The North Carolina Mason

January/February 2011 TRAVELING THE tar heel state News From North CaroliNa's lodges By Ric Carter Bailey Tings got a little complicated when Bailey 411 held their Christmas Parade event. Tey were planning to give away drinks and candy, hand out information on Freemasonry, and canvass the crowd for donations to our chari- ties. It was freezing cold, and the lodge had to assemble before for a Masonic funeral. Just as everyone was getting frustrated, the snow be- gan. Te beautiful snow lightened everyone’s mood and lasted throughout the parade. Te lo- cal Boy Scout Troop did a booming business in the lodge dining hall. Te Scouts serve barbecue lunches there every year during the parade as their annual fundraiser. About 30 people were at Bailey Lodge’s Wid- ows’ Dinner on December 10. Te unseasonably cold weather again held down their attendance. — Newsletter Swansboro Each year, Seaside 429 holds a big seafood supper for the Onslow Masonic Scholarship Fund. Special guests at the dinner this year in- cluded Grand Master William L. Dill and Past Grand Master Leonard Safrit. Dill was present- ed an honorary membership in the lodge. Te fundraiser features seafood, and this year raised $1,200 for the scholarship. Tey were planning their Past Masters’ and Awards Night for November and a Christmas party to honor their lodge widows in December. — Trestle Board Bayboro Jackie Ireland, a member of Bayboro 331, is the new president of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. Ireland has been ac- tive in numerous community activities and has been on the Board of Directors of the agents association since 2001. Ireland is a partner in Anders Ireland and Marshal, the firm which handles the Grand Lodge insurance program. — Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina Pilot Mountain Te Pilot Mountain fire marshal recently asked Pilot 493 to correct a few issues. Te most significant was making their address match city standards. Tey are still in the same place, but the address is now 122 Veterans Way. Late year activities at Pilot Lodge included their November 13 Fall Barbecue, a November 22 blood drive at First Methodist Church, and the Annual Pot Luck Dinner December 13. Te November blood drive, the smallest of their six held each year, brought in 46 units this year. — Te Pilot Mountain Traveler Thomasville When a member of Tomasville 214 was victimized by an identity theft which wiped put much of his bank accounts, Master Darrell Wil- son challenged members to contribute $50 each to help him. St. Patrick’s 617’s long-time secretary, Sid- Oxford lodges enjoy the treats Princeton — Trestle Board ney Wellons, had a stroke recently. Obviously, getting around is more difficult. As Wellons helped the lodge out, so are they returning the favor. Te held a fundraiser to buy a golf cart to mobilize him. — Grover Dees Charlotte Then Senior Warden John Burling was recruiting volunteers at Charles M. Setzer 693 to help at the Dilworth Soup Kitchen one day a week. Setzer Lodge’s fall barbecue fundraiser brought in $600 for the charities. Teir November stated meeting was officer move up night. — Trestleboard Temple 676 is talking about setting up a kitchen committee to take over the work cur- rently done there on meals and refreshments by the junior warden and stewards. — Temple Lodge Excelsior 261 raised 17 new Masons in 2010. Many of them have already “stepped forward and are coaching, learning roles, and participat- ing in the conferral of degrees.” Excelsior collected seven shoeboxes for Op- eration Christmas Child Shoebox. Te pro- gram gathers toys, school supplies, and everyday things for needy children. Tey have set a goal of doubling their participation for next year. Excelsior Lodge gave service awards this past year to several members. 60-year Diamond Jubi- lees went to Andy Cooley, Charles Huffstetler, and George Laughrun. Tey presented 50-year Veteran’s Emblems to Flave Edwards, Marshal Hinson, and Pete Milliones. In December, the lodge took care of their stretch of Adopt-A-Street. It is Sharon Amity Road from Monroe Road past the York Rite Temple. — Excelsior 261 Washington Washington 675 held their Past Masters’ and Ladies’ Night Banquet November 12. Ray War- ren entertained with his singing and guitar. Ten Grand Master William L. Dill was the speaker. Washington Lodge recently did a complete revision to their bylaws. It’s a good idea for lodg- es to do so periodically. — Mac Mallison Orr 104 held their Awards Banquet on No- vember 2. Tey served barbecued chicken. — Doug Bennett Greensboro Gate City 694 sold more than 400 quarts of Brunswick stew in their annual fundraiser. Pro- ceeds were for WhiteStone (MESH). Gate City Lodge goes for small parts and more participation in ritual work. In a recent is- sue of their newsletter, they were offering bits that could be learned by interested members. Tese included suggestions from the Bahnson like the apron and working tool presentations, the G lecture, the charges, and the funeral ser- vices. Don’t forget that much of the work can be divided to good effect. — Trestleboard Wilson Grand Historian Michael Brantley was guest speaker at Mount Lebanon 117’s November 15 Past Masters’ Banquet. His presentation was “Medieval and Gothic Architecture of Our An- cient Brethren.” — Grover Dees Highlands Christmas Dinner at a cafe in Dillard on De- cember 11. Southport In December, members of Pythagoras 249 were moved by the stories of suffering among families in the Appalachian area. Tey decided to help. Tey sent a truck loaded with food, win- ter clothing, and sheets of Plexiglas to replace cardboard over windows. Tey also chipped in $200 for the cost of fuel in the delivery. Pythagoras held their annual banquet No- vember 12. It was their night to recognize their widows and the Eastern Star and to hand out lodge awards. Teir Mason of the Year Awards went to Chaplain Allen Bevill and Secretary John Richards. Jack Terry and Don Kelley were hon- ored with Gene Cowan Awards. Tim Tippett was named Most Promising Mason of the Year. — Newsletter Rocky Mount Corinthian 230 members visited their in- town Prince Hall brothers at Mount Lebanon Lodge in September. Tey enjoyed a Tird De- gree that evening. Corinthian Lodge recently presented a 50- year award to Marvin G. Poele on behalf of Stewart 92 of the Grand Lodge of Illinois. — Te Corinthian Column Blue Ridge 435 was holding their Lodge — Trestleboard OXFORD — Oxford 122 enjoyed a big Halloween weekend in October participat- ing in two community events. On Friday, October 29, members of the lodge handed out candy during the Trick or Treat event in downtown Oxford. Ten on Saturday, October 30, the lodge Trunk or treating outside Oxford Lodge. hosted a Trunk or Treat event for the Granville County Girl Scouts. Tere were more than 200 Girl Scouts and many of their family members participating. Lodge members helped organize the games and events during the celebration as well as furnishing the location. A fun time was held by all. — Rich Weaver Eddie Dickerson giving candy to trick-or-treaters. Jacksonville Looking back at their 2009, Semper Fidel- is 680 raised 21 new members this year. Tey also participated in Jacksonville’s Veterans Day Parade, something they plan to make an annual event. New Master Beau Brown is asking them to increase their reach outside the lodge this year by attending other lodges together. Tey have completed horseshoe pits at the lodge and will shortly have a full Bocce Ball court at the lodge. Tis will mean signs of life at the lodge when others drive by. It will also offer a good source of recreation for the membership. A little competi- tion can add fun to camaraderie. On November 16, Semper Fidelis Lodge member Javier Ortiz Rivera was killed in action in Afghanistan. — Trestle Board Statesville Statesville 27 held their Homecoming in October. Tey had an all-star attendance with then Grand Master Billy Dill, Grand Master- elect Lew Ledford (a member of their lodge), and Past Grand Master Tom Gregory (also a member of Lodge 27). Gregory presented a history of the lodge. On November 6, Statesville Lodge had their Family and Awards Night. Te Harmony Hill String Band entertained with their Celtic and old-time music. Many awards were presented. Doug Pond received the Lon Shulenberger Award; David Potter, the J. C. Brown Award; Joe Link, a special service award; Gene Shoemake, Rookie Mason of the Year; Paul Reavis, his 60- year Diamond Jubilee; and John Gregory, his 50- year Veteran’s Emblem. — Te Joppa Informer The North Carolina Mason Page 3 Kernersville Kernersville 669 held its Annual Tanksgiv- ing Dinner November 19. It is their only charity fundraiser. Members were urged to invite needy families to join them for the supper. Kernersville Lodge has raised their dues to $80 for 2011. — Te Kernersville Masonic Lodge Trenton Zion 81 is trying to start a DeMolay chap- ter in Craven County. Tey have been “trying to create an awareness of DeMolay and what it is about at some of [their] public events.” — From Mount Zion Fayetteville Creasy Proctor 679 held its Past Masters’ and Awards Night November 30. —Tommy Smith Te lodge raised $3,000 for Masonic chari- — Trestleboard ties in 2009. Casar At their Fourth Annual Golf Tournament in August, Casar 579 raised nearly $4,000. On June 12, they held their first Masonic Charity Ride. Tey had 18 motorcycles partici- pate and brought in $848 for charity. Seventeen of Casar Lodge’s past masters at- tended Past Masters’ Night there June 3. Ten past masters from surrounding lodges also en- joyed the barbecue supper. Columbus Te members of Horse Creek 719 hold a monthly breakfast for all members and wives at the truck stop in Saluda. — Horse Creek Lodge Cherryville Cherryville 505 presented service awards at their December 11 officer installation. Howard McGinnis, Wonnie Webb, C. D. Ledford, and Laverne Anderson were presented thir Dia- mond Jubilees for 60 years membership. Neal Bolick and Buford Sellars got their Veteran’s Emblems for 50 years in the lodge. — News Out of the Blue Asheville 2010 was a busy year for Nichols-West Ashe- ville 650. Tey held monthly collections for the Manna FoodBank. Tey participated in the Ma- sonic Light Golf Tournament and sponsored a Little League ball team. During the Christmas season, they were bell-ringers for the Salvations Army’s Christmas Fund. — Te Cornerstone John Burchfield had a book signing at the Asheville Masonic Temple November 13. Te member of Nichols-West Asheville 650, Black Mountain 663, and Mount Hermon 118 re- cently published The Chamber of Truth, his first book. Te signing preceded a concert by Kaleo Wheeler. — Trestle Board Winston-Salem Old Town 751 got a new roof in November. Tey are also getting their flag pole repaired. Old Town held their Fall Pancake Supper October 29. As it brought in more than $700 for charity, they termed it a “great success.” Tey did their annual delivery of fruit bas- kets to lodge widows on December 18. Te de- livery team started their day with breakfast at the lodge. Old Town held their Awards Night October 29. Family Night Supper was set for December 21. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Salisbury Andrew Jackson 576 had their Awards Din- ner November 18. Dan Hogue was the speaker for the evening. Te lodge widows received a gift from the lodge. Veteran’s Emblems for 50 years Masonic membership went to Paul Edward Fisher, Haywood Maxwell Cope, James Hen- derson Foile Jr., and Homer Laverne Kepley. Andrew Jackson Lodge held their advance night in October, the night when their officers move up one seat to demonstrate their skills for the coming year. — Master’s Journal Paw Creek Te October 15 chicken fry at West Gate 738 was a success. Master Bill Moore was sing- ing the praises of Bobby Burchall for stepping up to make it work. Te event raises money for Masonic charities twice a year. — News From the West Canton eight 40th Te Calvin Taylor Toy Ride, organized by District lodges, was termed “a loss this year because of heavy rains.” Bethel School held its awards day No- vember 21. Tat’s when Sonoma 472 Master Gene Canter presented the 18th Annual Scotty Canter Sportsmanship Award to sixth grader Houston Rogers. Te award is a memorial to Canters late son. Sonoma Lodge participated in the Haywood County Toys for Tots this year. — Valley of the Moon see STATE, page 4 If your lodge has a newsletter for its members, make sure The North Carolina Mason is on your mailing list. Lodge newsletters 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 mem- bers active, happy, and informed. — Eric Newton

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