The North Carolina Mason

Page 4 The North Carolina Mason July/August 2013 NOVICE, from page 8 gave way to a beautiful orange and baby blue sunset. I saw many ways to cut, slice, saw, and beat a hog carcass. I even saw a guy whip out a reciprocating saw to get through a pig's rib cage. As the evening passed and the noise of flying pork and chicken died down, the work lights went off and the low flames of the smokers gave us an almost medieval feeling. The rest of the night can be summed up with the words, "We acted like Shriners." Brotherhood and friendship flowed freely until the sun climbed out of a manhole in Raleigh and started to light our side of the world again. As the sun rose, activity picked up around camp. The radios started to come alive, and the camp slowly pulled itself from darkness to light. The heat of the day started to pick up, taking the moisture out of dew dampened camps. The sound of dozens of woodpeckers started pounding, not beak on wood, but steel on cutting board. For, as you know gentle reader, the Western Carolina barbecue has as one of its prerequisites, the chopping of some or all of the meat. With only a couple of hours until judging was to begin, the smell of sweet vinegar and spice rose, shyly at first, and then overtook the olfactory sense. The smoke lay thick over the camp as the chopping became more intense with the sound coming from all sides. Then it was over, or so I thought, as this was the first time that this Mason had been to the Pig Jig. The judges had the product, and the rest was in the hands of the Almighty. Then, the general public crashed against our little stall — all shapes and sizes, and all types of personalities. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, as well as extended families, all discussing the barbecue hotly as to taste, texture, and sauce. The groups were moving as one hungry beast. I don't mind saying that I was scared for the amount of food we had and the fingers that might be lost by the slowed reflexes of the sleep-deprived brothers who were serving. I am glad to say that everyone had all their digits still attached when the day was over. In the end, I don't know how much money we made or who actually won as I was passed out at 11:30. It reminded me that I'm not in college any more, and that youth is truly wasted on the young. As of the writing of this piece two days Ric Carter photos later, I am still sore and have the butt-dragging blues, but I would not trade it for the world. It was a great event and a great experience. It is said that you don't really know someone until you spend a sleepless night with them. I guess that is true whether you are on the battlefield or next to them on a lawn chair. I would like to thank Doug Moore. If it were not for his enthusiasm and will, I don't think I would have attended. He was the backbone of Hickory Lodge's operation. J. J. Kuba is a member of Hickory 343. STATE, from page 3 Thomasville Local churches once sold hot dogs during the Memorial Day Parade in Thomasville. When they lost interest, Thomasville 214 picked up the opportunity offered by the Parade Committee. Thomasville member Bobby Golding recently lost his son Paul in a tragic trucking accident. When he went to Salem, Virginia for the Mason's funeral, he was accompanied by crew from Thomasville 214 who performed Masonic Rites for the young man. Service awards were handed out by Thomasville Lodge recently. James Mortimer Donoghue and Don Long Walser got their Diamond Jubilees for 60 years membership. Veteran's Emblems for 50 years went to Royal Jarvis, Stan Moore, Bill Hedrick, George Davis, and Frank Walker Jr. — Trestle Board Liberty Honors were bestowed when Liberty 714 held its Awards Night June 22. Jim Allred was named a life member. Howard Coltrane received his Diamond Jubilee recognizing his 60 years in the fraternity. Ray Hall, Brad Morton, and Larry Chillton were made honorary members. — Paul Bruchon Black Mountain Visual histories for most of us are something new to our possibilities. Technology is a wonderful thing for our ability to track our past. You can now record the memories of our forefathers. Black Mountain 663 is scheduling short video recording sessions for each of their past masters. Each is being offered a chance to recall the events of their year as master. They are also asked to share their reasons for beginning their journey as Masons. — The Traveling Trowel Wilmington In June, Orient 395 honored two of their long-time officers. Scott Kennedy was named Secretary of Distinction, and Joe Apke was named Treasurer of Distinction. — Orient Lodge Hickory The lodge room is getting a reworking at Hickory 343. The carpet is gone, replaced by black and white mosaic tile. Fresh paint for the walls and ceiling is also in the plan. A workday was scheduled for May 11 to get the project squared away. Hickory Lodge held their annual Plez Teague Pancake Breakfast May 4. They raised $1,200 for the Masonic Home for Children. The event is named for the lodge's late, long-time champion of the Homes. — Hickory Lodge China Grove Eureka 283 held their annual Past Masters' Night June 24. Steaks were being served before the raising began. — Jason Whitley Southport Live in a place like Southport, and you get a vivid perspective on the threat and unpredictability of Mother Nature. Maybe that has something to do with the action by the members of Pythagoras 249 in reaching out to victims of natural disasters. They recently contributed to relief of victims of Hurricane Sandy as well as the Oklahoma tornados. They also gave the Masonic Home for Children more than $2,300. They raised that money at their annual Fish Fry. The lodge recently honored two Masons. They voted to make their long-time secretary John Richards a Secretary of Distinction. They also made Dale B. Kelley an honorary member of the lodge. — Newsletter Fayetteville Phoenix 8 held Lodge Appreciation Day June 15. The lodge furnished the meats for the afternoon's meal. Members brought side dishes. Family and friends were invited to join them and to see their lodge award presentations. — Michael Dodson Phoenix Lodge raises money for building maintenance by accepting donations for event parking on lodge grounds. They are located near a city park which is the site for many public events. — Newsletter Creasy Proctor 679 doubled the number of tickets for their raffle this year. Lots of prizes were awarded June 2. Among them were a 60inch television, a 32-inch television, a laptop computer, and a Kindle Fire. There were autographed souvenirs from Darrell Waltrip, David Ragan, Brad Paisley, Craig Morgan, and Scotty McCreery. They brought in more than $3,200 for the Masonic Home for Children. — Creasy Proctor 679 and Derec Mercer Fort Bragg 667 was planning to host a Poker Run Motorcycle Ride June 22. Proceeds were to go to the Masonic Home for Children. — Phoenix Lodge Carthage Their "best fundraiser in years" at Carthage 181 brought in more than $2,100 for the Masonic Home for Children. At Carthage's May 28 Past Masters' and Awards Night, Grand Master Dewey Preslar Jr. was expected to present awards. — Quarterly Trestle Board Mint Hill On May 2, Mint Hill 742 members Robert Paul Wilcox and Robert Black Long were honored with their Diamond Jubilees acknowledging their 60 years as Masons. August 1 was to be Annual Luau Dinner at Mint Hill Lodge. The lodge is planning to hold a blood drive in October. — Trestle Board Mount Gilead Blackmer 127 has been setting aside funds to pull together a lodge library. Lodge Librarian Steven Campbell is asking members to donate Masonic books and papers to the collection. — Blackmer Buzz Washington Cleveland Orr 104 presented it 2013 scholarship to Caroline Riffert. The $1,000 award is presented directly to the college in two semester installments. — Ty Carter Gibsonville In June, Asheboro 699 gave the Randolph County Honor Guard $500. The Honor Guard was fundraising to buy a new van. — Ray Williams Scotch Ireland 543 had a workday at the lodge in May. On the menu of chores were finishing and sealing the deck, repairing the signs, and general house cleaning. — Newsletter Tabasco 271 held an outdoor degree at the McLeansville Wildlife Club on June 1. Their lodge picnic was set for July 27. — Trestle Board Gatesville It was busy at the beginning of the year for Gatesville 126. On January 9, they held their annual blood drive. The goal was 40 units. Fortyeight people offered and 44 were able to donate blood. On February 7, Cecil Taylor got his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years Masonic membership. The lodge held their Social Evening February 24 at Nixon's. — The Compasses Raleigh On April 14, William T. Bain 231 presented Jim Crowson his Veteran's Emblem celebrating his 50 years of Masonic membership. Several generations of his family were on hand to see him get his service award. Crowson was an AllAmerican football player at Mississippi State. — Rod Grindle James B. Green 735 was hosting community emergency personnel June 29. They held their Everyday Heroes Pancake Breakfast at the lodge to say thank you to their neighbors (firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical techs) who answer calls of need around the clock. Green Lodge is well known for its ice cream socials. They were set for homemade ice cream and other taste treats on nights in June, July, and August. — The James B. Green Scene The 14th Masonic District had a blood drive set of August. — The Trowel Selma Gary Anthony Jones has been named Secretary of Distinction by Selma 320. Selma Lodge has installed a safe. — Selma Lodge Asheboro Youngsville Youngsville 377 and Youngsville Emergency Medical Services were cosponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive June 9. — Dean Mooney Jacksonville On April 26, Semper Fidelis 680 prepared more than 600 meals for the Special Olympics. They have participated in the event for more than ten years now. — Trestle Board Hookerton Jerusalem 95 has subscribed to a call tree service called Call-Em-All.com. The service calls all lodge members with the same message in minutes. — The Jerusalem Journal Warsaw On May 14, Warsaw 677 members Hugh Carlton and B. J. Blackburn were presented their Diamond Jubilees for 60 years Masonic membership. The lodge's Annual Spaghetti Lunch was set for May 27. — Warsaw Lodge Pilot Mountain This year's recipient of Pilot 493's scholarship to Surry Community College was Ashley Nicole Smith from East Surry High School. — The Pilot Mountain Traveler Roseboro This year's Ray Hales Bluegrass and Gospel Festival made $1,600 for charity. They were thankful for the "wonderful weather and talented entertainers." — Roseboro #585 Dunn Mingo 206 held their Fourteenth Annual Golf Tournament June 15. It was at Coharie Country Club. — Chris McLamb

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