 Western Star No. 91 Grand Lodge Of North Carolina, A.F. & A.M. |
Brothers, I hope you are all well and safe during these very challenging and demanding times in the wake of the storm that has caused so much devastation throughout western North Carolina. Our District was hit very hard and as I write this, there are brothers who are in the midst of some very difficult circumstances to say the least. Please look out for each other and check on your lodge membership as I’m sure you are all doing already, especially our elderly and home-bound brothers. I am writing this immediately after returning from the Grand Lodge annual communication and I want to announce to everyone that I have the privilege and honor to have been appointed to serve as DDGM for the 38th masonic district. I want to thank WB Wiley Kessler and of course MWB Robert Rideout, our new Grand Master, for their confidence in me to serve as your DDGM and I want to thank WB Wiley for his service to our district and the craft. While WB Wiley remains our DDGM through the end of the year, I have discussed with him, and he is in agreement, that given his residence status I will assist him and act on his behalf as much as I am able to through the end of the year, however; I want to stress that WB Wiley remains our DDGM until then and that any matters requiring the attention of the DDGM should be directed to him. I will spare you all with the details about the GLAC since there are much more important things for us to deal with at this time. I did however want to tell you all, since most of you were unable to attend due to the storm, that this GLAC was extraordinary in many positive ways. Again, I will tell you all about that later but most importantly, know that every mason in our state and in the grand line is concerned about all of us who have been impacted by this storm throughout the western part of the state. It was gut-wrenching at times hearing the reports from home while I was in Winston-Salem as the storm was ravaging the area. Seeing the damage on my drive home today was astounding, especially knowing that it gets far worse west of my location and that the beautiful and picturesque Chimney Rock Village and Lake Lure have been virtually wiped off the map! Again, please make every effort to reach out and to account for all of your lodge members and remember our widows as well. As I do not presently have DDGM access and distribution capabilities in Grandview, I ask that all of you secretaries forward this to the members in your respective lodges. Take care brothers, and I look forward to serving you all and do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be of any assistance. Thank you. Sincerely & fraternally, Doug Tribou PM & Secretary, Western Star Lodge #91 DDGM Select, 38th Masonic District |
Brethren,
As many of you have heard already, W. Br. Charles Green of Hollis Lodge #535 recently lost everything in a tragic house fire, including his two vehicles and his family pet. Thankfully, he and his family were spared and physically unharmed. I say physically unharmed, but the emotional and psychological effects of a tragedy such as this can be devastating and a strong show of support for this brother and his family will be a great comfort to them at this very difficult time. They are receiving some assistance but as you can imagine, their needs are great. Western Star Lodge will be taking up a collection as part of our response to this tragedy to assist this worthy distressed brother master mason and his family. This is the very core of our fraternity and I ask that you all please come to lodge at our upcoming stated meeting this coming Tuesday, May 7th at 7pm prepared to contribute as generously as you are able. We will have a meal at 6pm before the meeting as usual. Of course, please keep W. Br. Charles and his family in your payers. Hope to see you all there!
Doug Tribou, Sec .
Western Star Lodge No. 91
Brethren,
Western Star Lodge will be holding a BBQ Sale fundraiser to benefit the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford (MHCO). We will be selling Smoked BBQ pork butts along with a pint of slaw and a pint of BBQ sauce for $40. Butts will be cooked May 10th and will be available for pick-up on Saturday, May 11 from 9am till 12pm at the Lodge. Help Spread the word and sell tickets and help support our children's home!
Doug Tribou, Secretary
Brethren,
Western Star Lodge will meet at an emergent communication on Tuesday, April 16, at 7pm. The purpose for which this emergent communication was called is to confer the Entered Apprentice Degree for two candidates. There will be a meal at 6pm before the degree. Please come out and help welcome our newest candidates for masonry! Hope to sere you there.
Doug Tribou, Secretary
Brother,
It is with sadness I report that Br. Charles Wayne Dotson, Jr. passed away Wednesday, Jan. 3rd. There will be a memorial service with masonic rites for Br. Wayne on Saturday, Jan. 6th at 2pm at Adaville Baptist Church, 805 Oakland Road, Spindale. Visitation with the family will follow the service. Brother, please come and assist in paying our last tribute of respect for our departed brother, his wife Cathy and familiy. It is requested that you arrive 30 min. prior to the service to assist. Thank you. Crowes Mortuary is assisting the family.
Doug Tribou, Secretary
(828) 817-9454
Hello brother,
This is to inform you that Western Star Lodge will meet at an emergent communicaton this coming Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 3:00PM. This emergent communicagtion was called for the purpose of installing officers for the ensuing year. This is an open installation and you are encouraged to attend with your spouse, family, and friends. The ceremony will begin at 3 o'clock and there will be a light meal and refreshments immediately after the installation. It's pot luck, sort of, so if you'd like to share a favorite hors d'oeuvre (that's finger food for you country boys. I had to look up how to spell it!) that would be great but don't feel like you have to.
Please come and support your lodge and our officers for 2024!
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Brethren,
Our next stated communication is on Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 7pm. **PLEASE NOTE THE NEW TIME!!** The meal will be at 6pm before the meeting and I believe that Br. Dave Mahan and the other pickers will be returning to provide the music. This will be an interesting and engauging meeting and we will be hosting a couple guest ladies to give a presentation about their research into the famed Pirate Jean Lafitte who is said to be buried in the cemetery of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Lincolnton, NC. We also have a special prestigious award presentation to make to one of our brothers and we will be remembering two of our brothers who sadly passed away this past month, Br. Mike Scoggin and W.Br. Joe Simpson. With Grand Lodge Annual Communication coming up soon, we will also briefly discuss the proposed amendments to the Code. Please come and enjoy the fellowship and join in this very important and worthwhile evening!! Hope to see you all there.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Brother,
It is my sad duty to announce that WB Joe D. Simpson of Western Star Lodge has passed away and set aside his working tools to be with his Lord. Funeral Services for WB Joe will be held this coming Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at Round Hill Baptist Church on Hudlow Road in Union Mills at 2pm. The family will be receiving friends from 1-2pm before the service. Interment with graveside masonic rites will immediately follow the service in the church cemetery accross the street. McMahons Funeral Home is assisting the family. Please come and assist in honoring our fallen brother and his family and keep our brother WB Josh Simpson, his mother Reba and the rest of the Simpson family in your prayers.
Fraternally,
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Brothers,
Hollis Lodge took the Traveling Gavel from us at our last meeting with an impressive showing of five brothers. Let's try and take it back with equal force at their stated meeting this Thursday, May 11 at 730pm. For those of you who haven't been to Hollis, WB Dave Philbeck puts on a good feed at 630pm before the meeting. Let's go get it! Hope to see you there.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Brother,
Br. Bailey Gillespie will be receiving full military honors at the cemetery so masonic rites will be performed during the service at the church and not graveside as originally planned. Services will begin at 2pm on Monday, April 17th at First Baptist Church, 144 Steward St., Spindale, NC. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes prior to the service if you are able to participate. Thank you.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Lodge 91
Hello Brother,
In case you haven't heard, the lodges of the 38th masonic district are holding our 2nd Annual Masonic Bluegrass Jam Meet & Greet on Saturday, May 13th at Steans Park in downtown Columbus, NC from 11am to 3pm. There will be live bluegrass music with the newly formed Oasis Shrine Pickers Unit along with masons and non-mason pickers. Anyone desiring to join in is welcome. There will be food, cornhole games and great music and fellowship. Please come and enjoy the good time and help us raise awareness and funds for the Masonic Home for Children and the Shriner's Hospital for Children. Last year's event in Forest City was great so come help us make this year's event even better. What do you have to lose? It's free and it's fun! If you'd like a great T-Shirt to wear to the event, contact Br. Dave Mahan or me to get none for the great low price of $20! Thanks brother and I hope to see you there and please come. If you have any questions feel free to contact me by email or at (828) 817-9454.
Fraternally,
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Lodge 91
Brethren,
Br. Bailey Gillespie, a 65-year master mason, Korean War Veteran and former POW will be buried with masonic rites and military honors immediately following services at First Baptist Church, 144 Steward St., Spindle on Monday, April 17th at 2pm. Joy and the family will receive friends from 12 to 2pm prior to the service. Interment will be at Spindale City Cemetery. Crowe's Mortuary is assisting the family. Please come if you are able, and assist in giving our distinuished brother masonic funeral rites and to pay our last ribute of respect to his family. Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the service if you are able to assist. Aprons and gloves will be available. Thank you and hope to see you there brother!
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Lodge 91
Brethren,
It is my sad duty to report that Br. Bailey Gillespie passed away this morning at Hopsice in Forest City. His wife Joy was by his side. Please Keep Joy and her family in your prayers for the days and weeks ahead. I will pass along funeral arrangements when they are announced.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Lodge 91
Brothers,
I just spoke with Bailey's wife Joy and Bailey will be moved to Hospice in Forest City. Please continue to keep Bailey & Joy in your prayers.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Lodge 91
Brothers,
Our Br. Bailey Gillespie is still in the VA hospital in Asheville in serious condition. I just spoke with his wife Joy and he is not doing well and will be undergoing a procedure to help his heart get back in rhythm. Please continue to pray for him and Joy. Thank you and I will send updates as I get them.
Doug Tribou, Sec.
Western Star Masonic Lodge 91
Hello Brother,
Here is some important information regarding dues payments, especially for those who have been paying dues by credit card, or plan to pay by credit card. I have sent this email to all members for whom I have an email address in the database, so if you have already paid your dues, receiving this email does NOT mean I have not received your dues payment. If you have a 2023 Dues Card, I have received your payment but please continue reading for important information regarding fthe new lodge member database now in use.
IMPORTANT! For those of you who have NOT paid your dues yet, and if you had planned to pay by credit card on-line, please DO NOT pay by credit card until notified that it is okay to do so! You may still send a check payment, and you are encouraged to do so as soon as you are able. The member database for all lodges in NC has been transitioned from the old database system (MORI) to a new system called "GRANDVIEW". In the process, a new credit card paymewnt system has been implemented and the old one (WePay) is no longer in use. I am in the process of figuring all this out and I have a lot to learn and a lot to do before I can accept credit card payments. As sson as I have everything figured out and get the new payment system set up I will notify the members of the lodge via email.
Along with the dues payment system, there are a lot of different features of GANDVIEW that you will be able to use and I encourage all members to sign up on GRANDVIEW as soon as possible. I have included the linc to sign up below and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me any time and I will do my best to help you out. However, please bear with me during this transition as I am learning too! GRANDVIEW also inclues a member portal and a new lodge webpage that will hopefully be set up soon. Thank you for your patience!
Fraternally,
Doug Tribou, Secretary
Web linc & instructions to sign up for GRANDVIEW:
An intro has been made for you to watch online. Find it here:
https://replay.dropbox.com/share/tj2541K7QFrGJP3f
Please follow these instructions to go ahead and register and sign into Grandview ASAP:
1.) https://nc.grandview.systems/membership_registration (do not bookmark this page)
2.) Type in your lodge number (3, 47, 345, etc) of your primary home lodge
3.) Type in your Member ID (do not include the M or any leading zeroes (M001352 is 1352, M123456 is 123456)
4.) Type in your Last name, please capitalize the first letter
5.) Click CHECK MEMBERSHIP STATUS
6.) Type in your email and create a password, and confirm it.
7.) Click SIGN UP.
8.) Now you are on the main portal. This is the website you should bookmark.