The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2012 TRAVELING THE The North Carolina Mason TAR HEEL STATE NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA'S LODGES By Ric Carter Hall 53 held its Eighth Annual Golf Tour- nament May 5. They played at Mill Run Golf Course in Moyock. It was four-man superball, 9:00 a.m. shotgun start. Shawboro — Hall Lodge newsletter. Gatesville Lodge hosted a Gates County The Compasses is Gatesville 126's new Gatesville Blood Drive January 4. They exceeded their quota by five pints. The lodge building has been spruced up in etery here. He found the grave of Thomasville 214's first initiate, George Lines. On May 19, seven members of the lodge visit- Royal Jarvis has been exploring the city cem- Thomasville Gatesville. The walls are now light blue with white trim. The floor is covered in a dark blue carpet. New tile has gone down in the prepara- tion room, kitchen, and restroom. Gatesville Lodge donated $1,000 to the Gates County Schools Foundation. It's the money they earned taking care of traffic at the Masonic Trac- tor Pull at Morgans Corner last year. — The Compasses their May 2 Annual Past Masters' Night. Twelve past masters were among the crowd of 40 who attended. Salem Lodge held a Saturday Third Degree Salem 289 enjoyed smoked rib eye steaks at Winston-Salem ed the city cemetery to do a little work for a long dead Mason and his family. Three graves of Wil- liam Hanna's family were in disrepair. The crew laid a new base for a fallen tombstone, reerected, and cleaned it. Hanna lived 1800–1870. Thomasville Lodge sponsored a softball tour- nament June 30 to benefit the Masonic Home for Children. The USSSA sanctioned tournament was held at Myers Park in Thomasville. It was an official qualifying event for the state title event in Men's Slow Pitch Church League. — Ashley Leonard Wayne Craddock headed up a committee or- ganizing a golf tournament at Fox Den Country Club on behalf of Statesville 27. The May 11 contest raised money to help with Relay for Life, the national drive to raise funds to fight cancer. Mark Carr made and sold quesadillas and put together corn hole games for the same event. — The Joppa Informer Statesville American Red Cross blood drive April 28. — Jack Barnett Nichols-West Asheville 650 was hosting an Asheville having already initiated 14 by mid-year. They've got their coaches working overtime. The lodge is having their first Fun Day Au- Mount Hermon 118 is blazing along this year gust 4 at Weaver Park in Merrimon. The lodge is furnishing the hot dogs and hamburgers. Mem- bers and their families are being asked to bring a covered dish and games. The Asheville Masonic Temple is having a clean up day every second Saturday. Recent work includes repairs needed after last summer's storms damaged the building. They hope to be completed by September. The Temple Board is also organizing Friends of the Temple group to help with events and fundraising. As for the variety of things going on at the a a member of Statesville 27, was given the Gov- ernor's Award for Excellence in November by Governor Beverly Perdue. The award is the high- est honor available for state employees and is given for "outstanding state government service." — The Steward Grand Treasurer Lewis R. Ledford (PGM), Temple here is the May schedule: May 4–6, Tan- go Gypsies; May 5, Enchanted Evening; 11–12, Electro Music; 12–13, Rummage Sale; 18, Play- back Improve Theater; 19, Garden Club Dinner; and 20, Ann Dunn Dance Recital. You could keep yourself entertained in Asheville without visiting anywhere other than the temple. — Trestle Board visited Pythagoras 249 on May 1 for a special privilege. He raised his grandson Josh Schrom. The new lift at Pythagoras was expected to be in operation July 1. City inspectors slowed the process some in making sure the system was up to snuff. Master Don Kelley was calling for a major Jim Ragan of Mt. Vernon 359 in Oriental, Southport Page 3 clean up inside and outside the lodge soon after everyone got the Independence Day celebra- tions out of the way. Their Annual Fish Fry raised $2,322 for the Masonic Home for Children. — Newsletter June 2, raising four new members. Two of the new Masons were lucky enough to have grand- fathers there to actually raise them. — The Salem Sentinel kids' programs. They have placed a nonperish- able food collection box that helps the Old Town World Academy's Back Pack program. The lodge's Masonic Youth Committee sponsored a steak dinner April 13 to raise money to help the local DeMolay and Rainbow Girls attend area meetings. They also concluded the 2012 edition of Bikes for Books. This year, they gave two bikes each to four elementary schools (plus one extra due to a tie). The program, which has given 43 students bikes over the last few years, rewards improved readers. Recent failure of a heating and air condi- Old Town 751 has recently reached out to Hamburgers were on the menu for both the Masonic Family teams. tioning unit at Old Town Lodge has set them to thinking about the future. Their emergency fund, built with a legacy gift to the lodge, al- lowed them to readily replace the unit. But with three other units in place, they are already re- building the fund to prepare for other repairs. James "Mac" Guill, a charter member of Old Sale June 30. They find it a "marvelous showcase for the Highlands community" and brag that "without a hint of exaggeration, these are the best hot dogs in the world!" Blue Ridge Lodge recently presented Mickey Blue Ridge 435 held a Main Street Hot Dog Highlands kitchen, their next big project is the entry hall. Excelsior planned a bus trip to Washington, Now that Excelsior 261 has finished its new Charlotte DC to visit the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. They were going in July when their lodge is usually dark. Coming up in October, they plan to have a Henry his 40-year membership award on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Florida. — Trestleboard Masonic prom. They are facing prom decisions involving food, entertainment, awards, decora- tions, and themes. Excelsior's website has been redesigned. It's a Town 751, recently got his Diamond Jubilee Award honoring his 60 years Masonic member- ship. District Deputy Grand Master John Cra- ven made the presentation. The lodge's pancake supper was held April 27 and their golf tournament April 28. — On the Level at Old Town Lodge as usual. On May 8, the Rainbow Girls fed the lodge in their annual fundraiser dinner. The lodge's chicken barbecue project was a "resound- ing success," selling 525 plates. They were host- ing an appreciation night for local law enforce- ment and fire fighters June 12. They scheduled three ice cream socials during the summer, one at the lodge (June 16) and one at each of the Masonic Homes (WhiteStone July 14 and MHCO August 18). The lodge's Annual Family Picnic was sched- James B. Green 735 is having a busy year, Raleigh The Shrine Marlins with Shrine Club President J. T. Tharrington and the Corinthian Lodge Athletics with Past Master David Mosley. Brotherly competition On May 29, the two teams went head to head. Who won? They both did. It was a great afternoon of playing ball and, afterward, getting together for a cook- ROCKY MOUNT — Ever cheer for both teams? Corinthian 230 and the Rocky Mount Shrine Club each sponsor a kids league baseball team here. out as one big family. It was a great turnout, with about 60 people, ball players, moms, dads, brothers, and sisters as the two teams were shown the connection between the Shrine and the Masonic Lodge. This was the fourth year the two groups have sponsored teams, showing community involvement and support, as well as showing that support can be fun. — Barry Mitchell 104 and Washington 675 to visit for their Mas- ter Mason Degree May 19. In May, Orr Lodge chose Brandon Samuel Hiram 11 (PHA) invited members of Orr Washington uled for the Wake County Shrine Club July 21. They were serving hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, and homemade ice cream. There were to be games supplied by DeMolay and country music playing for the day. They raised their new shed on June 9. Green Lodge is a studious lot. They were talking about getting involved in the North Carolina Masonic Pig Jig held in Raleigh each year. Rather than just jump into it, this academic bunch set about apprenticing and in- vestigating. They signed on to help and learn from the veteran team at Rolesville 683. Ac- cording to their newsletter, Jerry Rose "learned many valuable secrets that make him a cunning worker in pork. We are still bearers of burden, however, and our path ahead is still long, but one day we will be able to wear our cooking aprons flowing free, and have the distinguished honor of being Master Barbecue Masons." — The James B. Green Scene The 7:00 a.m. rendezvous at the lodge was to do heavy cleaning and some repair. There was lots of work to be done on the gutters with a full cleaning, some repair, and downspout ex- tensions. They were pressure washing the kitch- en floor and grills. They were carting off all the clutter that had accumulated in the back. — Gary Cooke June 30 was a work day for West Gate 738. Paw Creek Adams to receive their $500 scholarship. Adams was a student at Southside High School. Orr 104 held two clean up days in May, one Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament is set for August 11 at the Pinewild Country Club in Pinehurst. Southern Pines 484 holds the event to raise money for the scholarships they pres- ent local students each year. They also used the April 28 Springfest celebration to hold a fun- draiser breakfast and lunch. Thanks to stepped up advertising, they sold a record number of meals this year. Southern Pines Lodge's 1916 building is now The Ninth Annual R. C. Yoder Memorial Southern Pines sporting a new brick walk and plaque commem- orating the 1897 founding of the lodge. Recent education programs at Southern Pines Lodge include retired Marine Peter Dot- to's views on the nation's future and Chief Dep- uty Neil Godfrey on how the Moore County Sheriff 's Office works. Jim McKee recently donated his Masonic books to the lodge for use in their reference library. promises menu at Robbinsville 672 on May 8. Bet it was good, though. Poorman's potluck was the really vague, no — Derek Cheek Robbinsville — The Trestle Board for the grounds and one for the secretary's office. — Doug Bennett and Ty Carter that will go to a Clayton High School senior each year. The first one was awarded to Will Greene. Granite 191 has established a scholarship Clayton — David Ellis Jerusalem 95 presented Leroy Whitfield his Diamond Jubilee saluting his 60 years as a Mason. DDGM Bennie Heath performed the honors. Endowed members of Jerusalem Lodge were being asked to wear coat and tie to the June 12 meeting of the lodge. They were having their pic- tures made for a new display planned for the lodge. — The Jerusalem Journal Hookerton Bluegrass Festival May 5. The free event lasted for much of the Saturday afternoon. They make money by selling food and drinks at the festival. — Bruce Rawls Roseboro 585 held it annual Gospel and Roseboro sonic District, District Deputy Grand Master David Ellis informed the membership that ev- ery lodge in the district appointed a Finance and Budget Committee and had prepared a budget and examined the books of their lodges. Each Lodge in the district has received at least In his report to the lodges of the 16th Wilson Ma- one petition in the past year with several receiving five or more. He also reported that the District Funeral Committee was working well. Within the last 12 months, each funeral they helped with had more than 20 aproned Masons attending. — David Ellis periodic necessity for nearly all web sites. They were performing their street clean up — Trestle Board May 12. the charities this year. Their recent raffle of a beach vacation brought in $2,300 for the Ma- sonic Home for Children. Megan McGivney won the stay in the beach cottage shared with the lodge by Richard and Rose Thompson. Also to benefit the Home for Children is the sale of coupon books. They offer discounts at various sorts of businesses around the community. Setzer Lodge was holding their Homecom- ing/Open House July 13. The Saturday after- noon event was to enjoy each other's company and to invite friends who might be interest- ed in joining the lodge. Ten days later, they were joining their neighbors at the Montclair Home Owners Association party. They were setting up a table there to acquaint the neigh- bors with the lodge. The local DeMolay Chapter there has been Charles M. Setzer 693 has been working for reactivated. Alan Simpson and John Trail are securing help from around the 32nd District. Their first initiation was expected in late June. Setzer Master Allan Mann promised to Masonic pay $50 to the lodge each time they surpassed 25 members at a meeting this year. He has since upped the ante to $100 each time 40 or more attend. They had dinner and a show with Joe Edwards performing. communication June 12. To add special enjoy- ment to the occasion, David Ludlow was pre- senting a program on the bagpipe and its re- lationship with Freemasonry. He was to play a short recital including a number of Scottish Masonic tunes. Derita 715 was celebrating their 700th stated — Derita Lodge see STATE, page 5 If your lodge has a newsletter for its members, make sure The North Carolina Mason is on your mailing list. Lodge newsletters are a major source of news for Masons around the state. If you don't have one, think about starting one. Newsletters are a good way to keep your mem- bers active, happy, and informed. Phalanx 31 held a charity benefit June 16. — Mint Hill Lodge — Trestleboard

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