The North Carolina Mason

January/February 2016 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 see next page Grimesland Grimesland 475 held their Annual Ladies' Night December 4. Fifty-five people attended the fun at Ephraigm Smith's Pig Palace. Roger Mills and Kenneth Ross got their Veteran's Em- blems there to recognize their 50 years as Masons. e lodge's second Annual Pan- cake Supper was successful. ey raised $2,700 for Masonic charity. When S. A. Paramore, part of a four-generation family in Grimesland Lodge, passed away October 23, the lodge decided to do a special memorial to him. ey started a fund to replace the lodge's officer aprons and clean their funeral aprons. — e Grimesland Gavel Spruce Pine Vesper 554 has been having a dis- cussion on the cost of Masonry. ey started with a proposal to raise their petition for the degrees fees to $160. ey talked about making petitioners more aware of the financial commit- ments to Masonry, for dues as well as the charity commitments we also make. ey also talked about good candidates who might not be able to afford the fees. ey all agreed that in that case there were members of the lodge who would help financially. Overall, the discussion hoped that an increased fee might help "encourage the commitment of an applicant." At Vesper Lodge's January 7 stated communication, Frank Donald Magee, C. J. Higgins, Charlie Gordon Epley, and Tom Calloway were presented their Veteran's Emblems for their 50 years membership. e widows of Vesper 554 had Christmas poinsettias delivered to them in December. — Newsletter Hookerton Jerusalem 95 held their Ladies' Night October 16. During the meeting, Leroy Whitfield was presented an award for his 60 years as a certified lecturer. On hand for the presentation was Grand Master Doug Caudle, Past Grand Mas- ter Dalton Mayo, Junior Grand Deacon Mack Sigmon, and Board of Custodi- ans Secretary David Potts. e economic director at the Greene County manager's office is helping the lodge find a tenant for their commer- cial building in town. — e Jerusalem Journal Winston-Salem Old Town 751 delivered fruit bas- kets to the lodge's widows on Decem- ber 19. e crew distributed about 40 baskets after the volunteer crew enjoyed breakfast together. Old Town Lodge's long-time Secre- tary Scott Horn was elected a life mem- ber of the lodge in December. Life mem- berships exempt a member from paying dues and honor service to the lodge. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Kernersville While the new Masonic Center in Winston-Salem has been under con- struction, the lodges based there have been the guests of several lodges around the area. Salem 289 has been meeting at Kernersville 669. As completion of the new center approaches, Salem Lodge has given Kernersville Lodge an in- frared gas grill as a gesture of their ap- preciation for the hospitality they have enjoyed. — e Salem Sentinel Waxhaw If your kids or grandkids needed pancakes and an audience with Santa, Waxhaw 562 was the place to be De- cember 18. at evening, they brought their children by to enjoy the jolly old elf. Donations to our charities were welcomed. — Richard Shields Southern Pines On November 7, Southern Pines 484 held a Breakfast for Heroes. ey were feeding veterans before the town's Veteran's Day Parade. Southern Pines Lodge is continuing their First Saturday Breakfasts this year. For some good fellowship, come by the lodge at 8:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month. — Gene Maples Eureka! It's a big screen! OXFORD — On December 12, members of Eureka 317 in Elizabeth City trav- eled to the Masonic Home for Children here. They went to deliver one of the things from the Home's wish list — a 65-inch television for use in the gymnasium. The gift was funded mostly by the fellowship breakfast the lodge started last year. The lodge picked up the rest of the cost. The breakfasts are held on the third Saturday of each month at the lodge. The event is open to friends and family. — Paul Miller Bryson City Oconee 427 held their Country Breakfast Fundraiser on December 5. — Warren Saks Kenansville St. John's 13 raised $600 with their pancake breakfast November 7. at was one of the sources the lodge used last year to put money in their char- ity fund. From that fund, they sent $1,000 each to the Masonic Home for Children, the MESH Foundation at WhiteStone, and the North Carolina Masonic Foundation. Charles Taylor, Raymond Turner, and Chad Phillips delivered the lodge's fruit baskets to shut-in members and lodge widows. — Lodge Log Charlotte e University of North Carolina- Charlotte men's basketball team invited Masonic groups to their January 23 game against Western Kentucky. ey offered them discounted tickets and were to recognize all attending groups during the game. — Trestle Board Derita 715 held their regular Fish Fry Fundraiser at the Mallard Creek Community House on November 6. You could eat in or take out for ten dol- lars a plate. ey even had homemade desserts. — Jay Frechette West Gate 738's 11 th Annual Toy Ride was held December 5. e ride ran from the lodge on Bellhaven Bou- levard to the Metrolina Shrine Club on Brookshire Boulevard. Participants were bringing cash or gift cards for the Masonic Home for Children. Richard Murawa has taken over West Gate Lodge's Guardian Angel program. It makes sure the lodge keeps up with their widows and offers them help when needed. — News From the West and Gary Cooke On November 22, Masons from Phalanx 31, West Gate 738, Knights of Solomon 764, and Metrolina Shrine Club carried 50 kids and their chaper- ones to the Carolina Panthers/Wash- ington Redskins football game. ey were feeding the kids before and after the game and getting them souvenirs of the game. — Gary Cooke Elkin Elkin 454 presented service awards late last year. Fred Norman got his Dia- mond Jubilee for 60 years membership. Veteran's Emblems for 50 years in the lodge went to Leon Reece, E. J. Grims- ley, Neil Finger, and Burr Hutchison. — Tommy Wheeler Hallsboro e Annual Masonic Pheasant Hunt is scheduled for Honey Hill Hunting Re- serve on February 13. Proceeds are going to the Masonic Home for Children. — James Britt New Bern Knights of Solomon 766 partici- pated in the New Bern Harley Ride to the Kennedy Home for Children on November 28. They enjoyed a meal while there. — Johnny Surles

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