The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2011 STEW, from page 1 and ground. All the meat is cooked. A separate group grinds the canned vegetable (something they say makes their recipe for Brunswick stew special). Tat night several members grind the meat. A total crew of 20–25 people come and go getting these Wednesday chores done. Tursday’s crew involves 50–55 workers. Some will be there all day, some will come in and out to help. Some only show up for a few minutes when they can. All of them are nec- essary. Cooking starts at 3:00 a.m. Tursday morning. Packaging and serving starts at mid- morning Tursday. As lunchtime nears, the line of traffic builds, both to the door of the lodge and along the street behind the lodge where the take-out operates. Before noon, the din- ning hall is packed and the line of cars awaiting take-out winds around the parking lot of the lodge. By early afternoon, the rush has moder- ated, taking a break until it again builds to full for the early supper crowd. Tursday night and Friday morning the siz- able cleanup and stowage proceeds. It’s not just the members of Andrew Jackson Lodge who make it happen. Many wives and members of other lodges in the county also vol- unteer and look forward to their camaraderie. Te lodge helps make charity money by sell- ing sponsorships, not just stew. One of the early sponsor was Carolane Propane. Tey noticed that the lodge was cooking the stew over wood and suggested they could help by providing pro- pane. Tey now heat the pots over old propane- stoked tobacco barn burners. Other companies sponsor with money or supplies. Dennis Sims (official quality control tast- er and bearer of the recipe) says, “From 1985 through 2011 we’ve made approximately $380,000 for charities. Tis includes Masonic Home for Children, Masonic & Eastern Star Home, Masonic Foundation, and local charities. We sponsor a little league baseball team, donate to Boy Scouts, Meals On Wheels, Salvation Army, United Way, Rowan Helping Ministries, local senior citizens groups, and Rowan Masonic Scholarship Fund, and individuals in need. “Te Brunswick Stew is a lot of work, but, we have a good time, fellowship, plus you get to see and talk with people that you may only see once a year, plus we raise a little money for the charities.” What more could you ask, besides a pint of excellent Brunswick stew? Special thanks to Dennis Sims for his help on this article. Ric Carter photos The North Carolina Mason Page 5 Country star Mason takes award NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — In No- vember, Brad Paisley was named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association after several years waiting for the honor. Stedman 730 member Tomas Pope noti- fied us that we should refer to the entertainer as Brother Brad. Paisley is a member of Hiram 7 in Franklin, Tennessee, a lodge originally chartered by the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. Sylva Tis year will mark the tenth anniversary of the Calvin Taylor Annual Toy Ride. 2011’s is set for September 10 (9/10/11). They will have t-shirts, hats, barbecue, and this year, a custom Case pocket knife for sale. Tey will rendezvous at the Stompin’ Grounds in Asheville. For infor- mation, contact Gene Canter at (828) 734-3439. —Derek Cheek Stedman Stedman 730 named Douglas Bullard their 2010 Mason of the Year. Earlier this year, Jesse Hall, Stedman’s first secretary, was presented his Veterans’ Emblem for 50 years membership. Last year’s golf tournament at Stedman brought in more than $3,800. Teir annual steak dinner raise more than $1,000. Te money went to the Masonic Home for Children. — Te Blueprint Raleigh William G. Hill 218 was hosting Family Fun Game Night on February 18. Family members and friends were invited to the games and the pot luck supper preceding the festivities. — William G. Hill 218 James B. Green 735’s pre-meeting meal February 8 was also a chili cook-off in which members competed for the title of lodge “Chili Champion.” — Dustin Tarditi J. J. Crowder 743 took their Chili Cook-Off on the road to the Masonic Home for Children February 26. Te kids at the Home got to choose the best chili. Frank Scrivano won a close vote and was awarded the trophy (a decorated Pepto- Bismol bottle). — MHCO Warsaw More than 30 attended Warsaw 677’s Ladies’ and Awards Night December 7. They enjoyed “good food, fellowship, and inspirational music.” — Warsaw Lodge Pope, a sports reporter for the Fayetteville Observer, emailed us after seeing Paisley while on assignment recently. Pope said, “I made sure to find a way to get in Brad Paisley’s path af- ter his pre-race press conference this morning. Gave him the grip and said, ‘Have a great show, my brother.’ His eyes lit up, he rearranged his grip to match mine, and said, ‘Tanks, you have a great day, too.’” STATE, from page 3 Mount Gilead Blackmer 127 raised more than $1,800 with their Sixth Annual Charity Fun Shoot. — Blackmer Buzz Kernersville Let’s hear it for volunteer labor. It surely makes lodge maintenance easier for us all. At Kernersville 669, Mark Riccardi installed new thermostats and Billy Stockton fixed the light on the sign. — Te Kernersville Masonic News Sneads Ferry ner November 9. Stump Sound 733 held its scholarship din- — Trestle Board Kings Mountain Fairview 339 and local Shrine groups teamed up on a food drive to help a local food bank. Fairview Lodge recently hosted a member’s birthday party. Tomas Tindol turned 90. — Niki Paulson Bahama Knap of Reeds 158 was holding their Ladies’ Night February 19 at a steakhouse in Roxboro. — Kenneth Baker Manteo April 23 is Pancake Breakfast time at Man- teo 521. Five bucks will get a big stack of pan- cakes at the lodge between seven o’clock and ten o’clock a.m. — More Light Princeton St. Patrick’s 617 has been painting and sprucing up the lodge. A new painted decora- tive square and compasses is added to one inte- rior wall. — Grover Dees Rolesville Super Bowl Sunday was the day the Rolesville 683 fed the kids at the Masonic Home for Chil- dren. Tey traveled to the Home and served hot dogs, french fries, and onion rings. — MHCO A colonial look for apprentices Masonic District’s WEST END — The 21st First Degree Team conferred a first degree in Elberta 654 January 22. Te lodge had break- fast at 8:30 a.m. and opened at 9:30 for Derrick Wendler’s initiation. Forty-two Masons were on hand. Following the degree, a district meeting was held for the officers and interested Masons of the district. The 21st Masonic District’s First Degree team arose in their monthly OSW classes. They talked about forming a team, com- prised of Masons across the district, to pres- ent a degree in costume. They believed such a team would help improve visitation within ROBBINSVILLE — The odds were long that the longest serving certified lecturer and the latest person to be certified and the district deputy grand lecturer would be together at the same degree are astronomical. But, it happened last summer at Robbinsville 672. When Robbinsville raised their newest mem- bers that day, Kelley Hooper, the longest serving certified lecturer in Grand Lodge history, and Charlie McCowan, certified earlier that day, were both in attendance. McCowan, Hooper, and 41st District Deputy Grand Lecturer Jack Long all three participated in the degree that evening. Several years ago, Hooper signed the paper- work for Long to be examined, and Long signed McCowan’s paperwork to certification. Tat’s a good example of “paying it forward.” — Jim Hyde Lecturers McCowan, Hooper, and Long the district, and make a favorable and lasting impression on the candidates. Tey ruled out the third degree as there were quite a few third degree teams around the state. Tey decided to focus on the first degree because it is the first impression of Masonry upon the candidate. Further, they wished to pay hom- age to our country’s founding fathers and their Masonic connections. Tey therefore agreed the degree would be in Colonial period dress. Tey developed their own set of minutes and certifi- cate which are presented to each lodge and can- didate. Tey have initiated eight Entered Ap- prentices in the district. — Ken Lewis Paying it forward

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