The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2011

North Carolina Mason

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Page 4 Walk team) won the title for most walkers in the Triangle Walk to Defeat ALS. The Walk was held April 2 at Credit Suisse’s campus in Morrisville. More than 2,200 people participated on several teams. Nearly $250,000 was raised for the cause. Goals of the Walk are threefold: awareness, education, and raising money. The large crowd of Ron’s friends had a great time visiting together and meeting other mem- bers of his extended family. Ron had a fine time and spoke about how touched and thankful he was for all his friends who took part. Just three days before his May 19 death, he asked the edi- tor to pass along his thanks to his brothers for their participation in the walk and their contin- uous reaching out to him and his family. Another member of the Masonic family some of you may know, Brenda Wilkins, also suffers from the disease. Brenda was for some years the first voice you heard when you called or visited the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. Ron and Brenda ask you to continue your sup- port in the fight to beat ALS. You may contribute to ALS Association, Jim Catfish Hunter Chap- ter, 120-101 Penmarc Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603. Feel free to add Ron’s name to your donation. Remembering Ron By Ric Carter Ron Page was a great friend to our Grand Lodge. For 15 years, he was general chairman of Annual Communication. He was widely rec- ognized by Masons from around the state. If something was not working right at our annual meeting, Ron was the man to talk to. He had the connections and the plan to make the problem go away. He was also a social host for the meet- ing. His laughing face and supply of snacks and drinks kept many a worker charged up during an unrelenting schedule. Fewer know his other place in the history of Tarheel Masonry. Ron was master of Hiram 40 in 1992. It was then that he became the first master (so far as is known) to seat a black Ma- The North Carolina Mason WALK, from page 1 son in one of our lodges. A Nigerian tourist was visiting the Triangle. He brought his credentials from the Grand Lodge of England and wanted to visit a lo- cal lodge. He was very dark complected. Ron thought through the issue. He knew that seat- ing a good Mason from a recognized lodge was the right thing to do. Ron also knew that there would be back pressure from some elements. What to do became clear to him. How to do was the question. After consulting several authorities and oth- ers he respected, Ron had his plan. The visi- tor had verified Masonic credentials from our mother grand lodge. Objection to visitors was a matter of opinion at the time. Some thought that a member had an unchallengeable right to object to a visitor and prevent his being admit- ted. Not all agreed. Ron announced to his lodge what was going to happen at their next assembly. He was go- ing to seat a visiting black Mason in his lodge. Knowing this was the Mason’s first visit to the country, it was not possible that anyone in the lodge knew anything about the man person- ally. Therefor, no one could have any objection to his seating that was Masonically defensible. His color, or reaction to his color, would have been the only objection anyone could have. Ron, as master, announced that he therefor would not entertain any objections to seating the visitor. If anyone had problems with the visit, it would be proper for them to skip the meeting. The meeting was held. The Mason of color had a pleasant visit. Members of Hiram 40 en- joyed his visit. The world did not spin off its axis. Masonry in North Carolina had taken one giant step with the help and courage of Ron Page. Top, Vicki and Justin Lam came from the Grand Lodge office to walk. Bottom, Ron with sons Adam and David and some of his brothers from Hiram 40. From the Outside LEGISLATORS, from page 1 Looking In A Mason was having trouble with his ritual, and was telling a fellow Mason in a pub about it. His friend said, “I know a bloke down the road who sells par- rots who know the ritual and prompt you when you have any trouble.” His next day off, he went to the shop. “Yes,” the man said, “I have three.” He pulled a back a curtain, and there were three par- rots, one with a Mason’s apron on, one with a master’s apron, and one with a past master’s apron. The man asked, “How much is the one with the master’s apron on?” “$2,000, and he knows all the ritual, including the inner work- ings. He will always prompt you when you get stuck.” “No,” he said, “He’s too expensive. What about the one with the Master Mason’s apron on?” “Well, that one is $1,000, and he knows all the ritual, but not the inner workings, but he will always prompt you while you are learning it.” “No, he’s too much, too. What about the one with the past master’s apron?” “You can have him for ten dollars.” “Why so cheap, he must not know all the ritual and the inner workings?” “Oh yes, he knows all the ritual, but when you make a mistake all he does is sit there and go, “Tut! Tut! Tut!” — From Blackmer Buzz, 2004. McLawhorn 50-Year HOOKERTON — In January, J. B. McLawhorn, center, was pre- sented his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years as a Mason. He is a member of Jerusalem 95 and Ayden 495. Bennie Heath, 11th District Deputy Grand Master presented the award. Seen here are, from left, Shea McLawhorn, Bernice McLawhorn, J. B., Johnny McLawhorn, and Heath. His sons Johnny and Shea are past masters. — Charlie Hall STATE, from page 3 Selma Past Masters’ and Ladies’ Night at Selma 320 was set for April 16. — Grover Dees Smithfield Fellowship 84 held their Annual Pancake Breakfast March 26. — Harvey Evans Princeton Night April 9. St. Patrick’s 617 was having their Past Masters’ and Ladies’ — Grover Dees Representatives Mitchell Setzer and Efton Sagar greet each other at the reception. legislative session. Our members in the North Carolina Senate include Bob At- water, Harris Blake, Dan Blue, Andrew Brock, Harry Brown, and Donald Vaughan. Masons in the House of Representatives include Bill Faison, Mitch Gillespie, Dan Ingle, Efton Sager, Mitchell S. Setzer, and Linda Johnson (who is an Eastern Star and married to a Mason). Other guests at this year’s reception were retired Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr. and State Geologist James D. Simons. May/June 2011 Friday interviews GM Ledford for NC People By Ric Carter CHAPEL HILL — Any grown-up in North Carolina knows of Bill Friday, the long- time president (1956–1986) of our university system. For more than 30 years, Friday has hosted North Carolina People on UNC-TV in which he interviews prominent North Carolina citizens. His style is relaxed and conversational. When Grand Master Ledford (thanks to his status as head of NC State Parks.) was invited to be a guest, I was excited to see the taping for myself. Ledford was to arrive 30–45 minutes before taping. That allowed time for some simple makeup to knock down the glare and shadows created by studio lighting. Friday arrived as Ledford’s makeup was mostly finished and made small talk about shared experience and their upcoming conversation. Friday had just a few handwritten notes. Taping was done straight through and without edits. Intros, questions, answers, and summaries were done in real time without retakes. Before rolling tape, producer Bobby Dobbs gives the guest a summary of what to expect, and then retires to his place operating one of the two cameras used on the show. Dobbs faces Friday (you can see him at right in the photo above) and keeps Friday apprised of remaining time as the show progresses. Less than 30 minutes after the signal to start, the guest is done and free to head home. Clockwise, from top, The width of the studio is seen here just before taping starts. Ledford gets a little touching up for the harsh lights of the studio. Friday arrives at work entering through a back door and workshop of Swain Hall. Ric Car ter photo Ric Car ter photos

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