A Sucessfull Fundraiser

Thanks to all who helped to make this a success.

08/03/09 What a Grand Night.

On August 3, 2009 at its regular stated communication, Johnston Caswell #10 in Warrenton, NC hosted brethren from Virginia and North Carolina, and all experienced an evening of friendship and brotherly love. Gathered in attendance that evening were the honorable guests, Brother Jeffery Smith, Deputy District Grand Master from Suffolk Virginia and Henry Wright Deputy District Grand Master from the 8th Masonic district Littleton, NC. Worshipful Masters Harold Smith from Nansemond #77 and Kent Daughtry from McAlister #185 also from Suffolk Virginia accompanied Brother Smith.


Also brethren from South Hill #297, Virginia, Epson #624, Henderson #229 and Millbrook #97 lodges of North Carolina were in attendance for this glorious event.


The evening began with a wonderful meal provided by the ladies of the host lodge. Around the banquet table, frivolity and heart felt love and fellowship could be heard. After the meal all retired upstairs to the lodge room where brothers Carl Hehl and John Boyd Fleming received 25 and 50-year service pins respectively. There was a brief recess to allow the lodge to be prepared for the evening’s agenda.


During lodge, brothers from the Henderson lodge shared of research that recently had taken place by one of their members, stating some of the history of Johnston Caswell #10 and detailing its beginnings back before the American Revolution. Further information was given stating that this lodge received its original charter directly from the mother Grand Lodge in England.


Chaplain Chris Withrow presented a program entitled “The Masters Wage”. The lodge designed and commissioned a plaque in the form of a wage for this presentation. At the conclusion of the presentation, Worshipful Master Howard Short instructed the Senior Deacon Danny Short to conduct Worshipful Master Tom Tanner of South Hill #297 to the alter. A short ritual was performed and the “Masters Wage” was presented to Brother Tanner.


Brother Tanner was instructed that the desire of the host lodge is that the spirit of brotherhood and fraternity will be rekindled and renewed by the sharing of this wage among visiting lodges. Their lodge is entrusted with this wage until the time arrives when they must pay it to another lodge that comes and labors. The hope is that as fraternal sharing moves forward, this wage will travel the globe and eventually find its way home one-day.


Friendship and harmony prevailed that evening and we all look forward to when we can meet again.