The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2016 The North Carolina Mason Page 7 It was not planned, but by happy coincidence Clay 301's Eighth Annual Raised in a Barn Degree on September 17 was held under a full moon as was done by many of our overall-wearing forefathers. In earlier times, it was com- mon for Masonic lodges (moon lodges) to plan their meeting nights to coincide with the full moon. Why? Transportation by horse or buggy was not as convenient as it is today. Getting back and forth from home to lodge was even more problematic in the dark, especially in the fall and winter months when darkness fell much ear- lier in the day. Having lodge meetings the same night as a full moon helped provide enough moonlight for Masons as they traversed rough country roads, animal trails, and footpaths. With later improvements in roads, transportation, and availability of electricity to rural ar- eas, this practice fell by the wayside. e venue for this event is an old barn still in use today. It has been in the family of Clay 301 member Ron- nie Smith for more than 100 years. It has been the site for raising brothers seven out of the eight-year of this event. Guests and cast members are encour- aged to wear bib overalls. If one first looks at the barn from the outside, and later attends the event they may well reflect upon the phrase, "It's not the ex- ternal, but the internal." is year, an all-star cast helped exemplify the degree. Senior Grand Deacon Dwight Mack Sigmon shared the lecture with newly raised Broth- ers Chase Locke and Johnathan Crisp. Current and past Grand York Rite of- ficers Lon Peden, Derek Cheek, David J. Cashion, Russell Bridges, and Todd Bridges assisted guest lodge, Mont- gomery 426, in putting on the degree. ese new brothers can truly claim, "As a matter of fact, I was raised in a barn!" Jim Hyde is a member of Robbinsville 672. Tom Turrentine photo RUTHERFORDTON — On Au- gust 13, a hot Saturday night, more than 100 Master Masons from 36 North Carolina lodges and four South Caro- lina lodges gathered under the pines in the hills of Rutherford County, next to the picturesque Lake Bynum Carter at Boy Scout Camp Bud Schiele. ey were there for a historic Master Mason Degree in which the entire degree team was composed of Eagle Scouts. So far as is known, this is the first such event in North Carolina. About 40 Eagle Scouts, ranging in age from 19 to al- most 91, took part in the event. Grand Master Gene Cobb plans to visit about half our districts this year. His meetings start in early January and will finish at the end of May. His meetings will be similar to the area meetings of the past few years. Pre-meeting meals are scheduled for 6:15 p.m. with the ty- led meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. District officers and the grand master will be re- ceived with usual honors. You may make your lodge's res- ervation for the meeting with your district deputy grand master or host lodge secretary. Please be considerate of the host lodge. Make your reser- vations for dinner at least seven days before your scheduled meeting. It is very frustrating to try to plan for a meal when reservations have not been Date District Host Location January 23 18 St. Albans 114 600 N. Elm Street, Lumberton January 24 11 Mingo 206 1924 Fayetteville Highway, Dunn January 25 12 Wilmington 319 2910 S. College Road, Wilmington January 30 20 Buffalo 172 602 W. Main Street, Sanford January 31 16 Mt. Lebanon 117 2501 W. Nash Street, Wilson March 21 25 Granite 322 (s) 212 Franklin Street, Mt. Airy March 22 23 Corinthian 542 426 W. Market Street, Greensboro March 23 33 Ashlar 373 318 Deep Gap Drive, Deep Gap March 27 41 Junaluskee 145 50 Church Street, Franklin March 28 39 Biltmore 446 (s) 6 St. Paul Street, Asheville March 29 35 Friendship 388 722 McBrayer/Homestead Road, Boiling Springs March 30 34 Hibriton 262 602 Wilkesboro Boulevard SE, Lenoir April 19 7 Zion 81 108 E. Lakeview Drive, Trenton April 20 15 Vandora 745 1120 Benson Road, Garner April 24 19 Person 113 219 Leasburg Road, Roxboro April 25 8 Royal White Hart 2 Location TBD May 1 1 Eureka 317 218 S. Hughes Boulevard, Elizabeth City May 2 2 Manteo 521 101 Highway 64/264, Manteo May 3 3 Washington 675 1115 West 5 th Street, Washington May 16 24 Blackmer 127 (s) 109 S. School Street, Mt. Gilead May 17 31 Long Creek 205 8500 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, Huntersville made. Your lodge will be responsible to pay for all meals reserved. ose who have not made reservations should not expect to eat. In case of inclement weather, meet- ings will be cancelled in accordance with local schools cancellations. If a meeting is cancelled, the host lodge and district deputy grand master will be notified. Your lodge may cancel its stated communication to attend your district meeting. Information will also be posted on the Grand Lodge web site: . is schedule was the schedule as of December 7, 2016. Changes may be necessary. Please con- sult your lodge for updates. (s) indicates that the meeting is a stated communication of the host lodge. GM's district meetings Dunn's Rock 267 examined their 20-year-old Fellow Craft Luke Lun- dquist and conferred the first section of his ird Degree. e team of Eagle Scouts took over in the second section of the degree. On that second section team were then Grand Master Bryant Webster, and Past Grand Masters Pete omas and Billy Dill, all three Eagle Scouts. Lundquist was raised by Past Grand Master omas, his grandfather. Smoked pork chops and all the trim- mings were served before the degree. Several Scouts reported that it "far ex- ceeded the normal camp fare." First Eagle Scout Degree By Jim Hyde Full moon lights Barn Degree Grand Master Webster and other Eagle Scouts raised one of their own.

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