July/August 2013
The North Carolina Mason
Statesville
Traveling the
Tar Heel State
Steve Hill, curator of the Statesville Historical Collection, visited Statesville 27 April 2. He
brought a presentation of historic photographs
of Masonic involvement in the local community.
Past Grand Master Tom Gregory helped with
the research.
— The Joppa Informer
Robbinsville
News from
North Carolina's
Lodges
By Ric Carter
Gastonia
King Solomon 704 participated in Relay for
Life here April 26. They have participated for
several years now.
At their April stated communication, King
Solomon Lodge handed out several recognitions. Among them was a Resolution of Appreciation for their long-time chaplain, Billy
Wiggins. At the same meeting, Robert Grant
was given his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years
lodge membership.
King Solomon 704 was having their annual
lodge cookout at Riverwood Plantation Clubhouse June 18. Their Past Masters Master Mason Degree was set for June 25.
— The Plumb Line
Winston-Salem
Salem 289 has been reaching out to Masonic
youth groups. When they heard that Rainbow
Girls were having a big meeting in town at the
same time the lodge was having Family Day,
they extended an invitation for the girls to join
them. The lodge also sponsored five DeMolays
to Conclave.
— Alan Williard
Old Town 751 is recarpeting most of their
building. They made the decision to start the
project at their May meeting, immediately raising $1,000 of the needed $2,500. The rest was
secured by June, and work was proceeding.
Old Town's fall raffle is underway. Tickets are
$25 each, and appropriate prizes were being selected.
— On the Level at Old Town Lodge
Pineville
James K. Polk 759 is helping their brother
Dave Ward with a project that furnishes coffee
to troops overseas. Ward gets the coffee from
S&D Coffee for free, then solicits donations to
pay for shipping the coffee to our troops. So far,
they've shipped 7.5 tons of coffee. If you'd like to
help, contact lodge Secretary Randy Richardson
at (704) 574-0624 or .
Polk Lodge served more than 300 people
at their May 11 fish fry. The local DeMolay
helped them.
In May, Polk Lodge presented Wallace Hall
his Diamond Jubilee honoring his 60 years as
a Mason.
— Randy Richardson
The Great Potato Drop
By Phil Johnson
ELIZABETH CITY — On March 20, the First Masonic District of them joined volunteers from the US Coast Guard and Boy Scouts in
joined its first Volunteer Day at the Food Bank of the Albemarle here. sorting, packing, and shipping more than 17,000 pounds of sweet potatoes.
The Food Bank covers more than 130 agencies (food pantries) across 15 The rest helped sort product in the warehouse for future agency deliveries.
counties in northeastern North Carolina. They are always in need of help The Eure brothers came from Gatesville to provide knowledge, smiles, and
— both money or volunteer labor.
HUGS for all those in need.
Seven of the eight lodges in the First District sent members to help
One of the tenets of our fraternity is to extend our help to all those in
that day. There were five or more from Eureka, Hall, and Widow's Son, and need. Masonry was well served on this day, and it is hoped that it helped
representation from Gatesville, Perquimans, New Lebanon, and Currituck the world at large better see our good effects.
for a total of 30 Masons. Some even brought their wives and kids. Twenty
Phil Johnson is First District DDGM and a member of Perquimans 106.
Kannapolis
Cannon Memorial 626 was planning to fill a
five-gallon jug with change to present to Grand
Master Preslar during his May 15 visit. The cash is
for the Masonic Home for Children. As an incentive, the person who brought in the most change
by weight to their May 7 meeting was getting a
cord of split firewood. — Thomas Van Etten
Asheville
On July 9, Mount Hermon 118 kicked off the
centennial year of their building, the Asheville
Masonic Temple. The Grand Lodge rededicated
their cornerstone. We will have extended coverage of the event in our next issue. For the next
20 months, there will be programs held in the
Temple each second Saturday to celebrate different aspects of our fraternity.
In a less highbrow event, the lodge enjoyed a
Roller Derby event in April.
Mount Hermon 118 is developing a new
mentoring program. Coaching classes are being
taught to increase coaches' skills. Mentors will
be available to candidates and new members
for no less than one year. Their goal will be to
"answer questions, develop rapport, and engage
[the] new member." It is hoped that this implementation of the Lodge System combined with
the Program for Progress will increase member
participation and retention.
— Trestle Board and Ron Lambe
Kinston
St. John's 4 held its Annual Ladies' Night
May 10. Herbert G. McCue received his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years in the lodge. Later,
Horace West Taylor, due to health limitations,
got his in his home.
The lodge's second Annual Corn Hole Tournament was held May 4. Teams paid $40 each
to enter.
— The Trestleboard
Spencer
Member Appreciation Breakfast at Spencer
543 was set for Saturday, June 29. Members
were encouraged to bring interested friends.
Eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, and biscuits were on
the tables.
— Johnny Hatley
Greensboro
The 23rd Masonic District (Guilford County) had a float in Greensboro's Independence
Day Parade.
— Greg Woodard
Gate City 694 was having their annual Hot
Dog and Hamburger Supper June 8. Masons,
family members, widows, and friends interested
in Masonry were all invited.
The lodge was busy May 18 with the Arthur
Johnson Memorial Golf Tournament at Holly
Ridge Golf Links in Archdale. The district
sponsored tournament, named for one of Gate
City's past masters, raises money for college for
Masonic Home for Children residents.
Gate City is a busy lodge. They had their
street trash pickup April 6. Their June 6 baseball
night with the Grasshopper luckily timed out to
coincide with the Thirsty Thursday promotion
sponsored by Natty Greene Brewing. Lodge Ladies' Night is set of November 2.
Gate City congratulations recently went to
Gerald Potter as he was named Treasurer of
Distinction and to Ben Crissman on his graduation from Elon University Law School.
— Trestleboard
The Rainbow Girls were holding their Boot
Camp June 19 at Revolution 552. Greensboro
Masons were invited to come see the ritual as
the kids studied with state Rainbow officers.
— Gary Ballance
Guilford 656 set July 15 for their Past Masters' Degree. All stations were being filled by
past masters.
— Guilford Lodge
Page 3
Clinton
Hiram 98 was holding its Second Annual
Corn Hole Tournament May 11. The entry
fee was $40 per team of two. First place won
$400. Proceeds were earmarked for the Masonic
Home for Children. — Cary Masonic Lodge
Southern Pines
Southern Pines 484 held a luncheon May 4
to give out their college scholarships. The awards
went to Shentaria Clegg of Union Pines High
School, Annastazia Hoffman of Pinecrest High,
and Keyandra Cotton of Pinehurst High. The
scholarship, in its tenth year, is funded by First
Saturday Breakfasts, an annual golf tournament,
and individual donations. To date, more than
$40,000 has been invested in area students.
The lodge's past masters photo project has been
completed. Gene Maples took all the old small
photos and blew them up to 8X10s for lodge display. He also digitized them for long-term preservation. Thom Dunning furnished black walnut
from his West Virginia farm to make the picture
rack. Mark Miller milled the wood for the project.
Service awards were recently given to several
lodge members in Southern Pine 484. Ralph
Gaeta and Wyatt Coley got their Diamond Jubilees for 60 years membership. Vern Pike got
his 50-year Veteran's Emblem.
The lodge is joining in the First Friday celebrations in downtown Southern Pines. The
summer family fun closes off the lodge's block
for the block party. The lodge will be selling
popcorn, hot dogs, balloons, and more at the
celebration.
— The Trestle Board
Kernersville
Kernersville 669 had their best ever spaghetti dinner fundraiser. They made more than
$2,000 for charities.
— The Kernersville Masonic Lodge News
Remember the little red piggy banks distributed by the Masonic Home for Children?
The guys at Robbinsville 672 have been doing
some heavy "hog swapping," trading full banks
for empty ones. They've collected 25 or so banks
so far in what they term "the easiest fund raiser
we've ever done."
Robbinsville Lodge is selling family portrait
certificates to raise money for their building
fund. So far, they've sold more than 60 toward
their goal of 100.
— Brian Rau
Wilson
The annual Masonic Blood Drive for Wilson
County is being held August 8. Any lodges in
the area who wish are welcome to join in the effort. The drive will be held at the Wilson County
Shrine Club.
— David Ellis
Charlotte
Steele Creek had their Annual Fish Fry/Car
Show set for May 18. It's a combination that
has been working for the lodge for quite a while.
They use it to raise money for their Community
Charity Fund.
Steele Creek Lodge continues to have their
Thursday night training sessions.
— Trestleboard
Derita 715 enjoyed a successful fish fry again
this year. They held their Annual Widows' Dinner June 18.
Lodge members were planning to participate
in Carowinds Non-Profit Work Weekend May
25. During the event lodge volunteers work at
the amusement park which gives the lodge $7.25
per hour per volunteer.
— Derita Lodge
Charles M. Setzer 693 hosted Walter Klein
in June to hear his program about the Hezekiah
Alexander House. When they got to lodge, they
had the rude surprise of not having any electricity. Instead of calling everything off, they sprang
into action.
Kenny Barnette ran and grabbed a generator, lights, and fans. Bob Passaro and Brian
Dawi hit a local takeout and brought supper
(broiled chicken and sides) back to the lodge.
They even had a cake to celebrate Walter and
Elizabeth Klein's 68th wedding anniversary.
— Trestleboard
The Service Committee at Temple 676 is
taking on a number of community projects this
year. Their first was the street cleanup along their
adopted area. They did that May 11. They were
set to help with the 24 Hours of Booty Charity
Bicycle Ride in July. The event benefits local and
national cancer charities.
More than 50 people attended Temple 676's
stated meeting in May. They were presenting
service awards that night. Robert Merithew got
his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years membership.
Veteran's Emblems honoring 50 years as a Mason went to Charles Stubbs, Bud Davidson, and
Sam Davidson.
Service awardees who were unable to attend that night included Charles Vess, William
McKinney, and William Price who will get 60year awards and Howard Moore who gets a 50year award.
On May 26, lodge Master Josh Rimany hosted a party for the lodge at his home.
The lodge attended the Charlotte Knights
last game in their old stadium in May. The team
was moving to a new facility uptown.
Between emergent and stated communications as well as special study and training evenings, there is some thing to do every Thursday
evening at Temple Lodge.
— Temple Lodge
Ranger
Montgomery 426 had a busy March. They
held their blood drive March 18. On March 23,
they sponsored their third Annual Easter Egg
Hunt at the Ranger Community Center. It was
open to all neighborhood kids 12 or under.
In June, they were giving Bob Hawkins a
Veteran's Emblem for his 50 years membership.
— Brian Rau
see STATE, page 4
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North Carolina Mason is on your
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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.
