VOL CXVII — NO. 4
Oxford, North Carolina
July/August, 1992
Saint John’s Day Celebrated
Oxford — Oxford’s a quiet kind of town. What’s to do there on a Saturday at the
beginning of summer?
Plenty, if that Saturday is the one set aside by North Carolina Masons for the celebration
of Saint John’s Day.
Lloyd Young, chairman of the St. John’s Day Committee, estimated the turnout at
16,000. The day began with Lloyd’s welcome to the throng at 9:45 on the morning of June
20. By the time things began to settle down it was nearly four in the afternoon.
The Oxford Orphanage Choir was the first feature. Their young voices helped the crowd
stir for the coming celebration.
Next on the attraction list was the Annual Shrine Parade. More than 100 units partici
pated. After offering the usual honors to Grand Lodge officers, i.e. a ride in a vintage
convertible, the parade proceeded to those things more anticipated by the kids.
There was every manner of big-boy-toy. Precision driving was common. There were tiny
motorbikes and full dress motorcycles. Miniature trucks were followed by zooming stunt
drivers in cars less than two feet high. There were even motorized turtles and land-roving
boats on the parade route.
Cathey Named to
Music ranged from inspirational choir to
raucous oriental bands (featuring some of
the most unusual belly dancers one can imag
ine), from bag-pipe-playing, kilted march
ers to good old community bands on trailers.
Clowns rushed the streets. Hillbilly units,
comprised of flukes of a reduced gene pool,
invaded an otherwise civilized society. Key-
stone Kops chased escaped criminals who
flirted with the town’s lady folk and chil
dren. The Ghostbusters even made an ap
pearance.
Grand Lodge Line
April 22 was a big day for Charles Cathey. That was the day newly-elected Grand Master
Ray Norris named him grand steward of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina.
He quoted a favorite poem to describe his joy upon his acceptance of the appointment,
“I’m drinking from the saucer, for my cup has overflowed.”
He made pledges in his comments. He promised continued trust in “Him who is the
source of all wisdom, truth, and love,” and his support for the Grand Masters he will serve.
“Finally, my Brethren, I will ever remember that it is from your ranks that I come, and
that it is in your ranks that I will ever be. For as God and Masonry have made us Brothers,
I will always respect and love each of you as
my Brother.”
Charles Edward Cathey was born to Hugh
J. and Barbara Sheffield Cathey on April 19,
1938 at Waynesville, North Carolina. His
first 12 years of education were at Bethel
High School in Haywood County. After high
school he attended Western Carolina Col
lege for a time before entering military ser
vice. After a tour of duty in the Army he was
employed by Champion Papers International
and studied in their mechanical apprentice
program. In 1962 he left Champion and went
to work for the Dayco Corporation in their
Maintenance Department, he moved to the
Research and Development Department in
1970. In 1975 he attended Haywood Com
munity College for 2 years to study Busi
ness Administration. In 1980 he was pro
moted to his current position as Manager of
the Prototype Shop of the R&D Tech Cen
ter. In March 1992 Cathey completed 30
years at Dayco.
Brother Cathey was raised by Sonoma
Lodge 472 on April 28, 1967 and served as
master in 1974. He has served as secretary
since 1977. He was a district deputy grand
master in 1980-82. He was elected by the
Grand Lodge to serve on The Board of Di
rectors of Oxford Orphanage for a three
year term in 1989. He is a member of the
Grand Steward Charles Cathey,
left, and Grand Master Ray Norris
at Annual Communication.
Valley of Asheville Scottish Rite. He was invested with the rank and decoration of Knight
Commander Court of Honor in 1987 and was coroneted Inspector General Honorary 33° on
October 21, 1991. A member of The Waynesville York Rite Bodies, he has served as
secretary-recorder for several years and is now serving as grand senior warden of Grand
Commandery of North Carolina. He is a member and past patron of Sonoma Chapter 254,
Order of The Eastern Star and served as grand chaplain of the Grand Chapter of North
Carolina in 1990-91. In addition, he is active in several of the appendant bodies of
Masonry.
Brother Cathey is a member of East Fork Baptist Church, where he served as a Sunday
School teacher for many years. He is a deacon of the church and has served as chairman.
He also has filled offices on various boards and committees.
See ST. JOHN’S DAY, Page 3
Some of the lookers and some of the
looked-at are shown below and at right.
Whichever group you were in, St. John’s
Day at Oxford Orphanage was a ton of fun.
For a few more scenes see page three.
Dan River to Collect
and Distribute Clothes
Madison — Dan River 129 is planning a
new service to the unfortunate in their com
munity. They intend to operate a Saturday
morning “clothes closet” out of the lodge.
They will distribute, at no charge, clothing
to those in need.
Good, clean clothes are needed. To start,
clothes will be gathered from their local
Brothers and Eastern Stars. They hope for
wider community involvement in donating
as the program continues.
Interest and need in the community may
require a limit on the number of items
claimed by clients. They will accept refer ¬
rals from the local ministerial association
and Social Services.
If you can help, give them a call and a bag
of clothes. They aren't offering tax receipts
at this time.
If you’re too far away to donate, we don’t
expect the brothers at 129 will object to
your stealing the idea. We’d predict a rise in
the public image of your lodge and no small
improvement in your own self-image for
this practice of “friendship, morality, and
brotherly love.”
— from Gene Lewellyn, SW, Dan River
129.
A Message From the Grand Master
Builders of the Future
The challenges and opportunities, today, in Freema
sonry are enormous. These forces apply to each Master
Mason in North Carolina and demand the attention, effort,
time, and resources of all 392 symbolic lodges and their
total membership.
We love and take great pride in being called “Master
Mason” and our association and identity with Freema
sonry. Then, we enjoy the satisfaction of brotherly love,
relief, and truth. Being a part of the greatest fraternal
organization known to man has responsibilities and obli
gations that cannot be omitted or neglected. We must
accept the fact that we are responsible to each other, our
charities, and future generations.
We have and are enjoying the fruits of those who came
before us. Our freedoms and liberties; our great structures
and temples; shelter for our children; care for the needs of
our senior citizens; the public school system; and the
Masonic knowledge passed on to us are just a few of the
gifts we have inherited. These talents and contributions
have provided better citizens, husbands, fathers, church-
Ray Norris
Grand Master
men and, yes, the greatest country ever known. All of this
and more has been left for our enjoyment. Our forefathers
were “Builders for the Future” and, without question, the
same challenge is before us today. We, too, have a duty
and responsibility to share with others and leave some
thing for those who will follow in our footsteps.
Our accomplishments for tomorrow and years to come
require and demand excellence in leadership. This quality
can be obtained only through education. The wardens of
our lodges have excellent tools available to prepare them
for the East. Two booklets entitled “Think Tank for Junior
Wardens” and “The Hat and Gavel for Senior Wardens”
contain excellent suggestions and ideas for application in
their preparation for that honorable and rewarding chal
lenge and experience.
The educational process includes the candidate. The
ritualistic work is paramount. “The Lodge System of
Masonic Education” is vital in the learning process. “Ev
ery candidate is a stranger to Freemasonry and Freema
sonry is a stranger to him”. The candidate is becoming part
of a fraternity. We have a responsibility to prepare him
well for future challenges and opportunities.
See GRAND MASTER, Page 5