The North Carolina Mason

Page 8 of Charlotte gave the North Caro- lina Zoo $12,000 to purchase C'sar, its first elephant, all the way back in 1978. Recently, Mr. Mercer made a return trip to Asheboro to see "his" elephant for the very first time since the young elephant, then a mere four feet tall at the shoulder and weighing 1,600 pounds, arrived at the zoo. In this picture, he holds a photograph taken of baby C'sar shortly after the elephant's arrival. The adult C'sar, now 11 feet tall and tipping the scales at nearly 12,000 pounds, stands in the background. The elephant re- cently made the news for undergoing successful cataract surgery. Mercer and his family were able to see and feed the elephant in an off- exhibit holding area. C'sar was given the shortened name of the company Mercer owned in 1978, Contractors Service and Rentals. While we applaud Mr. Mercer's ASHEBORO — Angus Mercer By Renee Wright generous donation that has brought pleasure to many thousands of chil- dren and other zoo-goers, there is something sort of sad about this story. Don't let 30+ years go by before you make the trip to Asheboro to see the N.C. Zoo, one of the state's most wonderful treasures. It's really a lot closer than you think. Duplin County native Mercer has been a Mason since 1978 and is a member of Phalanx 31. Home for Children at Oxford at 11:30 p.m. the night before my interview with the selec- tion committee. I had traveled several hours and had few hours of sleep. As I turned through the front gates, I first noticed the soft light il- luminating the circle drive. As I drove slowly through the campus, I caught myself saying, "Oh my," over and over. I simply couldn't believe the beauty, resources, trees, and pristine groom- ing of the Home. I am still in awe of the facil- trator at our Masonic Home for Children. We share with you here his first impressions of the Home and his view of its future at this point in time. I first arrived on the campus of the Masonic Editor's Note: Kevin Otis is the new adminis- In this issue of The NC Mason ity with which the Masons have graced North Carolina to provide a home, safety, and future of hope for nearly 140 years. I continue to be amazed at the resources available to develop the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford into the pre- miere child welfare agency befit- ting the support, history, and lov- ing care the Masons have provided and continue to provide. Very soon, I realized the fantas- The North Carolina Mason Mercer visits an old friend September/October 2012 Oasis Shriner new imperial potentate nelius, North Carolina was elected and installed imperial potentate of Shriners International at the Shriners 2012 Imperial Session July 1–5 in Charlotte. As the highest ranking Shriner in the world, Madsen is president of the Board of Trustees of Shriners International and Chair- man of the Board of Directors for Shriners Hos- pitals for Children. Al is a native of Manistee, Michigan and CHARLOTTE — Alan W. Madsen of Cor- By Wes Lefler a graduate of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The 71-year-old took his Masonic degrees in 1982. Madsen is a mem- ber of Excelsior 261 in Charlotte and for three years served on the Grand Lodge Committee for Finance. He is a member of both the Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies in Charlotte. He joined Oasis Shriners in 1981 and was appointed to the Oasis Divan in 1992. In 2000 he was elected Oa- sis potentate, and two years later he was elected to the Imperial Divan as outer guard. The new Imperial Potentate has been execu- tive editor of the Oasis Desert Dust, a member of the Oasis Marching Patrol, captain of the Patrol Color Guard, and director of the Royal Order of Jesters Court 109. In his non-Shrine related life, Al is a member Imperial Potentate Al Madsen full time to Masonic and Shrine responsibilities. The Madsens have two adult children, Paul, Thoughts on your Masonic Home for Children at Oxford By Kevin Otis, Administrator of the Advisory Board of United Carolina Bank and the Branch Bank and Trust Corp. He is also a member of the development Board of Central Michigan University. In 1975, he and his wife Jan Madsen estab- lished Corporate Personnel Consultants, Inc., and in 1998 they sold their company to devote tic facility and the potential it offers for the fu- ture were second to the greatest resources at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford — the people. Initially, I was impressed with the board by the staff. The talent and dedication of the staff assembled at the Home are impressive, and it is an honor to be part of this incredible team. One of the many treasures at the Masonic and their concern for the Home. Clearly, the Board has a genuine and strong passion in preserving the legacy and securing the future of the Home. Upon my official ar- rival at the Home, I was greeted by Director of Financial Devel- opment Chris Richardson. Chris quickly put me at ease, welcomed my family, and has continued to provide an atmosphere of warmth, caring, and support that is shared a Southwest Airlines pilot (captain) and Lisa, a registered nurse, and one grandchild, Ryan. The Madsens are very active in church, serving on the church council and the building committee. Al is a life member of Alpha Kappa national busi- ness fraternity. Both the Madsens are members of several professional and civic organizations. Wes Lefler is a member of Union 618. Home for Children at Oxford is the Colenda Gallery and Sallie Mae Ligon Archives at the Cobb Center. Within these displays, 173 years of Masonic Home history is captured and preserved through a grant from the Cobb Foundation. Chronicled are the lives, education, work expe- riences, play, successes, and difficulties of 10,000 children who have grown up here over the years. You should know the preservation of the history of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford at this level is a rare commodity in child welfare. The ultimate goal is to continue the storied history in a way that is progressive, effective, and possible in the current environment of child wel- see THOUGHTS page 6 page 1 Annual Communication held September 21–22 page 1 WhiteStone opens new facilities page 3 David Ragan raised in Williams 176 page 8 Tar Heel Madsen leads Shriners of the world On the cover Speed Hallman, Mack Sigmon, Gov. Jim Martin, and Scott Gresham line up for offi- cers procession at Annual Communication. 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 Tom Gillespie/NC Zoo photo The Mason NORTH CAROLINA Preslar elected grand master WhiteStone expansion opens SEP/OCT 2012

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