Marble Springs #439 has 2010 Officer Installation

On December 18th, 2009 Marble Springs #439 had its annual installation of officers. WB Carl Palmer was installed as Worshipful Master. WB Howard Coffey was installed as SR Warden, and WB Mark Parker was installed as JR Warden. WB Mitch Arrowood will be SR Deacon, WB Billy Almond as JR Deacon, Bobby Welch as Secretary, Tom McClure as Treasurer, Harold Yonce as Tyler, Jeff Hutt as Chaplain, and Rea Williams and JL Coffey as Stewards. A fine meal was prepared by the Eastern Star ladies.

2010 Installation of Officers/Widows Dinner at Montgomery

Montgomery Lodge #426 held its annual installation of officers for the ensuing year on Sunday, December 13th. WB Eric Sneed PM was installed as Master, Royce Hughes as Sr Warden, and Andy Liakos as JR Warden. Also of special recognition was Treasurer elect WB Howard Allen PM, who was installed for the 50th time as Treasurer.

A fine meal was served by the Eastern Star, with all in attendance contributing to the bountiful meal. Also, the Widows were our special guests, with fruit baskets being prepared as a Christmas gift from the Lodge to them.

A good time was had by all who attended.

WB Henry Hiss PM was the Installing Officer.


All the officers lined up with WB Sneed taking his oath.




WB Allen takes his oath as Lodge Treasurer for the 50th time!!!


Out-going WM Rau is presented his Past master's apron.

Compass & G shaped Home in Brazil

Mighty interesting home to say the least!!!!

An Era has Ended...and a New Era Begins!!!!

There aren't many people associated with Masonry in the state of North Carolina, who at the name of "Charles Cathey" don't get a knowing smile on their face. In fact, you could certainly travel outside the borders of the Tarheel State, and mingle among Masons and Sir Knights alike, and get the same response from many. But, to us lucky few in the mountainous confines of WNC, he is "our" Charles. And such has this Noble Companion been among men and Masons for many a season.
I could spend several paragraphs extolling the many masonic accomplishments of my dear friend. Anyone who has spent anytime at all around him could! But, that isn't the "way" of "our" Charles. Because Charles just "does". And what he had "done" is pleantiful. Last night, one thing that he has done so well has come to an end. He stepped down as Commandry Recorder after 37 years on the job.
But, he will be replaced by a good man and a fine Companion. Dave Cashion will have some awfully big shoes to fill. I'm sure that the Commandry will be well taken care of.....mainly because Dave had a good man named Charles to teach him....cause he had "our" Charles.

Below are pictures from last nights meeting. We had installation of officers, along with the "changing of the guard". I hope you enjoy.




There aren't too many times you are priveleged to be in the audience of two Past Grand Masters, who are both Past Grand Commanders!!!!

1st Annual Barn Degree: Hosted by Clay 301!!!

In the far southwest corner of our state the brothers of the 41st District are fortune enough to be a short distance from the annual outdoor “Rock Quarry” degree in north Georgia, and close to the “Cave Degree” in East Tennessee. However, in order to further promote good fellowship within their own borders, Worshipful Master Preston Cabe and the Brothers of Clay Lodge 301 with assistance from surrounding lodges, took meeting in high hills and low dells to new level. One of outgoing District Deputy Grand Master Jim Hyde’s goals to promote fun and fellowship was taken to heart by the Brethren of Clay 301 when they volunteered to hold the first “Barn Raising Degree.”

Clay Lodge Past Master Brother Ronnie Smith volunteered to let his hay / tobacco barn be converted in a lodge room, were the officers’ stations and spectator seating were made from hay bales donated by Brother Smith. The venue being a “working” barn, select farm animals may or may not have been seen assisting the tyler with his duties of watching for eves droppers outside the lodge. While sitting in the barn, absorbing the aroma of seasoned lumber, stacked hay, looking at the many poles crisscrossing the rafters most were reminded of fond memories of playing in the family barn as children, the not-so fond memories of playing the high-wire act in the hot recesses of the loft while hanging tobacco, still made one wonder if our forefathers had to meet in similar surroundings out of necessity while their lodge buildings were being built.

Due to limited parking, a hay wagon shuttle, dubbed “Solomon’s Express” was used to shuttle visiting brothers from a nearby church to the barn.

As the evening came to an end, 56 brothers from 4 states witnessed what appears to be the beginning of an annual event for the 41st Masonic District of North Carolina.

The degree held on the evening of October 30 was preceded by a hickory slow smoked (not charcoal) chicken dinner fund raiser with funds raised going toward a new roof for the lodge. Brothers met early that morning to light the wood and put 150 chicken halves over the open pit. Several brothers brought family members to share in the good food, while several carry-out plates were sold.

When the event came to a close, charges presented, bibles given, and congratulations conveyed our two newly raised brothers, Jason Chastain and Darrell Parker were told that they could proudly say, “Yes, as a matter of fact I WAS Raised in a Barn!”

Blue Ridge Lodge #435 does Hotdogs for Scholarships

Blue Ridge Lodge held a Masonic Hot Dog sale on Oct. 10, on the Methodist Church lawn beside the lodge. The proceeds are going to the Town of Highlands Scholarship and Shriners Childrens hospital. A large number of Brothers helped with everything from setting up, to cooking and serving, and of course the cleanup. The fun and fellowship were priceless, and Worshipful Master Marc Bryson said that was worth even more than what we made on the sale. W. Brother Tiny Hooper stated "more people had walked by him, than had walked in Canton in a whole year". Brother Edwin Poole asked for, and received a sandwich board to advertise in town. What a hoot! He really enjoyed talking with folks visiting our town. A special thanks to Sisters Sabrina and Joanne who added class to our event, and Reuben who provided the live music.

**As a note: Blue Ridge Lodge #435 wish to express their thanks to Brother David Lawrence of Indian Hills Spring Water for his donation of water used in the event**

The Search for more Light!!!!!

The following is the Introduction of "Masonry Defined: A Liberal Masonic Education", compiled from the works of Dr. Albert G. Mackey 33, collected by E.R Johnston 32.

The average Mason, after taking his degrees in Masonry, immediately asks himself what it all means. Few Masons have, or will take, the time to make an exhaustive study of Masonry. It is to this class of busy Masons this work will make an especial appeal. We have culled from the writings of many eminent Masonic scholars the "meat" of the subject, and present it in such form that the busy Mason can get what he wants without the necessity of extensive reading or study.
If you have gone into Masonry in the belief that there is really something to it, and you have a desire to be well informed, you will find in these pages a mine of useful information, and will be well repaid for the time spent in looking up any particular subject.
No Mason can acquire in a few days or months, or even years, all there is in Masonry. Two of the most famous Masons America has ever produced - General Albert Pike, 33°, and Dr. Albert Gallatin Mackey, 33° - spent their entire lives in Masonic study. Their writings have been preserved, and the busy Mason of today can find the real facts of Masonry within easy reach.
There are thousands of Masons who can repeat the ritual, but who have no conception of what it all means. There is nothing said in the ritual that should seem mysterious. Everything in Masonry has a beautiful meaning if rightly understood, and everything done in the ritual work is meant to teach a distinct moral lesson.
Masonry would die out in five years if it had to depend upon about 85 per cent of the membership. It is the small minority - the really interested Masons - who have kept and are keeping the order alive today. These few men give unselfishly their time and intelligence as officers of their lodges. How long would any lodge last if all the members merely paid their dues, rarely if ever attended lodge, and considered their duty done? Does Masonry mean anything to you, or are you just a "member"? Some Masons seem to take a pride in saying, "Oh, yes, I belong to the order, but have not been in a lodge room in years." Of what benefit is Masonry to this man, and what earthly benefit is he to Masonry? Then again, you will hear a Mason say, "I have lost my interest in Masonry." He never had any real interest to lose. All he has lost is his curiosity. If he had been interested he would have learned something about it, and his interest would have been increased instead of dying out. The Mason who pays his dues because he is ashamed not to, is simply throwing his money away. He gets no benefit whatever, and his attitude of indifference sets a bad example to the younger Masons, who look to him for inspiration and guidance.
Taking the secret work and learning the ritual does not make a Mason any more than learning its A B C's makes a child a scholar. It is merely the cornerstone; the building is yet to be erected.
How many Masons understand the beautiful lesson of the third degree? If this lesson were learned and understood and practiced, Masonry would be on a higher plane than it is today. There would be more real Masons and fewer "members." Too many Masons say, "I have not the time to read," but they had or took the time to take their degrees and learn the lectures. The same amount of time spent in intelligent study would give them the groundwork for a real knowledge of Masonry; for, if Masonry is worth going into, it is worth knowing something about.



E. R. JOHNSTON, 32°

In my opinion, the text is timeless, and is as relevent today as it was in 1930, when compiled by Johnston. How many times have we wondered, "why did that Brother join", or "why can't we get any Brothers to come join in learning the rituals"? It is interesting to me that the same questions were being asked then, as are being asked today. When I first joined the Lodge, while Masonic salutations were being made after my initiation, I had a close friend and Past Master to stand and tell me that the Lodge was "like a bank"....and that if we never gave anything to it, we would probably never recieve interest on deposit. But, if we gave just a little, it would be returned in great amount. How true that is in today's Lodges.
So, with that being said....I ask you....what have YOU done for YOUR Lodge today? Have you been a debt, or a deposit? Are you a card toter or a shining light....a Brother or a fellow? Educate yourself, search your heart, and decide what benefit YOU will be to your Lodge. To recieve a Masters wages, one must at least desire a Masters skill.

Past District Deputy Grand Master of the 41st Masonic District, James Lawrence Hyde

Well, its official now. My close friend and brother, Jimmy Hyde is now officially a PDDGM....and I know of no one who has worked any harder to deserve the title. I can't speak for others. But, I can give my own personal account of what he means to me,

I first met Jim at a regular meeting of Montgomery #426 in the late summer of 2006. Jim had come to our Lodge in order to give us information concerning a young man in Hayesville who was losing his sight due to an injury at an earlier time. He gave us the facts, asked us to help, and answered all the questions posed by the Lodge. This was prior to his official GL appointment.
After that evening, it seemed that I was continually in contact with Bro Jim. We were on the phone and email daily it seemed working on some task at hand facing our mutual Lodges and the District. During this time we became fast friends, and formed a brotherly bond that seems to be daily strengthened.....all in the name of serving others with a vision of Masonry that we jointly share. I can say without hesitation that Bro Jim has never let me down, and that the brotherly affection I have for him grows stronger every day.
So, while at the 2009 Annual Communication of the NC Grand Lodge, Jim was bestowed his new title, and Brother Andy Liakos of Montgomery #426 was taking pictures of the event as it unfolded. It gave all of us from the 41st District great pride to see him walk the stage, get his certificate, and shake MWGM Rice's hand. I can think of no one any more deserving than Jim.
The next time any of you see Jim, email him, or talk with him on the phone....I am sure that he will still be serving the 41st with passion, fervency, and zeal....even though the position is being passed on to someone else. That is just the way Jim is. I doubt there has ever been a day since adulthood that Jim has not served mankind in some way. And, I'm sure that til the day he dies the story will never change.
Congratulations PDDGM MW James Lawrence Hyde. You are truly a light that shines!!!

2009 NC Grand Lodge Annual Communication

Many words could be used to describe this years Grand Lodge assembly...anti-climactic, harmonious, and several others come to mind. But, when it was all said and done I think that the word of the day was "victorious". Last year's GL meeting was filled with a victory of sorts. Many of us felt that with the PH resolution being passed that NC Freemasonry could once again "get back" to business at hand...supporting our noble charities, and spreading brotherly love and affection wherever we could. But, in all honesty many NC Masons didn't really feel the impact of what had truly happenned with that historic vote.....until now!
Going into the Meeting Hall, seeing the PH Brothers gathered among many Brethern we knew, and watching the company of 63 march into open Lodge showed us that it really had happenned. Hearing the splendid oration of a young character named Prince Hall, and finally being a part of history itself as PHGM Toby Fitch led us in that stirring lil hymn "This lil light of mine" led to an ovation that still rings with most who were there.

MWGM Dan Rice welcomes PHMWGM Toby Fitch to the podium.


A young orator dressed in period gives the Masonic history of Prince Hall.



MWGM Rice welcomes PHMWGM Fitch to the rostrum for his charge to NC Masons.




Once MWGM Rice got down to business, we learned that charity and what we do as Masons have had, is having, and will continue to have a great effect on people all over NC. There were no less than 5 people brought to stage, who gave testimony as to the way and manner in which Masonic charity had greatly effected their own lives. Two Montfort Awards were given by MW Rice....each to an individual who had gone far and above what was expected of them in service of our Masonic Home at Oxford. We found out that there were two "Little Charles's" who made their home at Oxford....and each were giving back to the home in their own special way. We listened as a young lady described how the MHCO kept her on the path toward a good productive life, and as how the Rainbow Girls was helping another help people all over NC. Yes, NC Masons were back to business as usual....helping those in need, and giving to those less fortunate.
MWGM Rice introduces a young lady from The MHCO.

One of the Montfort Medal recepients.


Brother Eddie Dickerson(Lil Charles) shares his experiences at the MHCO.



MWGM Rice recieves his official portrait.



Several Lodges present MWGM Rice with funds to the Masonic charities.



Brother Jimmy Hicks of St. Johns Lodge #3 is this years appointee to the Grand Line.


RWGS Walt Clapp accepts his election as Grand Secretary and shares a laugh with MWGM Rice over the pronunciation of his last name!!!