The
North' Carolina
VOL CXVIII — NO. 1
HO Mason
JjW^ope Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina
Official Publication of the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina
Oxford, North Carolina
January/February, 1993
Construction
Thrives In
Masonic
Community
The last week in October was a big time
for new lodge facilities in North Carolina as
three emergent communications of the Grand
Lodge were called.
First was a trip to Advance for the corner-
stone laying for the new temple of Advance
710. A box placed within the cornerstone
contained several pieces of memorabilia,
among them a roster of members, charter
members, and past masters, a copy of the
ground breaking ceremony, and copies of
The North Carolina Mason, Davie County
Enterprise Record, and Winston-Salem Jour
nal.
Next on the Grand Lodge agenda was
another cornerstone laying. This one was
for the new temple of Oconee 427 in Bryson
City.
The last was, finally, for a completed
building. They ventured to Weaverville for
the dedication of the new home of Blackmer
170.
By the second week in November another
new lodge hall had been opened. St. Patrick’s
617 in Princeton dedicated their facility
during yet another emergent communica
tion of the Grand Lodge.
All this construction should be as pleas
ing to operative as to speculative Masons.
Roll Call On The Hall
Oxford — There’s little hint of barracks in this boys’ room in
the Dunn Building at Oxford Orphanage. You may be more
familiar with this hall as the Baby Cottage. We wouldn’t, how
ever, advise using that term with the young men you see pictured
here. We wish we could show you the bright colors of the beds
and tropical fish bedspreads here. Sorry, you’ll have to go look
for yourself. There are lots of squeezable stuffed friends here,
too. Don’t let that fool you into thinking they have enough,
though. There's no such thing as too many close friends in this
old world. Any one of these kids would happily trade a couple of
these regulars for a hug from a real person. Carry them one.
You’ll find yourself the one richer for it.
Masons Continue to be Scam Victims
Take Care With Your Charity
Each Mason remembers a striking lesson in charity toward a Brother Mason in need. It’s
one of the more eye-opening of the lessons marked in our ritual.
Beware! Several Masons around the country have gotten an even more striking lesson
on the same subject. The Grand Lodge of North Carolina recently heard about a scam
from Benny Webb, past master of Yadkin 162 in Yadkinville.
Most con games are run on the principle that people are greedy and
will go for the possibility of something for nothing. The
crime reported by Webb preys on the opposite ten
dencies. It victimizes the people who would help
those in need.
The details shared by Brother Webb are typical of
the way this crime has been committed elsewhere. And
it has been reported on numerous occasions around the
country. We’ll use general terms to describe what might
be expected.
A Mason receives a phone call from a person identifying
himself as the secretary of an out-of-state lodge. The name
and number of the lodge are usually valid. His story is that a
young man and his family (a wife and up to three kids) are in
the area and have a problem. Usually a car problem, or family
emergency, or both are cited. They are waiting at a local busi
ness or pay phone.
The “mark” is asked to assist in getting them back on their way
by delivering some cash, usually about $100. The “secretary”
claims to be writing a check right then for the requested amount and
urges that the Mason get a receipt from the “stranded" person.
The name of the person is often the same: Leroy or Larry Wilkenson,
Wilkerson, or Wilkinson. George or John Manning is also used on occasion. The victim
will likely meet the family when delivering the money. He will be offered a written receipt
for the money.
They sometimes get the names of local Masons from funeral homes. They seem to strike
most often near Interstate Highways. They are knowledgeable of Masonry.
Upon returning a call to the named lodge, it is discovered that there is no
knowledge of the person stranded or the story given. That’s why the requests
are usually made at a time that is not convenient for checking on member
ship or validity.
How can you defend yourself?
DON’T provide cash to anyone without inquiry through the Grand
Lodge. The staff at the Grand Lodge is happy to check on any such
requests. At times when there is no opportunity to check with the
office (after hours or weekends), demand a dues card as proof of
membership. You might also suggest that referral in conjunction
with the local police department would be a good idea in light of
recent scams. You’ll likely find a Brother Mason or two at your
local police department. Anyone in real need will likely not
object to such scrutiny, but appreciate your care.
DO offer goods or services rather than cash. These will be
appreciated by those in actual distress and avoided by those
trying to steal from you.
DO get details if you are approached. Car descriptions
and license numbers might be just the thing to get these guys stopped for
a while. Call local law enforcement people immediately.
DON’T be embarrassed if you are victimized. Let others know what happened. They've
probably already taken smarter, more careful folk than you. The same game has been
reported from coast to coast. The same scam has been run in Washington, Oregon, Idaho,
Montana, South Dakota, Texas, Louisiana, and other states.
Speaking up might be the final blow that causes the end to this. Benny Webb has done
his part to protect you. Now, it’s up to you.
A Message From the Grand Master
Caring and Preparing For Our Future
A state-wide “Open House” program has been sched
uled for Tuesday, March 30, 1993. The Grand Lodge
Committee on Masonic Public Relations is at work in
promoting participation of the 391 lodges in the 65 dis
tricts of this grand jurisdiction. The Committee will be
most pleased to assist each lodge and district in their
preparation of a great opportunity to share the story of
Freemasonry throughout our state. This is an opportunity
to make each community more aware of the many valu
able contributions of our great fraternity.
The program has excelled this year. Several lodges will
experience an increase in membership because of the
positive and professional example witnessed by the non
Masons attending open houses. The program has been so
successful that this could be the year that the decline in
membership reverses itself. We can accomplish great
things. Let’s go to work in preparation for the future.
I strongly recommend the “Open House” program and
charge each lodge and district, 67,000 Master Masons, to
roll up their sleeves and make March 30, 1993 a day of
Ray Norris
Grand Master
record breaking positive results and an event to be long
remembered. I wish each and every lodge the best. I am
sure you will rejoice in your service to your community
and mankind.
The Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Research and
Development has spent many constructive and diligent
hours in preparation for the seminars scheduled to be held
at 16 area meetings on the following Saturdays: January
16, 23, 30, and February 6, 1993. A full schedule of
locations appeared in the last issue of The Mason. Your
committee’s research and planning have given great con
sideration to the subjects, speakers, locations, and sched
ule of these seminars. Their objective is to better inform
the 67,000 Masons of North Carolina. To fully accom
plish this challenge, it is necessary for the total member
ship to be in attendance. The subject matter will be
especially helpful to the officers in executing their re
spective responsibilities to and demands of the Craft. All
officers and committee members should be in attendance.
Brethren, I urge you to put on your calendar the date of
the meeting most convenient to you. Attend and partici
pate in the discussions. The sessions will be very informal
See GRAND MASTER, Page 3