The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2016 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 see next page Southern Pines On February 15, Southern Pines 484 celebrated Brother George Wash- ington's birthday. ey were serving a Colonial-style meal before the 21 st Masonic District's Colonial Degree team conferred a Fellow Craft Degree. e meal was ham, potatoes, and beans, capped off with (of course) cherry pie. ey also held a silver dollar raffle. Pro- ceeds of the raffle and donations for the dinner went to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford. Southern Pines Lodge hosted their Ladies' Night on February 12. e menu options featured stuffed flounder, beef medallions, and chicken parmesan. Southern Pines Lodge continues to host their Fellowship Breakfasts on first Saturdays. — Gene Maples Fayetteville e 17 th Masonic District held their ird Annual George Washing- ton Birthday Dinner on February 27. e regulars were joined by a few first- timers for the gathering at the Hilltop House Restaurant here. Herb Lynch presented the evening's program which shared some little-known aspects of Brother Washington's life. ey also shared special toasts. — 17 th Masonic District e famed Jim Hay Square and Compasses Luncheon is back. Hay held regular gatherings for years at Fort Bragg. ey are now meeting at 11:30 a.m. on third Tuesdays at the Fort Bragg Conference and Catering Center. — Derec Mercer Jim Medlin, of the Committee on Subordinate Lodge Special Activities, was a guest at Fort Bragg 667 on March 2. He was talking to them about fund- raising rules and regulations. Our rules have been tightened since an IRS audit a year ago. — John M. Hall Jr. Hope Mills Lebanon 391 has scheduled their Seventh Annual Golf Tournament for April 16 at Gates Four Golf Course in Fayetteville. In addition to awards for first through third places, they will offer door prizes as well as a special award for the last place team. e $75 entry fee includes greens fees, cart, and dinner. e field is limited to 132 golfers. — Lebanon Lodge Lebanon Lodge and their Eastern Star chapter held a Pancake Breakfast January 30. — Ken Wical Highlands Blue Ridge 435 recently repaired the siding on their building. Jim Shearon donated a Roomba robotic vacuum cleaner to the lodge — a volunteer who just needs regular recharging. — Trestleboard Union Grove e March stated at Grassy Knob 471 will feature Al Gaylord's Possum Chili. e second attraction on tap is a program on lodge etiquette from Past Grand Master Doug Caudle and Kevin Combs. — Tom Gregory Hickory In January, Hickory 343's Gene Walker was named co-worker of the month at the Hickory Police Depart- ment for exemplifying the department's "core values, especially accountability." —Hickory Police Department Durham Masons hold special visitation DURHAM — On February 25, members from two Prince Hall Lodges enjoyed dinner and fellowship before attending the stated communication of Fellowship 687. Shepard Memorial 840 (PHA) Master Rodney Bratcher visited and brought his Brothers Timothy Cherry, John Horton, Thomas Smith, Willie Harris, and William Johnson with him. Willie Thomas of Doric 28 (PHA) was also there. Fellowship 687 Master Joseph Hackett hosted the gathering along with other Fellowship members Michael Adcock, William Bailey, Paul Sprouse, Roger Cooke, Alfonso Piacentini, Allen Crawford, Charles Pless, Adam Shiflett, Michael Shiflett, Chad Bebout, and Bryan Reckless. — Michael Adcock Michael Adcock photo Jacksonville Knights of Solomon 766 were plan- ning an overnight trip to the Shriners Children's Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina for April 1–2. ey were expecting participation from the other two Knights of Solomon lodges, 764 and 768. All three Knights of Solo- mon lodges are affinity lodges for mo- torcycle enthusiasts. — Christopher Diederich Walnut Cove Walnut Cove 629 celebrated their centennial with a special dinner Janu- ary 19. — Homer Dearmin Cliffside Cliffside 460 was sponsoring a blood drive February 20. ey were serving breakfast to donors. David W. Philbeck of Hollis 535 was recently made an honorary mem- ber of Cliffside Lodge. — Firpo Epley Dobson Copeland 390 and Pete Carroll cel- ebrated Carroll's 100 th birthday by hav- ing him open and close the lodge at their January 14 stated communication. He was raised in 1960 and was master of Copeland Lodge in 1968. — Homer Dearmin Mount Airy Granite 322 held their Ham and Egg Breakfast fundraiser on March 12. e buffet was served from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Masonic Temple. — Homer Dearmin Candler Hominy 491 had their Pancake Breakfast set for April 2. ey were serving pancakes, eggs, and sausage to raise money for our Masonic Homes. — Hominy Lodge

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