The North Carolina Mason

Page 12 The North Carolina Mason January/February 2016 STATE, from previous Statesville As has become tradition, Statesville 27's master chooses a theme for his year in office. For 2016, Duane Smyth's theme will be "Quality Masonry for Quality Masons." He is striving to pro- vide an "enriching and fulfilling lodge experience." He goes on to say "Our members deserve quality Masonic pro- grams, well-organized meetings, profi- cient degree work, well-planned meals, and abundant fellowship… [which] will generate improved attendance and cre- ate buzz in our lodge." Santa visited the Statesville Lodge Breakfast Fundraiser in December. ey raised more than $300 for charity. e lodge also honored the memory of Budd Immesberger by ringing the Red Kettle bell for the Salvation Army on December 8. e lodge is asking members to donate unused pots and pans for the lodge kitchen. January 8 was the date of the Annual Masonic Blood Drive. ey were hold- ing it at the Statesville Civic Center. — e Joppa Informer High Point High Point Mayor William S. Ben- cini Jr. and the High Point City Council proclaimed December 14, 2015 Free- masonry Day. It was declared in honor of the 140 th anniversary of the charter- ing of Numa F. Reid 344 in 1875. — Murray Skeen Members of Numa F. Reid 344 worked two-hour shifts December 18 ringing the bells for the Salvation Army Kettle. It's a project the lodge has helped with for several years. At their recent Awards Night, Numa F. Reid Lodge presented Del Guthrie and George Lowe their Diamond Jubi- lees for their 60 years as a Mason. For his 50 years, Bruce Simmons was given his Veteran's Emblem. en Grand Master Douglas Caudle made the pre- sentations. — Michael Rinehardt Concord On November 14, Concord 32 held their Annual Casino Night. It was also the occasion of their rifle raffle. All pro- ceeds are destined for Masonic charities. Concord Lodge held their third blood drive of 2015 on November 21. eir goal was twenty donors. —omas A. VanEtten Holly Springs e town had their Christmas Pa- rade December 12. e Holly Springs 115 was in the thick of things, march- ing in the parade as well as having a Brunswick Stew Fundraiser. — John Dullaghan Hickory Hickory 343 hosted a dinner for five needy families December 5. e holiday tradition includes a homemade meal for the families as well as gifts. Santa even made an appearance for the little ones. — Hickory Lodge Greensboro Sophia 767 hosted Prestonian Lec- turer Ric Berman January 9 at the Greensboro Masonic Temple. — Doug Calhoun DeMolays held a Game Night Over Night at the Greensboro Masonic Temple December 12. e kids were bringing snacks, sleeping bags, and gaming consoles. — Blake Brown WhiteStone held their first Silent Auction to benefit the community's Food and Toy Drive and Employee Ap- preciation Fund on December 11. — Gary Ballance Howard Coble, 30-year United States Representative of the Sixth con- gressional district, died November 3. Coble was a member of Guilford 656. At the request of the family, the lodge conducted a Masonic funeral at the family's private graveside service. —Chester Holder Gate City 694 held a Steak Dinner Fundraiser November 7. Money raised was for the benefit of the MESH Foundation. — Gary Ballance Carthage Carthage 181 was holding barbe- cued chicken fundraiser on October 16. — GeneMaples Kinston On December 6, Richard Caswell 705 held a memorial service for area Masons who passed away last year. — e Jerusalem Journal Atkinson Grand Master Bryant Webster vis- ited Atkinson 612 December 28. ey were celebrating their 100 th anniversary. — Phillip White Princeton e new basketball court at Prince- ton High School has been named for St. Patrick's 617 member Raymond Sugg. e Princeton native coached basketball and baseball there throughout the 1950s, with winning records in both. He joined the lodge in 1961. — Brent Evans Smithfield Fellowship 84 held their Past Mas- ters' and Ladies' Night November 5. e cost was $20 per person. — Grover Dees Mount Gilead Blackmer 127 held their Annual Ladies' Luncheon on November 1 at a local restaurant. Several dozen lodge members and ladies heard a presenta- tion on Montgomery County's name- sake Richard Montgomery. — S. A. Campbell Thomasville e gun raffle at omasville 214 earned $1,900 for the Masonic Home for Children. Phil Younts and Bill Wil- son were the winners. — Trestle Board Salisbury e Annual Masonic Blood Drive was held January 8 at the Salisbury Masonic Temple. — Steve Schenk Gastonia Gastonia 369 has moved most of its lodge communication to members to email and a telephone calling tree. — e Trestle Board King Solomon 704 member Harry M. Bryant and his wife Ruby celebrat- ed their 73 rd wedding anniversary on January 14. — e Plumb Line Marshville At Beaver Dam 279's Awards Night, James Hamilton was presented his Dia- mond Jubilee for his 60 years of lodge membership. Veteran's Emblems went to Jack Coley, Warren reat, Bunn Pierce, and John Pigg for their 50 years as Masons. — Hal Dunlap Walnut Cove Walnut Cove 629 was celebrating their centennial on January 19. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge Cary November 6 was the date for Cary 198's annual Fall Barbecue. Plates were ten dollars, eat-in or take-out. — Ben Oaks Jr. Fayetteville Phoenix 8 holds a monthly Fellow- ship Breakfast at 8:00 a. m. on first Saturdays. — 17 th Masonic District Mystic Tie honors past secretary Clapp MARION — Theophilus Walton Clapp Jr. was secretary for Mystic Tie 237 from 1976 through 1989. When the lodge celebrated their 150 th birthday December 7, they announced their honoring of that service with a Secretary of Distinction award. Clapp is seen here, center, with his son, Grand Secretary T. Walton Clapp III, left, and Grand Master Bryant Webster, right. — Walt Clapp

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