North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/197415
September/October 2013
The North Carolina Mason
Robbinsville
Traveling the
Tar Heel State
A fan of "Moonshiners" on Discovery Channel? You may do a double take at Robbinsville
672. Deputy Sheriff Chuck (Chuck Stewart) is
a new Entered Apprentice there. — Jim Hyde
Roseboro
Pete Faircloth recently gave Roseboro 585 a
new barbecue grill. They broke it in at the very
first meeting, cooking 39 hamburgers for the
gathered Masons.
Wind storms caused some damage to the rear
of their building.
Roseboro Lodge's pancake breakfast was
scheduled for October 5.
— Roseboro #585
News from
North Carolina's
Lodges
By Ric Carter
Spencer
It takes work to get things done. Spencer 543
helps out lots of community programs. Among
them are the North Rowan High School Band,
the Spencer Little League, the Boy Scouts, and
other local charities and services as well as the
Masonic charities. To make these things happen, they've sold Krispy Kreme doughnut cards
( July), held a barbecued chicken dinner fundraiser (September), and worked the community
service day at the NC Transportation Museum
( July). These are among the many programs they
conduct each year to keep their community involvement at a high level.
They also host a pool party at the Masonic
Home for Children each August. They bring
gifts, school supplies, and music for the party.
Albemarle Assembly 32 Rainbow Girls, Denton
404, Scotch Ireland 154 helped out this year with
the cookout and with collecting school supplies.
Grand Tyler Steve Schenk furnished the music.
Spencer Lodge held their Past Masters'
Night August 27. The past masters raised a
candidate after dinner.
— John Hatley
Black Mountain
Black Mountain 663 held its "A Canopy
of Stars" fundraiser August 24. The evening
of variety entertainment raised money for local scholarships and charities as well as state
Masonic charities. There was a dance show, a
magician, and several musical acts. Barbecue
was available during the show. They held it at
White Horse Black Mountain.
Black Mountain Lodge is now reminding members of upcoming events with a new
phone tree service.
— The Traveling Trowel
Thomasville
Wendell
Wendell 595 sponsored a ball team in their
town's children's recreation league. The two hundred dollars spent on the kids in their community is an investment in the future.
At their April Past Masters' and Widows' Dinner, they served steak and gave a special plaque to
John McClellan Jr. for his years of service to the
lodge. Among his contributions were several years
as the lodge secretary. Berry Wilder got his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years membership.
— Let There Be Light
Highlands
Blue Ridge 485 held their annual lodge picnic
August 10. The lodge provided the meat and drinks.
Attendees brought side dishes and lawn chairs.
Blue Ridge is increasing their dues from $25
to $30 in 2014.
— Trestleboard
Carthage
Burnsville
Mint Hill
Health topics are important in Mint Hill
742 these days. Back in June, John Phillips
conducted a class in using the new automated external defibrillator now installed in the
hallway of the lodge. They are also offering
CPR training in the fall. A Red Cross blood
drive was set for October.
On the health of the building front, they
are focusing on the exterior right now. They are
considering shrubs and flower beds around the
parking lot. They were seeking advice and landscaping ideas.
— Trestle Board
Asheville
Mount Hermon 118 is busy with their
100-year-old temple in downtown Asheville.
Their rentals to the public are rising, and they are
redoubling their efforts to restore the building.
They held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser August
10. A string quartet played during the event.
Drawings were held throughout the evening to
award prizes donated by local businesses.
— Ron Lambe
Mount Hermon Lodge has raised their dues.
In 2014 they will be paying $120 plus per capita.
— Trestle Board
Hickory
Renovations at Hickory 343 are now complete. The main work included fresh colors for
the walls and ceilings. The carpet was removed
from the lodge room and replaced by black and
white tile. Don Rolon was the project manager.
Hickory Lodge's Family Day was set for
August 10. There were activities for all ages.
Members were encouraged to invite friends
and neighbors.
— Hickory Lodge
Cleveland
Scotch Ireland 154 recently added a much
looked forward to porch to their building. They
held a dedication August 12. Grand Master
Dewey Preslar Jr. presented a plaque thanking
and honoring Bill McIntosh and Bill Angel for
their work in getting the addition built. They enjoyed a fish dinner before the ceremony. Souvenir
cooking aprons were passed out for the occasion.
— Newsletter
Gastonia
Wadesboro
Service awards were recently distributed at
Burnsville 717. Diamond Jubilees for 60 years
membership went to Charlie Gibbs, Earl Young,
and Edwin Horhorouny. Jess Hampton, and
Claude McIntosh received their Veteran's Emblems for 50 years in the lodge. Jerry Lawson
was named a Secretary of Distinction.
— Jerry Laws
Every year, on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, Thomasville 214 holds their Thanksgiving Banquet. They entertain their lodge widows
that night. This year, it's being held November
21 at Memorial United Methodist Church.
Thomasville Lodge is participating in Cellphones for Soldiers, a program which reprograms cell phones to give to military personnel
serving in combat zones. Eric Osborner is collecting them for the lodge.
— Trestle Board
King Solomon 704 held their annual lodge
cookout June 18. Thirty-six members and family attended. A "torrential downpour" struck as
they were starting to grill, but they dodged and
adapted to keep things on course. They report it
a "great success."
July was set to be "move up a chair" night at
King Solomon. That's when they get a little run
at their likely station for next year.
— The Plumb Line
Kilwinning 64 Master Colson Dunlap performed both sections of a lodge Third Degree
on March 14. He also delivered the lecture.
Many lodge masters don't pull that off during their tenure. It was especially striking that
Dunlap is only 21 years old. He learned his catechisms and other degree work while a graduate student. Don't say you don't have time.
— Chesley Greene
May 28 was the date for Carthage 181's
Emergent Past Masters' and Awards Communication. Grand Master Dewey Preslar was there to
dispense awards. A Diamond Jubilee for 60 years
membership went to Homer Fry. Jessie E. Jackson
and Leon Lineberry received Veteran's Emblems
marking their 50 years in the Craft. A corned beef
and cabbage meal preceded the meeting.
— Carthage Lodge
Page 3
High Point Masons chat on the front steps of First United Methodist Church.
High Point Masons
celebrate St. John's Day
HIGH POINT — For several years, Chris
Fitzgerald, senior minister of First United
Methodist Church here and a past grand chaplain, had wanted to hold a St. John's Day Celebration. Fitzgerald first experienced St. John's
Day growing up in Maiden where his father was
a Methodist minster and a Mason.
Fitzgerald's dream came true August 4 when
he invited members of local lodges, both AF &
AM and Prince Hall, to join the worship service.
His sermon, on a theme recognizable to Free-
Charlotte
masons, was "Building a Temple for the Heart,"
a topic from First Kings 8:12–19. At the beginning of the worship service, after the recognition of the groups, Darren Layton from Hanks
128 in Franklinville gave the Trestleboard Lecture. Acacia 674 furnished the Masonic Bible.
Approximately 100 Masons from both Prince
Hall and AF & AM lodges and their families
attended. Some have called the fellowship here
one of the most important Masonic events in
years in High Point.
— Michael Rinehardt
Princeton
Lodges in the Charlotte area have taken on
helping a lodge in Moore, Oklahoma, site of
the devastating tornado earlier this year.
— Trestleboard
Phalanx 31 had an interesting visit this summer from actor Ben Cross. The British Mason
is best known for his starring role in Chariots
of Fire (1981), Star Trek (2009), and Ben Hur
(2010). His visit to the lodge meeting was a surprise to the officers and members of the lodge.
— Trestleboard
Steele Creek 737 held their Awards Night
June 17. Bob Braswell made the presentations.
— Don Hendershot
Over at Charles M. Setzer 693, they are raffling a shotgun and selling gourmet popcorn in
their second fundraiser of the year.
Their open house/homecoming was set for
August 17.
— Trestle Board
St. Patrick's 617 holds a barbecue chicken and
pork supper each year on the first Saturday of
March. The supper benefits the Masonic Home
for Children. Each August, they also participate
in satisfying the needs list from the Home with
goods, cash, and gift cards.
— David Ellis
Pilot Mountain
Wilson
Always look on the bright side of life. Pilot
493 may have had to spend some money on
replacing their HVAC system, but it is saving
them noticeable money on their power bills.
— The Pilot Mountain Traveler
New Bern
Grantham 725's scholarships this year were
presented in honor of Past Master Alvia Hearren. This year's went to Allison Cuthrell and
Michael Gonzales. Both have family members
in the lodge.
—James E. White III
Berne 724 held their annual golf tournament
September 28.
— Jason Watters
Pineville
Sam and Ben Hobbs are brothers, optometrists, and members of James K. Polk 759. For
the last four years, they have carried a troupe
from their lodge to help with free eye exams
and glasses for the kids at the Masonic Home
for Children.
— Sam Hobbs
Polk Lodge recently hosted a fish fry at The
Cottages, a senior community near them. The
community said the 73 residents on hand for the
event was their "best turnout ever." Jack Thrower
and his friends entertained. They were invited to
come back in the fall.
— Randy Richardson
Masonic groups all over the Wilson County
vicinity joined together to hold their Annual
Area Masonic Blood Drive on August 1. Last
year's effort included seven lodges and collected
44 pints of blood. The collection is held at the
Wilson County Shrine Club.
— David Ellis
Jacksonville
Semper Fidelis 680 is holding its Second Annual Masonic Poker Run October 19. The big
drawing for the day will be their raffle of 2013 Polaris Sportsman XP850 four-wheeler. For details
contact Rob at