fo the new lodge. More than 30 Masons from all across the state were named on the dis- pensation to form the lodge. They include men from Charlotte, Wilmington, Hickory, In this issue of The NC Mason Eastern Star Linda Johnson chats with Grand Master Billy Dill. Her husband Ronnie (a Mason) is approaching. July/August 2010 400 gather for St. John’s Day Friends enjoy refreshments at the Home’s chapel. By Chris Richardson OXFORD — Tunder echoed in the distance to signal the close of St. John’s Day June 26. An estimated 400 friends visited campus that day. Te Masonic Home for Children, one of five re- maining Masonic children’s homes in the United States, held the annual open house for the 33rd year in a row. It featured a St. John’s Day service, children’s activities, museum and campus tours, a picnic lunch for supporters to see for themselves the great work being done at the Home. Te day began with an early breakfast served Senator A. B. Swindell talks with Deputy Grand Master Lew Ledford. Bike lodge kick started Statesville, Conover, and New Bern. Grand Master Dill is a member. Teir principle officers are Master Michael Ray Davis (Setzer 693), Senior Warden Den- nis Eugene Woolery (James K. Polk 759), and Junior Warden Kendrick Greene Barnette Jr. (Setzer 693). Tey hope to complete all the re- quirements to ask for a full fledged charter at our Annual Communication in September. Te lodge is expected to be very popular and attract many bike fans. Officials anticipate that it will become several regionally based lodges as it grows over time. If you’d like to learn more about Knights of Solomon UD, contact Lodge Secretary Allan Mann at or (704) 617-5749. by the staff and residents of Williams and Gray Cottages. Masons attended the quarterly stated communication of Orphans 761. Tommy and Jeanie Eller hosted their “St. John’s Day Shuttle” carrying friends and family to Oxford on a com- fortable charter bus ride for a second year. Grand Master William L. Dill opened the event, and orphanage advocate Richard Mc- Kenzie addressed the 250 people in the campus chapel. Members of McKenzie’s “family” from Barium Springs Children’s Home to reiterate the advantages of children’s homes today. He applauded the work of the Home and asked alumni to promote the Home and its successes by recognizing what it provided in their lives that benefits them today. Te ceremony con- cluded with musical selections from resident of MHCO Jordan and Little Miss Majestic Queen Victoria VanDyke. A barbecue and fried chicken lunch followed the program. Later, there were guided tours of the Home by the staff and residents. Alumni gathered earlier in the day for a board meeting Richard McKenzie was the featured speaker at St. John’s Day. and met again to honor two very special mem- bers of their family name as the Cobb Center Museum and Archives officially dedicated the Allen and Pat Colenda Gallery. Te Colenda name is synonymous with the Home as alumni and as important members of the staff for sev- eral decades in the Home’s history. Administra- tor Allen Hughes and School of Graphic Arts Director Eddie Dickerson, both alumni, empha- sized the importance and impact of the Colenda name and family on the history of the Home. Chris Richardson is director of financial devel- opment and business manager of the Masonic Home for Children. NORTH CAROLINA The Mason Volume 135 Number 4 page 1 Annual Communication is coming in September. Jully/August 2010 page 1 The Masonic Pig Jig set record attendance in May. page 8 Masons thanked their brothers in the legislature. pages 8 The Home for Children holds St. John’s Day. The Carolina Masonic Pig Jig has become the largest Masonic event in the state. Thousands of citizens join the fun when Masonic barbecue cooking teams vie for the title of the best barbecue in North Carolina. Details are on page one. The North Carolina Mason The Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF&AM 600 College Street Oxford, North Carolina 27565 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. AUTO U.S. POSTAGE OXFORD, NC 27565 PERMIT NO. 56 PAID Ric Car ter photos Ric Car ter photos Mack Sigmon photos

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