The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2013

North Carolina Mason

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NORTH CAROLINA Official Publication of The Grand The Mason Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina Volume 138 Number 6 Oxford, North Carolina November/December 2013 Ric Car ter photo Our new grand master NC Masons install Mayo as grand master On December 7, 2013, Dalton W. Mayo was installed as grand master of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina. He is the 161st man to hold the office. His installation followed his election to the office at our Annual Communication in September. Mayo was born March 30, 1943 in Blounts Creek, North Carolina, a rural Beaufort County community on the south side of the Pamlico River. His parents were William John and Minnie Mae Paramore Mayo. He attended Chocowinity Public Schools before earning his bachelor of arts and master of business administration degrees at East Carolina University. He later got his doctor of education degree at North Carolina State University. He spent much of his professional life in the NC Community College system, retiring as an administrator at Sampson Community College in Clinton, NC. He attends First Baptist Church in Clinton where he teaches Sunday school. Mayo began his Masonic career in 1970 in Hiram 98 where he proved a quick study, being initiated February 3, passed February 17, and raised March 3. As one might expect, Mayo has been very active in ritual promotion and activity over the years. He served Hiram Lodge as master in 1978 and as secretary 2002–2010. He is currently an endowed member of Hiram 98 in Clinton, Orphans 761 in Oxford, and Wilkerson College 760 based in Greensboro. He is an honorary member of ten other lodges. He is a 33º Scottish Rite Mason, a member of York Rite and several of its orders, the Shrine, and is a past president of Chapter 97 of National Sojourners. He has held membership and officer positions in numerous Masonic organizations. He has served as both district deputy grand master and district deputy grand lecturer. Mayo has served on several major boards and committees of our Grand Lodge. He is a past member of the Board of General Purposes, past chairman of the Board of Publication, past chairman and past secretary of the Board of Custodians, and the Masonic Education Committee. In 2005, he was appointed grand steward by the then newly elected Grand Master Gene Jernigan. By Ric Carter CLINTON — On Saturday, December 7, in an annually The Grand Lodge officers installed were Grand Master Dalton repeated ceremony, Dalton W. Mayo became the 161st man to W. Mayo (Hiram 98), Deputy Grand Master Douglas L. Caudle serve as grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and (Statesville 27), Senior Grand Warden Bryant D. Webster (NichAccepted Masons of North Carolina. He and his officers were ols-West Asheville 650), Junior Grand Warden A. Gene Cobb Jr. installed at 11:00 a.m. here at the Sunset Avenue School. (Royal White Hart 2), Grand Treasurer Lewis R. Ledford, PGM Mayo's journey as a Grand Lodge officer began when he was (Statesville 27), Grand Secretary T. Walton Clapp III (Mystic Tie appointed grand steward by Gene T. Jernigan shortly after he was 237), Senior Grand Deacon Jimmie B. Hicks Jr. (St. John's 3), elected grand master in 2006. Past Grand Master Jernigan, now Junior Grand Deacon Speed Hallman (Eagle 19), Grand Maras installing officer, assisted his appointee in beginning the final shal Dwight McLauchlin "Mack" Sigmon (Catawba 248), Grand steps on his path along the Grand Lodge line. Stewards P. Shaun Bradshaw (Stokesdale 428), R. David Wicker Hiram 98's old bell, recently boxed and tamed for transport Jr. (Oxford 122), Grand Tyler Thomas Michael Bass (Hiram 98), and indoor use, chimed the hour to open the ceremony of in- and Grand Chaplain Rev. Andrew Benjamin Wood (Roseboro stallation. In spite of the cold drizzle, Jernigan and Clinton 585). Appointive officers who are not installed were Grand HisMayor Lew Starling (a member of Hiram 98) welcomed about torian James Massie Gillispie Jr. (Roseboro 585), Grand Lecturer 300 guests to the ceremony. He presented Mayo the Key to the Edward Earl Wells (Hiram 98), Grand Orator Past Grand MasCity of Clinton. The color guard of the Heroes of  '76, Camp see INSTALLATION, page 4 Lejeune Chapter 329 of the National Sojourners presented the colors. Thomas A. Harriett of Zion 81 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Harriett was aboard ship in Pearl Harbor when it suffered the infamous surprise attack 72 years to the day preGrand Master Dalton Mayo appointed R. 1982. He graduated magna cum laude in vious. Music for the occasion was performed by Michael W. David Wicker Jr. as grand steward shortly af- 1985 from North Carolina Central UniverThornton of Hiram 98. ter his election in September. Wicker becomes sity School of Law. He is currently a partner Mayo kneeled at the altar, and Installing Chaplain Rev. T. Ar- the junior man in the progressive line to be- in Roberti, Whittenberg, Lauffer, Wicker & nold Pope offered a prayer for the coming year and the success of come grand master of North Carolina. He is a Cinski in Durham, NC. His practice involves our new officers. The ceremony was very similar to the one you see resident of Oxford, NC. civil matters, criminal defense, and claims bewhen your own lodge installs its officers. Each officer stepped to David Wicker was born to Ralph David fore the Social Security Administration. He the altar, took an oath to serve his Grand Lodge office well. Each and Judith Carol Wade Wicker in Granville is licensed to practice in courts up through was then charged and presented the apron and jewel of his office County April 11, 1960. He graduated from the US Supreme Court. by Past Grand Master Robert E. Gresham Jr., assistant installing James B. Dudley High School in 1978 and Wicker and his wife Susan Lynne Medders marshal. Past Grand Master Charles M. Ingram, installing mar- got his bachelor of arts in history from Unishal, presented the grand master's apron. see WICKER, page 4 versity of North Carolina at Greensboro in Ric Car ter photo Our new grand steward The Bottom Line Accepting Responsibility By Dalton W. Mayo Grand Master On many grandfather clocks is found the phrase "tempus fugit" which means "time flies." Time really does fly, and now we are at the beginning of a new Masonic year. When I, your humble correspondent, was appointed to the grand line in 2005, more than one person told me to enjoy every moment because time would pass quickly. This I have tried to do. I began my Masonic journey never dreaming that this day would come (and probably no one else believed it either). But here we are and I find myself filled with gratitude for all the support and encouragement you have given. Working with you and getting to know as many of you as possible while traveling across our great state will surely provide experiences never to be forgotten. A much wiser person than me has said that nothing gets accomplished until someone takes responsibility. Looking back over the past year, what have you taken responsibility for? What things needed to be done that are still waiting for someone to claim responsibility for them? In many lodges, a great deal was accomplished this year. If your lodge is still facing the same old problems it did a year ago, someone needs to step up to the plate and show the way. We have lodges that year after year never have fundraisers for charity. It is absolutely astounding to see the list of lodges that don't contribute, or contribute very little, to our charities. Why don't they? Maybe the reason is that no one has accepted responsibility to identify a project and recruit the brothers necessary to make it work. Past Grand Master Dewey Preslar Jr. has stated quite correctly that if we do it for the fellowship, the charity will follow. If you don't believe he's right, visit Mill Creek Lodge 125 in Newton Grove when they're preparing for one of their barbecues or pancake breakfasts, and see for yourself. They know how to have fun, and they know how to raise money for our charities at the same time. This is just one example, but successful lodges will tell you that establishing a tradition gives them something to look forward to. It's work, but it's fun. Does your lodge have a certified lecturer? Have you ever thought about taking the certified lecturer or certified instructor examination? If this is something you have thought about doing, why do you continue to procrastinate? The point is, don't wait for someone else to do it, take responsibility and make it happen for you. Does your lodge have someone who can give Masonic rites to our fallen brothers? If so, you are fortunate since many lodges are not so blessed. We are completing a census of our members who are giving Masonic rites. You will be hearing about this at the district meetings. Is the funeral service something for which you will take responsibility? By the way, you're not being asked to do something that your grand master has not already done. If I can do it, you can do it. While you are busy making New Year's resolutions for yourself (forget about losing weight because you know you're not going to do it), why don't you make some resolutions about what you can do to help your lodge? Instead of complaining about the dirty, wrinkled aprons, why don't you wash and iron them yourself ? Are your white gloves not white anymore? You know what to do. If you have some walls in your lodge that need painting, volunteer, recruit some help, and go to it. Any time you make a positive contribution to Masonry or to your lodge, you will feel a sense of satisfaction when you're through. If no one notices what you've done, don't worry about it. You will know, and that's what counts. There is an old saying that has appeared in various forms over the years. Basically, it says, "Great things can be accomplished if we don't care who gets the credit." Brethren, I want to thank you for all you do to support Masonry in this state and for taking responsibility to see that things get done. In so doing, you are serving as an example for others who need someone to show them the way. Please come to one of the district meetings so I can express to you personally my appreciation for all your efforts on behalf of our gentle craft. Finally brethren, please accept my best wishes during the holidays and the new year. May your hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.

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