The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2012

North Carolina Mason

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Page 8 The North Carolina Mason July/August 2012 First District Masons pull a fast one for charity the First Masonic District remind the world that Freemasonry is not about only quiet con- templation and self fulfillment. It can also be a raucous, dirt flinging, smoky display of power watched by families with coolers in oversized trucks, and young couples in tight jeans and camo, piercings, and tatts. Perquimans 106 promotes the event, but they enlist the rest of the lodges in the district to help make it happen. The profits they bring in, more than $11,000 last year, go to charities around the community. 2012 figures are not in yet, but In 2011, they gave $2,500 to the Food Bank of the Albemarle; $1,500 each to Perquimans County School Foundation and Elizabeth City Pasquo- tank Public School Foundation; $1,000 each to the School Foundations of Chowan, Gates, Camden, and Currituck counties; $1,000 to the Salvation Army; and $500 to Benjamin House. The 2012 pull happened June 1–2. Friday night, threatening weather kept the MORGANS CORNER — The Masons of Masonic hero gets rites at reburial tavern-keeper and general Jethro Sumner be- came one of the first Masons to call for estab- lishment of new governing body for Freemason- ry in North Carolina. He was speculating where North Carolina Masons might find the authority to charter lodges now that they had lost connec- tion with Grand Lodge of England. His ques- tions came during a meeting of Blandford-Bute Lodge (now Johnston Caswell 10). He died just a few years later, well before the founding of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. These days, although well-known to histori- GREENSBORO — In May 1782, retired By Ric Carter his remains, exposed by the wreck, were removed for safe keeping. Planning immediately began to replace his memorial and grave. Several organi- zations were contacted to participate in honor- ing the reinterment of this hero of the Revolu- tion. Greensboro Masons, the North Carolina Sons of the American Revolution, and the NC Society of the Cincinnati were enlisted to honor their brother. Phillip Bialek of Greensboro 76 helped organize the proceedings. At 11:00 a.m. May 30, a large contingent of ans, his name has not often been brought into Masonic discussions. At least not until March of this year when an auto accident in Greensboro destroyed his tomb at Guilford Courthouse Na- tional Military Park. The copper box containing In this issue of The NC Mason citizens gathered at the Battlefield and marched in procession from the visitor's center to Sum- ner's burial site. There, they gathered at the re- paired memorial. Representatives of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, the Episcopal see SUMNER, page 5 The annual tractor pull is popular with local youth. down to about 500, but the pull went on dry and otherwise unaffected. Saturday night though was a "make up for it crowd" when more than 2,300 folks came filling the grandstands and chairs in the back of pickups. According to First District Deputy Grand crowds Master Phil Johnson, "Perquimans Lodge 106 uses this event as the only fund raiser they have all year. They already meet or exceed the goal contributions ($25 per member) to our Masonic Charities each year, so all the proceeds go to sup- By Ric Carter port local charities in our local communities." Eight lodges brought more than 30 work- ers to make things move smoothly. You could spot the working Masons by their day-glo green t-shirts sporting a large square and compasses. There were cars to be parked, and a gate to be manned, and traffic to be directed through the see PULL, page 5 Nancy Perry signs autograph for a fan. page 1 Annual Communication coming September 21–22 Pig Jig brings thousands page 1 Seventh Annual PigJig draws thousands The Mason NORTH CAROLINA page 8 Revolutionary Mason Sumner reburied First District pulls for charity page 8 The First District held their tractor pull again On the cover There were a wide variety of cookers and styles seen at the Seventh Annual Car- olina Masonic Pig Jig in May. (Ric Carter photo) Annual Communication details JUL/AUG 2012 The North Carolina Mason The Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF&AM Oxford, North Carolina 27565 600 College Street CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG. AUTO U.S. POSTAGE OXFORD, NC 27565 PERMIT NO. 56 PAID David Duncan photo Ric Car ter photos

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