The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2011 Todd Ham marshaled the competition. Cooking started on Friday night. Two bands played for the contestants Friday night: Kelly and the Cowboys were followed by the Swang Brothers. Judging was conducted Saturday morning. Boston butts, spare ribs, and chicken thighs were cooked. Judging was based on appearance, aroma, tenderness/texture, taste, and overall impression. In the barbecue contest, Raleigh 500 claimed the Grand Champion title, and Knap of Reeds 158 was Reserve Champion. In the Ribs Divi- sion, Raleigh 50 won followed by Oxford 122, and Virginia's Spurmont 98. The Pork Division winner was Leaksville 136, second to Knap of Reeds, third Rocky Mount Shrine Club. Raleigh 500 won the Chicken Division, with Knap of Reeds 158 in second and Orphans 761 in third. Best of all, when the judging was done, five dollars got you an all-you-can-eat wristband to rove the cooking area and sample all the wares. What a country gourmet experience it was! No one left wanting. Orphans 761 held a meeting in their campus lodge room first thing on Saturday with a good number of visitors on hand. They got out with plen- ty of time to catch the 10:00 a.m. Shrine parade. The parade featured several dozen units from Sudan, Oasis, and Amran Shrine. Kids and adults alike smiled and laughed watching the little cars, trucks, bands, clowns, and animal units move through town and finish their march at the Home. After the parade and during lunch there were other distractions. There were inflatable slides and bouncers for kids on the grounds. A few ven- dors were there. Entertainment took to the stage on the front steps of the administration building. Lonesome River Band played into the afternoon as visitors toured the campus and its museum. For years, North Carolina's largest Masonic gathering was the St. John's Day celebration held each June at the Home for Children. Thousands would gather at the Oxford campus to watch one of the state's largest Shrine parades, listen to some music, and have lunch together. As time At an Archives exhibit, Tommy Jones points to a photo of himself as a tot. went on, a shrinking staff at the Home found the party more and more debilitating and costs began to climb. With the death of longtime St. John's Day coordinator Lloyd Young, the job of coordinating the gathering seemed impossible. St. John's Day was cancelled for a few years. Grand Master Ledford and the Grand Lodge officers started talking about rejuve- nating the tradition late last year. They invited the Shrine potentates to join their discussions, and found they were also interested in renew- ing the celebration. Hundreds expressed their pleasure at the re- turn of an old Masonic tradition. Just as many celebrated the cool temperatures — a huge im- provement over the often blistering heat of the old St. John's Day. Alumni expressed their hap- piness that the events added to the fun they had for their weekend. Make plans to come to the Home for next year's celebration when the kids from the Home will celebrate with the fraternity which helped raise them, October 12–13, 2012. The North Carolina Mason HOMECOMING, from page 1 Page 5 STATE, from page 3 Statesville More than 50 people attended Statesville 27's Ladies' and Past Masters' Night October 22. They unveiled Grand Master Lewis Ledford's portrait. It will hang beside Past Grand Master Tom Gregory's picture there. Kevin Combs was honored with the J. C. Brown Award. The Horizon Award went to Justin LaCount. Veterans' Emblems for 50 years mem- bership went to Skyler Little and Reid Summers. Statesville Lodge's Pancake Jamboree was held October 14–15. They brought in $1,500 for WhiteStone and $220 to jump start their Janu- ary blood drive. Statesville Lodge recently tapped two new honorary members: Bill Smith and Budd Im- mesberger. Mount Moriah 690 held their drawing for the beach house vacation. Pressly White won the raffle which benefitted the John B. Earle Scholarship Fund. The stair carpet has been replaced, and the lift chair has been installed at the Statesville Mason- ic building. Cotton Morrison and Vester Boone each made large contributions to the project, but more are being solicited. — The Joppa Informer Raleigh Masters 754 was making its annual visit to the Masonic Home for Children October 3. They were serving the kids pizza lunch. November 17 was set for Advancement Night at Masters Lodge. It's the night officers move up a station to the one they expect to hold next year. — The Trowel James B. Green 735's Past Masters' Night was held October 11. They were putting past masters in the chairs for the opening and closing. — Dustin Tarditi Pittsboro Columbus 102 was holding an event Oc- tober 15 to increase community awareness of the lodge and raise funds for charity. They were having an open house, a car show, and a silent auction. They plan to make the event an annual affair around Columbus Day. — Mike Kenlan Kernersville On their off Monday nights, Kernersville 669 has a study session they call Mason's University. They start at 6:00 p.m. and offer informal study for men wanting to be coaches, generalized study of Masonry, or just fellowship for Brothers who only want to come and hang out. Kernersville Lodge was holding their Spa- ghetti Supper fundraiser October 22. Tickets were six dollars. — The Kernersville Masonic News Deep Run and Sausage Supper September 16. It was five dollars for all you can eat. Mount Airy per October 28. Granite 322 was having their spaghetti sup- — Stephen McCraw Mount Holly Mount Holly 544 was holding their Annual Barbecue Fundraiser October 14. — Dewayne Gore Creedmoor A fish fry was scheduled for November 14 at Creedmoor 499. Grand Historian Michael Brant- ley was presenting a program about the building of King Solomon's Temple. Wake Forest Tickets were $15 for Wake Forest 282's wom- anless wedding. The big event was November 19. — Andrew Barrett Hayesville Clay 301's third annual Barn Degree was set for Saturday, September 10. The degree is held in Ronnie Smith's barn. Dinner at Downings Creek Baptist Church was to precede the degree. — Sonoma News Liberty Liberty 714 held an open house October 20. They had Frogmore Stew. After supper, Terry Cox presented his program "The Secrets of Ma- sonry, Revealed." — Paul Bruhon — Rick Haskins Pleasant Hill 304 had their Annual Pancake —Justin Byrd Stedman Thomas Pope Jr., member of Stedman 730, is having an eventful year. He was recently named district deputy grand lecturer. That was just a couple of months after being promoted to sports editor at the Fayetteville Observer. Pope is chair- man of the NC Mason Board of Publication. Greensboro The 23rd Masonic District was entering its float in Greensboro's December 3 Holiday Parade. P. P. Turner 746 was having their Ladies' Night and Awards Banquet October 20. Past Grand Master Tom Gregory was the guest speaker. — P. P. Turner Lodge Guilford 656 was holding their open house on August 15. Terry Cox was reprising his "Se- crets of Masonry Revealed" program. Turner Lodge was holding their Annual La- dies' Night and Awards Banquet October 15. They were to hand out service awards and honor their widows. They were having the affair at The Painted Plate. — The Trestle Board Benson Relief 431 has a funeral tradition that recent- ly attracted attention around the 16th Masonic District. They have the lodge deacons stand at each end of the casket during visitation. Selma 320 is reportedly adopting the custom. — Grover Dees High Point North Carolina Lawyers Weekly named Acacia 674's Jim Morgan as one of their Leaders in the Law for 2011. Morgan has been a lawyer here for more than 40 years. Morgan served in the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1977 until 1982. — Charles Ingram Kenansville St. John's 13 held their annual family picnic this fall. They hold it every year at Maxwell's Mill. Seventy people enjoyed the good food and entertainment this year. At the picnic, Willard Ray Westbrook got his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years of Masonic membership. — Lodge Log in October. Franklinville Hanks 128 again adopted their neighboring Franklinville Elementary School. Over the past few years, the lodge has provided sports equip- ment, school supplies, clothing, and last year started giving food items for the schools Back Pack program. — William Baird Wilson Wilson 712 hosted a spaghetti dinner (eat in or take out) October 7. Proceeds were ear- marked for local charity, including help for a lo- cal brother on hard times. — Grover Dees Canton Each year, Sonoma 472 honors military vet- erans. This year's dinner was held on October 6. — Sonoma News Snow Hill Radiance 132 was holding a charity fundrais- er November 4. Pancakes, sausage, and scram- bled eggs were to be served. — The Jerusalem Journal Winston-Salem Old Town 751 is having a raffle. Prizes up for grabs are a Troy-Bilt riding mower, a Mossburg Silver Reserve shotgun, and a 42-inch LCD television. They were drawing at their November 12 awards banquet. The banquet ticket price in- cludes one raffle ticket. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Walnut Cove Walnut Cove 629 was holding an outdoor degree October 1. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Wallace Wallace 595 was planning a golf tournament — Bulletin of Wallace Lodge Maggie Valley Masonic Motorcycle riders converged in western North Carolina for the Calvin E. Tay- lor Memorial Toy Ride. The ride honors a fallen Mason and NC State Highway Patrol Trooper. — Derek Cheek Ric Car ter photos

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