The North Carolina Mason

This past week the cigar was released in Europe and received a 92 rating from Cigars Lover Magazine (the highest rated toro in this edition). Couple this with the Grand Master's Ride from Murphy to Manteo, the Grand Master's Run, and our Masonic sock fundraiser for the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, and you have shown me that you have philanthropy in your hearts! Most important is the love and brotherhood that I have experienced in so many lodges that I have visited this year. Everyone has extended to me amazing hospitality and shared so many encouraging stories; examples of how one man, or group of men, made a conscious decision to effect change on the local level and set about revitalizing their lodge! This is the essence of a Masonic Revival and I have witnessed it time and time again. Brethren, the path forward is clear, but we are responsible for maintaining that path. We should know by now that we cannot sit comfortably on our laurels and expect that our path will lead to continuous improvement. Quite the contrary. We are builders and there is work to be done. We must maintain our buildings and plan for future maintenance needs, we must deliver quality every step of the way in our meetings, educational programs, meals, and public interactions. We must also be selective in who we admit into our great fraternity. Trust me, if our buildings pop with curb appeal and we are following through on delivering the quality that our brothers should expect, we will not be dealing with the membership number conundrum. We will find that there are candidates who are intrigued by this historic organization and who are willing to pay for this transformative experience. I will say it again, we are the cheapest game in town and no other civic or fraternal organization offers anything close to the great philosophical study of life that we engage in! In closing, I would like to thank you for your support and allowing me the great honor to serve as your 169th Grand Master. I have been humbled by the experience and will cherish the memories for the remainder of my life. I will continue to hold onto my dreams of a united fraternity who can all best work and best agree. The Revival experienced this year was certainly a step in the right direction and I am looking forward to enjoying a Reformation with Grand Master-Elect Frazier at the helm. It is going to be another great year filled with nothing but opportunities for our lodges – make the most of it! Everyone has extended to me amazing hospitality and shared so many encouraging stories; examples of how one man, or group of men, made a conscious decision to effect change on the local level and set about revitalizing their lodge! This is the essence of a Masonic Revival and I have witnessed it time and time again. W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 | 5

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