Monthly Archives: June 2012

First Awarding of the Charles Wesley Hale Scholarship

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We were pleased to present the first Charles Wesley Hale Scholarship to Bro. Aaron Parizo at our June Stated Communication.
Bro. Parizo is a Demolay member at Hanging Rock Chapter and is working through his blue lodge degrees at Taylor Lodge. Bro. Parizo was accepted to Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC to study culinary arts. We were honored to have Bro. Parizo, his mother, and his two brothers join us for dinner and at the presentation. We also would like to thank R.W. Campbell, Deputy Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, for joining us to present Bro. Parizo at the presentation.

Dinner Prior to Masons Go to the Theater Night

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A dinner has been planned for anyone interested in attending prior to the annual Masons Go to the Theater night this year. Details below.

  • Date: August 3, 2012
  • Time: Dinner will be served beginning at 6:00 P.M. (the play starts at 7:30 P.M.)
  • Location: Fincastle United Methodist Church Family Life Center (Next door to Catawba Lodge)
  • Cost: $12.00 per person. Pay in advance (Checks payable to FUMC).
    Mail checks to:
    Doug Ross
    286 Ross Ford Rd
    Buchanan, VA 24066

Need 70 participants at least.
Tables will have table cloths and will be decorated.

Menu:

  • Turkey Breast
  • Dressing with gravy
  • Cranberry salad
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Vegetable Medley
  • Rolls
  • Dessert: Pound Cake with fruit topping and whipped cream
  • Coffee(reg. & decaf), Decaf Tea(sweet & unsweet), Lemonade, Water

Dinners will be served. Tip jars will be on the table.

Loss of a Brother – Wilbur Grant

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Brethren,

It is with a heavy heart I announce the passing of a Pleasants Lodge member to the celestial lodge above.

OBITUARY

Wilbur E. Grant, 73, of Salem passed away Wednesday, June 13, 2012. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Nancy Herron Grant (1969-2000) and his third wife Loretta Grant. A native of Winchester, Virginia Wilbur received a BME degree from Shenandoah Conservatory and a MMS degree from Radford University. Wilbur began playing saxophone and clarinet professionally at the age of 12. He taught music in Virginia public schools for 34 years and was solo clarinetist with the Handley High School Band, Winchester, VA; solo clarinetist and student Conductor with the Shenandoah Conservatory Concert Band. Also Wilbur was the second clarinetist with the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra and The Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. He has performed with Myron Florin, The Box Tops, The Four Seasons, Bobby Goldsboro, Liberace, Patsy Cline (when she was still using her maiden name of Virginia Hensley), Englebert Humperdinck, The Mill Mountain Theatre Orchestra, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Teresa Brewer, Floyd Cramer, Boots Randolph, Sonny & Cher, The Ice Capades, Holiday On Ice, Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Royal Lippezanner Stallions, Disney on Parade, The Shrine Circus, The Stylist Orchestra (part owner), The Freddie Lee Orchestra, The Bob LeFever Orchestra, as well as others. Wilbur studied clarinet with Harold Wright the Principal Clarinetist of The National Symphony and later the Boston Symphony. At the time of his death he was serving as the director of the Roanoke Valley Community Band and was recently selected as President and Conductor of the Kazim Shrine Band, known as the Noblemen, and was Director of the Old Pros of Dublin, Virginia. Surviving are his daughters, DeeDee Parker and husband David of Chesapeake; Deb Grant-Marsh and husband Jared of Boston, Mass; granddaughters, Kimmi and Kasey Parker; “his girl” Linda Lemon of Salem and three nephews, David, Jeffrey, and Jamie Corvin. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Roanoke Valley Bird Club, the National Kidney Foundation or to the Roanoke Valley Community Band Scholarship Fund. A celebration of Wilbur’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 16, 2012 in the Auditorium of Glenvar High School 4549 Malus Drive Salem. The family will receive friends following the service. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home & Crematory. 366-0707

Please keep Brother Grant’s family in your prayers and make plans to attend his memorial service to pay respects if you are able. At this time, we have not heard any indication as to whether or not there will be Masonic Rites.

S&F,

Wor. Sidney Warren Bush
Worshipful Master 2012
Pleasants Lodge #63 AF&AM

Masons on the James River

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Masons on the James River first annual float trip down the James River is planned for August 4, 2012. We plan to meet at the public boat landing in Buchanan Virginia at 8am and will launch at 9am. Take out will be at the Arcadia boat landing. This trip features a fun & exciting river section with good current, fishing and numerous Class I & II rapids. The trip departs from the Buchanan boat landing and continues 6 miles down stream to the Arcadia boat landing by the Arcadia James River Bridge. It will take 2 or 3 hours if you paddle the whole time, or longer if you fish and goof off. As this trip ends down stream, it requires a return shuttle. Bring a boat; bring a friend, paddle, fish, talk, or what ever it is that you enjoy; when on the river it is up to you. You say… “I don’t have a boat!”   Well you are in luck!   Twin Rivers Canoe Outfitters have canoes and kayaks right there at the riverbank, available for rent in Buchanan. They also provide shuttle services. They know that we are coming so tell them that you are with “Masons on the James River ”.You should reserve a boat in advance, Their website is http://canoevirginia.net/ or you can reach them at 653 Lowe Street, Buchanan, Virginia 24066 Phone: 540-261-7334. You will be responsible for your own rentals if you need one.  If you need a day out with friends, well your friends are going. If you fish, get a fishing license. Pack a lunch. Because of the inherent dangers of all water sports and there are no lifeguards on the river, bring a life preserver it is the law and all non-swimmers keep it on or stay home. No rain date, its August you might get wet.
Tee Shirts are available. Custom Masons on the James River tee shirts are available for only $12.00. Please mail check made out to Lakeland Lodge your name, phone number, sizes and quantities to Lakeland Lodge #190 – P.O. Box 13183 Roanoke Virginia 24031 Orders must be received by July 16th. Ordered tee shirts will be handed out before the trip in Buchanan or at Lakeland Lodge on a later date. No refunds on shirts. What should you wear? Dress for the weather and the activity most of the time the tee shirt would be fine.
You can order a tee shirt even if you do not go on the trip.
Example of tee shirt on back …
This trip is open to all and is not an official Masonic event. It is a group of individual friends going for a float. I just thought that it would be a lot of fun to go for a float with all of my brothers in the 22nd and neighboring districts. Come back with loads of memories, stories, maybe some fish and a tee shirt to show for it. The only information I need is if you would like a tee shirt. Other than that come prepared and be ready to depart at 9am on August 4, 2012.
I hope to see you there…