The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2017 The North Carolina Mason Page 11 TraveLinG the tar heeL state SHAWBORO – Hall #53 hosted its An- nual Oyster Roast on Feb. 11, continuing a tradi- tion that began Nov. 14, 1930 . According to the minutes, by 1933, the Oyster Roast was moved from late Fall to Spring and the lodge allowed expenses of $17.50 for the oysters and supplies. Today, a bushel of oysters costs more than $60. Seventy-five years ago, the brothers enjoyed a meal of steamed oysters but the selection is bigger now: fried oysters, steamed shrimp, fried fish, barbecue, cole slaw and other sides and desserts have been added to the menu. It's a family affair these days. Members, their families and friends enjoyed the perfect weather and all the oysters and sides they could eat. Pictured are Master Bennie Woods and Jr. Warden Scott Mathis enjoying steamed oysters. HAMPSTEAD -The brothers of Ashlar #765 flipped some pancakes, fried up some sausage and raised $1,142 in Febru- ary to benefit Boy Scout Troop #777 and Cub Scout Pack #270. Topping the meal off with some orange juice and coffee, each plate sold for $5. GATESVILLE – In January, Gates- ville #126 pulled double duty when the brothers hosted their annual blood drive at the Gates County Community Center. Not only did they work the blood drive, but due to the ice and snow, they also had to clear the side- walks and parking lot of the community center to allow donors to safely get to the site. Their hard work paid off. The drive attracted 50 donors, who gave a total of 43 productive units of blood. Master Tim Earley, left, and brother Abe Abramowski were among brothers manning the registration station. Greensboro Valley hosts one-day-only 'Letters' revue In 2010, Erinn Diaz founded Letters From Home in Winston-Salem, a move- ment designed to travel the country honoring U.S. veterans, active military heroes and their families and revive patriotism through music. It has toured more than 40 states. Diaz returns home July 7 for a one-day-only perfor- mance of Letters From Home: America's Bombshell Duo. e Greensboro Valley of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of e James W. Cortland Lodge of Perfection, is sponsoring the performance. All proceeds benefit the North Carolina RiteCare Hearing and Speech Clinics at Appalachian State University and East Caro- lina University. Diaz is also the founding artistic director of Spring eatre in Winston-Salem, is a published author and has been seen in more than 200 productions and movies. Diaz produced the show at the suggestion of her late father, Pat Dearth, a Coast Guard veteran. Joining Diaz is Courtney Groves from Minneapolis, MN, who joined LFH's Bombshell Duo Show in 2016. Tickets are $25 to $35and can be purchased at the Carolina eatre box office (336-333-2605) or online via www.Carolinaeatre. com. VIP Tickets are available for $100 and include a preshow Gala in the theatre's Renaissance Room, featuring wine from Stokesdale, NC's Stonefield Cellars Winery and a meet- and-greet with the cast.

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