I am honored to serve as Master of Riverside Lodge in 2010. This year's line of officer's and I are looking forward to Serving and hope to make this a great year for our lodge and all of our members. We are planning to continue to have a meal before the second meeting of each month. We want to take the opportunity to thank you for this great honor and to invite every member to attend as many meetings as you can this year.

We have a long history of service and I hope to continue that legacy. With God's blessing and your help, we can accomplish much to add to this great history, and for which we will all be proud. We are planning on a full year of events:

Ham Day will be on March 13 this year and the Grand Master has already committed to come and give us a hand, so you can meet the Grand Master when you come out to help for Ham Day. (You should be receiving tickets from the secretary shortly.)

We are planning to Field a team in the Masonic Pig Jig again this year and anyone who wishes to participate is welcome.

Our Past Master's pancake breakfast is also on track to take place in September or October, we are still working out the details of the exact date.

Our participation in Catawba Days with the Eastern Star was a huge success last year and we are looking forward to working with them again at out little BBQ stand. We can certainly use all the help we can get with that event and welcome every Mason to ride in the parade (Let's see if we can't get enough men on there to bog down Kermit's tractor).

Fraternally,
Eddie Lingerfelt
Master Riverside 606

Charles Grady Abernathy, Jr. Merit Award Recipient

Brother Charles Grady Abernathy, Jr. was presented the Annual Merit Award for 2009. Brother Charlie has been a fixture on the Ham Day serving line since what seems like time immemorial. In 2009 Bro Charlie served as the chaplain and it seemed like every time you turned around he was there to lend a helping hand with whatever project was going on. Congratulations Charlie and thank you for all your service.

HAM DAY 2010

Where does the time go? It seems like we just finished mopping the floor from Ham Day 2009, and now it's time to start preparing for Ham Day 2010.

Preparing for the largest single day Masonic fund raiser in the state has become quite an ordeal. We have come a long way from the days of slicing the ham as needed. But, rest assured, it is a labor of love because we are all proud to be associated with such an important event for our Masonic Homes and Foundation.

Both Homes have been invited to eat with us, and plan to arrive at the lodge around 12:30 pm for lunch. If you have any doubt as to whether our efforts at Ham Day makes a difference in their lives, just plan to be there and listen to the elderly and young alike thank you for your efforts.

effort is measured in many ways. If you can't physically work on Ham Day, make an 'effort' to sell a few more tickets than normal. Make an effort to call on at least 3 businesses and ask for donations. All donations of $100 or more will be acknowledged by a letter from the Secretary to be used for tax deduction purposes.

If you can work, please contact Eddie Lingerfelt (Breakfast), Kyle Watts (Lunch), Will Spencer (Dinner) or Steven Bissette (Clean-up) and volunteer a couple of hours of your time.

The KEYS TO SUCCESS for Ham Day are to pre-sell the tickets and get contributions from businesses. Enclosed you will find a book of 10 tickets. Please write a check for at least $60 and send it to the lodge, then sell the ticket to recoup your money. If more tickets are needed, contact the Secretary. Also, please make an effort to ask at least one new business for a donation to our fundraiser. It is easy, and most business will appreciate the opportunity to help such a worthy cause, and to be associated with such a successful event.

We have done very well by most standards with Ham Day through the years. But there is still room for improvement if each of us will simply increase our effort this, and every future year. Our Children at Oxford need you. Our elderly at Greensboro need you. And the Masonic Foundation, which guarantees the continued financial support of our Fraternity, needs you!

Remember, a little more effort from each of us will guarantee a huge improvement on the bottom line.

SEE YOU AT HAM DAY!!!!