Official Publication of The Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons of North Carolina VOL. CX—NO. 2 Oxford, North Carolina 27565, June, 1985 ONE DOLLAR A YEAR Large Crowd In Attendance at 198th Annual Communication Raleigh—Masons from all over North Carolina gathered in Memorial Auditorium, Raleigh, on April 16, for the 198th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina. The Grand Lodge was called to order at 10 a.m. byW.'. Brother Zack Blackman, Jr., Master of Renfro Lodge No. 691. After presentation of the Colors the Grand Lodge officers were conducted to their stations and places by the Grand Marshal. M. .W. .Brother I. Boyd Hopkins, Grand Master, opened the Grand Lodge in AMPLE FORM, received the distinguished guests and the Past Grand Masters. Grand Master Hopkins presented W. .Brother Frederick G. Speidel, Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, who delivered the oration. (The oration is printed elsewhere in this issue.) The oration was followed by the reports of the Grand Treasurer, the Grand Secretary and various Boards and Commissions as well as reports of the Board of Directors of The Masonic and Eastern Star Home and Oxford Orphanage. Grand Master Hopkins presented the Joseph Montfort Medal to W. .Brother Allen G. Colenda, Past Master of Oxford Lodge No. 122, Manager of the Printing Department of Oxford Orphanage and Acting Editor of "The North Carolina Mason"; R.'.W.'.Brother Eddie P. Stiles, Junior Grand Warden; and R. .E. .Frederick G. Speidel, Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of North Carolina. The Joseph Montfort Medal is the highest award given by our Grand Lodge, and is restricted to no more than three recipients per year. Before opening the Grand Lodge for the afternoon session Grand Master Hopkins recognized Brother John Verdery, State Executive Officer, DeMolay, who introduced Steve Walston, State Master Councilor of DeMolay, who delivered a brief and interesting address. After the Grand Lodge was called from Refreshment to Labor W.'.Brother Robert M. Bird, Chairman of the Committee on Necrology, conducted a memorial service for the brothers who passed away during the past year. It Was A Fun Day! By John W. Beach Oxford Public Ledger Once upon a time it was an all-day affair attracting many thousands of people—some in horse and buggies, others who came from all over the state on trains specially designated to stop here. But today it is much smaller and doesn't last all day. Folks no longer bring picnic lunches to be served under the trees. But St. John's Day at Oxford Orphanage is still the same in one way—it is a lot of fun particularly for the youngsters and the returning alumni. There's still food—a fried chicken dinner was served to about 5,000 people free of charge. St. John's Day, an institution at the Mason- operated Orphanage since shortly after its founding in 1873, was discontinued in the mid- 19303 because of the polio epidemic. Prior to its resumption in 1979 under Superintendent Robert L. Winston, the festivities had been held on June 24, St. John's Day. Since its resumption, it has been held on the Saturday closest to that date. The five-hour program began at 10 a.m. with the raising of the colors by the Amran Legion of Honor, the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, the devotional by the Rev. B. Patrick Cox, chaplain at the Orphanage, a performance by the New World Singers, a gospel group from Garner and two songs by Russell Wiley, an Orphanage graduate, accompanied by Margaret DeMent on the piano. Then came the 77-unit Shrine parade, which began at the National Guard Armory and concluded in front of the administration building of the Orphanage where the stage for the performers was set up. W. .Brother Reynold S. Davenport, Past Master delivered the eulogy for our late Grand Marshal, W. .Brother Wilton F. Walker, Jr., who died on February 5, 1985. Grand Master I. Boyd Hopkins gave his report followed by reports of several more boards and commissions. The Grand Master, on behalf of the Masonic Service Association, presented a plaque to Brother Jack T. Dossett, Field Agent, for 15 years of devoted service to the Masonic Service Association's Hospital Visitation Program. The Grand Master announced that it was time for election of Grand Lodge Officers and the election resulted as follows: Grand Master, Norburn C. Hyatt, P.M.-118, Candler; Deputy Grand Master, Walter F. McCall, P.M.-530 Charlotte; Senior Grand Warden, Eddie P. Stiles, P.M.-584, Apex; Junior Grand Warden, L. R. Thomas, Jr., P.M.-568, New Bern; Grand Treasurer, Sam A. Hennis, Jr., P.M.-322, Mount Airy; and Grand Secretary, Robert P. Dudley, P.M.- 202, Raleigh. The Grand Master, with appropriate remarks, presented lapel pins to all officers and members who brought contributions of $200.00 or more to the Masonic Foundation. A total of approximately $106,000.00 was donated at the Grand Lodge Annual Communication. The Grand Lodge Officers, elective and appointive, were installed during the final business session. The Committee on Credentials registered 1270 voting delegates consisting of the following: 1104 delegates representing 394 chartered lodges; sixteen Grand Lodge Officers; sixteen Past Grand Masters; forty-three members of boards, commissions and committees (not otherwise listed in foregoing categories); fifty-one District Deputy Grand Masters, and forty District Deputy Grand Lecturers. It is estimated that about 300 non-voting Masons also attended the Grand Lodge session. Lloyd Young of Raleigh, chairman of the St. John's Day committee, introduced Superintendent Donald R. Moul, who introduced special guests, which included Commissioner of Agriculture James A. Graham. After lunch, three groups performed—the Class Act Quartet, a barbershop group, from Raleigh; the (Continued on Page Two) Forsyth No. 707 To Sponsor Fifth Annual Outdoor Degree Worshipful H. Paul Gilgo, Master of Forsyth Lodge No. 707, A. F. & A. M., has announced that the fifth annual outdoor conferral of the Master Mason Degree and barbecue supper will be held at Brother Bill Carpenter’s farm in Stokes County on Saturday, August 24. In the event of foul weather, the date will be Saturday, August 31. Lodge will open at 3:00 P.M. and the barbecue supper will immediately follow the conferral of the degree. This event has become one of the highlights in Masonry. Last year 255 Masons representing 55 lodges in six states attended. The reason? Good fellowship, an outstanding portrayal of the work by participants from numerous lodges in various districts, and whopping helpings of delicious barbecue, baked beans, and all the fixings. This event gets better each year because more Masons are bringing their lodge brothers with them. Bill Carpenter's farm is a pretty place, all nestled back in the mountains where it's cool and quiet and peaceful. If you've never been there, plan to come. You're bound to enjoy it. (Continued on Page Two) NORBURN CREIGHTON HYATT Grand Master 1985-86 This Is Our New Grand Master Norburn Creighton Hyatt was born October 10, 1928 in Buncombe County at Candler, North Carolina. He is one of five children, four sons and one daughter of the late Lane W. and Wilma Wright Hyatt. He has lived his entire life within a five mile radius of where he was born and grew up on his father's farm in the beautiful Western North Carolina Mountains. He attended the Buncombe County Public Schools and graduated from Candler High School in May 1947. He began his working life in the field of sales at an early age, in fact through the Distributive Education Courses in High School, beginning in the Office Supply business which he pursued until 1972 when he became Territorial Manager covering the Northeastern United States for The Cherokees located in Cherokee, North Carolina. He is a former Rotarian and member of the Western North Carolina Sales Executive Club and was awarded the National Sales Executive Distinguished Salesman Award. March 19, 1949 he married Martha Frances Foster. They have two daughters, Karen who is married to Dr. James D. Allman a Major in the United States Air Force stationed at Eglin Air Force Base. They live in Shalimar, Florida with their three children Machelle, Jay and Nicole. Norma is married to William Frank Kulseth, they have one son, William Frank, II. Norma is a Special Education Teacher in the South Carolina School System. They live at Isle of Palms, S. C. Both daughters are past Worthy Advisors of The Order Of Rainbow For Girls. The Hyatt's attend Hominy Baptist Church. Norburn is a member of the Berean Bible Class and has taught in the Youth Department Sunday School and as Superintendant of the Young Adult Sunday School Department. Norburn's Masonic career began in the summer of 1 960 while fishing in beautiful Fontana Lake. It was on this occasion that he inquired of his friend and fishing companion, D. James O'Kelley then Junior Warden of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118 about membership in the Masonic Fraternity. His interest in Masonic activities both fraternal and charitable have been an important part of his life since that time. Norburn was initiated in Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 118, October 10, 1 960 on his 32nd birthday, passed October 24, 1960 and raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason November 21st of that year. Brother Rudolph M. Gibbs, Master, appointed him Chaplain in 1963, he served each station in the line and was elected Master in 1 969. He has served as Treasurer since (Continued on Page Two)

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