The North Carolina Mason

The Mason NORTH CAROLINA Official Publication of e Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina Volume 141 Number 2 Oxford, North Carolina March/April 2016 see SIZEMORE, page 13 Bill Potts, John Baucom, and Jim White talk Masonry in the camp. OXFORD — Welcome to the new- ly dedicated Donald L. Sizemore Re- ception Lobby in St. John's Hall at the Masonic Home for Children. For more than 140 years, the admin- istration building has been the formal and symbolic front door of the Masonic Home for Children. is second build- ing on the same site has remained as the initial point of shelter for more than 15,000 children separated from their families, seeking comfort, support, and possibilities. It is fitting that this sin- gular spot be now chosen to recognize a person whose tireless, faithful years of service have supported more young souls, hopes, and dreams, at this place than any other in Home's history. In February, the lobby was dedicat- ed to Donald Sizemore in honor of his Home legend Sizemore honored more than four decades devotion to the Masonic Home for Children, and the young lives saved and cherished by him as he traveled across North Caro- lina serving as a guardian of children in need. At the ceremony of dedication, Size- more was accompanied by his son, two daughters, his wife Annette, and more than 160 friends to see the administra- tions building's lobby named for the man who led so many children through the gates of our Home. Oxford City Mayor Jackie Sergent brought a proclamation saluting the life's work of Sizemore and his impor- tance to not only the Masonic Home for Children, but to the City of Oxford. Don Sizemore and his family enjoy his recognition at the Home for Children. By Ric Carter NEW BERN — On Friday night, March 4, Kitty hollers during the eve- ning news, "Look, there's a Mason!" I look up from working on e NC Mason and startle, "Hey, I know him!" e fellow in the home-grown con- federate uniform with the square and compasses patch on the breast is talk- ing to the reporter about their plans for the weekend educating the public and having fun together. He's Jim White, Grantham 725's chaplain and also a member of St. John's 3. I know Jim for his fascination with history. He is a retired North Carolina educator who likes to study and write history. We listen to the news piece about the reenactment of the Battles of New Berne, billed as the largest-ever event of its kind in the area. ey were using the farmlands of Bellair Plantation outside New Bern. White helped organize the event, lending a hand with scripts for battle reenactments of the March 14, 1862 Battle of New Berne and the February 1, 1864 Battle Of Batchelder's Creek, and introducing expert speakers during public events. e next day, I visited the lively, if soggy, historical happening. With just a little searching we began to find some Masons who frequent these gatherings. We found some, and some found us. It is interesting that so many of the men who enjoy the reenacting hobby are also fans of Freemasonry. It is also convenient that the interest they share is one that would have also been shared by the men they emulate on the field of battle and in the tented camps distrib- uted around the fields of Bellair. see BELLAIR, page 8 Masons step back in time Ric Car ter photo

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