The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2012 The North Carolina Mason ENCOMPASSING THE WORLD MASONIC HOME, KENTUCKY — At its most recent Communication, the Grand Lodge of Kentucky became the 42nd ly white United States jurisdictions to recognize Prince Hall Masonry. Their resolution reads: "That the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F & AM confirms the sovereignty of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F & AM as a regular Masonic body in Kentucky, and Page 5 Kentucky recognizes Prince Hall of 51 predominant- welcomes an amicable relationship between the two grand lodges." The resolution does not authorize inter-visitation or dual membership. In the 20 years since recognition started, only Membership figures for 2010 Notes INDIA — The Grand Lodge of India is "bringing light" to remote parts of their coun- try as part of their Golden Jubilee. They are taking the practical approach to the term by installing solar panels in remote villages not connected to the electric grid. They are giving some locales their first look at electric lighting in their schools and homes. — Freemasonry Tasmania Palestinian becomes Israeli grand master WEST BEND, WISCONSIN — West Bend 138 does a full production of "A Christ- mas Carol" each year at their Masonic Center. They reported that receipts doubled this year in the fundraiser. It is also a time when community interest centers on the lodge. — Wisconsin Masonic Journal RI allows 18-year-olds EAST PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND ian Arab, Nadim Mansour has been installed as grand master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel, a position he will hold until 2013. Israel has had two previous Palestinian Arab grand masters — Yakob Nazee (1933–1940) and Jamil Shalhoub (1981–1982). Nadim Mansour, who was born in Haifa but moved to Acre when he was five, was initiated TEL AVIV — A Greek Orthodox Palestin- Shrine/GL problems in two states In the last few months, the grand lodges of Michigan and Alabama have had fallings out with their state Shriners. While each involved different cases, both were for the same reason. The grand lodge in question expelled a Shrine potentate from Freemasonry for un-Masonic conduct. The Shrine, which requires that its Symposium on Civil War and Masonry JOHNSON'S ISLAND, OHIO — Science — At its November Semi-Annual Communica- tion, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island voted to lower the age requirement for petitioning for the degrees to 18. According to figures from Mason- ic Messenger, that makes 36 jurisdictions allow- ing petitions from 18-year-olds, five requiring 19 years of age, and 10 still requiring 21 years. — Rhode Island Freemason and Fraternal Review these jurisdictions have yet to acknowledge the reg- ularity of Prince Hall Masonry: West Virginia, Ten- nessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. — Fraternal Review, Southern California Research Lodge (as a Lewis) into Lodge Akko in 1971, of which his father Elias was a founder. In 1980, he be- came its master. Currently, the grand lodge has about 1,200 members in 56 lodges, working in ten languag- es: Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Hungar- ian, Rumanian, Turkish, Russian, German and Spanish, and five different religions. — Freemasonry Today Daddy Warbucks was a Mason members maintain their Masonic membership in order to be a Shriner, refused to remove the expelled member from their rolls. In response, the Grand Lodge of Michigan and the Grand Lodge of Alabama revoked their recognition of Shrine in their jurisdictions. The solution to these standoffs is unclear. Annie fame was a Mason. The long-run- ning newspaper comic strip Annie ran for 85 years, ending with its last cliffhanger installment on Sunday, June 13, 2010. Brother Harold Lincoln Gray (1894– Daddy Warbucks of Little Orphan Masonic Service Association recently released Masonic membership figures for its member in- stitutions. It does not include Prince Hall Grand Lodges. The total membership of those 51 United States lodges at the end of 2010 was 1,373,453, the lowest figure since they began tracking in 1924. The rate of decline seems to be slowing. Sev- en grand lodges showed increases in membership. North Carolina, tenth largest grand lodge at 45,096 members, showed a loss of 589 members during the same period. Actuarial analysis of our rolls a few years ago predicted that membership in North Carolina would fall off until reaching about 40,000. At that point it is predicted to re- main steady. SILVER SPRINGS, MARYLAND — The — Masonic Service Association Truman grandson made Mason JOLIET, ILLINOIS — On December 3, more than 150 Masons gathered at Oriental 33 to see Clifton Truman Daniel made a Mason. Emergent communications of both the Grand Lodge of Illinois and the Grand Lodge of Mis- souri were opened for President Harry S. Tru- man's grandson to be made a Mason at sight. It is a ceremony in which a man becomes a Mason by order of a grand master, without the usual ritual accoutrements of the craft. President Truman was an avid Mason, in fact serving as Missouri grand master. — Illinois Freemasonry ists, and even a plot involving the bombing of a German U-boat. As the frame illustrates, Oliver Help get Masonic motorcycle tags 50 will host the Second Annual Symposium on Freemasonry and the Civil War. The event will take place on May 19, 2012 on Johnson's Island, the site of a Civil War POW camp for Confeder- ate officers. For more information, contact Chad Simpson at CivilWar@freemason.com. — Beacon 1968) created the strip originally as Little Orphan Annie on August 5,1924, in the New York Daily News and later in the Chicago Tribune. According to the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon website, at its height it was syndicated in some 250 newspapers. While few today would ever think the Warbucks was clearly a Freemason, so naturally he would care for an orphan. According to his Wikipedia biography, Oliver Warbucks studied engineering for a few semesters in college, be- came a successful industrialist, and amassed a fortune of "ten zillion dollars." In recognition of his service during WWII he was promoted to Lieutenant General. Brother Gray continued to write and draw strip was controversial, at various times, Annie got herself involved with gangsters, vigilantes, pirates, evil labor union social- North Carolina Masonic Motorcycle license plates made. These plates will be similar to those currently available for automobiles and trucks. They need a minimum of 300 tag orders before the NC Department of Transportation will issue these tags. Once is- sued, these plates will then be available through the normal li- cense purchase/renewal process at the NC DOT. In addition to the normal motorcycle registration fee ($18), KING — Brothers in King are sponsoring a campaign to get these plates with the Square and Compass add $10 each year for regular plates and $40 extra for personalized plates. An applica- tion providing instructions for requesting the tags is available at . The first year's fee of $28 ($58 personalized) is required with the application. Should efforts come up short, fees will be promptly refunded. For further information, contact Larry Bridges at Motorcycle Pancakes at 626 KANNAPOLIS — On February 11, Tags, c/o King Lodge No. 722 AF & AM, PO Box 1471, King, NC 27021 or . PULL, from page 1 just named Rookie of the Year by United Pullers of the Carolinas (UPOC). Wells has never sat on either tractor when it was running, so what's in it for him? Wells laughs and says, "Winning." He adds, is currently president of United Pullers of the Carolinas. He drives a jet tractor. Daryl says, "I have always loved truck and "It's pretty much a family sport. Your family can go and have fun. You can make friends from all over the country." All over the country indeed. The Wells family attends 14 events each year, traveling 15,000–20,000 miles each year. Jeff "Shrimp" Perry is the master of Perqui- mans 106. He started "brush pulling" in the mid-1990s as crew chief for a friend. "It was no cost, dirty fun," Perry smiles. "All my expenses were covered, and I got to have a good time and enjoy the excitement." An acquaintance offer to sell him a truck in 1999. After convincing his wife Nancy that he was neither "drunk" nor had he "lost his mind," she consented and they began their hobby. Nancy often joined Perry on the 14 or so weekend pulls across North and South Carolina, Eastern Ten- nessee, and Virginia. Before long, she actually tried driving a few times. Next she was schedul- ing her vacation time to fit the pull schedule. She now drives at least one night at each event. Two years ago, she was UPOC's Rookie of the Year. Perry says, "I met Earl when he brought a dozen or so kids from the Masonic Home for Children to a pull and sat them in his section. We started talking more about Masonry then. I've enjoyed the time I've had the last couple of years to get to know my Brothers here. I've really enjoyed time with Earl. Sometimes, we'll get in the golf cart and ride and just talk." "I started brush pulling. These days, it's a tractor pulling. I have been involved with UPOC for 10 years. Truck and tractor pulling is a family thing for my wife and me. She goes with me to all or most of the pulls and so does my mother. We have a great time getting to know our fans and hanging out with our friends on the circuit." Want to enjoy a pull? The First Masonic Dis- trict sponsors one in Elizabeth City each year to raise money for charities. That event is coming up June 1–2. There will be multi-engine modi- fied tractors, superfarm tractors, superstock trac- tors, modified two-wheel drive trucks, 650 cid four-wheel drive trucks, 2,050-pound modified mini-tractors, 4,000-pound light four-wheel drive trucks, and street diesel trucks. To find the track, go 12 miles north of Eliza- beth City to US 17 to Highway 158 west. The track is 1.5 miles on the left at Morgans Cor- ner. You can get details by emailing Jeff Perry at . As they say: "Come hear the power and feel the noise! We will sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge." I'll add: bring your ear plugs, and don't be shocked if you see a Masonic sign or two. Clockwise from above: Strickland makes a run with GALOT tractor; Cash with his jet ride; Nancy and Jeff Perry watching the competition; Wells and granddaughter Janalee; Wells, Carr, and Cash discussing red letter work. Cannon Memorial 626 held their semian- nual charity pancake breakfast. They called their turnout "amazing." The proceeds from the community breakfast went to help support the Masonic Home for Chil- dren at Oxford. They reported "a great meal, great conversations, and a lot of fa- miliar faces" including Kannapolis Mayor Bob Misenheimer, left, with Lodge Master George Maxwell. CHARLOTTE — We often hear of fathers raising their sons in lodge. But, this tale from Temple 676 turns the tables and raises the ante. Tim Counts III was the first in his family to become a Freema- son. While Tim III was an officer in Temple Lodge, his dad, Tim Jr., decided he would like to be part of the organization. III got to sit in the East for all — Thomas Van Etten three of his father's degrees. Not long after, Tim III was elected master. On December 20, after finishing his second year in the Master's chair, Tim Counts III passed the lodge charter on to his successor as master, Tim Counts Jr., his father. "Daddy" the comic strip up until his death in 1968. He was a charter member of Lombard 1068 in Lombard, Illinois. Son makes way for dad — From the Scottish Rite Journal, July-August 2010 fourteen weekend vacation for Nancy and me. Pulling is an extended family — a lot like Ma- sonry in some ways." Daryl Cash, a member of Wake Forest 252, Ric Car ter photos

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