The North Carolina Mason

Page 12 The North Carolina Mason May/June 2017 TraveLinG the tar heeL state SPENCER – About 150 brothers attended this year's second annual Railroad Degree at the North Carolina Transportation Museum at Spencer. The afternoon started off with BBQ sandwiches and a silent auction, followed by a train ride around the historic museum to the roundhouse. Then Spencer Lodge 543 began the Railroad Degree in the roundhouse with Spencer #543 Master WB John Ogden was in the East for the first section of the degree; Past Grand Masters MWB Bryant Webster was in the East for the second section and Past Grand Master MWB Dewey Preslar was on the degree team. Congratulations to the candidate, Brother Marvin Rogers, who worked for the railroad. ASHEBORO – Asheboro #699 sponsored a community meal at the Randleman First United Methodist Church in April. The "Your Place at the Table" community outreach meals are offered bi-monthly by vari- ous civic and community organizations to citizens in need of a meal and some fellowship. The lodge served more than 200 barbecue meals at the table and nearly as many take-outs. Since its inception, over 6,000 meals have been served. In all, 24 brothers participated by cooking, preparing plates and serving guests in this opportunity to give back to their community. irty-six leaders graduated May 6 from Wilk- erson College, a leadership school for Masons spon- sored jointly by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Orient of North Carolina and the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. Wilkerson's mission is to provide Freema- sonry with the best trained leaders possible. Students learn about the origins and traditions of Freemasonry, budgeting, lodge operations and membership services. It is the goal of Wilkerson College to provide each student with a well-rounded exposure to the tools needed to be a confident, effective leader in his lodge, the fraternity, and in his community. Instructors are recognized Masonic leaders in whose life Freemasonry plays a vital part. Sessions are scheduled at or near our Masonic charities: the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, and WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community in Greensboro. A session also is held at or near the Grand Lodge office in Raleigh. Partici- pants tour all three facilities. Interested in more information? Check out www. wilkersoncollege.com. "ere are those who believe we face a leadership crisis in just about every walk of life. From stations and places of religious and political activity to homes all across America, we need both men and women to step up to the responsibilities of leadership without fear and without trying to make excuses for how we fall short," Grand Master Gene Cobb said in his address to the graduates. "Every human being, so we say, has a claim upon God's kind offices. As graduates of Wilkerson College you have committed yourself to: seek excellence; never underestimate your leadership and stay focused; living up to the highest standards; time and financial obligations. "What you do with it is entirely in your hands now. What miracle will you make? Wilkerson College graduates new class

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