The North Carolina Mason

Accepted Scottish Rite at the same time. Years in Masonry fostered many new and sustaining friendships for Jimmy, across northeastern North Carolina and the rest of the state. As one would imagine, friendships led to questions and questions led to favors and favors led to occupations. For years, Brother Edward Richardson, a woodworker in the First District, churned out wooden keepsakes. But, after nearly sixty years a Mason, he sold his lathe and woodworking tools to his Brother Ben Roberts, Sr. Aside from Ben's own creations, Ben's brother Norman Roberts borrowed the lathe for spin, crafting the now famous Grand Master's gavels that are annually presented to the Grand Master from the First District. Our hapless Jimmy one day inquired of the Roberts brothers if he could borrow the lathe to turn a replacement table leg. In 2018, the now-famous machine was dutifully passed on to Jimmy, who was asked (being that Brother Norman passed) if he could turn a gavel for the Grand Master. After a few hems and haws, Brother Jimmy acquiesced. Besides, he likes a challenge. Yet, what began as one gavel turned into a veritable cottage industry. Five years into the lathe loan, Brother Jimmy has turned more than 60 gavels made from wood from all over the region and state – cypress trunks dredged from the Great Dismal Swamp Canal, mighty oaks that once graced the carriage drive of an old family farm, pines struck by lightning during hurricane season. The chunks and trunks and scraps all find their way to Jimmy. Besides the Grand Master's gavel, one of the most famous pieces was crafted from the felled limbs of the century-old oaks circling the entry into the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. It was this project, in celebration of the Children's Home's 150 years of service, that led to a frenzied bidding war at the Home's Gala Celebration to obtain a handcrafted piece of art so central to the function of our Masonic lodges. It was shortly thereafter that Jimmy was approached again and asked, "What else could you make?" Several minds pondered the question and responded with "What about the Grand Marshal's Baton?" In more medieval times, the baton (French for "stick") was a symbol of authority, guiding troops into battle. Over time, "marshal" was adopted as a term to describe a Master of Ceremonies, one who commands the room to attention. Hence today, our Grand Marshal, with baton in hand, usually clutched under the right arm, announces and escorts guests and dignitaries into formal meetings. How fitting that a tree from the Home representing one of our nearest and dearest of duties – the protection of children – was used to create the object that commands our attention at Grand Lodge. Now nearly 85, Brother Jimmy is still crafting and creating paths forward for our fraternity – from ships to planes, from gavels to batons. Thank you, Brother Jimmy, for your years of service and dedication. Indeed, mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow. What began as one gavel turned into a veritable cottage industry. Five years after first borrowing a lathe, Brother Jimmy has turned more than 60 gavels made from wood from all over the region and state. A gavel turned by Bro. Gard FA L L 2 0 2 3 | 21

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