The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2012 The North Carolina Mason Fayetteville Traveling the Tar Heel State News from North Carolina's Lodges By Ric Carter Jacksonville Semper Fidelis 680���s motorcycle raffle was a much bigger success than expected. They had as a goal selling 2,400 tickets, but ended up selling more than 2,700. Their net profit, to be divided among Masonic charities, was $14,000. ��� Trestle Board Raleigh William T. Bain 231 held their Barbecue Chicken Fundraiser October 26. ��� Kevin Walton Across town, James B. Green 735 did the same on November 2. Their goal was selling 600 plates. Proceeds were going to the Masonic Homes. A squirrel found its way into James B. Green Lodge���s building. The tree rat caused damage to several windows in unsuccessful attempts to gain egress. The intruder was trapped and removed. The chimney, the likely entrance point, was capped. ��� The James B. Green Scene Masters 754 was to hold their annual Pizza Day at the Masonic Home for Children on Sunday October 28. ��� The Trowel Kannapolis Kannapolis lodges held an October Blood Drive with the American Red Cross. They timed it so as not to interfere with the district blood drive coming up in January. Cannon Memorial 626���s Ladies��� Night Banquet and Awards Ceremony was set for November 3. ��� Thomas Van Etten Allen Graham 695 held a charity breakfast October 20 at the lodge. They report that the turnout was ���great.��� ��� Steve Jordan and Wallace Sheppard Gastonia The Women���s Shelter of Gaston County is a more attractive place thanks to volunteers from Gastonia 369. They fixed up the garden there with the help of donations from Fords Seed and AJ���s Landscaping. Their fall Boston butt cooking was November 2, with a November 3 delivery day. Gastonia Lodge���s Past Masters��� Night was set for their November 8 stated meeting. ��� Trestleboard Gatesville It was fun at Colerain Beach July 14 when Gatesville 126 had their Ladies Appreciation Day. Hamburgers and hot dogs were featured on the menu. They���ve replaced the lodge room fans at Gatesville Lodge. With the new lights on the fans, it���s a brighter and quieter place these days. ��� The Compasses Warsaw The recent Duplin County Blood Drive sponsored by the county Masonic lodges collected 22 pints. It was held at the Duplin Events Center, and the county communications network helped spread the word. The sponsoring lodges were Wallace 595, Rehoboth 279, St. John���s 13, and Warsaw 677. Each year, Warsaw Lodge holds a pancake and sausage breakfast during the Veterans Day parade there. They are hunting a new chef for the event. He had to hang up his apron and spatula because of heath problems in his family. ��� Warsaw Lodge Hookerton Jerusalem 95 has for some time rented their downstairs. They are currently without a tenant. That���s the bad news. The good news is that it���s a lot more convenient to eat dinner in their downstairs area than in the lodge room and then clean up before the meeting. Charlie Hall was updating the lodge history, and Tommy Forest was taking some photos to contribute to the historical area at the Grand Lodge headquarters. ��� The Jerusalem Journal Bailey Horace Meacomes says that ���time, age, and infirmities have a tendency to slow things down.��� That���s why he, after failing to get a volunteer to take it over, ceased publication of Bailey 411���s Newsletter. Meacomes has produced a complete collection of issues of the newsletter, both printed and stored on CD. In a second volume, he collected excerpts from the lodge minutes going back to 1916. He put the books in the lodge library and another copy in the Grand Lodge Library. Bailey 411 joined the number of area lodges participating in an October 4 blood drive at the Wilson Shrine Club. Forty-two pints were collected. Other lodges participating were Mt. Lebanon 117, Wilson 712, Lucama 527, and Kenly 257. ��� Newsletter Pilot Mountain The inevitable happened at Pilot 493 in August ��� the air conditioner went out. They survived the ���tropical conditions��� and are replacing the heat pump. After finding the air conditioner running unnecessarily, they���ve also installed a locked thermostat cover to save energy. Six keys were issued to access it. During repairs to their roof, the sheeting was found to be in poor shape. Fixing it cost them an extra $5,700. Now they are having trouble with the plumbing. Moral of the story: make sure a building savings account is built into your lodge budget. Pilot Lodge held its annual Dinner for Masonic Widows on August 21 at a local restaurant. The six ladies who were able to attend were given corsages. The lodge took responsibility for the chapel service at WhiteStone on September 30. Their fall barbecue fundraiser was held October 13. It was dine-in or take-out. ��� The Pilot Traveler and Homer Dearmin Winston-Salem The Winston-Salem Masonic Temple held a pork barbecue October 5. It featured Big Boy BBQ, two-time Grand Champion and five-time People���s Choice winner at the Carolina Masonic Pig Jig. They cooked more than 1,400 pounds of pork butts in less than 12 hours, and served more than 525 plates. Only 85 pounds were left over. That sits in their freezer awaiting sale. While this year���s figures were not available at press time, the event has raised more than $63,000 since it was launched in 2008. The sponsoring lodges this year were Winston 167, Salem 289, West Bend 434, Piedmont-Pioneer 685, and Forsyth 707. ��� The Salem Sentinel November 3 was the date for Old Town 751���s big raffle night. A single $25 ticket got chances at several big prizes and dinner at the drawing. Proceeds were destined for Masonic charities. Their pancake fundraiser was held September 28. It did less well than usual this year. They think conflicting events such as the Dixie Classic Fair may have hurt them. December 22 is the day Old Town Lodge will deliver goody baskets to their widows. ��� On the Level at Old Town Lodge Page 3 On August 28, Phoenix 8 hosted Masons from ten lodges for a triple Third Degree conferral. Five sitting masters from the 17th District were there as were their DDGM and DDGL. Members of several area Prince Hall lodges were there to witness the degree and enjoy the fellowship. The visit came shortly after officers of Phoenix Lodge visited Silver Square 79 (PHA) in early August. Senior Warden Michael Dodson said, ���The brotherhood was strong that night, it was well alive in the lodge.��� Phoenix Lodge is developing a committee to plan their 250th anniversary, coming up in 2014. They have also developed a 24-month planning calendar which is posted in the lodge. Over the summer, they painted the lodge room and put shelves in the archive room. Members of Phoenix held an impromptu Friday night cookout late in the summer. They enjoyed burgers and cigars and opened the building to visitors. Mike Hawks conducted tours. Lodge Secretary Emmett Starnes is holding regular office hours on Thursday evenings. ��� Trestleboard Greensboro Improvements to the Greensboro Masonic Temple continue. The historic landmark has a new roof now. The facade of the building has also been pressure washed and recaulked. ��� Greg Woodard Fred Myers was fish master for Gate City 694���s September 8 Fish Fry. Gate City���s Annual Brunswick Stew was held on October 26. They do their cooking at Carraway United Methodist Church, but then serve at two different locations: Revolution 552 and the American Legion building. ���Gary Balance P. P. Turner 746 held their Ladies��� Night and Awards Banquet October 18. Senior Deacon Richard Ward was named Mason of the Year. Past Grand Master Dan Rice was the speaker. Tom and Becky Dolinger again hosted Turner Lodge���s summer picnic at their community clubhouse. ��� P. P. Turner Lodge Guilford 656 held their Awards Banquet and Ladies��� Night November 17. Diamond Jubilee Awards went to Jacob Burton Kriegsman and Harold Raymond Moag Jr. for 60 years membership. Fifty-year Veteran���s Emblems went to Roger Paul Coleman, William Webster Craven, Gerald Allen Pell, and Gordon Neil Zane. They held the event at WhiteStone where they enjoyed a buffet dinner. Corinthian 542 held the Arvil Evans Memorial Skeet Shoot on October 13. The clay shoot featured seven stations for a total of 50 rounds. They limited the entrants to 56 shooters. The $50 entry fee included refreshments, lunch, and door prizes. The earnings went to the Masonic Home for Children, WhiteStone, and the NC Masonic Foundation. ��� Corinthian Lodge Cary Bikers descend on Holly Springs HOLLY SPRINGS ��� The members of Knights of Solomon 764 rumbled into the quiet little town of Holly Springs on June 9 for the traveling lodge���s stated communication. This was held at Holly Springs 115���s great historic building. Built in 1847, the white frame lodge is on the National Register of Historical Buildings. Knights of Solomon officers were quoted as saying, ���It truly is a great experience to attend this lodge. I would urge any brother who can attend a meeting there to do so. It truly takes you back in time.��� Fellowship and camaraderie continued at the Niche Lounge in Holly Springs with good old fashioned southern barbecue after the meeting. Knights of Solomon 764���s next meeting will be at Sonoma 472 in Canton, August 11 at high noon. All Masons in western North Carolina are Charlotte Excelsior 261 held their Veterans��� and Awards Night November 1. Diamond Jubilee Awards for 60 years service went to Hubert Himelius Cranford, William Thurston Sewing, and Angelo John Forlidas. Veteran���s Awards for 50 years membership went to Harold Abe Goldwasser and Jerry Lynn Funderburk. On the fundraiser front, they held a silent auction for an adamantine mantel clock, bringing in $160. They are also trying to raise money for lawn equipment. They���re hoping buying equipment and finding volunteers will reduce their $6,000 annual property care cost. ��� Trestle Board Derita 715���s annual Fish Fry was held October 12. Mack Sigmon presented a Masonic education program there in September. He told them about Charles Bahnson and his role in North Carolina���s ritual history. ��� Derita Lodge Charles M. Setzer 693 hit two milestones this year. They have raised three African American Masons this year and two Muslim Brothers. They currently have ten candidates going through the degrees and have admitted two more through affiliation. One of their candidates returned his proficiency after only three coaching sessions. Setzer Lodge is also looking out for kids. They raised more than $2,000 for the Masonic Home for Children. They also revived Charlotte���s DeMolay Chapter, the oldest in the state. ��� Trestleboard invited, especially those with motorcycles. ��� Allan Mann and Vinnie DeBenedetto Two entertainment nights were held at Cary 198 in October. There was Past Masters��� Night on October 15 and Family Night Dinner on October 29. Their Fall Barbecue Fundraiser was held November 2. ��� Cary Masonic Lodge Gibsonville Tabasco 271 had a ���very large turnout��� for their recent Family Day Breakfast. They got to admire the newly stripped and waxed floors in the lodge. Their Lodge Christmas Dinner was set for December 7 at a nearby cafeteria. Widows were to be guests of the lodge. ���Trestle Board South Mills Wendell Wendell 565 reached out for the second year to their local Scout of the Year from Troop 515. This year���s recipient of their $100 award was Nolan Clayton. They also sponsored a ball team in Wendell���s Parks and Recreation leagues. Wendell Lodge was having their first spaghetti dinner. Earnings from the pasta party will go to their charity fund for distribution later in the year. ��� Let There Be Light Kinston The Lenoir County lodges (St. John���s 4, Pleasant Hill 305, and Richard Caswell 705) held their first blood drive October 3. Held at Richard Caswell Lodge, it brought in 18 units of blood. ��� Lynn Hill and Tony Gordon St. John���s 4 was holding their Past Masters��� and Service Awards Night October 8. Richard Caswell Lodge was having their Past Masters��� and Ladies Night October 27 and their Pancake Supper Fundraiser October 18. ��� The Trestleboard Wilmington St. John���s 1 had two big fundraisers scheduled recently. They were having Winter Festival November 10 at the lodge. There were demonstrations planned from the Boy Scouts and the fire department and martial artists. They were selling baked goods and crafts. Santa was also to visit. On November 17, they were holding the Masonic Ball. They were enjoying a live band, dancing, a steak dinner, and womanless beauty pageant. ��� Parker Stevens Fifty-seven Masons from ten different lodges (three from Virginia) enjoyed New Lebanon 314���s fish fry during the summer. They cooked 250 white perch and served them with cole slaw and boiled potatoes. ��� The Plumb Line When a member of New Lebanon Lodge developed serious health problems, Masons of the First Masonic District stepped up to hold a Family Fun Day fundraiser. Several local tractor pullers volunteered to come stage an event. They are also holding a barbecued chicken dinner. ��� The Compasses Swansboro Seaside 429 held their Annual Seafood Scholarship Dinner September 24. They had their annual Past Masters��� and Awards Night October 8. ��� Walter Norris and Greg Padgett Smithfield Fellowship 84 was holding their Past Masters��� and Ladies��� Evening November 1. A musical program was planned with the dinner. Their Homes Fall Drive is going on. At last report they were more than half way to their $4,000 goal. They solicit donations from their members. ��� Harvey Evans see STATE, page 4 If your lodge has a newsletter for its members, make sure The North Carolina Mason is on your mailing list. Lodge newsletters are a major source of news for Masons around the state. If you don���t have one, think about starting one. Newsletters are a good way to keep your members active, happy, and informed.

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