The North Carolina Mason

January/February 2012 TRAVELING THE tar heel state News From North CaroliNa's lodges By Ric Carter Bailey Bailey 411 was an action center for the town Christmas parade December 3. As they have for years, the lodge loaned their building to the lo- cal Boy Scout Troop to hold their annual bar- becue dinner fundraiser. Lodge members gave away drinks, candy, and Masonic pamphlets to the crowd gathered to see the parade go through town. They collected more than $200 for the Masonic Home for Children. Two of their members, Marshal Brock Jr. and Horace Meacomes, were grand marshals of the parade. They were honored because they are the only remaining charter members of the Bailey Volunteer Fire Department. In December, the lodge distributed fruit bas- kets to lodge widows. — Newsletter Hickory DeMolay launched a new chapter in Hickory in September. Shuford Chapter was presented its charter during Annual Communication in Winston-Salem. It is a renewal of an old charter held by Hickory some years ago. Look for better communication in Hick- ory. Darren Cloer and Kevin Johnson have implemented the new phone tree for Hickory 343. Wes King is overhauling the lodge web- site as well. The lodge was holding their Annual Chicken Pie Sale November 4–5. Pies were nine dollars each, and there were accommo- dations for people to donate the pies to Cor- ner Table Soup Kitchen. Proceeds from the sale were to be divided among the Home for Children and local charities. The lodge Annual Awards Night was sched- uled for November 17. Kinston St. John's 4 will be a partner in Kinston's cel- ebration of the city's 250th anniversary. One of their first projects was offering the first contri- bution (along with the local Daughters of the American Revolution) toward a scholarship to be presented as part of the commemoration. The yearlong celebration began with two New Year's events. Richard Caswell 705 member Harold Lan- caster was inducted as a fellow of the Interna- tional College of Dentists in October. The rec- ognition honors "outstanding and meritorious service to the dental profession and community." Lancaster also chairs the trustees of the North Carolina Dental Society. — Kinston.com by way of Jerry Eubanks Winston-Salem Salem 289 has its barbecue fundraiser set for March 30. Proceeds go to the Masonic Homes. — Jason Anderson Old Town 751 held their raffle November 12. Eighty people attended the reverse draw- ing. They drew numbers one by one. Every tenth draw got one of the door prizes. The final three draws won the grand prizes. They estimated the profit destined for the Masonic Home for Chil- dren at Oxford to be more than $3,400. Old Town Lodge was delivering fruit bas- kets to the lodge widows December 17. Thir- ty-one ladies were visited. — On the Level at Old Town Square Old Town continues their plan to launch a DeMolay chapter. They were training leaders at the end of the year, but you can still contact them to offer your help. A degree was planned for mid-January. — Alan Williard Asheville The Asheville Masonic Temple is organiz- ing a Friends of the Temple group to help with events and fundraisers at the temple. One of their recent events was Dinner With Dickens on December 3. The meal, prepared by Ferris Camp, was served by the Montford Park Players in pe- riod costume. The $25 meal followed Mount Hermon 118's officer installation. Mount Hermon's Alms Day Fundraiser was held on October 1–2. Lance Grunge won the raffle for the gold, one ounce Krugerrand. They had a rummage sale and enjoyed line dancing to a live band. Mount Hermon Lodge recently handed out service awards. Elmer Frink got his Dia- mond Jubilee for 60 years membership. A Veteran's Emblem for 50 years in the lodge went to Herbert Hill. — Trestle Board Nichols-West Asheville 650 sent volunteers to help the Salvation Army with their Christmas Drive bell ringing in December. — Jack Barnett Thanks to Kyle Kissmann of Biltmore 446, when local no-kill animal shelters Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and Blue Ridge Humane Soci- ety held their recent raffle, two drawings were limited to Masons. The prizes were Masonic ties. Masonic entries who did not win were entered in the rest of the drawings. — Kyle Kissmann Kannapolis Cannon Memorial 626 hosted a Red Cross Blood Drive January 4. — Richard Secoolish Allen Graham 695's ladies were a center of attention during the holiday season. The lodge held their Ladies' Night and Awards Night Ban- quet November 19. The $15 ticket included en- tertainment, dinner, and door prizes. On December 17, the lodge delivered fruit bags to the lodge widows. There were 69 ladies visited. Volunteers assembled at a local restau- rant for breakfast before dividing the deliveries into seven routes. Motorcycle lodge Knights of Solomon 764 were holding their November meeting at the Kannapolis Masonic Center. — Randy Crainshaw Oak Island us to spiff up. Oak Island 758 was fixed up for their 30th There's nothing like a special occasion to get anniversary celebration in November. They did lots of pressure washing around the building. They also painted several areas and cleaned several parts of the grounds. A 30th anniversary was both a celebration and a workday. On November 5, the lodge held an open house from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with tours and a history presentation and informa- tion about Freemasonry. Getting people there was easy, have a barbecue. They sold plates and delivered pre-sold Boston butts. A barbecue plate was $6.50, and the eight-pound butts were $25. Money raised was to go to lodge supported charities. The North Carolina Mason Spencer Spencer 543 and their Eastern Star Chapter celebrated their Thanksgiving covered dish din- ner November 22. They got to enjoy the new ta- bles and chairs given to the lodge by the Eastern Star. They handed out lodge awards: Ken Bean was named Mason of the Year, and Sam Krohn took Rookie of the Year honors. Hugh Williams, Tom Seay, and Charles Waller got Diamond Ju- bilee Awards for their 60 years Masonic mem- bership. Dan Hogue presented a program on Freemason Dr. Seuss. Spencer Lodge collected Toys for Tots this year. They brought in more than 100 toys for the holiday distribution handled by the US Marine Corps. The lodge made themselves known at the town of Spencer's Library Park Christmas tree lighting. They gave away more than 250 cups of hot chocolate to warm the hearts of citizens there for the holiday occasion. They were hold- ing an open house December 10 for visitors to come by. Santa was there for the kids. Spencer 543 continued their more than 35 years old tradition of giving fruit baskets to all the lodge widows. They's established a new calling system to keep members informed of all the events at their busy lodge. — On the Square and John Hatley South Mills New Lebanon 314 has hung gutters around their building. They were pleased with the results of their — Bobby Carmon and Eddie Ellis Fish Fry which raised money for the Masonic Home for Children. The lodge recently traveled to Virginia to visit Indian River Lodge. It was Crazy Tie Night there. Word is that Ben Stallings threat- ened to take the prize before being edged out by a lodge regular. — The Plumb Line Charlotte Charles M. Setzer 693 held their awards night December 3. Rob McDowell was named Mason of the Year for his "enthusiastic spirit for lodge activities and degree work" and revamping the lodge website. He also is sending out their electronic newsletter. To sweeten the pot at their November clean- — Hickory Lodge Mountain Masons in the Murphy Christmas parade. Murphy's Masonic float — Kinston.com by way of Lynn Hill MURPHY — Masons have been repre- sented in the Murphy Christmas parade for the last three years. Montgomery 426 and Marble Springs 439 entered the float this year. Their entry improves each year as they rethink and redesign. This year's edition moved the square and compasses and Christmas tree further forward on the float. They raised the tree further above the floor of the float. Chris Tomczak gave them Washington At Christmas, Orr 104 helped the Salvation Army by providing bell ringers for their kettle drive. The lodge also put a float in the Washing- ton Christmas Parade. — Doug Bennett Washington 675 held their Past Masters' and Ladies' Banquet November 11. William Robert Singleton's Veteran's Emblem was announced. The Redeemed Singers entertained, and Ric Carter was the speaker. Washington Lodge had a pork loin dinner fundraiser December 3. Gastonia November 11 was the night Gastonia 369 celebrated Past Master's Night. As it was Vet- erans Day, they also had a program from Cliff Hamm about the Last Man Club. — Rick Clanton Greensboro A clean up day was set for November 1 at the Greensboro Masonic Temple. Considerable cleaning was expected as a result of minor, but extensive projects around the building. In recent months, the temple has been sprucing up to bring their landmark facility back to its former glory. A dance recital was scheduled to use the auditorium in November. — Dillard Moss Lodges in the 23rd Masonic District partici- pated the Greensboro Christmas Parade De- cember 3. They have a district float that they have maintained for several years. — P. P. Turner Lodge Guilford 656 held their Awards and La- dies' Night October 15. Sports reporter Rich Brenner was the evening's speaker. Jetze Bou- ma was named the lodge Mason of the Year. Masons getting Diamond Jubilee Awards for 60 years membership were William Davis Har- ris, Jesse Howard Hill, Richard Wayne Jackson, James Lee Robinson, and George Clarence Smith Jr. Veteran's Emblems for 50 years mem- bership went to Fred Luther Mounce and Gor- don Neil Zane. Sixty guests attended. — The Trestle Board Gate City 694 was expecting to finish their WhiteStone decorating on December 2. They were helping get the holiday spirit showing at the Masonic retirement home. On December 3, they were doing their street litter pickup on Holden Road. — Gary Ballance The 30th skirting for the trailer to pretty things up. Derek Cheek and Royce Hughes loaned them the elec- trics needed to add strings of Christmas lights. They assemble the float on a trailer loaned by Richard Kilpatrick, and use his truck to tow it in the parade. Royce Hughes lets them use his facilities to build and store the float accoutre- ments. Homer Greer and his brother-in-law drove it in the parade for them this year. — Andy Liakos Statesville Masonic District sponsored the Statesville Christmas Parade this year. Harmony 299 member Al Jones coordinated. The lodges of the 30th District are Statesville 27, Olin 226, Lee 253, Harmony 299, Campbell 374, Grassy Knob 471, Mooresville 496, Snow Creek 571, Stony Point 593, and Mount Moriah 690. Statesville 27 calls the holiday season a "giv- ing back time." Honorary member Budd Im- mesberger got them involved with kettle drive bell ringing for the Salvation Army. Another group of volunteers delivered the poinsettias and fruit baskets to the lodge widows. Statesville Lodge's Al Gaylord manned the Santa float in the Christmas Parade. More than 50 people were on hand for Statesville 27's October 22 Ladies' and Past Masters' Night. It was a busy night. Kevin Combs received the J. C. Brown Award, and the Horizon Award went to Justin LaCount. Vet- eran's Emblems for Skyler Little and Reid Sum- mers were presented. Dave Gosnell presented a program on prison ministry. The lodge unveiled their grand master portrait of Lewis Ledford. Robert "Cotton" Morrison was later named the recipient of the Lon Shulenberger Award. Statesville's Fall Pancake Jamboree raised $1,500 for WhiteStone on what was termed a "very good turnout." The Spring Pancake Jamboree, which has been put on for years by Statesville 27 and Mount Moriah 690, is set of April 20–21. — The Joppa Informer Murphy Cherokee 146 held their annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Mainstreet Diner November 17. — Derek Cheek Pilot Mountain Pilot 493 awards a $500 scholarship each year to a local student. If performance allows, they are given another $500 for their second year. They collect year-round for the fund. Pilot Lodge sponsored a blood drive Novem- ber 28. Held at the nearby Methodist Church, they nearly made their goal by collecting 41 units with six deferrals. Ten Pilot Lodge widows attended the dinner to honor them. It was held at a local restaurant. Their recent barbecue fundraiser brought in more than $1,000. — The Pilot Mountain Traveler 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. up day, a special prize was offered to any mem- ber who brought in a newsletter with a certain phrase circled. Setzer Lodge's new Senior Warden Allan Mann is offering a reward for good attendance. They averaged just under 20 members per meet- ing last year. Mann vowed to pay $50 every time more than 25 members attended. Looking ahead, Setzer has a homecoming — Trestleboard set for July 14. Mint Hill 742 was planning to hold its Chili Cookoff on February 2. — Mint Hill Lodge Excelsior 261 held their Past Masters' and Awards Night November 7. Excelsior Lodge's officers have dubbed 2012 the Year of Renewal. — Trestle Board Black Mountain New Master Mike Dixon and the officers of Black Mountain 663 set their installation for Saturday afternoon December 3. They set it for a time that would let them adjourn in time to enjoy the Black Mountain's Christmas parade while they were in town. Black Mountain Lodge was collecting dona- tions through December 1 to buy gifts for the lodge widows. Raleigh James B. Green 735 Held their Past Masters' and Awards Night November 12. Green Lodge also held a clean up day De- cember 30. They were planning to spend no more than a couple of hours sprucing up in and around the lodge. — Dustin Tarditi Masters 754 held their "move ahead" night at their November stated. That's the night of- ficers get to try out their upcoming station for the coming year. — The Trowel Wallace Wallace 595 celebrated their 100th birthday in December. They issued special invitations to the lodge's widows and past masters. Junior Grand Warden Dalton Mayo was a special guest and speaker. Wallace Lodge offered their facility to Day- Spring Assisted Care last year as an evacuation site if emergency required such. The lodge re- cently renewed the agreement. Warsaw December 6 was Ladies' and Awards Night at Warsaw 677. Henry West got his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years membership. Jerry Nelson was presented his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years membership in the lodge. Warsaw Lodge's recent Pancake Breakfast earned 975 charity dollars. — Warsaw Lodge see STATE, page 5 — Newsletter — The Traveling Trowel Page 3 Ann Rau photo

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