 Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, I look forward to seeing you tonight at our Stated Communication. I think that we can start relaxing the dress-code a bit so we do not have to constantly play with the noisy AC unit in the building. Polo or collar-shirt would be the minimum. Please, no shorts or sandals, if possible. The plan tonight is quite fun. We will start with a fellowship gathering at 6pm with dinner at 6.30pm: hamburgers and hot dogs thanks to WB Barrell and WB Rippe. Donations to cover dinner expenses are encouraged. Also, whoever wants to hang out with the cooking crew is welcome to join around 5.30pm. Meeting, as usual, starts at 7.30pm. We are going to have quite a few Brethren from Fellowship Lodge joining us carrying the Traveling Gavel and, possibly, a few prospects. Masonic education will be delivered by WB Marcus Orr about the Plumb Line. Thank you! Francesco riafnc@gmail.com |
Mosaic No. 762
Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. | |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, I hope you are well. One of the most exciting event for a Lodge is contributing to meet the desire of more light in Masonry from a Brother. We will have this opportunity Thursday April 24th, 7pm, at Mt. Olive Lodge in Carrboro. We will have a joined Second Degree with University Lodge and two Entered Apprentices will climb the five-step stair. I look forward to work with all of you on Thursday. Have a nice day, Francesco |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, I hope you are all well. Just a reminder about our Stated Communication scheduled for tomorrow April 15th at Mount Olive Lodge in Carrboro. Meeting starts at 7.30pm (19.30). Thanks to our Junior Warden Steve Barrell, we are going to have pizza dinner at 6.30pm. During the meeting we will dispense with labor and our Entered Apprentice Brother will return his catechism. We will also have a great masonic education delivered by our Senior Warden WB Al Serff about the history of Eagle Lodge. WB Serff also curated a book about the same topic and we will have the chance to buy a copy for $25. All the proceeding will support the Historic Eagle Lodge Foundation. For an extra $5, WB Serff will autograph the book. Please, make checks payable to "H.E.L.F.". Lastly, we will practice for our incoming FC degree. Please, be sure to mark April 24th at 7.30pm on your calendar for this important event. Thank you all for supporting and participating in Mosaic activities. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Francesco (919) 475 0133 riafnc@gmail.com |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, Spring is already among us with pollen and warmer weather. I hope you and everybody around you are well! I want to start this monthly communication spending a moment to remember WB Tray Boone. WB Boone was serving as our DDGM while he passed to the eternal east last month. As Masons, we dedicate our efforts to improve our inner temple. May these tragic news teach us how precious life is, and how important is to make it count. We have a couple of busy weeks ahead. Next week is Stated Communication. Rendezvous is for April 15th at Mount Olive Lodge in Carrboro. Meeting starts at 7.30pm (19.30). Our EA brother will return the catechism, and we will have a great masonic education delivered by WB Al Serff about the History of Eagle Lodge. WB Serff also curated a book about the same topic and we will have the chance to buy a copy for $25. All the proceeding will support the Historic Eagle Lodge Foundation. For an extra $5, WB Serff will autograph the book. Please, make checks payable to "H.E.L.F.". If the catechism will be satisfactory, we will have a second degree emergent communication on April 24th. Eagle Lodge is running a Fellow-craft rehearsal every Thursday. Please, try to attend so we can be ready to offer our new Brother the best possible degree. Looking forward to work together next week. A fraternal hug to all the Brethren. Francesco Master, Mosaic Lodge #762 riafnc@gmail.com |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, I hope you are well. We are a few days after the Spring Equinox, a moment representing balance, transition, and renewal. I believe that such astronomical event perfectly summarizes our Mason experience of constantly looking to improve our balance as a way to provide stable innovation in our life and society. Our Enter Apprentice is also working very hard towards more light in Masonry. We have a tentative date for a Second Degree on April 24th. Meanwhile, it is time to practice. Next Tuesday is the first of the month, and we will meet at 7.30pm at Mt. Olive in Carrboro to go through the Second Degree ritual with WB Al Serff leading the gig. We all look forward for a great Second Degree! Have a nice rest of the day, Francesco (919) 475 0133 riafnc@gmail.com |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Dear Brethren, I hope you are well. This past month has been full of activities and we look forward for our next Stated Communication March 18th at Mount Olive Lodge in Carrboro. Meeting starts at 7.30pm (19.30). Thanks to our Junior Warden Steve Barrell, we are going to have build your own pizza dinner at 6.30pm. It is always nice to talk with Brethren outside official meetings, and I hope to see you all at dinner. As usual, we will go for a drink after SC. WB Barrell will also deliver our monthly masonic education presenting We are our Brothers' Keepers: If You See Something, Say Something concerns the prescribed responsibility to correct as well as to accept correction from Brother Masons. Be aware, that we may have a special speaker also joining us during the meeting! At February Stated Communication, we approved our budget for 2025. We also discussed about supporting South Orange Rescue Squad this year (https://sors.us/). In particular, we will try to plan a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training with Mosaic members (and other Brethren if they want to join). Stay tuned for updates. This is an attempt to support local first responders, together with learning something about what we can do when in an emergency situation as a way to translate into every day practice our operative masonic vocation. On Monday February 24th, several Brethren, together with our Enter Apprentice, attended a first degree meeting at Durham Lodge and delivered the Traveling Gavel. It was an excellent degree and a great experience for your EA. Furthermore, together with University #408 and Eagle #19, we had our annual Lecture Service on March 1st at University Lodge. Our Senior Warden WB Al Serff led the Lecture and it was simply great! Thank you to WB Serff and to all the Mosaic Brethren that attended the Lecture. Lastly, I am happy to report that Mosaic Brethren unanimously approved lifetime membership for WB Brian Curran! Please, join me in congratulating WB Curran for this super well deserved achievement! Looking forward to work together next week. A fraternal hug to all the Brethren. Francesco |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
Dear Brethren, I hope you are your loved ones are well. I have been elected to serve as Master of Mosaic Lodge for 2025 and I am truly honored to do so. Incidentally, I came to this Country 10 years ago, in 2015, initially only for one year, knowing nobody. The Grand Lodge of Italy reached out to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina asking where I could carry out my Masonic works, while in the United States, and they referred me to Mosaic Lodge. I am not ashamed to tell how hard the first few months as an immigrant have been. I am not ashamed to remember that sometimes I went to the grocery store just to spend a few words with the cashier because I had nobody else to talk with. But every month, I had one day when I felt home. It was the day of the Stated Communication. As I always say, I could not understand most of what Brethren said ten years ago because…well…I did not study Southern accent English, unfortunately. But I really felt home. Surrounded by Brothers, working together for the good of each one of us and for the good of Masonry. Serving Mosaic is the best way, to me, to give back a bit of the energy, the love, the welcome feeling, the friendship, that Mosaic’ Brethren showed to me. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I will not bother you with personal thoughts anymore during this year, do not worry about that. Now, back to our Masonic works. First, I want to thank all the Officers that accepted to serve in 2025. They are all more experienced than I am, and I will rely on them for advice and support. Next week is Stated Communication time. We will meet at 7.30pm in Carrboro, as usual. We have several things to discuss in preparation for this year. We will also have a fantastic Masonic Education with Brother Keith Morgan presenting a talk about Zara Yacob, an Ethiopian philosopher whose ideas were similar to those of the Enlightenment. We will also talk about our budget and few ideas about charity. I hope you can join for our Stated and for a drink after it (this first month, drinks will be on me 😉 ). Thank you, Francesco Riariafnc@gmail.com (919)-475-1033 |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Please join us January 21st for our Stated Communication. We will be installing the new officers for 2025. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, We will be holding an election for the position of Secretary at our next stated communication on 1/21/2025. Our current elected secretary WB Rickie Williams has rescinded his acceptance of the position due to personal health issues that will impede his duties. Please keep his health in your prayers. The installation of officers will also be held that evening. Together we R.I.S.E James Rippe Mosaic 762 |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, please bear with me as I am still learning the ins and outs of Grand View. There were two errors in the message: 1) Dues notice did not go up. It is still $136.00; and, 2) Please mail payments to Rickie L. Williams, Jr. 3444 Lacewing Dr. Zebulon, NC 27597. I plan to get a P.O. Box for the ensuing year, so please look out for that future message. Thank you, Brethren. Have a great Christmas!!! |
- Mosaic No. 762
Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M.Brethren, another year has past by us, and our annual communication will be at our upcoming stated communication on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Therefore, the election of our Lodge officers will be held during November’s stated communication. Worshipful Master James Rippe looks forward to seeing you, no matter how long it has been, while you assist in the direction of our Lodge going forward for the good of Masonry. Safe travels, and may peace and harmony prevail, Brethren.
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, the emergent degree called for the purpose of conferring a 1st Degree on November 23, 2024 has been postponed. The degree will be conferred jointly with Eagle Lodge #19 and its candidate on December 5, 2024 at Eagle Lodge, located in Hillsborough, NC. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, tonight's practice is cancelled. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, Mosaic Lodge will initiate a candidate at10:00am on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Worshipful Master Rippe is calling for a practice on the first Tuesday, November 5, 2024. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren Stated Communication is tonight at our usual location. We look forward to seeing you. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Worshipful Master James Rippe invites you to our First Tuesday night meeting. Please join us as we practice receiving the Most Worshipful Grand Master. Your appearance is welcomed whether you attend to teach, learn, or observe. Worshipful Master Rippe and the rest of the Lodge looks forward to seeing or meeting you, no matter if you attended our last meeting or life’s obligations demanded your time. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
Brethren, Due to needed information from the coordinators of the Durham Pride Parade not arriving, The Worshipful Master cancelled tonight's meeting. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, Worshipful Master James Rippee hopes to see you tonight at 7:30pm for our First Tuesday Meeting. We will fully plan out the Lodge’s participation in this year’s upcoming Durham Parade. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, Worshipful Master James Rippe received word that Eagle Lodge #19 will confer a 2nd Degree tonight at 7pm in their lodge building. They welcome our visit. Please accept our apologies for the late notice. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, The Worshipful Master wishes to remind us of our informal first Tuesday Meeting on September 3, 2024 at our normal meeting location in the Mount Olive Lodge building. We will fully discuss the planning, preparing, and organizing of Mosaic Lodge # 762's participation in the city of Durham's upcoming Pride Parade. He looks forward to seeing us all. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, Worshipful Master James Rippe cancelled the August stated communication due to four Brothers dealing with health issues. We will have an informal meeting on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, to have a full discussion regarding the upcoming pride parade in Durham. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Please attend Mosaic Lodge's August Stated Communication, Tuesday August 20, 7:30 PM (dinner crowd gathering at 6:30 PM). Dress code is casual (no shorts) due to the heat. |
| Please attend Mosaic Lodge's August Stated Communication, Tuesday August 20, 7:30 PM (dinner crowd gathering at 6:30 PM). Dress code is casual (no shorts) due to the heat. |
- Mosaic No. 762
Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M.Brethren,
Worshipful Brother Brian Curran reported to Worshipful Master James Rippe that he has been in communication with Brother Keith Morgan.
He explained that Brother Morgan is home and is on track to his long road to recovery after his surgery which left him exhausted. At this moment he is unable to receive any visitations.
Please continue to keep Brother Keith Morgan and his family in your hearts and prayers.
Brethren,
Worshipful Master James Rippe received word from Worshipful Brother Ben Morgan that the scheduled surgery for Brother Keith Morgan was accomplished on August 7th. He is now recovering in the ICU at the VA located in Durham, NC. Please remember to include our Brother, who served as Secretary for our lodge for so many years, in our prayers and thoughts from our hearts.
Brethren,
From our Brother Senior Warden:
At last Stated Communication we discussed a potential night out for lodge members, friends, families, and whoever else you want to bring. The idea is to visit Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill on Sunday August 18th at 4.30pm for their event "One Sky, Many Eyes". (https://78835.blackbaudhosting.com/78835/tickets?tab=2&txobjid=0f498858-f29a-4bb5-b3c5-4e13c2cdc64f). At the end of this email you can find a description of the show.
This would be a great opportunity to get together and to spend time with Brothers, friends, and families. The show lasts one hour and we can also plan to go to dinner around 6pm. Details will follow once we semi-finalize the participants' number.
I can take care of reserving the tickets for our group, but I need to have a headcount before the end of the month for Planetarium requirements for group visits. So, please, reply to this email (you can reply only to me without spamming the whole lodge) before tomorrow, August 3rd, confirming your presence and the eventual presence of guests. The cost is $15.95 per person and $13.95 per senior (+60), but I will inquire to see if there are group discounts. In the email, please specify if you want to purchase senior tickets and if you are planning to also join the party for dinner.
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| Brethren, Worshipful Master James Rippe sends word of a tragic event affecting Worshipful Brother Jason Lentz's parents. Lightning struck their house early Monday morning, and it caused a fire in the attic. The house is now left open to the elements due to the fire's destruction. Unfortunately, his parents are unable to return to their house until damage is fixed. Please keep Worshipful Brother Lentz, his parents, and his family in your hearts and prayers. |
Mosaic No. 762 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
| A scammer is using text messaging to pretend to be WM James Rippe, wanting us to buy certificates for reimbursement tomorrow. Brian and I both received the texts. If you receive a text apparently from James Rippe asking if your schedule is open for communication via text, ignore/delete/report it. The scammer probably picked up contact information from the Mosaic Grandview website. |
Brethren,
University Lodge will be conferring an FC degree on Monday, May 6 at 7:30 pm at the University Lodge Building.
Worshipful Brother Evan Williams cordially invites all members of Mosaic Lodge to attend. All speaking parts are covered, and he hopes you'll come and enjoy the evening!
Please note that our Monthly First Tuesday rehearsal will be replaced by an EAD practice on Saturday, May 11. We will have an event posted for registrations shortly- please RSVP if you can attend.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Subject: To Keep or Not to Keep the Annual Feast? That is the Question! |
From: Steve Barrell <srbarrell@hotmail.com> |
Date: 4/11/2024, 10:43 PM |
| 19955898_10155039308080892_1592345841469947368_o.jpg | 109 KB |
Brethren,
I hope these greetings find you all well at this busy time of year!
Over the past few weeks we have had multiple brothers reporting life-changing events that will impact their ability to participate at Mosaic Lodge. We were already down to a minimum number of active brothers well before any of these things came up.
Mosaic Lodge is in imminent danger of a failure to make quorum for the forseeable future, beginning as early as our next Stated Communication.
If you have the capacity to help Mosaic Lodge stay open, we are asking you to show us your support by attending the April Stated Communication on 4/16/24 at 7:30pm.
Please RSVP on Grandview so we will know that you are coming.
Life happens, brethren. We hope that all is well in your lives, and that you may be able to come help us out. Every brother counts, now more than ever.
Feel free to contact me or the Worshipful Master with any questions, concerns, or ideas you may have.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, PM
Secretary
Brethren,
At our March Stated we will vote on vendors for our new Lodge Shirts. I have attached two estimates for your review prior to the vote.
The first is from Glenn Ashby Designs, recommended by Worshipful Brother Rippe.
The second is from Small Town Screen Printing, recommended by Worshipful Brother Serff. Note that Worshipful Brother Serff has offered to cover our setup fees if we go with Small Town Screen Printing.
Please bring any questions or concerns to the Stated Communication on Tuesday, or communicate them to the Worshipful Master in advance.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren, I have two important events to share with you.
1. University Lodge #408 AF & AM will hold a triple third degree on Saturday, March 16, 9:00 am (breakfast at 8:00 am). I have heard from Worshipful Brother Watson that the lodge will need some help with speaking parts in the 2nd section of the degree. If you are able to assist, please be in touch with Worshipful Brother Watson, Master at watson.evan08@gmail.com, and Worshipful Brother Charles Fiore, Secretary at university408afam@gmail.com.
2. The Worshipful Master is interested in retrieving the Traveling Gavel for our lodge, which is currently held by Oak Grove Lodge #750 in Durham. We have an opportunity on Monday, 3/18 to collect the gavel and attend another Entered Apprentice Degree. We will need a minimum of 5 brothers to attend to collect the gavel. I am creating an event for registration to see if we can muster the numbers- this will be the night before our next Stated Communication on 3/19. Please RSVP so we will know if we have the numbers to make this happen. I have committments on both of these dates, so if you have any special considerations or cannot RSVP online for any reason, please be in touch with Worshipful Brother Rippe.
Thanks for your attention brethren!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren,
This is just a reminder of the Entered Apprentice Degree tomorrow evening (Monday) at 7:30 pm at University Lodge.
This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome a new brother to the fraternity, support our brothers at University Lodge, and get some additional experience with the degree for our own upcoming potentials.
We will dispense with our usual first Tuesday practice since we will be attending the degree tomorrow. We hope to see many of you there tomorrow evening.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren,
Thanks to all who were able to join us for our final 2023 Stated Communication. It was a wonderful evening of education and fellowship for the brethren and our guests.
I wanted to inform you that our 2024 Dues Cards have been delayed. The current estimate of their arrival is mid-January 2024. If anyone requires verification of their Masonic Status in the meantime, I can provide you with official certification. Also remember that you can access your virtual card from your Grandview homepage:
I hope these greetings find you and your families well. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. We will see you in January!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, P.M.
Secretary
Brethren,
The practice schedule for Durham 352's upcoming Master Mason Degrees has been updated below:
Wednesday, 12/6 at 6pm
Thursday, 12/7 at 6pm
And the Degrees well be held on Saturday, 12/9 at 9am, breakfast at 8am.
Please direct any questions to Worshipful Brother Butch Weber at 919-244-5706.
Thank you!
Jason Lentz
Brethren, I've just found out the rehearsal tonight is canceled. I apologize for the late notice.
Jason Lentz
Brethren, this is just a reminder for those who are interested, that Durham #352 will be having their first practice for their upcoming 3rd degree at 5pm tomorrow evening.
We hope to see you there!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren,
Thanks to all who attended our Annual Communication last night. We had a great meeting, smooth elections, and a fantastic dinner!
I have 3 announcements for your consideration:
First, The following are your elected and appointed officers for 2024:
- Master- James Rippe
- Senior Warden- F. Ria
- Brother Ria will also continue as assistant Treasurer
- Junior Warden- Al Serff
- Treasurer- Brian Curran
- Secretary- Jason Lentz
- Senior Deacon- Stephen Barrell
- Junior Deacon- Marcus Orr
- Tyler- Keith Morgan
- Brother Morgan has also been elected Trustee for a 3 year term and will continue as Assistant Secretary
- Trustees Albert Bell and Rickie Williams will be continuing their terms
Thank you Brethren for your service! Information on Installation will be coming soon.
Second, we are happy to announce that Brother Ria is now officially a U.S. Citizen! Congratulations Brother Ria!
Third, I have arranged with Worshipful Brother Ron Bowling to deliver our veteran's shoebox gifts at the 3rd Degrees at Durham #352 on 12/9 at 9:00 am. If you didn't have time to get one together and still want to participate, please contact me at jason.lentz.pm@gmail.com and we will make arrangements for you.
Last night's minutes have been uploaded to the minutes files in Grandview.
I hope you and your families have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, PM
Secretary
Brethren,
The Worshipful Master will be providing a chili dinner for us on Tuesday evening. If you would like to assist with sides, cutlery, dessert, or beverages, please be in contact with him directly.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at 6:30 pm for dinner, 7:30 pm for the Annual Communication!
Brethren,
We will be back at Mt.Olive Lodge for our Stated Communication at 7:30pm tomorrow, 10/17.
Those who wish to join the brethren for dinner and fellowship should come to the lodge building by around 6:15. The brethren will be walking to a local restaurant for dinner.
We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Brethren,
We just got word that the Pride Parade tomorrow has been cancelled due to expected severe weather.
We hope you all stay warm and dry this weekend.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren, two important reminders for you:
1. Our stated communication tomorrow will be held at Eagle Lodge in Hillsborough at 7:30 pm.
2. I have included detailed information below about the Pride Parade on Saturday which we will discuss at length during the meeting. Please see the message below for complete details of time, place, parking, and PARKING PASSES. I will bring printouts of the attachments and the email message to share.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
----
Hello!
**Note: This is a lengthy email full of vital information. Please read it thoroughly and share it with everyone in your group. This will help everyone to be on the same page on the day of the parade**
You are receiving this email because you have registered to be in our Parade for Pride: Durham, NC 2023! We want to make sure you have all the pertinent information for us to have a successful morning. A reminder: this event is rain or shine, on Saturday, September 23rd, with the Parade stepping off promptly at 10:30am.
Please send me a reply confirming that your organization has received this email and forwarded the included information to your marchers/floats/vehicle drivers.
The Parade will start from the intersection of Main Street and Campus Drive at Duke University's East Campus, with the festival to follow on the University quad. To navigate to the starting location, please enter 1304 Campus Drive, Durham, NC 27708 into your GPS.
Your parade line-up assignment is found attached to this email.The attached Vehicle Form should be printed, filled out and placed on the dash of your vehicle. This will allow us to identify your vehicle and call you in case we need the vehicle moved.
**NEW REQUIREMENT** As per Durham City’s new safety requirements, All vehicles participating in the parade must undergo an inspection by law enforcement prior to participation. During this inspection, the officers will be checking that your vehicle (including trailers you are hauling, as applicable), meet the following requirements:-
All drivers must be age 25+
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All drivers must have a valid Driver’s License
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Every vehicle must have an up to date vehicle registration
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Every driver must have valid auto insurance
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Minor participants must be accompanied by an adult
Any vehicle/driver that fails to do an inspection or meet these requirements will not be allowed to participate in the parade. However we will still allow folks from your group to march without a vehicle.
Inspections will be conducted in Duke’s East Campus Epworth Lot (next to Epworth Residence hall https://maps.app.goo.gl/gwho1nkCq9epWyHb8?g_st=ig) on Friday, September 22nd from 6pm-9pm and Saturday, September 23rd before the start of the parade from 7am-7:40am. Please sign up for a time slot here ASAP – Time slots are first come first serve. Please make every effort to sign up for a time on Friday evening and leave Saturday morning slots for those who absolutely need it. The morning will run a lot more smoothly if we are able to get most of the inspections done the evening before. There are two available inspections per timeslot. When signing up, please include the name of your group and the name of your driver.
Small Vehicles (car/suv/pick-up truck –with or without marchers): Your vehicle must arrive starting at 7:00 AM and arriving no later than 8:30 AM (please note, that if you have already had your inspection Friday, you can come toward the later end of that time frame). All vehicles must be in place by 8:30 in order to minimize traffic issues with vendors and food trucks that will also be on Campus Drive. Vehicles, including those who are going through inspection on Saturday morning, should approach Campus Drive from INSIDE East Campus (the easiest way to approach will be from the intersection of Swift and Campus Drive, which will take you into campus by going under the bridge and through the large traffic circle– See attached map for ideal route) and park into your chalk outlined numbered space, with you car facing out into the center of the street and your Vehicle Form (see attached) on your dashboard. There will be volunteers on site to help direct you. Your dedicated coordinators that morning will be Nicole and Christina. Day-of coordinators, please check in with either Nicole or Christina at the sign that says “Parade Check-in” within the car line up area once you arrive. Nicole or Christina will ask if you are willing to let us write your parade order number on your vehicle with a washable window paint pen for easy identification. You may politely decline. Once you are backed in, you are free to walk around or put decorations on your vehicle before we start, but please be at your vehicle by 10:00am.
If you have any marchers, they must be lined up with your vehicle at 10:00am on Campus Drive (see the attached map). Marchers will move forward with the vehicles as they are lined up to enter the Parade.
ONCE THE PARADE STARTS, PLEASE STAY ALERT and watch for pedestrians. We must maintain a brisk pace to make sure the parade is compact enough to fit on the route, so please stay close to the group in front of you at the distance that you start the parade.
The route is nearly 2 miles, so please make sure your marchers hydrate, bring sunscreen, and wear shoes that you will feel comfortable walking in/wearing for 2 miles. Please remember also that we are all stewards of Durham, so bring reusable water bottles, limit your paper products, and clean up any litter as you see it to help keep the Parade Route and the festival grounds as clean as possible. If you are handing out candy, food, or other items, please toss the candy gently using underhand throws and anything larger than candy should be handed to the crowd rather than thrown. Please note that campaigning for elected office is not permitted during our event, so please do not hand out campaign materials.
During the Parade, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE ALWAYS LEAVE A PATH FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL, so for the duration of the Parade please make sure you are staying in the right-hand lane of the street. The route of the Parade is attached below, and there will be volunteers and members of the Durham Police Department managing traffic and making sure the parade stays on its assigned route.
If a member of your group is not able to complete the full parade, there will be an early exit area at Branches Community School at the corner of Broad Street and Green Street. We ask that all organizations try to finish the full parade route with as much of their full group as possible, and only use this area for emergencies and otherwise very sparingly.
Unless it is an emergency, all vehicles and floats must finish the entire parade.
Once you have returned to the start of the parade route, vehicles will be directed back onto Campus Drive to park. Drivers and marchers are encouraged to watch the rest of the parade from East Campus and rejoin the Festival for an afternoon of entertainment, food trucks, and vendors. When you leave with your vehicle, please exit by following Campus Drive through East campus out to Swift Avenue. And remember that in the evening there will be a concert in Durham's CCB Plaza in downtown from 5-8pm again featuring food trucks and some truly incredible queer performers.
There will be volunteers throughout the area in pink shirts that can help direct you or answer questions.
There will be very limited parking on Duke's Campus that is reserved for vendors, staff, and accessibility parking, so we strongly recommend that members of your group carpool together and park away from campus at one of the parking lots around Durham, and walk to campus to join up with your float. Some nearby locations that have offered up additional public parking for Pride are:
- Asbury UMC
- Epworth Lane at Duke
- Brodie Gym Drive at Duke
- Broad St. Duke lot
If you have further questions around mobility, please see our information tent, which is located next to the East Duke Building alongside campus drive, that morning. Individuals in need of close accessibility parking can park in the two designated ADA parking lots located alongside Gilbert-Addoms building on Duke’s East Campus (see map). There is an ADA parking pass attached to this email which you can share with any members of your group who need accessible parking. We will be using an honor system for these parking lots. There will be volunteers with golf carts on hand to help ferry people from the accessibility lots to the Parade and the Festival.
Please send me an email at prideparade@lgbtqcenterofdurham.org if you have any questions about the Parade or that morning.
Thank you so much for your participation and for following the directions we have laid out above so that we can build on last year's success to have another incredible weekend of Pride: Durham, NC!
Best,
Rebecca Swofford
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Brethren,
Due to ongoing concerns with the air conditioning unit at the lodge building, we are cancelling tomorrow's meeting. We will let you know as soon as possible if this will impact our September Stated communication.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, PM
Secretary
Brethren,
We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the stated communication tomorrow! Given the heat the brethren are invited to dress casual and cool for the evening.
Please join us for a pre-meeting fellowship meal from 6:15pm to 7:15pm before we open lodge at 7:30. Dinner will be white bean gazpacho (vegetarian), baguette prosciutto and (separately) cheddar sandwiches, a pasta salad, and a traditional Italian lemon cake.
Masonic Education on the topic of navigating and using Grandview will be given by brother Jason Lentz.
We will also be discussing final preparations for our participation in the Pride Parade at the end of September.
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
Brethren, I hope these greetings find you well! We have a few items for your consideration in advance of the Stated Communication on Tuesday evening.
First, the upstairs air conditioning unit is broken, so we will be meeting downstairs until that can be repaired. To beat the heat, you are welcome to come casual, and shorts are welcome as well if desired.
Second, Worshipful Brother Barrell is providing a pre-meeting meal for the lodge. Please plan to show up early for fellowship!
Finally, we have some important final arrangements to make in preparation for our participation in the Pride Parade in late September. The Worshipful Master requests that you review the items below (rainbow ties with pocket squares and a lodge banner) for discussion during the meeting.
The basic Tie cost is around $12 each for any other pattern. The image here is of a set. Pretty snazzy.
20 ties and pocket squares (its a set)..............25.06 plus tax.
It includes imprinting of logo. (Since we are doing such a small amount the cost is much higher.)
The banner estimate can be seen at the link below:
https://www.viewpresentation.com/85306240390
Please review these and be ready to discuss or present other options you may find.
We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday evening!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz
Brethren,
This Tuesday, 7/18 the Worshipful Master invites you to beat the heat and come to Lodge in your favorite, best, or ugliest Hawaiian Shirt.
We look forward to seeing you Tuesday evening at 7:30!
Brethren,
I hope these greetings find you well!
As the first Tuesday of July is a holiday, we will not meet on that evening this month. We look forward to seeing you at the Stated on 7/18.
Have a safe and enjoyable holiday.
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, PM
Secretary
Brethren,
Please see the information below for a community cookout invite from the brethren of Mt. Olive Lodge- come join us for the fun!
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Hello Sisters and Brothers,
Hope all is well with you and your families.
We would like to invite you all to Mt. Olive Lodge # 36 Community Cookout on June 10, 2023 where we will fellowship and serve Hamburgers & Hot dogs. This will be an opportunity for us all to get together and have some fun and interact with the local community.
Where: Mt. Olive Lodge- 703 W. Rosemary St.
When: June 10, 2023
What Time: 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
What to Bring: Lawn Chairs and a smile :)
Fraternally Yours,
James Self, PM-Sec
Mt. Olive Lodge # 36
See the attachment for the MHCO Children's Chatter newsletter.
Brethren,
Fellowship lodge will have a 3rd degree on Saturday, 4/29/23 at 8am, at the University Lodge building in Chapel hill.
For those working on roles for our upcoming 3rd degree, this a wonderful opportunity to attend a 3rd degree which will be put on by experienced brethren from all over District 19.
My understanding is that all of the roles are covered, but certainly it will be a good opportunity to study or serve as a Fellowcraft.
I hope these greetings find you well!
Fraternally,
Jason Lentz, PM
Secretary