The North Carolina Mason

September/October 2011 TRAVELING THE TAR HEEL STATE NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA'S LODGES By Ric Carter Hickory The Pancake Fundraiser at Hickory 343 brought in $700 for the charities. Hickory Lodge helps several local charities in addition to the Masonic Homes. Family Day at Hickory Lodge was set for August 13. Aimed at fun for the kids, the event featured a balloon artist and face painter, t-shirts to decorate and games, hamburgers, and hot dogs. There was also a hands-on exhibit at the Science Center. As they said on the invitation, "Bring your kids, bring your grandkids, or bor- row some kids and come out for Family Day." — Hickory Lodge Jacksonville It should not surprise that Semper Fidelis 680 has a number of members serving in Af- ghanistan. The lodge regularly sends them Hick- ory Farms gift baskets to show our appreciation. Semper Fi Lodge has a number of outings planned this fall. Ladies Night Out was set for September. They were dining at a local steak house and being entertained by a barbershop quartet from Richlands 560. Their barbecue fundraiser was to be held Sep- tember 9. Roadside cleanup was set for October 1. Past Masters' and Awards Night is coming October 29. — Trestle Board Greensboro It's the busy season at P. P. Turner 746. Their Annual Picnic was held August 28 at Eagle Point Clubhouse. Their Ladies' Night and Awards Banquet is set for October 20. Past Grand Master Tom Gregory is the fea- tured speaker. Richard Ward has developed a new web site for Turner Lodge. The 23rd Masonic District will be in the De- cember 3 Greensboro Holiday Parade. Turner Lodge Senior Deacon Kevin Antonson is help- ing get repairs done on the district's float to make it parade ready. — P. P. Turner Lodge The North Carolina Mason Kenly At their quarterly meeting here, the officers of the lodges of the 16th Masonic District decid- ed to put their SAMON visiting gavel program on hold for a while. They hope it will give it a chance to rebuild interest. They also announced that the district raised more than $4,000 for two area brothers who lost their homes in tornadoes earlier this year. — Grover Dees Olin Olin 226 is working with Statesville 27 on Operation Oxford 47 to deliver gifts for 47 kids at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford before Christmas. — The Joppa Informer Charlotte Excelsior Master John Maybury has been driving toward rejuvenating Excelsior 261's lodge building. They started very basically with a commercial facility inspection and formation of a committee to do a total building assess- ment. They set up a list rank ordering needs and wants. Included were increasing storage with an addition to the rear of the building, renovating the kitchen, restroom, and appearance improve- ments, among other details. This, of course, means that they are also at- tending to increasing a financial fund to pay for the improvements. Junior Warden John Gregory is selling lapel pins for five dollars. All proceeds go to the fund. Donations are also being accept- ed and solicited. Though Excelsior Lodge had no meetings in July, they still got together for Lodge Golf Night July 25. They gathered at Birkdale Golf Course's driving range. — Trestle Board Temple 676 announced their charity totals through the summer in their September newslet- ter. Totals: Home for Children, $1,822; White- Stone, $854; Carolina Patriot Rovers, $1,000; Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, $600; SMA Research and Cure, $450. — Trestle Board Derita 715 is facing a move due to the De- partment of Transportation taking their property for construction. Details of how that will all take place are not yet complete. They will be building a new facility, but interim plans are not set. — Derita Lodge Stateline Lodge (photo left) gathered school supplies for needy local kids. In photo right, standing, from left, are Lodge Master Max Brooks, School Counselor Wendy Lemons, J. T. Thrift, and Charlie Grigg. Seated, from left, are Abigail Paulson, Brandon Paulson, Peyton Lemons, and Alley Paulson. Stateline reaches out to local kids GROVER — Stateline 375's August 9 stated meeting began with a pile of pencils, pens, book bags, crayons, paper, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, scissors, folders, and notebooks covering the floor in the area between the altar and the East. At their July stated, members were asked to pick up back-to-school items to make the return to school a little easier for children in need. This is the second year Stateline 375 has collected school supplies for the Grover Ele- mentary School. 2011's collection nearly doubled last year's. They are among the many lodges which extended their community outreach projects. Asheville Nichols-West Asheville 650 is helping Man- na Food Bank this year. They keep a food barrel at the lodge to collect non-perishable food to share with those who are hungry. July 9 was Music Night at 650. Amanda Anne Platt and Pete James of the Honeycutters were featured; tickets required. — Jack Barnett The Asheville Masonic Temple suffered some storm damage in June. A few tiles were blown off the north side of the building, allowing wa- ter into the interior. The damage was covered by insurance, and repairs are now largely complete. Like gold? Mount Hermon 118 was selling a limited number of $20 raffle tickets for a one ounce gold Krugerrand. Bele Chere is Asheville's big downtown fes- tival held the last weekend in July. Mount Her- mon Lodge was participating for the first time this year. They were opening the Masonic Tem- ple and selling barbecue platters. September 17 was the date for the Theater Degree at the Temple. They were encouraging Fellow Craft from around the 39th They hold the degree on the big upstairs stage with the drops. Most lodges in the district participated last year. — Ron Lambe, Tycer Lewis, Carey Harnash, and Trestle Board Pilot Mountain Pilot 493 celebrated National Police Night Out again this year. They served 400 hot dogs during their gathering here at Dickie's Squee- zebox Sandwich Shop. Many law enforcement officers and emergency personnel participated. The National Night Out is an event that pro- motes crime prevention awareness. Pilot Lodge likes to show their support for local law enforce- ment during the event. Pilot Lodge held their Widows' Night Au- gust 9 at Mountain View Restaurant. They presented Elmer Holst his Diamond Jubilee award for 60 years Masonic member- ship this summer. He passed away just a few days later. Pilot Lodge has a blood drive set for No- vember 28. Members are being urged to bring homemade refreshments for the donors. — The Pilot Mountain Traveler Warsaw Warsaw 677 is considering raising their dues to $125. After seven years of paying dues of $100, — Warsaw Lodge District. Camp Call 534 member Frank Curtis was visiting that night. He took the idea back to Camp Call, and they held their own back to school drive. Their collection was donated to Union Elementary School in Polkville. Lodge Master Max Brooks, J. T. Thrift, and Charlie Grigg deliv- ered the items just before the children where to come for orientation. School Counselor Wendy Lemons called it was one of the largest do- nations the school had received for the school year. She repeated over and over that Stateline Lodge was a blessing to the children at Grover Elementary School. — Rod Paulson Statesville Statesville Master Larry Stroud is trying to get things moving on installing a chair lift in the lodge. The total cost is $5,000. He hopes to get things finished by the end of the year. WhiteStone will benefit from the October 14–15 Pancake Jamboree at Statesville 27. Statesville Lodge has their Saturday Night set for October 22. The program honors their la- dies, past masters, invites family and friends, and presents lodge awards. During a recent visit to his home lodge, Grand Master Lewis Ledford was presented his Service Award for 25 years membership by Past Grand Master Tom Gregory. So far as is known, he is the first man to receive the Service Award he signed himself. — The Joppa Informer Hillsborough Eagle 19 continues the long job of restoring their historic lodge building, one of the oldest in North Carolina. They have recently recovered the officer podiums and the altar. The kneeling bench at the altar is next. Upcoming projects be- ing planned and bid now are new gutters, picture moldings in the lodge room, repointing brick- work, and repair and paint for the roof. Master Doug Stevenson recently did a program on significant historic events affecting the Craft. — The Trestle Board Kenansville At their July stated, St. John's 13 celebrated Independence Day with hamburgers and hot dogs. Families were invited for supper. Their annual lodge picnic was set for Sep- tember 1 in their regular location at Maxwell's Mill. Also as usual, the lodge furnished the chicken and pastry, and members brought a fa- vorite dish and drinks. Willard Ray Westbrook got his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years membership at the picnic. — Lodge Log Concord Cabarrus 720 and Union 618 are raising money to add a new sound and video system to their lodge. Computer projection is moving into more lodges all the time; their versatility is put- ting the old Kodak Carousels out of business. Cabarrus 720 has sent more than $1,100 to the Masonic Homes so far this year, but they are hop- ing to double that figure with their October raffle. Cabarrus Lodge is voting on fee increases: petition to $150 and affiliation to $25. — Cabarrus Lodge Washington During Hurricane Irene, Orr 104 notified their members that the lodge building would be available as a storm shelter for members who lived in threatened areas. While there were few amenities, it was a sturdy building on relatively high ground. — Doug Bennett Murphy Masons from the 41st District were planning to visit the annual quarry degree on September 27 near Morganton, Georgia. After all, they are closer to Georgia there than to the vast majority of North Carolina. — Derek Cheek Pittsboro Columbus 102 is trying a new celebration this year — Columbus Day. They are going to open the lodge for tours October 10. To attract visi- tors, they will set up children's entertainment like bounce houses. They will have live music, a magi- cian, food, and beverages. They will be doing a little fundraising, too. There'll be a silent auction and car show. They crank up at 10:00 a.m. — Brian Glover Winston-Salem Old Town 751 has a reading improvement program at local elementary schools. They gave away eight bicycles this year to kids who showed great improvement. Old Town Lodge is planning a raffle to raise money for charity in November. When last we heard, the prize was not yet chosen. They were thinking about a flatscreen television or riding mower or shotgun. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Stantsonburg Joseph Warren 92 is raffling a handmade, Chippendale style, walnut mirror and console table valued at $1,000. Second place gets of choice of a mirror or table. Proceeds are for the Masonic Homes. Tickets for the September 1 drawing were five dollars. — Grover Dees Cherryville This year, the scholarship from Cherryville 505 was presented in honor of C. V. Thornburg. The lodge gave him a certificate proclaiming the honor. Better yet, it went to his grandson Clay Thornburg. Cherryville Lodge had a couple of fundraisers scheduled. Their Variety Show was set for Sep- tember and their chicken barbecue for October. — News Out of the Blue A good lodge creates a good mix of fraternal fun and community service. Charles M. Setzer 693 was visiting the Masonic Home for Children in August to deliver the back-to-school supplies they collected. They were enjoying breakfast at a local restaurant before leaving Charlotte. On August 22, they were having their first Fellowship Challenge at the George Papas Park Lanes. They reserved six lanes and invited family to join them bowling. They also issued an open challenge to other lodges to find the best bowlers. Their July 9 workday was to give a special prize to the man who got the dirtiest. Their Fall Yard Sale was to be held September 17. Setzer Lodge has raised their dues. They will go up in steps: to $70 plus per capita in 2012 and $83 plus per capita in 2013. Hookerton Teenagers broke into Jerusalem 95 in July. They stole very little, but made quite a mess with vandalism. They were apprehended doing the same business in the Hookerton town hall. — The Jerusalem Journal Mount Gilead Blackmer 127 had their Ladies' Night planned for September 9. — Blackmer Buzz Newport Apparently, the Master of Reliance degree survives in some places. The strictly unofficial, fun education program has been around for many years. We understand that the degree was conducted back in August at Newport 706. — Trestle Board Cary Four scholarships (two for $1,000 and two for $500) were awarded by Cary 198 this year. Hannah Wetmore, Cameron Bunch, Zakiya Toney, and Erin Beasley were the deserving recipients. — Trestle Board Liberty In June, Liberty 714 teamed up with the North Carolina Baptist Men Dental Bus to host a clinic for needy families. Twenty-four patients received cleanings and minor procedures. Local dentists Chip Butler, Maggie Wright, and Mi- randa Price volunteered their services. — Jack Lawver Conover The Home for Children was helped when Masons ate at the Texas Steakhouse here Au- gust 4. With the coupon distributed by Conover 709, ten percent of their check total went to the Home. — Conover Lodge Newsletter 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. — Trestleboard Page 3

• Cover