The North Carolina Mason

September/October 2012 dition of excellence," says Mark Kolada, Executive Director of WhiteStone. "As a senior living pioneer, we remain committed to leading the way in Greens- boro. We're meeting the high demand for new resi- dences with our expansion, and our enhanced com- mon areas are enabling us to continue developing a community that provides an active and fulfilling lifestyle for today's seniors." In fact, WhiteStone won the 2012 National Association of Home Build- ers "Best of 50+ Housing" Silver Award. The architect on WhiteStone's expansion project "We are proud to carry forward our 100-year tra- was AG Architecture, a Wisconsin-based firm with 40+ years of experience in innovative senior living design. Interiors were handled by Spellman Brady & Company out of St. Louis, Mo., a nationally recog- nized interior planning and design firm that special- izes in health care, higher education and senior living. All non-fraternal guests of WhiteStone are full payers for their services. The income from them helps control and underwrite the care of our fraternal brothers and sisters who are in need of financial assistance. Your donations also help. District Picnic at Harmon Field in Tryon Au- gust 18. Members of all the area Masonic bodies were invited to come and bring family and pro- spective members along to enjoy the fun. — Dunn's Rock Lodge The 38th Five teams played in Thomasville 214's USS- SA sanctioned slow pitch softball tournament. The winners qualified for a spot in the upcom- ing state tournament. Money raised went to the Masonic Home for Children. They hope to make it an annual event. The lodge had a workday planned for July 14. — Trestle Board Thomasville chael Wilson had the pleasure of raising both his sons, Alex Joseph and Eric Michael. They were shooting for 100 units. — Daniel Van Liere Warsaw Greenville 284 held a blood drive August 18. Greenville The Duplin County Masonic Blood Drive was being hosted by Warsaw 677 on August 14. They were supplying four or five volunteers to help with registration and assisting donors. The 11th District sponsors the event each year. During their recent yard sale, the lodge raised more than $100 for the local Boy Scouts. — Warsaw Lodge On July 25, Mount Vernon 143 Master Mi- Bonlee — Glenn Dunn Masonic District was to hold the Tryon night from Friday to Thursday, second Thurs- days. Fridays will be reserved for degrees. — Trestleboard Gastonia 369 has changed their meeting Though suffering increasing costs, the same as other lodges across the state, Dunn's Rock can at least take some solace in the reduced consump- tion their new furnace/boiler is bringing them. — Dunn's Rock Lodge Brevard to have souvenirs of your lodge available for lodge members and visitors. Southern Pines 484 sells vinyl decals as well as limited edi- tion coasters. The lodge's Ninth Annual R. C. Yoder Me- A great way to raise money for lodge use is Southern Pines morial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament was set for August 11. — The Trestle Board Selma 320 is holding their annual golf tour- nament October 19. — Sixteenth District News Selma fast on July 14. Proceeds were for our Homes in Greensboro and Oxford. Clay 301 was to hold their Pancake Break- — Derek Cheek Hayesville interesting gift. On his recent trip to Israel, he found a ceramic tile with a square and compasses and Jerusalem emblazoned upon it. He brought it home for his lodge. — The Jerusalem Journal Stanley Lucas has given Jerusalem 95 an Hookerton STATE, from page 3 Gastonia money for the charities. They were launching sales July 4 at the Independence Day parade in Southport. The drawing of the winner was set of Labor Day. Oak Island 758 was raffling a gun to raise Oak Island —Bobby Carmon raiser for the Masonic Home for Children dur- ing China Grove's July Farmers Day. They were selling ham biscuits in the morning and ham- burgers and hot dogs the rest of the day. — Jason Whitley Perquimans 106 made Elmer "Bean" Butt an honorary member this past spring. Hertford — Paul Gregory Masonic District's traveling gavel to St. Pauls 474. — Chad Eason Lebanon 207 recently handed over the 18th Whiteville Annual Widows' Banquet October 6. The lodge Homecoming is scheduled for No- Lexington Memorial 473 was to hold its 67th Lexington vember 1. Oyster stew will be served. It's their first try at the event, and they will consider mak- ing it a yearly happening. — Tommy Jolly Breakfast July 21. The do a six-dollar all you can eat buffet. Proceeds go to the Masonic Home for Children. Cannon Memorial 626 held their Charity Kannapolis — Thomas Van Etten Eureka 283 was holding their annual fund- China Grove The North Carolina Mason WHITESTONE, from page 1 Page 5 $90,000 stolen from lodge said, "Trust, but verify." It is a message we as Ma- sons should remember. Take the case of Horse Creek 719 here in Columbus. For several years, the lodge Audit Commit- COLUMBUS — Ronald Reagan famously By Ric Carter member of the Scottish Rite. They eventually settled for incomplete records and photocopied bank statements for their audits. Eventually, suspicions grew that something Degree tee was frustrated with the poor cooperation and records of long-time treasurer Tony Grigg. But, he was a trusted Brother, twice a past master, a certified lecturer, Past DDGL, and a 33rd was awry. Investigations by the lodge officers discovered that more than $150,000 of lodge money was missing. They removed Grigg's abil- ity to access accounts and hired a forensic accoun- tant who once worked for the SBI. He found $60,000 of the lodge money in an account of which the lodge had no knowledge. He dis- covered that Grigg has been paying personal bills with lodge checks for several years. The report of the forensic audit was that about $90,000 was yet unaccounted for. The report was carried to the local sheriff Grigg and district attorney. When questioned by po- lice in mid-June, Grigg confessed. They brought 21 charges including felony corporate malfea- sance, felony embezzlement, and felony obtain- ing property by false pretenses. The charges stem from violations occurring from 2006 through 2012. Within a few days, Grigg was arrested during a routine Highway Patrol traffic stop. He was placed in the Polk County jail. Before his August trial, he was persuaded to plead guilty to seven felony counts and sign an agreement of repayment that would put the lodge high on the list of those claiming his as- sets in any civil actions including his personal bankruptcy. In exchange for the agreement, the lodge refrained from taking any position at his sentencing hearing. The move was made to max- imize the recovery of lodge funds. On September 1, Grigg was sentenced to five to six months in the county jail and 24 months of supervised probation. He received credit for the time he has already served. As of this writing, he has not been released since his June arrest. The 54-year-old Grigg was treasurer from 2001–2012. He was expelled by Judge Advocate Jimmy Stevens July 17 based on his confession to local police. Lodge does all night Relay KANNAPOLIS — Cannon Memorial 626 made their first all nighter for the Relay for Life earlier this year. This time they actually marched instead of just donating to a team as they have the past few years. Lodge members George Maxwell, David Maxwell, Richard Sec- oolish, Randy Hill, Thomas Van Etten, Harold Koontz, Jerry Tucker, and Chris Everhart were joined by friends and family Carol Maxwell, James Secoolish, Randy Toledo, Joshua Adcock, and Myra Jean. There were hot wing eating competitions, zumba lessons, locks of love haircuts, and much more which were enjoyed by the participants. The Kannapolis event brought in $30,000 this year. Cannon Memorial Lodge plans to lose sleep over cancer again next year. — Thomas Van Etten Home enjoys degree work GREENSBORO — On May 8, Cannon Memorial 626 vis- ited WhiteStone. With a dispensation from Grand Lodge, they held an emergent communication to initiate a new candidate. WhiteStone residents Bob Keiffer, Ray Coulter, Calvin Burr, Jack Gunkle, Paul Walter, Hurley Cates, Harvey Boyotte, and Cliff La- mere attended the degree in their Home. Together they brought more than 500 years Masonic membership to the meeting. Traveling from Cannon Memorial Lodge with candidate Chris Everhart, were George Maxwell, David Maxwell, Dalton Jordan, Richard Secoolish, Randy Hill, Thomas Van Etten, Johnny Furr, Ken Davis, Joe Goodnight, Harold Koontz; and Bobby Puckett from Stokes 32. — Thomas Van Etten Midgett earns 60 BUXTON — Hatteras 698 recently presented Theodore Stockton "Stocky" Midgett his Diamond Jubilee award for 60 years Masonic membership. His son Ted Jr. made the presenta- tion. Stocky is a charter member of Hatteras Lodge as well as past master and past district deputy grand master. Twelve past masters and three past district deputy grand masters were among those who attended the awards dinner. Seen here, from left, are, Senior Deacon Jay Hardin, Stocky Midgett, Ted Midgett, and Master Chris Tenpenny. — Mahlon Williams McWhirter Godwin Drake Britt Mint Hill's big year Little MINT HILL — Back in May, Mint Hill 742 held a steak dinner and presented service awards to a large group of their members. Fifty-five guests were on hand for the lodge's larg- est awards night ever. Lodge Master Robert Johnston pre- sented the recognitions. Marshal Little was the senior winner receiving his Diamond Pritchard Wallace Smith Black Jubilee for 60 years membership. Veteran's Emblems for 50 years membership went to Judson Britt, Fredrick Smith, William Mc- Whirter, Thomas Pritchard, G. T. Godwin, Charles "Bud" Wal- lace, William Black, and Joel Drake. — Peter Larsen Ric Car ter photos

• Cover