electronicNCMason May/June 1996 -- vol. 4 no. 2 The stripped-down, online version of the real thing The North Carolina Mason, Volume 121 No. 3 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@abaco.coastalnet.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. Subscriptions to the regular edition of The North Carolina Mason are available for $5 a year. Write NC Mason Subscriptions, Printing Department, Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ ************************************************************ GRAND LODGE CONCLUDES 209TH ANNUAL COMMUNICATION Raleigh -- The 209th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, A.F.&A.M. was held here in Memorial Auditorium April 16--17. It was a busy session. William H. Simpson was elected grand master. He appoainted Charles A. Lewis of Wilmington junior grand steward. Per capita was increased as proposed. Grand Lodge voting will remain unchanged as will distribution of the OSW. The Special Activities Committee will keep its current duties and powers and fundraising rules brought into line with state revenue law. Other questions were also resolved. There were a total of 1,215 voting delegates registered representing 363 lodges. Hiram 40 repeated their steak dinner and degree work for early arrivals on Monday night. Nearly 300 Masons from all over the state saw five men raised by a team of 30 uniformed North Carolina State Highway Patrolman. It was the second year for the event. Ceremonies began at 10:00 Tuesday morning. The opening procession featured all 17 of our surviving past grand masters, eight grand masters visiting from other jurisdictions, and officers of several appendant bodies. They took the stage to the sounds of Gerald Lee's bagpipe. After the introduction of distinguished guests, Rufus Edmisten, grand orator, presented his address. He spoke about how important Masonic ties and the support of his Brothers had been during his recent tribulations. A number of presentations were made before lunch break. State Master Councilor of DeMolay Kyle Hughes addressed the assembly just before labor was resumed. A memorial service for Masons who died in the past year was led by David Grissom, a minister and administrator of the Masonic Home for Children. Reports from the Grand Master, Masonic Foundation, and Committee on Masonic Ceremonies and Miscellaneous Publications followed. Awards were presented to outstanding blue lodge newsletters. Several other recognitions were made before dispensing with labor for the day. The Grand Master hosted a reception for Masons and their wives at a hotel in downtown Raleigh Tuesday evening. Wednesday morning, as usual, delegates got down to serious business. The budget for the year was presented, discussed, and approved. The report on the Masonic and Eastern Star Home was followed by overwhelming approval of the plan presented by the Home's Board to finance and build the new Care Center. Amendments to The Code were next on the block. In the midst of working on them, election of officers began. Many expected heated debate about raising the per capita tax lodges pay to the Grand Lodge. The debate never developed. In fact there was no discussion on the floor. Explanations offered this winter by the Finance Committee were extensive and effective. Per capita will rise from $7.50 to $10.00 over the next three years. A dollar-and-a-half of the increase will be payable with 1996 returns to be filed in January 1997. Another 50¢ will be added in each of the following two years. The most spirited discussions seemed to be about making past masters voting members of the Grand Lodge. The argument that seemed to sway the vote was that the change was a potential power swing to the Piedmont. That region could easily send more past masters to Annual Communication. The amendment was rejected. Most votes currently reside with the masters and wardens of the blue lodge. Adding past masters would have potentially added more than 9,500 votes to the current total of less than 1,300. An associated amendment to elect all Grand Lodge line officers was also defeated. An amendment to make the OSW available to any Mason who wished to buy one also stirred emotions. After much debate, the vote was close to even, but short of the 2/3 majority needed to change the current ten copies per lodge. The change was endorsed by the Board of Custodians. Word is that we may see this one again before long. The Lodge Special Activities Committee was the focus of several other proposals. All the changes suggested by the Committee to bring The Code into alignment with NC Department of Revenue regulations were approved. Amendments that would have reduced the powers and scope of the Committee were defeated. If your lodge has trouble getting its Annual Report in on time, tardiness will be more expensive next year. Voters approved without debate, an increase in the daily penalty for late returns from one dollar to five dollars. The amendment to change "stupid atheist nor an irreligious libertine" in the Preamble of The Code to "atheist or a libertine" was not passed. The suggestion to add the word Masonic before "intercourse" and "recognition" in REG. 2-5 was approved. The change clarifies the intent of our bylaws. The order of business of Annual Communication listed in The Code was changed to match reality. State Senator Bob Martin, child of Oxford Orphanage and member of Bethel 589 was presented the Joseph Monfort Medal for outstanding service to North Carolina Freemasonry. Ed Hartsell, secretary and past master of Crown Point 708, was presented the medal before Annual Communication. The Joseph Monfort Medal may be the highest honor the Grand Lodge can give a man, but it was upstaged for one recipient this year. Past Grand Master Pete Thomas was a surprise recipient, but it took some hunting to get him on stage. He was across town visiting the new grandson his daughter delivered the day before. The medal may have to take the back seat to the grandson, but the medal won't need changing. Election of officers began at 11:00 a. m. Wednesday. There were no surprises in the selection of line officers with each advancing to the next chair. The office of grand treasurer has been temporarily filled by Assistant to the Grand Secretary Walt Clapp since the death of Past Grand Master Jerry Tart. Outgoing Grand Master Cliff Everett Jr. was elected new grand treasurer. Pete Dudley was reelected grand secretary. Officers appointed by newly elected Grand Master Bill Simpson were: Robert R. Simpson, grand tyler; Victor S. Dowd, grand chaplain; Reynold S. Davenport, grand historian; Bunn T. Phillips Jr., grand lecturer; I. Boyd Hopkins, grand orator; Ray M. Comer, assistant grand tyler; Powell M. Shelton, assistant grand tyler; A. Gene Cobb Jr., assistant grand chaplain; and I. Richard Holshouser, assistant grand chaplain. MEET OUR NEW GRAND MASTER WILLIAM H. SIMPSON William Henry Simpson has been elected the 143rd Grand Master of Masons in North Carolina. He was born in Stokesdale, North Carolina on May 14, 1928, to Addie C. and Pearlie P. Simpson. He is the second of five children, three girls and two boys. He graduated from Stokesdale High School in 1946 where he was active in the Boy Scouts and played varsity basketball and baseball. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1950 with a science degree and returned the following year for post graduate work. In 1951 Bill went to work for Western Electric Company as an associate engineer. In 1953 he received a direct commission in the United States Air Force where he served three years active duty as an airborne electronics officer. In 1952 he married Marian Frances Vaughn, also of Stokesdale. Marian is a retired school teacher. They have no children. After leaving the Air Force in 1956, he returned to the Western Electric Company to become a computer programmer. In 1966 he moved on to Pilot Life Insurance Company as a computer programmer in their Medicare operation. He was later promoted to systems analyst, manager of the systems and programming department, and assistant vice president. He retired in 1983. Marian and Bill are active members of West Market Street United Methodist Church. He has served as usher there for more than thirty years. He served several terms on the Administrative Board. Bill comes from a family with long-term Masonic ties. His grandfather and brother each served as master of their lodges. His father spent 13 terms as master of his lodge. Simpson petitioned the lodge just three days after his 21st birthday. His father raised him in Stokesdale 428 in August 1949. He served 428 as chaplain, secretary, and as master in 1956, 1968, and 1986. He is an honorary member of several lodges. Grand Master Jerry G. Tart appointed him grand steward in 1989. He has been a member of Stokesdale Chapter 202, Order of the Eastern Star since January 1953. He served as their worthy patron seven times. Simpson was worthy grand patron in 1980--81 and honorary member in about 300 chapters and grand chapters. Bill became a member of the Greensboro Scottish Rite Bodies in 1960. He was coroneted 33¡ Inspector General Honorary in 1981. He has been secretary of the Greensboro Bodies and secretary-treasurer of the North Carolina Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation since April 1987. Simpson became a York Rite Mason in 1963. He has received many honors in the group and served in numerous official capacities. He is an honorary member in several York Rite bodies in North Carolina and several grand bodies outside North Carolina. He was grand commander of Knights Templar of North Carolina in 1983. He's a life member of Oasis Shrine and affiliated with more than 15 other Masonic bodies. ************************************************************ OXFORD SCHEDULES ST. JOHN'S DAY CELEBRATION Oxford -- The largest gathering of Masons in North Carolina is fast approaching. The annual St. John's Day celebration at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford is set for June 22. More than 10,000 members of our Masonic family will be on hand for a day of free food, fun, and fellowship. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. That'll furnish your resting spot under the campus's welcoming oaks. Bring a friend and a child. They'll appreciate your sharing a fine day. It'll make your day better, too. If you're a regular for the fun, you already know the schedule. Everything kicks off with a welcome by the Home's Children's Choir. They perform on the steps of the administration building at 9:30 a.m. As they finish, the Shrine Parade will start its trek from downtown Oxford to the heart of the Home campus. Most of the parade units of Amran, Oasis, and Sudan Shrines will join in. It's an hour and a half of entertainment passing by you. There'll be bands, clowns, motorized units, classic cars, animal characters, horses, crazed hillbillies, and many more. If you can't sit still that long, you'll find other diversions around campus. There'll be stands with snacks and crafts for you to buy. Proceeds from all stands go to different programs and cottages at the Home. We promise that by the time the parade is finished, you'll have a ready appetite. The Shrine won't let you down then either. Behind the administration building, you'll find the tents and cookers of those fezzed fryers. They'll feed you a fried chicken lunch that's guaranteed to get you ready for an afternoon of relaxation. The stage at the steps of the administration building comes back to life at noon. That's when the 82nd Airborne Division All American Chorus begins their performance. The chorus began in 1964 as 15 soldiers singing for Sunday services at the Division Chapel. Since those humble beginnings, they've recorded a number of albums and performed all around the world. While their primary mission remains as U. S. Army soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg, their off-post performances continue to increase. They feature popular as well as patriotic songs. Country music's Forester Sisters will be up next. The sisters, known for their "energy and sense of humor," recently celebrated their tenth anniversary and tenth album with Warner Bros. Records. They've been nominated for two Grammy Awards and named Vocal Group of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. Each of their first 14 singles made it onto the Billboard Top Ten country chart. At 2:00 p.m. "Vegas polish meets south Georgia soul" as Billy Joe Royal returns to St. John's Day. It's been 30 years since Royal smashed onto the pop charts with roommate Joe South's tune "Down in the Boondocks." Royal remade his career when his pop star faded in the early 70s, moving his talents to Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. As that light began to dim he headed for Nashville and cut a new path into country music. He headlined St. John's Day in 1993 also. We'll look forward to seeing you and your family there. ************************************************************ OUR GRAND SECRETARY'S CONDITION UPDATED Raleigh -- Grand Secretary Pete Dudley and his wife Doris have been overwhelmed by hundreds of responses and messages of encouragement. They express their gratitude for each, especially for the prayers on their behalf in Pete's battle with cancer. Doris says that Pete is responding well to his radiation treatment. He puts in some time at the office each day. He's eating and sleeping well and continues to get around town. The family is hopeful of a positive recovery. He hopes to resume normal activity soon after completing his therapy. We gave you the wrong e-mail address for Pete in the last issue. Luckily, it was to a friend who forwarded all your correspondence. Pete's personal address is 103670.3473@compuserve.com. Drop him a line or two, he'd enjoy hearing from you. His business address is still 74131.3355@compuserve.com. ************************************************************ NICK KLEIN TARHEEL BIONIC MAN BY ROBERT WEAVER Atlantic -- A decade ago, television brought us The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. Now, thanks to medical technology and community effort, Carteret County has its own bionic man. Meet Nick Klien. In January Nick visited Crissie Wright 741 in Smyrna to thank members for aiding his progress. In May 1993, exactly two months before his 16th birthday, Nick was swimming with friends in Atlantic Harbor. He dived from a dock, not realizing that the spring tides had created a shoal. His head hit the bottom instantly snapping his neck and injuring his spinal cord. Nick spent the next three months in Pitt Memorial Hospital in Greenville, NC unable to move a muscle. Doctors performed neck surgery, but he remained a quadriplegic, unable to move from the neck down. For the next two months, Nick returned to Greenville many times for rehabilitation and diagnosis. In December 1993 local Masons and Shriners arranged for Nick to fly to Shriners Children's Hospital in Philadelphia as a candidate for a revolutionary new operation. Spinal cord injuries prevent nerve impulse transmission between the brain and the rest of the body. The "NeuroControl Freehand System" has been developed over the past 20 years by NeuroControl Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio. It replaces those broken connections with electrical stimulation. Nick was at Shriners from May through December 1994. When his muscles strengthened, physician implanted a pacemaker-type stimulator, transferred tendons, reconstructed his right hand, and operated on his a triceps. Wiring and electrodes planted in his forearm and hands allow the stimulator to replace normal brain impulses with electrical stimulation. The system is controlled by a shoulder mounted joy stick worn invisibly under his clothes. A microprocessor attached to his wheelchair provides the "brains" and a backpack battery. Nick was home that Christmas. He was able to use his shoulder, right arm, and to open and close his hand with mobility in his thumb. Returning to Philadelphia from July through November of 1995, Nick had his left side similarly reconstructed. His doctor flew in from Cleveland to oversee a team of five surgeons for the 13-hour operation. Nick is only the fourth person to undergo the procedure. He returned to Philadelphia in January to demonstrate the results for physicians visiting to learn the technique. Nick currently suffers from severe muscle spasms in his legs. This summer, he returns to have a reservoir implanted which will dispense muscle relaxants to control the spasms. He now watches with anticipation as the "Freehand System" is applied to the lower bodies of paraplegics to restore leg function. Shriners provided Nick with a tutor while he was in their hospital. He'll graduate from East Carteret High School in June. He hopes to major in computer technology and business administration at St. Andrew's or East Carolina University. Nick has been appointed to the local Committee on Disabilities. Nick's wish list includes some computer upgrades and a subscription to his local Internet provider, CoastalNet. Both will give him more intellectual mobility. Members of Crissie Wright 741 recently put an extended roof on Nick's family van to make it easier for him to get around. The Eighth Masonic District helped a community effort to get a computer for Nick last year. Kids in trouble or wasting their teenaged years should talk to Nick. He would gladly trade a day. With his attitude, courage, and determination don't be surprised to see Nick jogging by you in the future. ************************************************************ LYCEUM SCHEDULED BY RALEIGH SCOTTISH RITE BODIES Raleigh -- The Scottish Rite Bodies of Raleigh are sponsoring their first LYCEUM May 18, 1996. What's a LYCEUM? It's a lecture with a question and answer session. The subject of this year's forum is the current anti-Masonic movement. S. Brent Morris; Masonic author, member of England's prestigious research lodge Quatour Coronati 2076, book reviewer for the Scottish Rite Journal, and editor of The Scottish Rite Research Journal; will be the speaker. Morris, co-author with Art deHoyos of Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?, will help you make a "knowledgeable refutation" of attacks on the Fraternity. Morris attended Duke University graduate school. He joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Raleigh in 1974. He is an honorary member of Durham 352. An autograph session will be held at 1:00 p. m. and the lecture will begin at two o'clock. Heavy refreshments will be served at three o'clock. The LYCEUM will be held at the Raleigh Masonic Temple, 1520 Caswell Street, at the intersection of Glenwood and Wade avenues. Tickets are ten dollars and seating is limited. Call (919) 834-8873 for further information. Non-Masons are welcome. Tickets include a copy of Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? You are urged to carpool to ease parking problems. Raleigh Scottish Rite Bodies plan to make this a yearly event. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ RAMBLIN ROSE BY JOHN ROSE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR HOME A YEAR OF MESH PROGRESS The Masonic and Eastern Star Home is gearing up for the 21st century. So much has changed in the last several decades -- particularly in the field of retirement living and long term care. During the past year we have accomplished much with our physical plant. We have resolved a number of health and safety issues such as updating our emergency signal system, removing asbestos, and eliminating old underground oil and gasoline tanks. We have installed the Home's first computer system. Each department head and major work area is now networked. We have purchased software that allows MESH to bring its accounting and payroll systems in-house. Department heads are now learning how to use these valuable tools as well as the software that will allow improvement in our resident and medical care system. It is a simple thing to run an "organization" where every problem and event has a policy and a protocol without exception. It is far more difficult (yet rewarding) to run a "Home" where residents have the opportunity to choose. Congregate living can be an emotional laboratory. Staff and residents alike rejoice in one another's happiness, promote one another's welfare, and sympathize in one another's misfortunes. To this end we have employed a Director of Social Services who has several major responsibilities. Bettie Lea Knight, a very competent and qualified social worker, is responsible for assisting all of our residents with the confounding and compounding challenges of aging as well as their move into a new neighborhood. Mrs. Knight also ensures that our programs remain designed for the unique interests and talents of each resident. Other important arenas for the social services program are assisting Lodges and Chapters with application procedures, ensuring that the Home's programs and resources are compatible with the potential resident, and keeping in touch with the applicants who are on the Home's waiting list. The Home has implemented a long needed human resources program. Our Home employs some 120 full and part time persons. This is a huge responsibility and a potential financial liability if not handled properly and professionally. The rules that apply to employers today are comprehensive and confusing. Susan Stewart brings to MESH an impressive background in human resource development in this particular industry. There is nothing less expensive nor more productive than a properly compensated and tenured employee who is performing well and who is happy in his or her work. We are improving our record keeping systems throughout the Home to include financial, personnel, medical, and social areas. The Home's Board of Directors have been most helpful in authorizing these prudent and necessary improvements under the leadership of its chairmen, Clifton W. Everett Jr. in 1995 and William Simpson in 1996. On behalf of the nearly 200 residents of MESH and of those thousands yet to come, we all thank you generous Masons who have taken your obligation so very seriously. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ UNDER THE OAKS BY DAVID GRISSOM ADMINISTRATOR MASONIC HOME FOR CHILDREN A PROUD HERITAGE I recently had the wonderful experience of visiting the Holy Land on a trip supported and sponsored by The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar. Forty-seven ministers from across the United States, representing various denominations, appreciated this dream-come-true ten-day tour. Two of us were from North Carolina. Ministers who are selected for this Holy Land Pilgrimage do not need to be Masons, but they must be recommended by the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage Committee within each state. This is an excellent gift to a minister from this York Rite body. It is also a way of enhancing the image of Freemasonry and showing our support for those who are actively involved in the ministry. As a Mason, I was especially excited to visit the quarries of King Solomon where huge stones were gathered to build the Temple of King Solomon. To walk on this historic ground and among the rocks central to Masonic legend, was an experience any Mason could appreciate. Did this writer gather any rocks while in the quarries? Let's just say that a couple of customs agents asked what I was going to do with the rocks when I returned to the United States. To relate this ten-day experience to the Masonic Home for Children is quite simple. Both areas are beautiful, with a proud heritage. As the oldest Masonic Home for Children in the United States, our Masons can take a great deal of pride. We want to keep our 123 years of history alive and vibrant, and continue to provide quality care to all the children who live at our Home. As one recent first time visitor said, "Our Masons should be very proud of what we have here. I look forward to returning and bringing other Masons with me." Brethren, we appreciate your continued support, prayers, and dedicated love. Our hope is that more of you will visit our Home and that you will come more often. If you need material or information about your Masonic Home for Children, please call or write. We want to help you learn more of our history. ************************************************************ THANK YOU FROM THE KIDS An Open Letter to N.C. Masons Editor's note: The following article appeared in the March 1996 edition of Campus Tracks, the student paper at the Masonic Home for Children. To all of the Masons of North Carolina: As assistant editor of Campus Tracks, I would like to thank you all for all of the wonderful gifts we received at Christmas time. It is not only Christmas time that we appreciate what you do for us, it's all during the year. Without your support and love, many of us would be in a bad situation at home. I speak for all of the Home, we appreciate everything that is done for us. We are so glad to have people who love and support us. Please don't forget all of us love you for everything that is done for us. Love Always, Terri Konwerski Assistant Editor ************************************************************ SOME BIRTHDAYS AT THE HOME FOR CHILDREN Crystal Rene Walters June 8, 1981 Joseph Martin Palacios June 13, 1979 Dennis Ray Robertson June 17, 1985 Jeffrey Bray Dunn June 20, 1986 Steven Wayne Taylor June 27, 1976 Jeff Daniel May II June 28, 1980 John George Ludwig Schwind IV June 13, 1981 Regina Gwyn Wilson July 2, 1979 John Albert Pollock Jr. July 3, 1982 Caree Nicole Cochran July 9, 1982 Eric Dale Austin July 10, 1976 Jamey Richard Sledge July 10, 1987 Beverly Ann Adkins July 20, 1981 Glenn Matthew Harvell July 23, 1989 Jeremy Wayne Dunn July 29, 1985 Justin Burton Wilbourn July 29, 1986 ************************************************************ ************************************************************ FROM THE FOUNDATION BY JIM MEDLIN, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR NC MASONIC FOUNDATION LODGE GIVING IN 1995 I reported in the last issue of the NC Mason that 1995 was a good year for our North Carolina Masonic charities. I would like to expand a little on just how well we did. You all deserve congratulations. I wish there were enough space to recognize all those who gave, but as one might imagine, that is not be possible. The Grand Lodge leadership and Masonic charities offer our heartfelt thanks for all your gifts and love. The Annual Fund is the financial lifeblood of the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford and the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. Our endowments are not large enough to pay all the expenses of the homes. The homes depend on gifts coming in from the lodges to support their operations. If annual gifts do not measure up to annual expenses, undesignated legacy gifts must be used. Without the Annual Fund both homes would suffer a great loss in legacy-gift assets. Our giving is a symbol of our commitment to our obligations and those in our care. It is also a goal for our Brothers to strive toward. Here are the lodges that gave more than $10,000 to the Annual Fund for our homes in 1995. These figures include gifts given to Oxford and MESH annual operations. They do not include gifts to the MESH Care Center or the North Carolina Masonic Foundation. District Lodge Donations 57 Hickory 343 $18,889.20 61 Biltmore 446 $17,550.00 33 Person 113 $14,314.79 41 Matthews 461 $12,174.32 42 West Gate 738 $12,071.00 12 Semper Fidelis 680 $12,022.40 26 Cary 198 $11,843.38 29 Creasy Proctor 679 $11,499.70 54 Stanley 713 $10,926.42 36 Revolution 552 $10,406.02 55 Holland Memorial 668 $10,157.16 The following category includes gifts to the MESH Care Center and the N. C. Masonic Foundation. The lodges breaking the $10,000 barrier in this area are: District Lodge Donations 57 Hickory 343 $21,059.20 61 Biltmore 446 $17,620.00 26 Cary 198 $16,627.21 36 Revolution 552 $15,782.12 49 Snow 363 $15,686.75 42 West Gate 738 $15,032.00 33 Person 113 $14,314.79 40 East Gate 692 $13,939.61 24 Hiram 40 $13,869.00 41 Matthews 461 $12,174.32 12 Semper Fidelis 680 $12,022.40 29 Creasy Proctor 679 $11,689.70 42 Steele Creek 737 $11,433.57 54 Stanley 713 $10,926.42 53 Riverside 606 $10,540.00 55 Holland Memorial 668 $10,157.16 This last category perhaps reflects a truer charitable giving performance -- per capita giving by lodge. These figures do not including gifts to the MESH Care Center or the Foundation. The lodges exceeding the $50 per member mark are: District Lodge Membership Total 33 Person 113 108 $132.54 33 Henry F. Grainger 412 32 $ 78.91 22 Wake Forest 282 107 $ 64.17 54 Stanley 713 199 $ 54.91 22 Youngsville 377 38 $ 52.96 47 Round Peak 616 196 $ 51.00 In May I will be scheduling training seminars to help the lodges better understand the Development Program and fund raising in individual lodges. Each measure of giving reported here is but a gauge of a lodge's giving to our North Carolina Masonic charities. In 1995 the Annual Fund provided $1,081,410.35 to the children in Oxford and our Brothers and Sisters in Greensboro. That is $17.44 per Mason. Our goal is to get that figure to $25.00. At that goal we would raise $1,550,000. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ PAST NC MASON EDITOR COLENDA DIES Oxford -- Allen Colenda, 74, retired manager of the Oxford Orphanage Printing Department and past editor of The North Carolina Mason, died March 12. Allen and four brothers entered the Masonic Home for Children in 1932 and spent their youth there. Allen returned to the Home in 1959 as manager of the Printing Department. He retired the position in 1985. He continued to help there until his death. He was at the Print Shop when he suffered the heart attack that took his life a week later. He served as editor of The NC Mason from May 1964 until November 1967. He was much help to the paper throughout his years there. Allen was raised by Oxford 122 in 1960 and served as the lodge's master in 1967. He is survived by his wife Pat, three daughters, a son, three brothers, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. ************************************************************ FLOYD DUNN, CUSTODIAN, PASSES Aberdeen -- Floyd Dunn, past grand lecturer and long-time secretary to the Board of Custodians, died in February. Dunn was raised in 1952 and served Roman Eagle 550 as master two years and secretary for 25. Dunn was fondly remembered by Past Grand Master Bunn T. Phillips Jr. in his funeral eulogy: "We rode many miles together in the service of the Fraternity. He is the only man I have ever known that could put a 'chew' of tobacco in at Rockingham, carry on a normal conversation, and not spit until he got to Hickory." ************************************************************ LEXINGTON 473 CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL Lexington -- Lexington 473 celebrated the 100th birthday of the lodge in January. Grand Master Clifton Everett Jr. spoke at the banquet. Past Grand Master Lester Martin, Junior Grand Warden Tom Gregory, and Grand Lecturer Bob Braswell were among the guests on hand. Roy West, from Memorial 696, played the music for the evening. Darrell Skipper wrote a history of the lodge. The history was distributed to those attending. The program featured a cover sketch of the lodge by Katherine Skipper. ************************************************************ GRAND MASTER SCHEDULES DISTRICT MEETINGS Each year we each get a chance to sit down and have supper with the Grand Master. He travels around the state to tell you what's on his mind and listen to what's on yours. Grand Master Bill Simpson has scheduled 32 area meetings this year. Most will be include two districts. The meetings will be held from May through August. Meals start at 6: 30 p. m. and meetings begin at 7:15 p. m. To keep things simple and get us home a little earlier, lodge will not be opened or closed. However, the meeting room will be tiled and the Grand Master received with formal ceremonies. Circumstance or nature could alter the schedule. You'll be notified of any changes in your area. Come and talk to some friends you don't see often. Make some new Masonic friends. Take advantage of your opportunity to meet Grand Master Bill Simpson. TOWN LOCATION DISTRICTS DATE Warrenton Johnston-Caswell 10 21, 33 May 22 Durham Oak Grove 750 32, 34 May 23 Wadesboro Kilwinning 64 38, 37 May 29 Stokesdale Stokesdale 428 36 May 30 Shawboro Hall 53 1, 3 June 3 Wilson Wilson 712 17, 18 June 4 Farmington Farmington 265 46, 48 June 5 Williamston Skewarkee 90 2, 4 June 10 Pendleton Pendleton 524 19, 20 June 11 Raleigh Charles B. Newcomb 740 24, 25, 26 June 13 Fairmont Fairmont 528 14, 30 June 25 Spring Lake Fort Bragg 667 28, 29 June 27 Huntersville Long Creek 205 40, 41, 42 July 9 Lowell Lowell 590 54, 55, 56 July 10 Reidsville Jefferson Penn 384 35, 47 July 11 Canton Pigeon River 386 60, 63 July 16 Franklin Junaluskee 145 64, 65 July 17 Lincolnton Lincoln 137 53, 57 July 18 Carolina Beach Federal Point 753 10 July 23 Garland Garland 664 12, 15 July 24 Shallotte Shallotte 727 13 July 25 Thomasville Thomasville 214 43, 44, 45 July 29 Asheboro Balfour 188 31, 37 July 30 Kenly Kenly 257 16, 27 August 7 Wendell Wendell 565 22, 23 August 8 Sparta Sparta 423 49, 50 August 13 Union Grove Grassy Knob 471 51, 52 August 15 Kinston St. John's 4 5, 11 August 20 Havelock Cherry Point 688 8, 9 August 21 New Bern Doric 568 6, 7 August 22 Weaverville Vance 293 58, 62 August 27 Black Mountain Black Mountain 663 59, 61 August 28 ************************************************************ ************************************************************ TRAVELERS OF THE TARHEEL STATE NEWS FROM NORTH CAROLINA'S BLUE LODGES TROUTMAN Campbell 374 turned a third degree into a social event worth remembering in February. Campbell's crew did the first section of the degree. West Gate 738 brought their costumes over from Charlotte to take care of the second section. There were more than 30 visitors from 15 lodges in five districts. They had seven district officers and Junior Grand Warden Tom Gregory on hand. They also made some beef farmer's day -- steak dinner was served to the crowd of more than 70 before the work began. -- Henry Brantley, secretary, Campbell 374. PLYMOUTH News From Perseverance Lodge 59 is one of several new lodge newsletters to appear this year. It's part of their revitalization process. Master Gene Roberts is also planning a social event every month to include family members and guests. The first was an oyster roast. Secretary Harrison Phelps was bragging about one member so faithful that he sends a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with his check for dues every year. He reduced the time and money spent on sending his dues card. Every little bit makes a difference. -- News From Perseverance Lodge ELK PARK Cranberry 598 is working up the cash for a new roof on the lodge building. They're asking $20 each from members. We got the news from their new newsletter, Tidings. -- Tidings CHERRYVILLE Cherryville 505 is hosting their family picnic in June. They're inviting friends to the local country club for the event. Charles Murray made a Bible board for the lodge. That's the device used by the chaplain to carry the Bible during a Masonic funeral. -- News Out of the Blue SALISBURY Fulton 99 has changed its stated communications to second and fourth Monday nights. They used to meet on Fridays. Eleven lodges still meet on Fridays. Six meet on Saturday. -- The Trestle-Board Brunswick Stew has come and gone at Andrew Jackson 576. That means they're planning Homecoming now. That will include steak supper and entertainment from ACC officials John Godbold and Mike Dover. Who's on first, anyway? They'll explain. Martin Ernest Johnson recently got his 50-year pin from 576. -- The Master's Journal GREENSBORO Gate City 694 has had music for their degree work lately. Ted Bachmann plays piano. Steve Schulz sang the candidate's prayer at a recent Entered Apprentice Degree. A bus load of Masons from 694 planned to retrace Robert E. Lee's march into Pennsylvania in late April. They had a professional guide hired to lead them around Gettysburg's battle ground. -- The Trestle Board Every lodge will have to do it sometime. Revolution 552's turn came this winter. They've put in a new heating and air conditioning system. -- The Bi-Monthly Newsletter of Revolution Lodge MORGANTON Fred Roberson, of Catawba Valley 217, has been named Morganton's 1995 Man of the Year by the local Rotary Club. Roberson's 53 years in scouting stand out in his life of community service. -- The Trowel NEWTON Catawba 248 has debuted a newsletter. The Trestle-Board reports that Fred Welborn recently got his Veteran's Award. -- The Trestle-Board CHARLOTTE Temple 676 is saluting the lodge's 50th birthday May 11. The party will be held from noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Red Fez Shrine Club at Lake Wylie. -- John Beall, master Five chefs crossed ladles in Mint Hill's Chili Cookoff. Bonnie McLaughlin got top honors. Votes were made with dollar bills. The ballots were sent to Masonic and Eastern Star charities. More than 450 people enjoyed the Sixth Annual Spaghetti Supper they held this winter. -- TrestleBoard Members of Charles M. Setzer made a van trip to the Masonic and Eastern Star Home for Sunday services in February. In March, the lodge presented a 50-year award to Lyman Merdin on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. -- Charles M. Setzer Lodge Paul Poley, secretary of Phalanx 31, is taking an opportunity to broaden the records of the lodge. They just started using The Scrivener lodge software. A questionnaire included with a recent newsletter asked questions to flesh out details of lodge life that can be followed with the software. They figure that savings on postage and printing alone will pay for their new computer in just three years. Do your lodge meetings drag on past the time some members need to get home? Phalanx lodge is keeping the business meetings short and having a "no time limit" refreshment period after lodge closes. -- Trestleboard PAW CREEK Carl Votick Jr. received the 1995 Master's Award at West Gate 738. West Gate is offering a course on The Code in May. They held their first Chicken Fry of the year in March. Profits from the several they held last year reached almost $10,000. -- West Gate Trestle-Board BLACK MOUNTAIN Black Mountain 663 has gotten a new computer and a new riding lawn mower. Secretary Rick Patton has put in lots of hours so far adding member information to the computer's files. The new mower sits in a new shelter waiting for those who volunteer on a mowing sign-up sheet. For the bold of breath, 663's Second Annual Rampfest is scheduled for May 18. Eat ramps (garlic for the bold-hearted), burgers, potatos, and pinto beans at 4:00 o'clock. Degree work starts at 6:00 o'clock. You better warn your wife on this one. -- Black Mountain Lodge MIDLAND Union 618 has approved plans for their new lodge building. Their next goal is to raise enough money to build it. Newt Conner was recently presented his Veteran's Award. -- Union Lodge WASHINGTON Clyde McCarver recently earned his 50-year service award. McCarver, a past grand chaplain of North Carolina, currently resides in South Carolina. -- Light From the East ALBEMARLE Past master portraits are being moved to the dining hall at Stanly 348. They're hunting for pictures of those masters missing from the collection. -- The Trestle Board THOMASVILLE Two 50-year membership awards have recently been presented by Thomasville 214. Gilbert E. Crotts became the tenth living 50-year man there. They also presented one to Hubert H. Caudle on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Caudle is a regular visitor to 214. -- Trestle Board FRANKLIN Junaluskee 145's George Brook got a rare recognition for 70 years of membership in Freemasonry. -- Trestle Board SMITHFIELD The new furniture is in the entrance foyer at Fellowship 84. Lamps, pictures, and accessories are budgeted for 1997. Fellowship member Paul Worley has been appointed to the National Grade Crossing Safety Task Force by the United States Transportation secretary. -- The Trestleboard KINSTON St. John's 4 offers the title "Dad-For-A-Year" to members who donate $35 to their Masonic Home for Children fund drive. They also get their name on a poster in the lodge hall. -- The Trestle Board WILKESBORO You can now keep up with what's going on at Liberty 45 by calling their answer machine. It carries schedules and last minute updates on special events. -- Liberty at Large SPRUCE PINE Vesper 554 has a new Bible on their altar. Louise Hosie of Crystal River, Florida wanted to do something special with her late husband's Masonic Bible. She gave it to family friend Bill Lalonde. Bill gave it to his home lodge. -- The Beacon JACKSONVILLE Semper Fidelis 680 held an open house on a Saturday night in March. -- Semper Fidelis Lodge CORNELIUS They've been cleaning up around the front of Williams 176. They removed dead shrubs and trees in front of the lodge. They then added a flagpole and floodlights to show off their improved looks. -- Trestle Board MT. AIRY Congratulations to Round Peak 616 on launching The Round Peak Mason. We learned a lot from their first issue. Harlin Holder, Willie Rayburn Snow, Roscoe J. Jefferson, Ernest Esker East, and Roy Roosevelt Tolbert all got Veteran's Emblems recently. Round Peak is helping buy new chairs for the cafeteria at the Masonic Home for Children. Their lodge was damaged and the tyler's sword taken in a winter break-in. Lodge member Connie Watson, county sheriff, returned the recovered sword to the lodge at a January emergent communication. -- The Round Peak Mason MEBANE Richard Parks painted the interior of the lodge rooms at Bingham 272. To keep things nice on the outside, they're buying a lawn mower and a storage building to house it. Their Vidalia Onion sale is set for May. Kinda brings tears to your eyes, just thinking about it. -- Bingham's News and Views WINSTON-SALEM Happy Birthday! to On The Level at Old Town Lodge. Old Town 751's newsletter turned ten years old in February. There are more than 100 lodge newsletters today. That's many more, we would guess, than when volume one, number one of On The Level hit mailboxes. Old Town Lodge is now sponsoring Mason-affiliated Rainbow Assembly 37. Rainbow is an organization for young ladies. -- On The Level at Old Town Lodge GRAHAM Eighty-nine-year-old Charlie E. Owen recently got his Veteran's Emblem from Thomas M. Holt 492. -- The Holler Log BESSEMER CITY When some neighboring sisters mentioned that there was some yard work they couldn't take care of themselves, Whetstone 515 stepped forward with a crew of volunteers to help out. -- The Whetstone GOLDSBORO Several lodges collect aluminum cans for charity. Goldsboro 634 made more than $900 that way last year for the Masonic homes. Donald E. Sheuy got his Veteran's Emblem in March. -- News Letter RALEIGH The new lodge building of William T. Bain 231 has been dried in now. They're holding a work day every Saturday. Moving in gets closer all the time. -- 24th Masonic District Newsletter FAYETTEVILLE The Jim Horne Brotherhood Classic Golf Tournament logs its sixth edition in May. The $45 entry fee includes greens fees, cart, and the cookout. Proceeds go to the Masonic homes. The Trestle Board of Creasy Proctor 679 has reduced its publication to every other month this year. The lodge presented Clinton Elwood Anderson, John Caswell Beebe Jr., and Charles Albert Gardner their Veteran's Emblems in November. -- The Trestle Board WALLACE Seaborn Blair, a member of Wallace 595, has been appointed by Governor Jim Hunt to the N. C. Human Relations Commission. The commission "advocates, enforces, and promotes equality of opportunity in areas of housing, fair employment practices, public accommodations, education, justice, and government services." -- Wallace Enterprise LOUISBURG George B. Murphy was honored by James A. Johnson 413 this winter with life membership. He is a past master and has served the lodge as tyler for many years. -- Dennis Cash ADVANCE There were lots of Masonic VIPs on hand when Grand Master Clifton W. Everett Jr. dedicated the new lodge building of Advance 710 in March. ************************************************************ ALASKA GM DUNBAR VISITS CAROLINA HOME Newton Grove -- Alaska Grand Master Henry T. Dunbar is a native of Grantham, North Carolina. After the North American Grand Masters Conference in February, Dunbar came home for a few days. While Dunbar was visiting family in Newton Grove, Mill Creek 125 invited him over for a reception. Dunbar received a gavel from Ralph Weaver and Cecil Odom. ************************************************************ ENGLISH MASTER INSTALLS WILSON MASTER Wilson -- Gary Chapman, past master of Allington 7086, United Grand Lodge of England, traveled to Wilson to install the master of Mt. Lebanon 117 in December. How did they rate that recognition? Gary was installing his younger brother Daryl Chapman. Gary's a regular at Mt. Lebanon. He attends each winter when he visits Daryl. Gary married an English woman while stationed in England during his career in the US Navy. Originally an Iowa Mason, he affiliated with Allington Lodge after he and his wife returned to England. He served as their master in 1984--85. He was again senior warden when he installed his brother. By now he should be serving his second term as master of 7086 in Kent. Daryl Chapman was recently joined by his daughter in his chiropractic practice in Wilson. -- B. F. Smith Jr. ************************************************************ LODGE MEETS MEMBER FIRST TIME TO GIVE 60-YEAR AWARD Morehead City -- When members of Orr 104 in Washington traveled to Morehead City to present their oldest member his 60-year membership award, it was the first time they'd ever seen him. Calais E. Willis joined 104 in 1935. Shortly after being raised, his duties in the U. S. Coast Guard called him away. He retired to Florida, never returning to live in North Carolina. Over those 60 years away from his home lodge, he never failed to pay his dues. A delegation for Orr 104 arranged to meet Willis when he visited his cousin, Cybil Nelson, in Morehead City. There they presented his certificate and emblem. ************************************************************ A FATHER AND SON THING Mebane -- Granville Alexander Kapp must have brought up his son, Jimmy Maxwell, to follow his footsteps. The senior Kapp is with the Alamance Sheriff's Department while Jimmy is on the Burlington Police force. When Jimmy's Masonic journey began shortly after his 21st birthday, Alexander made himself a major part of it. He initiated Jimmy and presented him his apron. He later passed him to his Fellow Craft Degree and gave him the second degree lecture. He also delivered Jimmy's Master Mason's Lecture. Jimmy has since passed his third degree catechism. His father even installed him as Bingham 272's chaplain in January. Thomas L. Williams coached Jimmy. -- Robert E. Scarborough, master ************************************************************ MSA MAKES APPEAL FOR WASHINGTON FLOOD VICTIMS Masons in the state of Washington "suffered substantial damage" during the Pacific Northwest's severe flooding in February. The Masonic Service Association has issued an appeal for assistance on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Washington. Those who wish to help may send checks to MSA Disaster Relief Fund, Washington Relief, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910-4785. ************************************************************ ************************************************************ ENCOMPASSING THE WORLD MASONIC NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD MSA EXPANDS Arlington, VA -- Canadian grand lodges may now become full voting and participating members of the Masonic Service Association. Membership was formerly limited to the United States. The change was approved at MSA's February annual meeting at the Conference of Grand Masters. -- Emassay Notes PITTSBURGH MASONIC CENTER TO OPEN SOON Pittsburgh, PA -- The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania placed the cornerstone for the new Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center last October. It will serve as home to seven blue lodges, business offices for the York Rite, Grotto, and the 15,000-member Scottish Rite Valley of Pittsburgh. There will be a 500-seat theater and 500-seat banquet facility. The center is expected to open this spring. -- The Pennsylvania Freemason MISSOURI REACHES OUT TO NPDS James H. Cobban, grand master of Missouri, is trying to get back Masons who were suspended for not paying their dues. Thanks to an edict by Cobban, for the first nine months of 1996, they can petition to return to their lodge by paying this year's dues. Masons were urged to inform friends who might benefit. Cobban is also asking lodges to appoint a committee to contact suspended members. -- The Missouri Freemason KANSAS CUTTING COSTS The proposed five dollar increase in the Kansas grand lodge per capita is becoming more important. After coming up $25,000 short on this year's budget, the grand lodge asked members to balance the books with donations. They've come up with $12,000 so far. Cuts have been made to save money. Area meetings and wardens schools have been dropped. Their Drug Abuse Program has been eliminated. They won't donate to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial this year. More than a dozen other programs, salaries, or costs were cut back or done away with. -- The Kansas Mason CALIFORNIA CONFERS FIRST SPANISH DEGREES San Gabriel, CA -- All three degrees are now available in Spanish to California's candidates. Maya 793, San Gabriel, recently raised a candidate in Castillian Spanish. More than 100 Masons were on hand for the state's first. The grand lodge there authorized the translation into Spanish in 1992. The Entered Apprentice degree was first performed in 1993 and the Fellow Craft in 1994. -- California Freemason CALIFORNIA MASONS REACH OUT TO NEIGHBORS There are all sorts of ways you can get your lodge involved in your community. Three projects were recently profiled in California Freemason. Santa Maria 580 spearheaded raising $20,000 for the families of three Department of Forestry pilots who died in a crash. They held two breakfasts. Local indiviuduals, businesses, farmers, and Indian tribes helped with donations of materials or money. The local water district furnished a park, and the Department of Forestry let them use a trailer as a kitchen. Newspapers and television helped with publicity. The Grand Lodge of California presented checks for $1,000 each to the Teacher of the Year from each of five districts in the state. Grand Master Charles H. Alexander handed over the checks at a meeting of the State Board of Education. The town of Hanford has a carousel in Court House Square. Every Thursday night from April to October Hanford 279 rents the merry-go-round and lets the public ride for free. -- California Freemason NY MASONIC TOY FOR TOTS TURNS 20 Ithaca, NY -- Santa Claus, Miss New York, New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and the Grand Master of New York celebrated 20 years of caring about kids last December. They met at Cornell University Medical College's New York Hospital to salute the 20th anniversary of Masonic sponsorship for the Toys For Tots program there. Giuliani said, "The Freemasons are a very public-spirited organization that does a tremendous amount for our city, our state, and our country." According to The Empire State Mason, Gilbert Savitzky, who started the program, "has watched it grow from a trunk full of toys for a handful of children to a program that touches the lives of thousands of children year around with donations that now total some $150,000." -- The Empire State Mason GL OF ISRAEL SALUTES RABIN Tel Aviv, Israel -- Freemasons have long played the part of peacemaker. It should come as no surprise to Masons that the Grand Lodge of Israel flew its flag at half mast to mourn the death of assassinated Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin. -- The Israel Freemason CONNECTICUT EXPANDS WIDOWS PROGRAM Connecticut -- Central to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut's effort to take better care of their widows is making them more recognizable. How do you do that? Hand out decals for them to place on cars or luggage or whatever. Broken column decals will be given to the ladies. The decals should allow Masons to more readily find and aid Masonic widows in need. The decals are sold below cost to lodges for distribution. In another outreach, the grand lodge has formed a Disabilities Resource Committee to "assist the lodges in making Masonry more accessible to Brothers and potential Brothers with disabilities." The committee is to advise, assist, and promote awareness. -- The Connecticut Square & Compasses LIBRARY GIFT PROGRAM ROLLING IN CONNECTICUT Connecticut -- No books on Freemasonry in your local library? Connecticut is trying to help their lodges solve that problem. They're getting bulk prices on books to help blue lodges place positive books about the Craft in school and public libraries. For only $30 they can put three books by Allen Roberts (George Washington -- Master Mason, House Undivided, and Masons in the American Revolution) on the shelves of a neighborhood library. More than 75 sets have been donated already. -- The Connecticut Square & Compasses MINNESOTA FALL MASONIC CONFERENCE ANOTHER WINNER Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN -- The Fall Masonic Conference here will be jointly sponsored by The University of Minnesota, The Philalethes Society, and the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. It will be held on the University campus October 5--6. Lance Brockman, professor in the Theater Arts Department, has spent several years researching the stage scenery, props, and costumes of the Scottish Rite and other fraternal organizations. His exhibit "The Theater of the Fraternity" will open then at the Weisman Art Museum on campus. The Masonic play "A Rose Upon the Altar" will be featured on Friday night. Saturday will have many breakout sessions. Philalethes President Forrest Haggard will speak at the Saturday night banquet. -- The Minnesota Mason NEBRASKA CATHOLIC MASONS PROMISED EXCOMMUNICATION Lincoln, NE -- Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz told the parishioners of his Lincoln Diocese that any member of a Masonic organization taking communion after April 15 will be committing a sin. Those continuing membership after May 15 will automatically excommunicate themselves. Freemasonry as a whole was forbidden. Order of Eastern Star, DeMolay, Jobs Daughters, and Rainbow for Girls were specifically named as forbidden for their association with Masonry. Non-Masonic organizations also proscribed are Planned Parenthood, Catholics for a Free Choice, the Hemlock Society, Call to Action Nebraska, and Society of St. Pius X. Experts on Roman Catholic canon law disagree on whether Bruskewitz overstepped his power. Spokesmen for the Bishop insist that the action is only a clarification, not a change in policy. They say that priests will not deny communion or investigate individual memberships. Persistence in membership in forbidden groups will of itself excommunicate the person. Bruskewitz said, "I'm not saying they (the Masonic organizations) are bad, or that they don't sometimes do good things. There are many good people in them. What I'm simply saying is that there is an incompatibility between being a Catholic and being a member of those organizations." Masons should remember that the incompatibility does not exist as far as Freemasonry is concerned. -- Bob Reeves, Lincoln Journal Star ************************************************************ ************************************************************ THE BETTER READ MASON PART ONE Befriend and Relieve Every Brother, Freemasonry During Wartime By Richard Eugene Shields Jr. A few years ago, we ran a call for Masonic war stories from Richard Shields. He is resident of Monroe, NC and a member of Waxhaw 562. Shields has collected more than 100 of the stories he researched into a single volume entitled Befriend and Relieve Every Brother, Freemasonry During Wartime. It features accounts of Freemasons and their families being spared some of the horrors of war by their Masonic affiliation. The reports are of brotherly love in the face of mortal combat. Most of the tales come from the War Between the States. That is likely more a phenomenon of history than Shields' priorities. But, you can find stories from before the American Revolution through Desert Storm. The stories vary in length from a single paragraph to several pages. That makes them a good source of lodge education topics as well as newsletter fillers. It also means you can pick it up whether you have two minutes or two hours available for reading. You can read it from the beginning or open it at random. You might want to note the location of any stories you want to return to. The stories are not strongly organized or indexed, so you may have trouble returning to something of special interest. If you've read lots of Masonic literature, some of the stories may be familiar to you. Many are certainly new to any reader. Avid readers on the subject will find the bibliography and footnotes valuable as a source of further information. Befriend and Relieve Every Brother, Freemasonry During Wartime, an 80+ page hardback, is available from The Carolina Trader, P. O. Box 769, Monroe, NC 28111-0769, phone (704) 282-1339. The cost of $26.95 includes postage and handling. THE BETTER READ MASON PART TWO House Reunited: Freemasonry Aids Reconstruction By Allen E. Roberts Allen Roberts is easily the most prolific writer of Masonic history around. House Undivided, relating Masonic stories of The War Between the States, is one of his best known works. His most recent book deals with the period after that war. It was a time that perhaps more profoundly affected the South than the war itself. House Undivided is based on a hard-to-find series Roberts wrote on Reconstruction for The Philalethes, a journal of international Masonic research. It deals with Masonic relations across the Mason-Dixon Line after the war and extensively with the embattled presidency of Andrew Johnson. As always, Roberts is easy and pleasant to read. This 80-page paperback is a concise and a ready reference for those interested in the historical period. House Reunited is available from Anchor Communications, 110 Quince Avenue, Drawer 70, Highland Springs, Virginia 23075, phone (804) 737-4498. It is six dollars, postpaid. Discount prices are available when purchasing more than ten or more than 120 copies. ************************************************************ DEMOLAY MAY HELP SECURE OUR FUTURE The Order of DeMolay is in a real position to help secure the future of all organizations within Masonry. Why? Because DeMolay members know Masons. They look up to them. They appreciate the time Masons spend with them and they are already aware of, and familiar with, much of the nomenclature, symbols, philanthropies, morals, and values of the Craft. And, just as DeMolay can help secure the future of Masonry, Masonry can help set the foundation of today's DeMolay. In doing so they assist in laying the cornerstone of the next generation of Masons. By working on membership together, we can both grow! Even those who drop out of DeMolay will remember that they had been DeMolays. They will speak well of the program and the lessons it teaches They will remember that it was sponsored by a group of Masons. Only rarely will a DeMolay appear before a juvenile court judge or be in trouble with the law. That's a tribute to the lessons of DeMolay and the values imparted to young minds by men who are Masons. Five of every 100 DeMolays will become master councilors of DeMolay Chapters and therefore have direct interaction with the Masonic organization that sponsors his Chapter. One of the five, will later say that he valued the experience of being master councilor above his college degree He will most assuredly remember it was made possible because of a group of Masons. Many young men have experienced their first introduction to some form of organized religion by attending church or temple as a Chapter function or in conjunction with their sponsoring Masons. It's noteworthy that even though only one in 1,000 young men in the United States age 12 to 21 years joins DeMolay, many of this nation's leaders in business, religion, politics, and Masonry were DeMolays in their teens. These men remember their DeMolay experience was made possible by Masons. Approximately 16 of every 100 DeMolays will value their time in DeMolay so much that they will give back to DeMolay by serving as an adult volunteer in later life, most certainly this is as a Mason. Although percentages are not known, there are a considerable number of DeMolays who, because of their DeMolay Chapter's participation with a special group of men, will later join Masonic Lodges. They subsequently join Scottish Rite, York Rite, Grotto, High Twelve, Eastern Star, and Shrine. It is often said in advertising and public relations that product knowledge and awareness is everything. This is also true when we speak of the future of all Masonry. All DeMolay members are taught lessons and values like those of Masonry. They learn who the Masons are and what Masonry is all about. DeMolays usually meet in Masonic buildings. For the most part, they are already plugged into, and working for, one or more Masonic philanthropies. Many DeMolays have Masonic employers for after-school jobs. Masons who serve as DeMolay advisors are the only consistent and reliable male role models some DeMolays have. A 1995 Gallup Survey showed that only 17% of non-DeMolay young men had heard of Freemasonry. When asked about their opinion of the Masonic fraternity, 95% of DeMolay members not only knew about Freemasonry, but said their opinion of Masonry was positive. DeMolay members already know about Masonry. They have good opinions of Masonry. Many DeMolay members later become Masons. So the more DeMolay members, the more Masons tomorrow! Please take the time to locate the DeMolay-Masonic Membership Referral form in this issue. Fill it out, and send it in. Help DeMolay today and Masonry tomorrow! Together we can grow! ************************************************************ THIS MONTH'S OFFERING FROM JIMROD Q. WAXPILLOW A nautical Mason named Davey Spent much of his life in the Navy But he never learned how To retain his chow Each time that the sea became wavy ************************************************************ ************************************************************ FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK THANKS TO THOSE WHO BRING YOU THE NEWS Raleigh -- I'm a lucky man. I have a large and appreciative audience. My job is to let you know what's going on in Masonry around the state and world. The guys who put together lodge newsletters have a smaller audience, but make the effort necessary to keep you in touch with what's going on in your Masonic community. They have fewer folks to say thanks. The Board of Publication of the North Carolina Mason and the Grand Lodge this year recognized a few of the outstanding newsletters from lodges around the state. We'd appreciate you taking a minute to thank the guy who does the newsletter for your lodge. If your lodge doesn't have a publication, maybe you should be the one who makes it happen. By the way, thank you for the job. Liberty at Large, the newsletter of Liberty 45 in Wilkesboro, was named best lodge newsletter in the state at Annual Communication. Editor Jim Cornelius accepted the award. Liberty at Large was cited for its attractive layout, informative content, and attention to happenings at other lodges in its area. A special award for Outstanding Service In Communication went to Ronald Conrad, operator of PC_MOTORSPORTS computer bulletin board. Conrad offers free access to hundreds of Masonic documents, periodicals, and art. Thousands of people have learned more about Freemasonry by visiting his files. Two awards were made in the Most Informative category: The Beacon of Vesper 554, Spruce Pine, David Greene editor; and The Trestle Board of Unanimity 7, Edenton, Karl Pritchard editor. Four newsletters were recognized for General Excellence: Millbrook Messenger of Millbrook 97, Raleigh, Luigi Ammons editor; More Light of Manteo 521, Manteo, John Schleter editor; On the Level at Old Town Lodge of Old Town 751, Winston-Salem, Ed Schuller editor; and The Trowel of Masters 754, Raleigh, Perry Watson editor. The Holler Log of Thomas M. Holt 492 in Graham was awarded a certificate for Best Title.