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 4 Oxford, North Carolina July/August 2016 see SIXTH, page 8 Ric Car ter photos Annual Communication is coming up September 23–24 in Winston-Salem — details begin on page 2. By Ric Carter HOOKERTON — On May 21, the weather looked sure for a good soaking in the immediate future. e previous several days had set the trend and soaked the ground. Still, the officers of Jerusalem 95 steeled themselves and proceeded with the Sixth Masonic Dis- trict's Second Annual Outdoor Degree. ey returned to a skeet shooting range in the countryside not too far from Hookerton. ere, at the end of a long farm path, past tylers posted to check traffic, their rustic lodge furni- ture was laid out in a large clearing in the woods. Tarps were staked out to cover much of the lodge floor to prevent daubing with untempered mud. e weather, though, was benevo- lent. e skies sported only a light and patchy cloud cover. Sixty-five Masons from around the region braved the fore- casts and enjoyed a cool, clear night of fellowship and outstanding ritual. Bethel 589 Master Greg Giles headed up a cook- ing team from his lodge. ey barbecued pigs to feed the attendees. A night of mystery for candidates in the Sixth The degree team prepares for the second section. To make sure they beat any weather interference, they started early, not long before sunset. Among those opening the lodge were Master Charlie Hall, Senior Warden Charles Chapman, Junior War- den J. K. Hall, Senior Deacon Johnny McLawhorn, Junior Deacon Ted Sauls, and Tyler Jordan Braswell. ey were mostly from Jerusalem 95. ey per- formed the first section of the degree on Greenville candidates Robert Tetterton for Bethel 589, and Rohan Parekh and Chad Van Etten for Crown Point 708. Jerusalem 95's J. K. Hall was the operative craftsman who created the outdoor lodge furnishings. As his lodge was hosting and is the oldest lodge in the district (chartered 1827), they wanted the outdoor degree to have a rural, antique flavor. Preparation room and entrance doors were set up in the field. ey came from a century-old The degree team is taking one last run-through of their floor work before the candidates are presented.

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