electronicNCMason March/April, 1994 vol. 3 no. 2 The stripped-down, online version of the real thing The North Carolina Mason Volume CXX -- No. 2 Published every other month, The North Carolina Mason is the official publication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, AF&AM. Board of Publication -- Carroll Simmons, chairman; Michael W. Brantley, B. Wesley Lefler Jr., Dalton W. Mayo, and Bunn T. Phillips Jr. EDITOR -- Ric Carter 126 Arbor Drive Washington, NC 27889 (919) 946-8039 RicC @ aol.com Reproduction of articles by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credits. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Grand Lodge or Board of Publication. Please feel free to pass The eNCMason along to others. Any suggestions or submissions you might have are welcomed. WORKSHOPS ON REVISION OF THE CODE The number one topic to be addressed at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina in April will be the revision of The Code -- the bylaws of our Fraternity. Few doubt the need for a revision of The Code. Over the years since its last cleaning up, our bylaws have become scattered and obtuse. When you need the answer to a question, you are often led on a chase through reference after cross reference after referral. The goal of the committee named to fix the document was to put The Code in a more usable form, not change our laws. Workshops have been scheduled across the state to discuss your questions and suggestions about the proposed Code. An effort has been made to make attendance possible for anyone interested. Conferences are spaced evenly across the state, with week night meetings less than an hour from every Mason in the state. Saturday meetings are also spread across the state. Saturday meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m. and week night meetings at 7:30 p.m. The schedule is seen below. Evening Meetings City Committee Location Date Fayetteville Ed Harper Fayetteville Masonic Temple March 1 Rockingham Dick Pierce Rockingham 495 March 1 Charlotte Jim Weisel Scottish Rite Temple March 3 New Bern Cliff Everett Scottish Rite Temple March 6 Winston-Salem William Mills Winston-Salem Masonic Temple March 8 Rocky Mount Ed Harper Corinthian 230 March 8 Bryson City Forrest Ball Oconee 427 March 9 Goldsboro Pete Thomas Wayne 112 March 14 North Wilkesboro Jim Weisel N. Wilkesboro 407 March 14 Raleigh Cliff Everett Raleigh Masonic Temple March 15 Lumberton Dick Pierce St. Alban's 114 March 15 Asheville Forrest Ball Asheville Masonic Temple March 16 Boone Rick Moore Snow 363 March 16 Elizabeth City Ed Harper Eureka 317 March 16 Roxboro Jim Weisel Person 113 March 21 Wilmington Pete Thomas St. Johns 1 March 21 Shelby William Mills Cleveland 202 March 21 Asheboro Dick Pierce Balfour 188 March 21 Morganton Rick Moore Catawba Valley 217 March 23 Saturday Meetings City Committee Location Date Charlotte William Mills Scottish Rite Temple March 18 Williamston Cliff Everett Williamston Masonic Temple March 18 Wallace Pete Thomas Wallace 595 March 25 Asheville Forrest Ball Masonic Temple March 25 Burlington Rick Moore Bula 409 March 25 ANNUAL COMMUNICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF NORTH CAROLINA SET FOR APRIL18-19 Raleigh -- The 208th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina will convene April 18. It will last two days. All business sessions will be held in Memorial Auditorium in downtown Raleigh. Tuesday's meeting begins at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday's kicks off at 9:00 a.m. The major topic of business this year will be the revision of The Code. Because the revision is such a large undertaking, it will be introduced on Tuesday afternoon after the Grand Master's address. That should give sufficient time to deal with questions and suggestions. The addition of a secretary's workshop last year got great reviews. That's why it makes a return performance in '95. It will be held in The Radisson at 1:15 on Tuesday afternoon. The headline attraction at the conference will be the debut of The Scrivener, lodge software specially designed for North Carolina. It is hoped that you will be able to see more about how it works and purchase your own copy at the seminar. Details of the rest of the workshop weren't available at press time. Interested members other than secretaries are also welcome. Your lodge should soon receive formal notification along with credentials, documents, and other important announcements about the meeting. The master and wardens of your lodge are your voting representatives to Annual Communication. If they cannot attend, proxies may be appointed. In any case, you must bring completed credentials with you and present them to the Credentials Committee. The committee will be in the lobby the Radisson Plaza Hotel on Monday afternoon and in the lobby of Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday and Wednesday. DO NOT mail them to the Grand Lodge offices, present them in person. The committee will furnish you with necessary materials. Name tags and disposable aprons will be available in the lobby of Memorial Auditorium. There'll be a number of tylers outside the hall. They'll expect you to give them the Third Degree pass and show them your current dues card. The Grand Lodge opening will be much like what you see at your stated communication, only more so. Visiting dignitaries will be introduced. The first morning's business will, for the most part, deal with what has transpired during the last year. Miscellaneous reports of committees and boards will be received. Some will be read, others will simply appear in the Proceedings. Grand Master Bill Brunk, and Grand Orator Marc Basnight will address the Communication. Memorial services will be conducted for our Brothers who passed away last year. The revision of The Code will be considered and voted on at 1:15 Tuesday afternoon. The district deputy grand masters' banquet will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday evening. Wednesday, the second day of the session, will begin at 9:00 a.m. and see still more action. It'll be up to you to approve or reject the past year's actions of the Grand Master, Judge Advocate, Trial Commissions, Appeals Committee, and others. Their actions do not stand without the approval of the delegates. You'll receive and vote on the annual budget. Grand Lodge officers for 1994-95 will be elected starting at 11:00 that morning. It is hoped that business will be finished by lunch time. Installation of new officers will be later in the afternoon after the lodge is closed. It is usually held about 2:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple on Caswell Street in Raleigh. The Annual Communication is NOT just for delegates and voting members of the Grand Lodge. Every Mason in North Carolina is welcome and encouraged to attend. Annual Communication is not just for work. It's also for meeting others, sharing your ideas, getting new ideas, and having a good time. Hope to see you there. JAPAN'S MASONS ASK AID AFTER EARTHQUAKE The January earthquake in Japan caused great pain and suffering. Thousands of lives were lost and untold amounts of property destroyed. The Grand Lodge of Japan has asked the Masonic Service Association of the United States to issue an appeal for assistance. According to Allen L. Robinson, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Japan, "Our Tokyo Masonic Association is making a donation to the Red Cross to help in this crisis and we have mounted a campaign to furnish funds, blankets, rice, and other necessities directly to our Masonic Brethren and their friends in the area." The first appeal made by the Masonic Service Association was in 1923 for a Japanese earthquake. Donations, checks made payable to MSA Disaster Relief Fund, should be sent to Japan Relief, Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785. BLUE LODGE SOFTWARE TO PREMIER IN APRIL Raleigh -- April 18 will mark the end of the wait for just the right software to run your lodge business on computer. Scrivener 3 will be unveiled and perhaps sold at the secretary's conference during Annual Communication. It is currently in the final stage of testing and approval. If you were at last year's conference, you saw the Washington State DOS version of the program. In the past year, the software has been revised to work in the Windows operating system. It has also been customized to the specific needs of North Carolina's lodges. Testers and reviewers of the new version are "well pleased" with preliminary versions of the software as well as its manual. This program has been produced for North Carolina, but will be customized for other grand lodges. The software needs a minimum 386 processor, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later, and eight MB of RAM. It gives the lodge secretary all the tools to manage his membership information, dues accounting, and printing of forms for reporting to the Grand Lodge. When you need a petition, just print it out. The program supports the popular Avery label formats for address labels and mail merge formats for popular word processors. If you're unsure of what equipment you need, you'll be able to ask questions at the conference. You will be able to purchase your own copy of Scrivener and start adding the names of your members. MASONIC BURIAL GIVEN 110 YEARS LATE Thickety Creek -- What would you say if someone called and asked you to perform a Masonic burial service for a man dead 110 years? Past Grand Master B.T. Phillips Jr. started asking questions of the family and Grand Master Bill Brunk when he was asked to officiate for Calvin Thompson's spotlight appearance at the fifth annual Thompson family reunion. The answers led to a son's return home and a Masonic salute offered 110 years late. Blackmer 127 in Mt. Gilead raised Calvin Thompson in 1879. He was 21 years old. Sources say he got all three degrees in one night. Some time later, as young men are wont to do, Calvin became interested in women who didn't fit his family's expectations. When the argument led to a whipping by his father, it was more than Calvin could abide. He took off for Tennessee. He died five years later without ever again speaking to his family. He was buried in Hickory Valley, Tennessee. Years later, David Thompson located his son's grave. He placed a Masonic gravestone there. It seems that programs are as important to Thompson reunions as fried chicken at most such family gatherings. The role of Masonic lodges in the family history was the topic at the 1993 meeting. That was apparently all the inspiration needed by Chesley Greene, Thompson's great nephew and a member of Kilwinning 64. He and Mary King, a relative and family historian, decided to bring Calvin home. A careful search found Calvin's Tennessee resting place. Calvin was fated to be the star of the 1994 reunion. So, in September, B.T. Phillips Jr. and 25 members of Blackmer 127 helped welcome Calvin home. Calvin was returned to his family at Holly Mount Baptist Church in Thickety Creek, Montgomery County. He was reburied alongside his mother, father, three brothers and sister with Masonic funeral rites. Mary King suggests that next year's reunion may feature Uncle Lee's return from Georgia. She didn't mention if he was a Mason too. -- The Courier Tribune, Asheboro; Montgomery Herald, Troy; Chesley Greene; and B.T. Phillips. WILMINGTON MUARL TO BE UNVEILED Wilmington -- The oldest known existing wall painting in North Carolina was commissioned by Wilmington Masons in 1808. It was placed above a fireplace in the lodge built four years earlier and shared by blue lodge St. John's 1 and Concord Chapter 1 of Royal Arch Masons. It's still there at Orange and Second streets. By 1825 the building had gone to other owners and the mural was covered by wallpaper. The building became St. John's Museum of Art in 1962. Now, 187 years and $20,000 in grants and donations after its creation, the mural is back to its original beauty. There will be a public ceremony to celebrate its restoration March 25 at 3:30 p.m. That will coincide with the March 24--26 annual meeting of North Carolina's York Rite Bodies. F.J. Belanger, an immigrant artist from Martinique, made the original decoration. The painting, seen above, bears an all-seeing eye in the keystone of an arch. The coat-of-arms on the left is that of the Company of Masons of London. The shield on the right bears the emblems of the authors of the four Gospels of the New Testament -- a lion for St. Mark, an ox for St. Luke, a preacher for St. Matthew, and an eagle for St. John. For four months, David Goist used cotton swabs, syringes, and tacking irons, as well as paint and brushes to renew the beauty of the painting. According to Goist, "This appears to be the oldest surviving interior decoration in North Carolina and perhaps in the southeast. I think this is a very important piece." AN INVITATION TO MISSISSIPPI Aberdeen, Mississippi -- Walter W. Kimmel 32 and the Monroe County Shrine Club are looking for a few good men. Their community celebrates Tombigbee River Days each fall. The Masons there have their own associated celebration. Bob Patterson, a Tar Heel Mason living in Aberdeen, says they're looking for a North Carolina Masonic degree team to bring a candidate to the festival and raise him to Master Mason. They'll make sure that you're entertained and have a plenty to eat for the weekend. You'll have to get your own rooms. There are two slots for doing degrees: 7:00 p.m. on October 13 and 1:30 p.m. on October 14. If you're interested, get in touch with Bob Patterson at P.O. Drawer B, Aberdeen, MS 39730, phone (601) 369-6723. Call soon. WIDOWS GET SPECIAL ATTENTION IN MOCKSVILLE Every month, Jessie Ruth Howell hears from someone wanting to help her do some chores around the house. He'll clean out gutters, spread mulch around the bushes -- just about anything that needs doing. It happens because her husband, the late Sam Howell, was a Mason. And members of the Mocksville Masonic Lodge have taken it upon themselves to look after widows of Masons. Some of the Masons, such as Richie Staley, help two widows each. "He can go on top of the house and clean out the gutters, mulch around the shrubs, and rake leaves," Mrs. Howell said. "I don't know what I would do without him, now." The program started last spring. Staley brought her a corsage at Easter and told her about the plans. "There's lots of times you just need a little help," she said. "They're good boys, I'll tell you. They do good things." Those good deeds have been ongoing since the Masonic lodge was founded, Staley said. "But having the guys assigned to a certain widow, that started this year," he said. Mrs. Howell interrupted. "I've got the best one." "We're supposed to contact them once a month, and if they have something that needs to be done, we're supposed to do it by the same time the next month," Staley said. The Masons also recognize the women by doing something special for their birthdays. The program not only reaches widows, but some whose husbands are disabled or in nursing homes. "It goes right along with the Bible, because the Bible tells you to help the widows and the orphans," Staley said, adding that the Masons are trying to help more people locally. "More organizations such as churches and the Boy Scouts should do that," he said. "There are a lot of elderly who need help." By Mike Barnhardt, Davie County Enterprise Record, Thanksgiving Day. SPRINKLE BROTHERS REACH 50 TOGETHER Statesville -- When the Sprinkle brothers came home from World War II they went together to join the Masonic lodge. Floyd and Paul became double brothers when they were raised in July 1944 at Snow Creek 571. They were there together again to celebrate their fifty years of membership. GENERATIONAL TRIPLE THREATS IN CHINA GROVE China Grove -- In the high speed mobility of our age, it's becoming unusual for a lodge to serve as the home lodge for several generations of a family. "Like father, like son" is increasingly rare. More unusual still is having three generations still alive and active in the same lodge. Somebody's doing something right at Eureka 283. They have two triple threats in the lodge. The father-son-grandson line-ups are David Lee "Mo" Howard, Kesler Howard, and Clyde Eugene Howard. Bottom, from left, are Tommy Lentz, Matthew "Doc" Lentz, and Larry Alexander Lentz. -- Eureka Trestle Board. DEMOLAY HOLDS GRAND MASTER'S CLASS Raleigh -- North Carolina's DeMolay held their Annual Grand Master's Class in January. More than 100 members attended representing Raleigh, Cary, Zebulon, Smithfield, Goldsboro, Greensboro, Charlotte, Asheboro, Salisbury, and Gastonia. Ten new members were initiated at the meeting. Special guests at the meeting were International DeMolay Master Councilor Chad Northcutt, International DeMolay Congress Secretary Sean Kimball, and North Carolina Grand Master Bill Brunk. Brunk was speaker at the Installation of Officers Banquet. The big news was the announcement that for the first time in 20 years North Carolina exceeded the membership goal set by the International Supreme Council. They initiated 109 new members in 1994. Letters Temporary were also presented to start a new chapter of DeMolay in Brevard -- French Broad River Chapter. Officers elected for 1995 are Sam Barron, state master councilor; Kyle Hughes, senior councilor; and Jason Whitley, junior councilor. Raleigh Chapter was named Chapter of the Year and Jacksonville Chapter got the Membership Award. Ken Davis of Johnston County was named advisor of the year and Mr. and Mrs. Ken Davis were elected honorary mom and dad. Robbie Yarborough is rookie of the year and Emily Deans was elected state sweetheart. CANTER SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD PREENTED Canton -- Twice each year, once for basketball and once for football, Sonoma 472 presents the Scotty Canter Award to a youngster for outstanding sportmanship. This season's winner was Logan Sorrells of the Bethel Youth Organization. His parents are Tommy and Donna Sorrells. The award is given in the memory of Scotty Canter, son of Sonoma member Gene and Kay Canter. DOC CANVINESS REACHES 100 Raleigh -- Anyone who lives a century gathers some superlatives. Vern S. Caviness has caught more than his share. Raleigh 500 recently helped him celebrate his 100th birthday and 72nd year in Masonry. Vern is the oldest living graduate of the University of North Carolina Medical School. He is one of the oldest Masons in the state. He was raised by Pennsylvania lodge Robert Mringhurst 686 during his medical internship in Philadelphia in February 1923. In 1925, after that internship, he moved home to Raleigh. He brought his Masonic affiliation and fervor with him. He served as Raleigh 500's master in 1935. He cared for people in Raleigh until retiring in 1980. Thanks, Vern. HOGUE FULFILLS A DREAM Pasadena, California -- In our last issue, we told you about Dan Hogue, ACC football official and senior warden of Andrew Jackson 576. Dan got to live out a lifelong dream in January. He and the squad of officials he usually works with were selected to call the Rose Bowl. Before he left, Dan said he'd bring you a picture of the Rose Parade Masonic float. Here's what happened in Dan's words: "As we were touring the floats the day before the game, I asked our tour guide the whereabouts of the Family of Freemasonry float. He informed me it was in the next building. I requested that we be allowed to take a picture in front of this float and told him why. He immediately took us to the building. He said he was a Mason and would be glad to take the pictures himself. "The next day this Mason, Troy, was the guide for our ladies. He took them to the parade and from there to the Rose Bowl for their luncheon inside the VIP tent. He then carried them to the game and afterwards to the hotel. "Troy exemplified the true meaning Masonry teaches and we are much more blessed having met him." Seen here in front of the float are, left, Dan Hogue, side judge in the Rose Bowl and Bradley Faircloth, coordinator of football officials in the Atlantic Cast Conference and a member of P.P. Turner 746. TRAVELERS IN THE TAR HEEL STATE NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA LODGES WILKESBORO -- Apologies to the guys at Liberty 45. I accidentally listed them in the town of Liberty a couple of issues back. That's Liberty 714 down there in the piedmont. Yes, Jim, there is a Wilkesboro and this flatlander knows the different Liberty locations. Glenn Huffman, over at Mount Pleasant 573, recently got his Veteran's pin for 50 years membership in the fraternity. -- Liberty at Large. * * * * KINSTON -- Back in September, we told you about Earl Lovette of Richard Caswell 705 collecting cans for the Masonic Home for Children. The Can Man's total for 1994 was $3,528. Great job, Earl. -- Wiley Hill * * * * MONROE -- The 39th District played Santa again this year. Lodges of Anson and Union counties chipped in nearly $4,000 to buy gifts for the 157 kids at the Masonic Home for Children. Operation Santa is an annual tradition there. -- Monroe Lodge 244. * * * * MIDLAND -- Mother, may I? Union 618 took one giant step toward a new building in November. That's when they paid off their land. Master Larry Robbins has challenged each member to "adopt" a Brother who hasn't been attending regularly. They're to do a little special inviting and pushing. -- Union Lodge. * * * * ASHEBORO -- Asheboro 699 is buying a computer and printer for the lodge. If your lodge is joining the computer age, make sure that it will handle the lodge software coming your way at Annual Communication. They're also installing an exhaust system in kitchen to handle the deep fryer and grill Bucky Jernigan has waiting for them. -- Asheboro Lodge. * * * * GREENSBORO -- Gate City 694 hosted 47 kids from the Home for a Christmas party. They thanked Betty Johnson for putting it all together and the families (not all Masons) who provided gifts for kids. Arthur Johnson was named Gate City's Mason of the Year. -- The Trestle Board. P.P. Turner 746 Master Jay Callahan has reinstated a policy of officers wearing tuxedos or dark suits at all communications. -- Trestleboard. Revolution 552 sent as contingent to the Home for Children in December. They gave the kids they sponsor gifts and gave each child at the Home a card with money inside. They had chapel and lunch with the children while they were there. They also carried fruit baskets to their guests in the Masonic and Eastern Star Home there in Greensboro. -- The Bi-Monthly Newsletter. * * * * GARNER -- Vandora 745 sent nearly $2,800 to Masonic charities last year. -- Masonic Newsletter. Garner 701 delivered fruit baskets to their widows at Christmas. -- Masonic Newsletter. William T. Bain 231 held a barbecue to help Linwood Hicks make medical expenses. Linwood recently got a heart transplant. Construction has now begun on Bain's new lodge building. The basement has been dug and footing poured. -- Masonic Newsletter. * * * * LAURINBURG -- More than $2,000 went to each of the Masonic homes and the Foundation last year thanks to the ham breakfast and member donations at Laurinburg 305. They also contributed to the Red Cross to help speed a neighbor toward a bone marrow transplant. -- The Masonic Messenger. * * * * ABERDEEN -- Roman Eagle 550 recently honored 29-year lodge secretary Floyd Dunn who is due to retire soon. -- The Masonic Messenger. * * * * WINSTON-SALEM -- An article in Old Town 751's newsletter characterized their lodge attendance last year as "not spectacular." With a membership of 252, they averaged 44 members and three visitors per meeting in 1994. It may be "not spectacular," but I think a lot of lodges would call it something to brag about. Scott Horn has experienced shoes to fill in the secretary's chair. Before his resignation, Allyn Gorham had sat in Old Town's southeast corner since 1981. Before which, he served as secretary of Olive Branch Lodge in LeRoy, NY for 13 years. Have a good retirement, Allyn. -- On The Level at Old Town Lodge. * * * * SMITHFIELD -- Fellowship 84 increased membership last year. What's the secret, guys? The lodge's widows got poinsettias for Christmas, but that's not enough for Fellowship 84. They've created a new standing committee for the lodge. The Memory Committee will work with the families of deceased members. Fellowship member Sam Stallings was named 1994 Independent Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina. -- The Trestleboard. * * * * SALISBURY -- February is Brunswick stew time at Andrew Jackson 576. Preparation to cleanup for their major fundraising event of the year lasts about four days. I'm guessing that most of them don't eat Brunswick stew more once a year. Have you ever felt that the word "lady" is terribly overworked in Masonic lodges? It was refreshing to hear of the Masonic Partners' Night at Andrew Jackson. The partners were to get a special program in the lodge room. -- The Master's Journal. Fulton 99 presented George Rusher Jr. and William Wyatt their Veteran's Awards in November. -- The Trestle-Board. * * * * DENVER -- Denver 757 will be the site of an immunization clinic in April. They'll work with the Lincoln County Health Department. Masons will also provide transportation and refreshments. Jake Abernathy was made an honorary member of the lodge in December. -- The Trestleboard. * * * * EDENTON -- Unanimity 7 had a covered-dish dinner in November to celebrate their founding. It marked the 220th anniversary of Joseph Montfort's chartering of the lodge. Montfort's son was raised in the lodge a few years after its formation. -- The Trestle Board. * * * * MORGANTON -- Catawba Valley 217 delivered fruit baskets and flowers to their widows during Christmas. They recently presented John D. Smith his 50-Year award. -- The Trowel. * * * * CONOVER -- The widows of Conover 709 all got Christmas poinsettias during the holidays. L. Cecil Darden Jr. got his Veteran's Award at the Conover Awards' Banquet. -- Conover Lodge. * * * * CHARLOTTE -- At Charles M. Setzer 693's special dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is suspected that a few officers offered especially sincere prayers. It was the night officers had to advance to fill the next station in preparation for the coming Masonic year. -- Charles M. Setzer Lodge. Recent programs at Keystone 726 included one from Jim Moore on investing in the 90s. Another was the play In Defense of the Ruffians by A.G. Bartlett and Ken Williams. -- Keystone Lodge. * * * * SOUTHERN PINES -- Several members of the United Grand Lodge of England, including two grand officers, recently visited Southern Pines 484. They told our Tar Heel Brothers about their grand lodge and highlighted the differences and similarities of our rituals. -- Southern Pines Lodge. * * * * PAW CREEK -- West Gate 738 put more than $15,000 into charities, both local and Masonic, last year. They also raised enough money to buy a Masonic grandfather clock for the lodge. West Gate recently gave William Thomas Conner his 50-Year Award. -- West Gate Lodge. * * * * HICKORY -- R.O. Bumgardner was named 1994 Mason of the Year at Hickory 343. -- Hickory Lodge. * * * * GASTONIA -- King Solomon 704 voted in November to raise their dues for 1996. They'll be buying a computer this year. A special committee is making recommendations for the purchase. Marcus McCluney recently got his Veteran's Service Award. -- The Plumb Line. * * * * BLACK MOUNTAIN -- If you're passing through Black Mountain and want to know what's happening in the lodge, just dial 669-7777. They've got an answering machine on the line now. It'll tell members and visitors about upcoming events. -- Black Mountain Lodge. * * * * WILMINGTON -- St. John's 1, Wilmington 319, and Orient 395 held a joint open installation of new officers December 27. That's St. John the Evangelist's Day, the installation date traditionally used by St. John's 1 more than 200 years ago. For the first time since 1979, St. John's 1 increased its membership. They went up two to 526 in 1994. -- The Trestle Board. * * * * STATESVILLE -- Statesville 27 and Mt. Moriah 690 celebrated their bicentennial January 21. Sam J. Ervin III chief judge of the Fourth Circuit US Court of Appeals, was the keynote speaker. Ralph Sisk got the 1994 Joe Miller Award from Mt. Moriah 690. -- Statesville Lodge/Mt. Moriah Lodge. * * * * KINSTON -- Three men were recently elected to honorary membership at St. John's 4. They are John R. Jack Edwards, Earl Reid Davis, and Will Hargrove Lee. -- The Trestle Board. * * * * RALEIGH -- Martin Carter pushes the guys at Masters 754 to keep spare change in Mason jars each year. At year's end they send the money collected to the Masonic Home for Children. The 1994 collection weighed in at 64 pounds. That translates into $400. Clarence Helms recently got his 50-Year award from Masters 754. -- The Trowel. Jim Medlin, development director of the Masonic Foundation, was the featured speaker at James B. Greene 735's Past Masters' Banquet. New Master Gene Smith plans to keep his business meetings short this year. A program is planned for the second meeting of each month. -- James B. Greene Lodge. * * * * THOMASVILLE -- They're considering dropping one of their monthly meetings at Thomasville 214. A vote on the amendment to their by-laws was scheduled for January. -- Trestle Board. * * * * SPRUCE PINE -- Vesper 554 is facing putting a new roof on the lodge building. The $4,000 price tag, as we all know from personal experience, comes at the most inconvenient time, when all their other big annual bills are due. -- The Beacon * * * * BREVARD -- Dunn's Rock 267 participated in Brevard's post-Christmas parade Twilight Tour. They had the lodge open to offer a warm place to rest as well a place to buy hot dogs and hot drinks. It also gave visitors a chance to take a relaxed look at the lodge and ask questions about Freemasonry. Refreshment proceeds went to Masonic charities. -- Dunn's Rock Masonic Lodge. * * * * SELMA -- Lodge widow's had their homes brightened during the holidays by poinsettias delivered by Selma 320. -- On The Square. * * * * WASHINGTON -- Orr 104 and Washington 675 are trying to set up a joint funeral committee which would make Masonic funeral rite arrangements for both lodges. -- Light From the East. * * * * WALLACE -- They're raising $4,100 at Wallace 595 to cure a drainage problem around the lodge. Water has caused floor problems for them. Ford Rivenbark got his 50-year service award in November. -- Bulletin of Wallace Lodge. * * * * BAILEY -- If you make the Masonic meal circuit, Bailey is now eating on second Monday's each month. Past masters take their turn to feed the flock in January. Forty years of tradition say, that's means fish. -- Newsletter. * * * * MANTEO -- They serve a dinner to honor past masters on election night at Manteo 521. When Bill Crosscup was initiated, his father-in-law came for the degree. It probably wouldn't get widespread notice but for the fact that his father-in-law is Connecticut Grand Master George W. Pangborn. -- More Light. * * * * GRAHAM -- Thomas M. Holt 492 recently presented Ted Hrusliski his 50-year award. -- The Hollar Log. * * * * GOLDSBORO -- They started the new year with a clean slate at Goldsboro 634, setting aside the fifth Monday in January for a cleanup. -- Newsletter. * * * * STEDMAN -- Thomas Pope, new master of Stedman 730, started his year off in a big way. He was named Writer of the Year by the National Motorsports Press Association and Media Person of the Year by the International Hot Rod Association. I'm embarrassed to write in front of him. The guys at Stedman got Billy Ross over at Phoenix 8 to make some Masonic front license plates for their cars. * * * * CHINA GROVE -- Eureka 283 handed out a number of awards at their annual banquet. They named William Dean Greene their Mason of the Year. Mae Bradshaw accepted the Diamond Jubilee Award for her late husband, Rupert Wells Bradshaw. Harold Jackson Basinger got his Veteran's Award. -- Eureka Trestle Board. JOHN ROSE ASSUMES DUTIES AS ADMINISTRATOR OF MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME Greensboro -- John Rose, the new administrator of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, began work on February 1. According to all reports, the adjustment is going happily for everyone. The 47-year-old Rose, a native Californian, comes to us after nearly 14 years as administrator of the Masonic Homes of California. The facility in Covina has 112 beds for adults and 80 for children. Union City has 400 beds, 120 for skilled nursing. John is past master of Pasadena 272 of the Grand Lodge of California. He's a member of the Scottish Rite, Shrine, and Hi-Twelve International. John has been an advisor for both DeMolay and Rainbow for Girls. He and wife Sherrie are both in Eastern Star and have been active in Job's Daughters. John's wife Sherrie is finishing up business in California and should have joined him at the Home by the time you read this. They have two grown children. John Jr. is a deputy sheriff in Los Angeles County. Shelley (expecting the Roses' first grandchild in July) is married to member of the Air Force. Rose is certified in a number of administrative fields including licensed skilled nursing administration. He is a past president of the Masonic Homes Executives Association of North America. Tommy Jones, his predecessor at our Home, is the current president. In an open letter to employees of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home, John said, "I know that change can be both frustrating and inspiring. I want to commit to you that we will work together in preparing the Home for the 21st century... I look forward to carefully studying what seems to be a wonderful home with dedicated staff serving wonderful people." Now you have a new reason to visit the Home. Stop by to meet John Rose, our new administrator. While you're there, ask what you can do to help. ELZABETH HARRIS PASSES AWAY We are saddened to report the passing of longtime Masonic and Eastern Star Home resident Elizabeth Harris. Mrs. Harris was the wife of Past Grand Master/Past Grand Secretary Charles A. Harris. Mrs. Both Miss Elizabeth and Old Man Charlie were much loved by the Masons of the state and will be missed greatly. ANONYMOUS DONORS SEND THANK YOUS TO MESH Editor's Note: The Masonic and Eastern Star Home fund for the new care center recently got a couple of anonymous donations of $1,000. We share them here because it should make each of you proud of the work you do for our charities. "On a recent visit to the Home, I saw a letter on the bulletin board regarding the merits of your nursing staff. "I have a friend at the Home to whom I am devoted. The following are a few observations of my own. "The outdoor premises are well planned, mowed, pruned, groomed and a delight to see. Your grounds crew are imaginative and apparently love their work. "At no time on any visit can I recall seeing a flickering light bulb, a leaking faucet, a broken window blind, or any hazardous condition. You obviously have excellent and diligent maintenance personnel. "Residents who surely cannot be expected to take care of their own laundry are as neat and tidy as those who can. Your laundry people must really be dedicated. "Internally, the Home is immaculate. The carpet is clean, upholstery is spotless, there is never dust or disorder in any of the halls or common rooms. In contending with such a large and varied population spread over so many buildings, your housekeepers do a wonderful job. "I have eaten with you in your cafeteria and have found the food to be adequate and nourishing. Your food service employees face a truly daunting challenge. To provide food for so many, in several locations, on a tight schedule, with no misses allowed year after year is a most amazing feat. To do so with pleasant grace as they do is little short of miraculous. "The enclosed check is a salute to all of those above and is to express my thanks to them for providing such a pleasant environment for my friend at the Home." The other note said: "There is no way to contact everyone to express my appreciation for all the care and kindness that I have seen you give under circumstances which are sometimes very trying. "The enclosed donation, given in the name of the entire nursing staff from aides to RNs, is the only way I can think of to acknowledge the attention and love yoiu have all bestowed upon 'my patient.'" THE TALTONS CONTINUE THEIR CARING AT MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN BY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JIM MEDLIN As I travel across the state and talk with brothers and sisters, I have found that many have been supporters of our state's Masonic charities. Many are concerned about the charities' futures, and want to help in some special way. There are several ways this can be accomplished -- through a will, revocable living trusts, charitable lead trusts, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts... The list goes on. Let me tell you about a very special person who gave a special gift. The last issue of The NC Mason announced the establishment of the M. Garland and Frances H. Talton Endowment Fund. This fund honors two wonderful people who live for and care for the children at Oxford. This fund has a principal amount which will grow forever. That principal will never be violated. Interest on the fund will add financial support to students who come to Oxford. Garland Talton began teaching math at John Nichols School on the campus of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, then Oxford Orphanage, in 1946. He retired in 1975 after twenty-nine years of faithful service to the Home and children. Garland was raised by Oxford 122 in 1947. He's a member of the Oxford York Rite Bodies and the Sudan Temple of the Shrine. He served as master of Oxford 122 in 1951 and as 33rd District deputy grand lecturer for two terms and deputy grand master one term. He was a certified lecturer for thirty years. He has degrees from Elon and Duke. He not only coached several team sports, but was the Sunday School superintendent at the York Rite Chapel for thirty years, scoutmaster for several years, house parent in Third Boys Cottage, long-time board member of the United Methodist Church of Oxford. Most importantly, Frances worked right beside him and supported him in ways only a loving and caring wife can do. This endowment fund is a very special fund. It recognizes two very special people whom we love dearly. It also allows them to continue the work of their lives, caring for the Home's children, in perpetuity. Their caring will never, never go away. Anyone may help make the fund bigger. If you would like to contribute to the M. Garland and Frances H. Talton Endowment Fund you may do so by making your check payable to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, for the Talton Fund and mail it to the Home at 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565. With the recent changes in the tax laws, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that opportunities do exist for those who plan special charitable gifts. The Development Office has a special "estate planning" process available to help you. If you would like to know more about this type of special giving, please call me at the Grand Lodge, (919) 787-2021. I'll be happy to answer your questions or schedule a visit to discuss any plans or thoughts you may have. UNDER THE OAKS BY DAVID GRISSOM, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN AT OXFORD Making A Difference In a recent worship service on the campus of the Masonic Home For Children, a young man by the name of Shayne Whitaker gave a moving testimonial of his life and some of the struggles he had faced. Shayne was a student on our campus for more than four years. After graduating from high school in 1989, he went to college. He faced many obstacles during his first year in college and eventually had to drop out. He prayed for help and worked in odd jobs just to make ends meet. After a period of hardship and trying to find out who he was, God touched his life and gave him a new direction and purpose. Several months ago Shayne contacted me and asked to share his story with the residents of the Home. This was the first time Shayne had spoken before our students. Even though he was a little nervous, his impact will have a lasting effect. Shayne gave credit, first and foremost, to God for helping him get his life back in order. Secondly, he thanked the Masons for providing him a home in his early years. He credited the Home with giving him the stamina, determination, and the tools to survive. We have a number of alumni who, like Shayne, have left our home and faced hardships. Determination, faith, and positive attitudes have helped them rise above obstacles and become stronger people. As we work with our children on campus today, our priority is to instill those principles of faith, hope, and love along with a great deal of common sense. We know that they will face big decisions and responsibilities once they leave our care. But for the period of time they are with us, we do everything within our power to provide a good foundation. Our Masons, alumni and friends who love and support our Home make a tremendous difference in the lives of our children. We thank you for all your assistance. Shayne, the young man in our story, has returned to college. He is even more determined to graduate and make a difference in the lives of others. Once he completes his degree, I see this young man becoming a Mason. You continue to give opportunities to children who otherwise would not have a chance. We can all be very proud that we have a wonderful Masonic Home For Children. SOME BIRTHDAYS AT THE MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN March 3, 1982 Earl Ross Wilson March 3, 1977 Heather Michelle Williams March 8, 1979 Barney Daniel Davis March 10, 1986 Benita Trejo March 11, 1980 Christopher Lee Baskerville March 12, 1979 Joanie Gilchrist Romm March 13, 1979 Kurtis Michael Degner March 13, 1981 Mark Anthony Evangelist March 21, 1978 Angela Hope St. Clair Heebner March 21, 1979 Brandi Nicole Smith March 27, 1980 Shaunna Rae Holt March 27, 1987 Linda Marie Dooley April 4, 1979 Michelle Anne Reeves April 29, 1982 BoniSue Van Dusen Royce April 30, 1977 Stephanie Britt Huskey BRAGG BUNCH HELPS HOME Fayetteville -- The Bragg Bunch doesn't exactly exist. But, once a month, a group of guys have lunch together at the NCO Club on Fort Bragg. A few local businessmen join a mostly military crowd. At each gathering, they take up a collection for the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. Home Administrator David Grissom accepted the annual check from Jim Hay. COMPANIES HELP KIDS Oxford -- East Coast Marketing Company of Charlotte brought a Christmas gift to the kids at the Masonic Home for Children. They gave $12,000 to be evenly divided among all the children. Gary Propst, vice president of Atlas Company; and Everett Durham, president of Durham Marketing presented the check to administrators. CHARLOTTE REALTORS SEND TOYS TO HOME FOR CHILDREN Oxford -- One Special Christmas is the name of a program of the Charlotte Association of Realtors Charitable Foundation. When the Realtors looked for a benefiiary for their gift this year, Association Chairman Catherine Browning turned to One Special Christmas Chairman John Miller. Being a member of the Masonic Home for Children Board of Directors, Miller knew just the place to look. The gifts went to 20 children at the Home who are from the southern Piedmont area. UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ENGLAND GRANTS RECOGNITION TO PRINCE HALL GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS London, England -- The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts is now "accepted as regular, and... recognized," by the United Grand Lodge of England. That's the news according to Emassay Notes of the Masonic Service Association. The Mother Grand Lodge began examining the question of the legitimacy of Prince Hall Masonry some time ago. According to a Prince Hall history published by the UGL for their membership in November, "All Prince Hall grand lodges are descended from what is now the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts." The resolution presented to their quarterly grand lodge communication in December directed, "The Grand Registrar to move that, not withstanding its unusual formation, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts should now be accepted as regular, and be recognized." A letter to the MSA from the grand secretary of England reported passage of the resolution. One of the arguments utilized to refuse recognition to Prince Hall Masonry has been the United Grand Lodge's lack of recognition. African 459, the original lodge founded by Prince Hall and others, was dropped from the UGL rolls in 1813. Seventy other American lodges were also dropped at the time. This rift seems now been healed. Another major objection is the far from universally accepted principle of exclusive jurisdiction. Grand lodges sharing territory are recognized by a number of other grand lodges around the world and country. California brings to 12 the number of North American grand lodges recognizing a Prince Hall grand lodge. The others having fraternal relations with the Grand Lodge of North Carolina who have recognized one or more Prince Hall grand lodges are Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, plus New Brunswick and Quebec in Canada. ENCOMPASSING THE WORLD NEWS FROM MASONRY AROUND THE WORLD ALASKA -- For the third year, Alaska has held a Warden's Charge. The Charge is a workshop to help lodge wardens prepare to become masters. Wives are invited to the meeting. This year, more than half the wardens brought their spouse. -- Light From the Great Land. * * * * INDIA -- K.L. Reddi is the new grand master of India. Three of his four children live in in the United States. One is a physician, one an accountant, and the other works with computer software. -- Masonic News Letter of Goshamahal Baradari Masonic Building Committee. * * * * MAINE -- The Grand Lodge of Maine is celebrating its 175th birthday this year. A banquet and parade in Bangor are planned for September. The celebration was kicked off last October with a banquet where representatives of the 30 founding lodges were presented special medals commemorating the anniversary. -- The Maine Mason. * * * * VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA -- For the first time since 1940, an alternative candidate has presented himself for the office of grand master of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria. They would not normally have to vote on the office. Amadeus is a play about the life of Mozart, famous composer and Freemason. When the play was performed nearby, Victoria's grand lodge furnished the Masonic regalia for the production. In 1983 Operation Greenthumb was formed by the Grand Lodge of Victoria, along with Apex, Lions International, Rotary Clubs, and the Royal Horticultural Society of Victoria. The project was to help replant areas wiped out by disastrous brush fires that year. After a little legal work, they managed to use the leftover portion to help replant gardens after floods hit the same area ten years later. -- The Victorian Mason. * * * * NEBRASKA -- Gary Leazer, who lost his job with the Southern Baptist Convention after his 1993 report on Freemasonry, was to be the featured speaker at seminars presented at Nebraska's grand lodge session in February. Presentations will include Masonic History and Education, Leadership and Lodge Management, and Religion and Freemasonry. -- The Nebraska Freemason. * * * * IDAHO -- In early Freemasonry, table lodges were common. As early lodges met in taverns and inns, the table lodge combined meetings and meals. Many jurisdictions have gotten away from the practice. The Grand Lodge of Idaho has recently approved a ritual for table lodges. At the 127th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Idaho, a resolution to permit conducting blue lodge business in any degree was defeated. At the same communication, they granted full fraternal recognition to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut. They now recognize the Prince Hall grand lodges of Oregon, which maintains lodges in Idaho and Montana as well, and Washington. -- The Idaho Freemason. * * * * CONNECTICUT -- The Masons of Connecticut are planning to restore 140-year-old sandstone monument to David Wooster, the father of Connecticut Masonry. He got the charter for the first lodge in Connecticut (Hiram 1) and was its first master. He was killed in the Revolutionary War. -- The Connecticut Square & Compasses. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, at its October annual communication, gave full Masonic recognition to the grand lodges of Idaho, Nebraska, Washington, Minnesota, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia. -- The Idaho Freemason. * * * * MICHIGAN -- A computer committee of the Grand Lodge of Michigan is developing a computing scheme for its jurisdiction. They want to have all blue lodges and the grand lodge using the same software. Grand Master Donald Reno thinks special skills of members should be listed by that software. He's looking for a pilot to fly him to distant district meetings and doesn't know where to start looking. The Masonic Temple Building in Cadillac has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The building, built in 1889, has three retail stores on the street level and county offices on the second floor. Masonic facilities, including kitchen, lounge, and poolroom, are on the top floor. -- From Point to Pointe. * * * * PENNSYLVANIA -- George Hohenschildt was reelected grand master of Pennsylvania in December. Grand masters traditionally serve two-year terms there. Hohenschildt has directed "every lodge to send a carload of men to a DeMolay, Rainbow, or Job's Daughters meeting every month." As in most jurisdictions, declining membership has been a major concern of Freemasons in Pennsylvania. They hope their Friend to Friend Membership Development Program is an answer. While losses in 1994 still exceeded gains, initiations were up by 38%. Their next goal is "to average one new initiate per lodge per month for each of the ten months of meetings in 1995." -- The Pennsylvania Freemason. * * * * CALIFORNIA -- The Grand Lodge of California has recognized the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California and Hawaii. -- The New Canadian Freemason. * * * * DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA -- D.C. Masons held their first Child Identification Station in conjunction with a neighborhood festival. Parents of 115 youngsters were given identification booklets with their child's photograph and fingerprints. There were pages in the booklet for physical, medical, and personal history. La France 93 is a French speaking lodge chartered by the District of Columbia in the District. Lodges under the French National Grand Lodge traditionally travel to French lodges of other jurisdictions to install their officers and form alliances. Bartholdi 500 crossed the Atlantic to set up such an alliance with La France 93 in September. -- The Voice of Freemasonry. * * * * NEW YORK -- The Grand Lodge of New York has produced a booklet for the family of their newly raised Masons. Its title is The Masonic Family Welcomes Your Family to Freemasonry. It fits well with Grand Master Gary Henningsen's emphasis on involving families in Masonic activities. Grand Master Gary Henningsen and Deputy Grand Master Earl Hino Jr. went head to head on the track at the Tenth Anniversary of the Chautauqua Area Soap Box Derby. It was the third year of the Masonic-sponsored Special Olympian Division. Hino lost a wheel, crashed into Henningsen, and forcing him off the course. We feel sure that they get along better in the business of the grand lodge. -- Empire State Mason. * * * * OKLAHOMA -- Thanks to a change made at the last communication of the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, the grand master may now waive jurisdictional boundaries to allow a man to join a lodge anywhere in the state. -- The Oklahoma Mason. * * * * WYOMING -- The Grand Lodge of Wyoming has launched a newsletter -- The Wyoming Freemason. Wind River 25's home in Shoshoni has been added to the National Register of Historical Places. Built in 1906, it is one of the town's oldest surviving structures. They share the building with Yellowstone Drug and the Shoshoni Branch Library. -- The Wyoming Freemason. * * * * VERMONT -- When they celebrated the 200th birthday of Freemasonry in Vermont, they got a better response than they expected. Instead of the 200 they expected for the banquet, they got 400. They had to use closed circuit TV to carry the New Hampshire Alpine (Umpa) Band to the celebrants spread through three dining halls. There was standing room only at the 1,100-seat Grace Congregational Church for Sunday service. More than 3,000 marched in the celebration's parade in Rutland. -- The Green Mountain Freemason. * * * * KANSAS -- When the Masonic bodies of Kansas reached out to help the Kansas Foodbank, they raised $27,000. Their goal had been to collect one mile of canned goods. The final was actually equal to 4 1/2 miles. That's going the extra step. -- The Kansas Mason. * * * * RHODE ISLAND -- They're drafting a handbook for blue lodge secretaries in Rhode Island. Its main purpose is to help new secretaries learn procedures. The Make a Wish Foundation got $5,000 from Rhode Island's Grand Lodge Charity Ball. In 1994, Grand Lodge Charities there gave $105,000 to non-profit groups, $80,000 in scholarships to students, $1,300 for Christmas gifts to Veterans, $1,500 for disaster relief, and $23,000 to special requests from a number of other projects. In a statement to the membership, Grand Master Ralph DiSuillo addressed lodges having trouble maintaining themselves. He urged them to form committees to investigate reorganization or merger. "Perhaps it is time to reorganize lodges. What's in a name if we don't survive? Where your father, grandfather,etc. attended lodge is not important if you no longer have a lodge to go to." -- Rhode Island Freemason. * * * * KENTUCKY -- A proposed amendment to do away with a fixed minimum dues for individual lodges was held over until the next annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. -- Masonic Home Journal. * * * * NEW JERSEY -- Grand Master Earl Sutton is asking all lodges in the state to be using "The Secretary's Companion," their blue lodge computer software, and be "online" with modems by the end of April. The grand lodge has given each lodge a list of the necessities for getting up to speed. They're running software workshops around the state as well as at their annual communication. General computer training at reduced rates will be available to Masons and their families. More than 100 of their 170 lodges are already using the software. A Masonic Unity Congress for senior leaders of all Masonic organizations in New Jersey was to be held in March. The Grand Lodge Unity Committee there began holding the meetings in 1982 to bring leaders together "to develop unifying bonds and alliances." Masonic license plates have been sold in New Jersey since 1988. Sales are said to be going "very slowly." There is a one time charge of $35 for the custom state tags. -- The New Jersey Freemason. * * * * WISCONSIN -- Each year the Masons of Wisconsin sponsor an All-Star High School Soccer Game. It raised $5,000 for the Special Olympics of Wisconsin in 1994. Leadership Training Seminars are entering their fourth year in Wisconsin. This year's theme is "Putting It All Together: Making Your Lodge Work." It will focus on tools to help "lodge officers carry out their charges." Two hundred attended last year's edition. -- The Wisconsin Masonic Journal. * * * * NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA -- At their 129th Annual Communication, the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia approved inter-visitation with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ontario. -- The Wisconsin Masonic Journal. * * * * MINNESOTA -- "Building Upon Our Heritage" is the motto of the newly formed Minnesota Masonic Historical Society and Museum. The organization started with historical architect Charles Nelson's survey of Masonic buildings a couple of years ago. The updated concept will include books, all sorts of publications, pictures, scenery, furniture, and other objects that illustrate Freemasonry in Minnesota. Its first board of directors was to meet in January. They're reorganizing the business operation of the grand lodge office in Minnesota. An executive director will be taking care of the administrative duties. The move coincides with the retirement of long-time Grand Secretary Ray Schlemmer. At its annual communication in April, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota will be voting on giving full recognition to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Minnesota. They already allow some visitation between the lodges. The grand lodge is now online with its own computer bulletin board. A variety of information from Masonic activity schedules to educational programs are available. They are busy revising their Masonic manual. Masonic etiquette and lodge furnishings are among the topics be rewritten. -- The Minnesota Mason. THE BETTER READ MASON CARL H. CLAUDY, FATHER OF THE SHORT TALK There was a time, an age before television, video rentals, and pro sports, when Freemasons read. An age when sitting before a fire with a book of Masonic lore or history was regarded as an evening well spent. Emerging from that time is the name of an author unparalleled in his contributions to Masonic literature. Anyone who has read just a little of Carl H. Claudy's works cannot help but be charmed by the story told and the manner of expression. Foreign Countries, Old Tiler Talks, The Old Past Master, A Master's Wages, These Were Brethren, Where Your Treasure Is, The Lion's Paw, and Masonic Harvest, are but a few of his more well known Masonic works. Carl H. Claudy was born in 1879, and died in 1957. The preceding year he had been named Honorary Passed Grand Master of North Dakota. An author of 32 books and a galaxy of essays and short stories numbering more than 1,600, his literary life began inauspiciously enough. His formal education concluded after only a year of high school whereupon he found himself in the hardscrabble workaday world of the late l9th century. At age 19 he headed to the Alaskan gold fields. Finding no gold after six months, he returned to the States and took up employment with an emery wheel manufacturer. After several years he left that job to move back to Washington, DC, where he became the editor of a popular science paper. This was his springboard. Despite the lack of a formal education Claudy began to read and to write. In fact, the first story he ever wrote appeared in The Washington Post. He freelanced for The New York Herald, eventually joining its staff in 1908 with a special assignment covering the then infant aeronautical industry. During this time he wrote a number of articles on the subject and published a book titled, Beginners Book of Model Airplanes. But he was also a photographer. His photos of early flights were given to Alexander Graham Bell who placed in the Smithsonian where they remain today. At the end of World War I, Claudy went overseas as a correspondent for Scientific American. An avid athlete and outdoorsman, his hobbies included camping, mountaineering, boxing, rowing crew, tennis, and football. His love of the outdoors brought him frequently to Montana and inspired many short stories written for various Boy Scout publications. Claudy's association with Freemasonry began in 1908, when, at the age of 29, he was raised a Master Mason in Harmony 17 in Washington, DC. He served as its master and eventually served as grand master of Masons in the District of Columbia in 1943. His Masonic writing career began in earnest when he became associated with the Masonic Service Association in 1923, serving as associate editor of its magazine, The Master Mason until 1931. He became executive secretary of the Masonic Service Association in 1929 --a position held until his death in 1957. Under his single-handed leadership the Masonic Service Association was brought to a place of preeminence through his authorship and distribution of the "Short Talk Bulletin" which made his name familiar to virtually every lodge in the country. Claudy can personally lay claim to authorship of approximately 350 Short Talk Bulletins. In addition to the bulletins themselves he wrote and distributed innumerable digests, special bulletins, and portfolios of historical and factual nature--all designed to promote the Craft. One of his finest works of this nature is the "Little Masonic Library," a collection of 20 pocketsize volumes by noted authors. In 1930 he published serially in The Master Mason his delightful novel, The Lion's Paw, shortly followed by several others, including the timeless Master's Book, in which are set out the principles and practices of a successful lodge master. Another classic written during this time, his primer for new Masons entitled Introduction to Freemasonry, enjoyed international popularity. In 1934 he penned the first of his series of 12 Masonic plays while in his Washington office. The succeeding plays were all drafted on the road, so to speak. Nine of them were written in a log cabin in Montana in the sight of Emigrant Peak--a blue lodge in the Gallatins as Claudy called it. The plays have, in the past, had a powerful impact on the fraternity and formerly were performed countless times in nearly every grand lodge jurisdiction. In consequence of his long service, Masonic recognition was mighty. He was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, recipient of the Henry Price medal, honorary member of many lodges. So, if some evening in the future should find you with your TV on the blink and with nothing else to do, build a fire and curl up with one of Claudy's books. I guarantee you an interesting evening. -- By William A. Hill, grand historian, Grand Lodge of North Dakota, The North Dakota Mason, October-November-December 1993. Editor's Note: Introduction to Freemasonry is three short books, one for each degree. It is available from the Grand Lodge at $7.50 for the entire, hard-bound series. Just at press time, I got the latest edition from the Masonic Book Club. The hardback The Constitutions of St. John's Lodge is a facsimile and analysis of the Carmick Manuscript, an early hand-written copy of a lodge constitution. The second volume is a paperback named The Mystic Tie and Men of Letters. It's nearly 300 pages of essays on famous authors who were Freemasons. They go from Robert Burns to Voltaire, to Mark Twain, to Goethe, and others. We reported on the club a while back so, we won't be doing a review here. We do want to remind you that The Masonic Book Club is an outstanding bargain at $15 a year. If you love books and Masonry, you won't be disappointed. For details write: The Masonic Book Club, Box 1563, Bloomington, Illinois 61702-1563. THIS MONTH'S OFFERING FROM JIMROD Q. WAXPILLOW This Fellow Craft lecturer named Gordon Worked his way to senior warden Then happened to think He was out of synch For he skipped the big fight at the Jordan. OUR ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS The moral structures of a new age require a profound change in essential relationships between man and nature, among individuals and groups, within the family, and between the individual and social institutions. Current upheavals around the world dramatically expose the inadequacies of these old relationships. To revitalize these relationships, man must have an awareness of the spiritual aspects of social structures and relationships. The Masonic teachings suggest that, just as human beings have both a spiritual and material nature, so does the social order. Social progress requires harmonious interaction between these two aspects of civilization. No matter how far the material world advances, it cannot establish the happiness of mankind. Only when the material and spiritual are linked and coordinated will happiness be assured. Among the Masonic teachings is the thought that material civilization is one of the means for the progress of the world of mankind. Yet, until it becomes combined with divine civilization, the desired result will not be attained. The growing environmental crisis clearly demonstrates that humanity cannot sustain a predatory relationship with the natural environment. We must begin a new relationship with the earth. Endless acquisition of material goods can only aggravate the destruction of the environment. As consciousness of the interconnectedness of the universe grows, individuals and groups gain insight into the principle of unity and come to appreciate the beauty and necessity of diversity. Masons must demand that all people meet on the level. Peace will come when personal fulfillment does not come from seeking power over others, but from serving them and helping to create a society that is dedicated to developing the potential of every one of its members. The full emancipation of women is one of the most important, though less understood, benefits of world peace and one Masonry should lead in, for it is morally right. There are no grounds -- moral, practical, or biological -- upon which such denial can be justified. Only as women are welcomed into full partnership in all fields of human endeavor, will the climate be created in which international peace can emerge. The Masonic order is founded on the oneness of mankind, a spiritual truth which all the human sciences confirm. Prejudice of every kind must be abandoned. Be fully Masonic. The principles work. Use them at all times. By Lee Darrell, grand orator of Oregon, Oregon Masonic News, February 1994. EDITORIAL BY RIC CARTER A FEW NOTES FROM HERE AND THERE The North Carolina Mason maintains a mailing list of the state's 64,000 Masons. More precisely, Linda Williams at the Masonic Home for Children's Printing Department maintains that list. Of course, that's only part of her job. Lodge secretaries get a copy of their lodge's membership list with addresses every few of years. We ask them to update the list and make sure that we have the latest information. Please help us. Several secretaries have found that our list was better than theirs. To further complicate matters, 911 emergency addressing is finding its way into many rural areas. That means the old route and box numbers are out the window, and new street type addresses are in. We know this means a heck of a tough job for some of you guys and we appreciate your efforts. If you're having a slow time of it, drop Linda a note just to let her know you haven't forgotten. We know that lodge secretaries already have a lot of work to do, but please consider Linda's job. It is NOT possible for her to go over your roster and do all your corrections herself. Your list has a couple of hundred names, hers has 64,000. Put the corrections on the list she sends you. If you can't be prompt, at least be polite. If you've already done an update with a smile on your face, you'll never know how much it means to Linda. Please don't let your Masons get lost. Get a couple of Brothers to help go over your list. Bad addresses cost you $3,000 last year in returned postage. If you lose track of a member, it could cost you those needed dues in the future. JACK AND THE SPOTLIGHT During the President's State of the Union Address in January, Jack Lucas got the spotlight again. He's accustomed to that. Jack was seated on the right of First Lady Hilliary Clinton. He got a standing ovation when President Clinton introduced him as the youngest Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Jack was raised by the Grand Lodge officers in 1992. He is a member of Orr 104 in Washington and currently lives in Mississippi. We know Jack doesn't mind the attention a bit. A TASTE OF HOME Our pictures from Charity 5 in the January/February issue drew a note from Pennsylvania. Jack Patton, a Tar Heel native now living in Dillsburg, PA, said he recognized the painting hanging over the senior wardens chair. "It has to be The Blue Ridge north of Morganton depicting Table Rock and Hawk's Bill -- my home town. There was a day you could walk out of Catawba Valley 217 and see the same view. Thanks for the reminder of home." Maybe some of you fellows in Bertie County can tell us how those mountain paintings got down to the bottomlands of the East. Does anybody in the mountains recognize the name -- W. Frith Winslow? He signed the paintings, both dated 1951. DON'T GENERALIZE We got a note from a Presbyterian Brother concerned about a story in the November/December issue. Sorry, I can't find your note and name right now. Myrtle Grove Presbyterian Church in Wilmington had forbidden Masons to hold office in their church. He wanted to remind us that that church was not a mainstream Presbyterian church, but a member of a splinter organization. We don't want anyone believing that all Presbyterians have gone anti-Masonic. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Our Questions and Answers column is on sabbatical until action on the revision to The Code at Annual Communication in April. We anticipate acceptance of the revision, an action long overdue. Topics dealt with before then would carry many useless reference numbers. Most of us already have too many useless numbers in our lives. We'll resume as soon as possible.