The North Carolina Mason

Page 4 The North Carolina Mason ENCOMPASSING THE WORLD A Roaming Outdoor Lodge HELENA, MONTANA — In August, 130 Masons attended the second annual Grand Masters' Roaming Outdoor Lodge in Helena and at the Mullan Pass Masonic His- toric Site. They centered the gathering around the outdoor exemplification of a Montana Fellow Craft Degree. In addition to many Montana Masons, there were Master Masons New head for MSA SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND — George O. Braatz has been named the new executive secretary of the Masonic Service As- sociation. He succeeds Richard E. Fletcher who held the post for 24 years. Braatz is past grand master and past grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The Masonic Service Association, created in 1919, produces Masonic educational materials, statistical reports, collects disaster relief funds, and administers a large hospital visitation program. Help for CA kids SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — The Masonic Center for Youth and Family has been launched here. It is designed to help youth who struggle with behavioral and mental health issues. They offer analysis and treatment in all areas of youth psychology. Children between the ages of four and 17, related to a California Mason are eligible for services. A few years back, state archives experts de- veloped a rescue/rejuvenation plan for the lodge that prioritized portions of the work based on importance to the building's survival and future protection. All those projects are, of course, be- ing done in a manner to preserve the historic value and appreciation of the building. Archives personnel recently got to visit the lodge while in Halifax doing historical work on the Davie home. They were pleased to see the roof replaced and lodge room painted and largely restored. Experts consulted regarding the work yet to be done, discussing techniques for best protecting their history. The lodge is explor- ing methods which will allow them to accept tax-deductible gifts to help the building. The Greensboro Masonic Temple was built in the 1920s by several Masonic organizations. The massive structure is one of downtown Greens- boro's cornerstones. In recent years, faced with decline of the building's condition and falling income, the temple began closing off portions of the build- ing. The building board became divided on keep- ing or selling temple, became stalemated and in- effective. The building and cooperation began a downward spiral. Within the last year, there have been several consultations with parent organiza- tions of the owners of the building, primarily the Grand Lodge and Scottish Rite Valley. All in- terested parties decided to drop plans to sell the building and begin looking for ways to reorder their assets to assure increased income and re- storing the building to its former grandeur. Most of the projects so far have been clean up and paint up, but these things have changed the outlook there. They are studying ways to take on bigger jobs and maintain the presence in a renewed downtown Greensboro. The Grand Lodge has also been guilty of letting some things go, sometimes choosing a path cheaper than is in the long term interest of our property. The Grand Lodge headquarters in Raleigh, built in the 1950s, was once named as among the 50 best buildings in Raleigh, a town known for its architecture. It featured glass all around, offering an expansive view of the grounds all the way through the structure, from front to back — a modernization of a Greek temple form. The back of the building sported a large deck off the grand hall on the building's top floor. Apparently, in the late 1960s the deck began to settle, pulling against the glass and aluminum —Fraternal Review from grand lodges of Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Yukon, Idaho, Califor- nia, and Scotland. The weekend was capped off with a pig roast at the Montana Masonic Home. The next Tri- Jurisdictional Roaming Outdoor Lodge will be held at Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Sep- tember 2012. — Montana Masonic News Actor Dreyfuss becomes a Mason DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA — Academy Award winning actor Richard Dreyfuss became a Mason in June. District of Columbia Grand Master Jesse Villarreal made him a Mason at sight in a ceremony at the Scottish Rite Center there. Dreyfuss is a member of Potomac 5. Dreyfuss' interest began to peak back in 2001 when he worked as narrator on Mr. Dreyfuss Goes to Washington. The show, written by DC Mason Akram Elias featured a profile of many of the Masonic landmarks in our nation's capital. —The Voice of Freemasonry Phillips named honorary member Master Ken Lewis and introduced by 19th CARTHAGE — At a special ceremony Oc- tober 11, Carthage 181 held a steak dinner to celebrate making Past Grand Master B. T. Phil- lips an honorary member. More than sixty guests and members were present. Gene Brooks, Columbus 102, presented a program on early lodges in their area and the part that lodge played in the lives of ear- ly Masons. Phillips was presented at the al- tar by 21st District Deputy Grand RENEWAL, from page 1 back of the structure. Rather than tackle the ex- pensive job of replacing the deck, they removed the deck and closed in all the glass on the back, turning a sunny expanse of a lobby into a dank cave. Repairing this mistake has been a longtime goal of Grand Lodge members. Today, reaching the goal is within sight. Destruction followed by construction began late in the summer and should be finished well before spring. Modern glass has been placed in all its original places, and a concrete deck suited to the building are in place. Finish work is yet to be completed, but already the building is much more inviting. Next on the agenda is paint and removal of carpet to reveal the terrazzo floors, including the mosaic pavement of the grand hall. Mod- ern, appropriate furniture is a future goal in the renovation. All three facilities welcome your visits and participation in their revitalized Masonic lives. November/December 2011 Notes WISCONSIN — At their 167th Annual Communication, the Grand Lodge of Wiscon- sin raised their per capita (the amount paid per member to the grand lodge) to $37. — The Wisconsin Masonic Journal ARIZONA — At their recent annual com- munication, the Grand Lodge of Arizona moved the decision on serving alcohol in the lodge to the individual lodges. — Arizona Masonry Jersey, at their 224th NEW JERSEY — The Grand Lodge of New Annual Meeting, defeated a proposal to lower the minimum age for petition- ing for the degrees to 18. — The New Jersey Freemason consin's Masonic Soccer Camps celebrated their 20th MIDDLETON, WISCONSIN — Wis- anniversary this past summer. The local lodge, Middleton 180, hosts a cookout for the All-Stars and Youth Campers. — The Wisconsin Masonic Journal New New Mexico Dis- trict Deputy Grand Lecturer Butch Trimmer. Master Jon Hines and Dave Bosworth present- ed Phillips his honorary membership. He was then "given time to reflect upon his concerns and journeys throughout the years." Seen here, from are District left, Deputy Grand Master Ken Lewis, Phillips, Jon Hines, Carthage Lodge Master Dave Bos- worth, and Gary D. Bosworth. — Dave Bosworth Masons get book Newly raised Master Masons in New Mexico get a copy of Christopher Hodapp's Freemasons for Dummies. The book, one of the best general information books on the fraternity, is supplied by the Lodge of Research of New Mexico. They have their own edition with an intro- ductory letter and lists of resources for Masonry in New Mexico. — The New Mexico Freemason Does size count? The smallest jurisdiction in the United States is Hawaii with 11 Lodges and 1,641 Masons. Alaska has 20 Lodges with 1,936 Masons. The largest is Pennsylvania with 114,447 Masons in 431 Lodges. — 2011 List of Lodges Masonic Exterior paint discussion in Halifax Greensboro Masonic Temple's winding stair goes from flaking to spit shine. The old look of the back of the Grand Lodge office. Workers tear out the back wall of the Grand Lodge office before restoring it. Royal White Hart's lodge room looks its best in many years. Ric Car ter photos

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