The North Carolina Mason

May/June 2010 SHELTER, from page 1 The North Carolina Mason PERQUIMANS, from page 8 Page 5 begun by Page Lodge and their Eastern Star chapter. Due to the dangerous condition of Page Lodge, they have been unable to retrieve any of their paraphernalia. Grand Master William L. Dill said, “As Ma- sons, we are regularly charged to aid our broth- ers in distress. My Brothers in Unanimity 7 have learned their Masonry well. I am especially proud that they did not wait to be called on, but sought out their neighbors and offered to help. Tis sort of sharing and brotherhood will strengthen their community as much as their lodges. We should all be proud.” Bud Sower is already talking about a joint cookout later this year when the two lodges can get to know one another better. Plans for the Prince Hall structure are not Memorials to war veterans and Catfish Hunter are in the front yard of the Courthouse. Members of Edenton’s lodges recently got together to learn their way around. yet complete. Tey are awaiting expert surveys of the damage and prospects for salvage of the his- toric structure. Donations to help John R. Page 13 PHA may be sent to the lodge at P.O. Box 374, Edenton, NC 27932. Home Annual Report available Lodge secretaries should have received their 2009 Annual Achievement reports from the Masonic Home for Children. In this report you will find important information on your Home for Children including stats on admissions, fi- nancial figures, donation amounts (including the per lodge, per member gifts for 2009), and a special pictorial section honoring friends of the Home in 2009. For extra copies to share with co-workers, friends, family, or childcare experts in your community contact the Home toll-free at (888) 505-4357 or visit the website for an electronic version of the report at www.mhc- oxford.org. Model for Masonic symbol dead at 80 Albert “Al” Hortman passed away on De- cember 6, 2009 at the age of 80. Al Hortman was the Shriner carrying the little girl in his left arm and her crutches in his right hand. He was the “poster child” of the famous Shrine symbol — the Shriner in the “Editorial Without Words” photograph. Te famous photo engendered the Shrine slogan: “Shriners are never too tall to reach down to help a child.” Te little girl he was helping was named Bobbi Jo Wright. — Fraternal Review, March 2010 MORE Mileposts 106’s senior warden’s station tional Register of Historic Places. Te lodge room’s walls are lined with past master portraits going back to the 1840s. Te floor under the lodge room carpet is rumored to still bear a tessellated floor. A starry decked heaven is said to grace the ceiling above the suspended ceiling. One ornate chair in the east of the lodge is thought to be more than 100 years old and have been used there for some time. Te officer’s stations were purchased years ago from a Methodist church. Kept in a lodge safe is a Bible given as a gift to Hertford’s lodge in 1821 inscribed from Treasurer Francis Toms, one of the men who financed the lodge work on the courthouse. A number of grand masters have toured the lodge while holding court as judges in the build- ing. Recent visitor grand master judges include our own Clifton W. Everett Jr. and Jerry R. Tillett and current Prince Hall Grand Master Milton F. “Toby” Fitch. In a recent conversation about this unique lodge, Past Grand Master Tillett talked about its significance, “Te history of Freemasonry and the history of our country are inextricably inter- twined. Tis lodge and courthouse are a tangible monument to that history. When you are here, you can feel that history — actually touch it. “And, it’s not just our national history. Te lo- cal people of Hertford and Perquimans County are tied to that history — to this lodge and to this courthouse. You can see their names throughout the lodge’s history right up to today. “I’ve been privileged to hold court here and to present service awards in lodge here to the Ma- sons who are important parts of that lodge and community today. I can tell you first hand what a powerful experience this place is.” Indeed, the places to feel such history are rare. It is an honor for North Carolina and our Grand Lodge to be part of such a shrine. The right to be a Freemason No man has any right to claim to be a Freemason unless he has endeavored to put into practice some of the teachings of the fraternity. It is not necessary to go up to the Lodge room to practice Masonry. The place to practice Masonry is in the busy marts of the world where men meet each other in their daily affairs, and where human kindness and helpfulness and honesty are so much needed. — Illinois Freemason, quoted in the Masonic Messenger, June 1932 by way of Fraternal Review RALEIGH — Senior Administrative Law Judge Fred Gil- VANCEBORO — On March 9, Vanceboro 433 made Royce C. Jordan, center, a life member. Seen here making the presentation are, left, Secretary Joseph Whitford and, right, Master Robert Futrell. — Joseph E. Whitford bert Morrison Jr. of the North Carolina Office of Administra- tive Hearings recently received recognition for his 40 years of state service. He is seen here getting the award from Gover- nor Beverly Perdue and his wife Carolyn. The past master of Thomasville 214 has served under appointment from several governors since Dan Moore in 1965 and has presided over administrative hearings across North Carolina for years. He has been a Mason since 1961. Morrison was recently reap- pointed to another two-year term on the North Carolina Sentencing & Policy Advisory Commission. trieving the 41st ROBBINSVILLE — Montgomery 426 was serious about re- District’s Traveling Gavel recently. While Grand Master William L. Dill was at Robbinsville 672, a large contingent of brothers from Montgomery Lodge stood and demanded the Traveling Gavel. Not wanting to be out done, another large group from Andrews 529 stood and also requested the gavel. When the dust settled, the count and recounts taken, Montgomery prevailed with 14 brothers, while Andrews had an impressive 13 brothers. Andrews did win one battle — they left the Gold Brick with Rob- binsville 672. Seen here holding the gavel are Montgomery mem- ber Cecil Allen, left, and Grand Master Dill. — Derek Cheek DUNN — Palmyra 147 presented service awards at their re- cent Ladies’ and Awards Night. William Stockton “Tittle” Tart, left, got his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years Masonic membership. Tart (clown name Slim) is the last of the original Sudan Shrine Clowns still active. William P. “Abe” Elmore, right, got his Veteran’s Em- blem for 50 years membership. Elmore is board member of the Greenville Shriners Hospital. Past Grand Master Gene T. Jernigan, center, made the presentations. — William P. Barfield GREENVILLE — Most of the lodges of the Sixth Masonic Dis- trict installed their officers in a joint ceremony January 4. Grand Master William L. Dill did the installation at the Masonic Temple here. The masters installed were, front, from left, Joe Hunniecutt (Bethel 589), Alvis Roberson (William Pitt 734), and John Howell (Farmville 517). Back are Doug Bostick (Greenville 284) and Dan Bishop (Crown Point 708). — Larry Garrett SELMA — On April 20, Selma 320 Past Master Warren Shep- herd gave his lodge a United States flag that was flown over the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan on December 11, 2009. He also gave the lodge a cash gift to help pay for framing of the flag and its authentication certificate. Shepherd has spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan providing security services since retiring from North Carolina law enforcement in 2004. Seen here with Shepherd, right, is Selma Lodge Master Dennis Perry. — David Browning Ric Car ter photos Ric Car ter photos

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