P.M. Brother Sam Watts, originally from Alburn, NC has been a Raleigh resident since 1959 and a member of Millbrook forty-five years. Sam was Millbrook's Master in 1968, a charter member of Amran Shrine and is active in Scottish Rite.
When asked why he became a Mason, Sam replied "My father was a Mason for 67 years and a member of Anchor Lodge, which was located just behind our home. As long as I can recall, my father never once closed his grocery store before 11:00 p.m. except on one special night. It was the night I told him I thought I would like to become a Mason and stated I was sure I could not afford the membership fee or dues. My father told his helper to start closing the store and without saying another word he went to his desk, took out a petition and started filling it in... Sam's father was known as "Mr. Oxford Orphanage and Eastern Star Home" in recognition of his years of active fund raising for these Masonic charities.
Recalling his journey from darkness to light, Sam feels it has been his greatest experience in life. Bro. Watts has traveled to all fifty states except Hawaii and when possible have visited other lodges during my journeys. Sam has never felt alone and is always welcomed with open arms. In Sam's words "being a Mason has opened doors for me that otherwise would remain closed. An example is being given a hotel room when the sign outside stated "No Vacancy." From Canada to California, Alaska to Florida I have always been treated like a king by brother Masons."
Sam spent thirty-one years with Southern Bell Telephone first as a cable splicer, then as a technical supervisor in Residential and Business Service Divisions. Sam has two adult children, son Garry and daughter Teresa who have given him six beautiful granddaughters. When not putting forth dedicated effort, time and skills serving as Millbrook's Building and Grounds Chariman, Sam enjoys salt water fishing and remodeling houses. He also serves as Building and Grounds Chairman for Hillcrest Baptist Church and the American Legion.
Millbrook members can well be proud of and grateful to Sam for the appearance and condition of our Lodge by his example and dedication. We should all become a member of Sam's Keen Kutter Club and give him a hand with lawn work and building maintenance. "Thank you Sam!"
A Raleigh, NC native and Mason since age 21, P. M. Bro. Frank operates a manufacturers representative firm and a plastic molding company. When asked about hobbies, Frank named scuba diving and playing the bagpipes but now says Masonry and Shrinedom are his hobbies and life.
Frank decided to become a Mason through inspiration from his Great Uncle Jeff Stephens who was a member of Millbrook Lodge. When Frank turned 21, he approached his uncle who obliged him with a petition and later, while Master of Millbrook, raised him which Frank feels was the greatest thing he could have done for me.
When asked his thoughts about Millbrook, Frank replied "Millbrook is one of the most exciting and active Lodges in North Carolina! As a result, Millbrook is a growing Lodge with a very long history. Millbrook is a solid ground for many upstanding Masons and Shriners. We have had one Grand Master, one Shrine Potentate and one member of the Amran Shrine Divan. Not only do we spend time together in Lodge, but are true personal friends. Members have been on deep sea fishing trips together, dine out and attend other socials together. Due to the enthusiasm and involvement of the members, Millbrook even puts on one of degrees in the Scottish Rite! Truly… Millbrook is a brotherhood of friends and family. Many of our members are reaching out to other Lodges to assist in promoting Masonry as we have experienced at Millbrook."
In addition to being Master at Millbrook in 2005, Bro. Frank is active in Wilkerson College Lodge as Senior Deacon, Wendell Lodge, Scottish Rite 32nd Degree, York Rite, Amran Shrine Center as Captain of the Guard and is a past president of Wake County Shrine Club.
Frank feels becoming a member of such an elite organization as Masonry greatly enhances ones ability to become an upright man. Speaking personally, Bro. Frank said "Masonry has always been what has kept me between the tracks and I hope my life shows what is in my heart."
A Mason of 23 years, Rickey Long, Past Master of Millbrook 97 and Raleigh 500, is from Roxboro, NC and has lived in the Raleigh area thirty-eight years. Bro. Rick is an Electrical Engineer by profession and when not working or involved in Masonic activities, he enjoys hunting and riding his Harley. He was introduced to Masonry through a friend, a Past Potentate at Amran Temple. Bro. Rick was impressed by the work and friendship among Shriners and when he asked about the Shrine his friend introduced him to Masonry.
Bro. Rick has been a member of Millbrook four years and decided to join the lodge because the membership was so dedicated to degree work which is essential to the advancement of new Masons. When asked what he would say to someone considering Millbrook, Rick’s response would be “if you are interested in good fellowship, friendship and brotherly love you are a good candidate for our lodge.” Bro. Rick is a member of the Valley of Raleigh and has been honored by receiving his 33º which has been very meaningful to his life. Rick is also Nobel in Amran Temple Shrine.
When asked what he would say if someone was interested in becoming a Mason he would reply, “if you are willing to give a little work for a tremendous amount of personal gain then you should become a Mason.” Brother Rick feels Masonry has done so much to change and guide his life that it has now become a lifestyle. He sees so many brothers continue to give so much to the fraternity and he is impressed by new brothers getting involved with rituals and work required for the health and survival of the lodge. Rick also appreciates brothers from sister lodges coming together to help brothers in distress and struggling lodges which should remind us that one of the most important duties we have is charity to others and this can be found everywhere in the Masonic family. There only good things that come from Masonry; do we have some improvements to make, yes, of course, but with time and proper guidance of our inner beings we can accomplish anything.
Webmaster comments: While PM Ricky Long remains humble it is important for others to know he gives unselfishly of his time and talents as a guitar player and singer in Amran Shrine Hillbillies and anyone who has not yet enjoyed a meal prepared by his hands has something special to look forward to. Brother Rick made my first year in Millbrook Lodge very special as he extended me the honor of cooking with him, appointed me Millbrook’s webmaster and allowed me to be involved in coaching and degree work. Thank you my brother.
One of Millbrook Lodge’s newest member, Bro. Logan Teachey, a Raleigh native, is retired from the USPS and has been a Mason three years. Also a Shiner two years Logan is active in Wake Forest and Millbrook lodges and Eastern Star. Logan serves as the Amran Shrine Clown Unit Vice Director and seldom misses participating in a clown event.
Bro. Teachey became interested in Masonry after attending his uncle’s funeral and seeing the Masonic Services and said his Aunt was a member of Eastern Star. He decided to petition for membership in Millbrook as a number of Amran’s active clowns are Millbrook members and he wanted to spend more time with close friends and brothers.
When asked what advice he would give to anyone asking about joining Millbrook, Bro. Logan said he would recommend joining the lodge to anyone who wanted to enjoy an active lodge with members who truly will go out of their way to help a brother and it is obvious the membership firmly believes in our fraternity. If asked what advice he would offer to a man considering Masonry, Bro. Teachey’s response was straight forward. “If you want to enlighten your life, become a better person, meet wonderful people with whom you likely would never cross paths, then Masonry is for you. It is unconceivable what a man can gain from becoming a Mason and the personal reward he receives from within by contributing to Masonic charities such as the Oxford Home for Children.
In addition to being a Shrine Clown, Bro. Teachey enjoys restoring old cars and tractors and he is always ready to extend a helping hand to a brother. He truly believes it is better to give than receive and being a Mason affords every brother the opportunity to give of and from within themselves.
P.M. Luigi Ammons
Born in Raleigh, P.M. Bro. Ammons and wife Janice have one son who is paramedic with Wake County E.M.S. Now retired from North Carolina State University where he was employed as a printer and machinist for thirty years. After retirement, Bro. Luigi was appointed Secretary for the Scottish Rite Valley of Raleigh and continues in that position. During his spare time he is an active member of the local Y.M.C.A., holds an NRA Rifle and Pistol Instructors license and also enjoys hunting, amateur radio, fishing, photography, woodworking and motorcycling.
Since 1985 when Bro. Ammons became a Mason he has enjoyed a very active and distinguished Masonic career which includes the following bodies, appointments and awards:
Symbolic Masonry Member of Millbrook Lodge No. 97 since 1985
Master: 1990
Certified Lecturer - September 22, 1987 - Present
Honorary Member of Masters Lodge No. 754
Editor - Millbrook Messenger Newsletter
District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the 25th Masonic District
Honorary Member of William G. Hill Lodge No. 218 Honorary Member of Raleigh Lodge No. 500
District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the 26th Masonic
Grand Lodge Committee of Masonic Research and Development Grand Lodge Committee of the Board of Custodians Honorary Member of Hiram Lodge No. 40
Chairman - Grand Lodge Committee - Official Standard of the Work
District Deputy Grand Lecturer of the 23rd Masonic
Honorary Member of Archer Lodge No. 156
Honorary Member of Wendell Lodge No.
Grand Master’s Leadership Award – 1999-2000
Honorary Member of J.J. Crowder Lodge
Treasurer of Millbrook Lodge, 2006
York RiteMember of the Raleigh York Rite Bodies
Raleigh Chapter No. 10, R.A.M. – Exalted High Priest
Enoch Council No. 5, R.&S.M Illustrious Master - 2000
Meritorious Service Award for the Raleigh Bodies – 1991
Degree Master of the Chapter Degrees - 1994-1999
Royal Arch Medal for Distinguished Service to Freemasonry – 1998
Youth Leadership Award – 1999
Appointed Grand Representative to South Dakota – 1999
State Chairman for Cryptic Mason’s Medical Research Foundation
District High Priest of District No. 5 – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
District Illustrious Master of District No.5 – 2002, 2003, and 2004
District Commander of District No. 5 – 2002, 2003 and 2004
Order of High Priesthood – 05-04-02
Thrice Illustrious Master – 05-04-02
Knight Crusaders of the Cross – 05-04-02
Knights of the York Cross of Honour – 05-04-02
Elected Grand Steward of the Grand Council of Royal & Select
Masters in North Carolina – March 24, 2003,
Currently serving as “Grand Captain of the Guard”
General Grand Council Award – March 24, 2003
Appointed Grand Representative to Arkansas - 2003
Allied Masonic Degrees Member of Masters of Tyre Council No. 35
Sovereign Master - 1990 & 1997
Roanoke Council No. 1, R.&S.M. – 1991
Mt. Ararat Chapter No. 3 - 2000
Knight of the Red Branch of Eri
Installed Sovereign Master
Royal Ark Mariner
Order of Corks
Masonic Order of Bath
Degree of Architect
Order of Saint Patrick
Order of Jonah
President of the State AMD – 2004
Knight MasonsMember of Harp Cross and Eagle Council No. 3 - 1988
Currently serving as Senior Knight
York Rite College Member of North Carolina College No. 69 - August 19, 1989
Of North America Past Governor - 2003
Order of the Purple Cross - 1996
Red Cross Of Constantine
October 24, 1998 – Saint Titus Conclave
MSRICF Member of North Carolina College
Grade IV - January 1993
Grade VII - January 1994
Grade VIII - August 1994
Secretary – 1994 to Present
Order of St. Thomas of Acon Initiated – 07-28-04 in Atlanta
Currently serving as secretary
Ancient and Accepted Member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Raleigh, NC
Scottish Rite
Carle A. Woodruff Lodge of Perfection
Venerable Master - 1997
John C. Drewry Chapter of Rose Croix,
Wise Master - 1995
Raleigh Council of Kadosh, 19°-30°, April 1986, Master of Kadosh - 1998
Raleigh Consistory, 31°-32°, April 1986
Degree Master of the 27th Degree – 1988 - 2005
Marshall of the 14th Degree – 1994 to Present
Classroom Lecturer
Chairman of the Ambassador Program - 1992-1996
Invested Knight Commander of the Court of Honour - 1994
Secretary-Registrar of the Valley of Raleigh July 1, 1996
Member of the Scottish Rite Research Society
Coroneted Inspector General Honorary 33° - November 15, 1997
Royal Order of Scotland – June 10, 2000
Job's Daughters Council Member of Raleigh Bethel No. 2
Promoter of Fraternal Relations – 1997 & 1998
Secretary, 1998
Promoter of Fraternal Relations – 1999 to present
DeMolay Received into the Legion of Honor - July 19, 1998
A.A.O.N.M.S. Member of Amran Temple, Raleigh, NC
Created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine - May 1986
Secretary of the Band - 1987 & 1988
Member of the Legion of Honor – elected 10-09-00
Commander – 2002
Charter Member of the Communications Unit – 2002
Royal Order of Jesters – Raleigh Court No. 186 – January 18, 2003
National Sojurners, Inc.
Member of Raleigh Chapter No. 97 - July 24, 2001,
Initiated August 28, 2001
Charter Member of Piedmont No. 504 – January 22, 2003
Charter Member of Hero’s, Guildford Courthouse Camp – 09-19-03
Eastern Star Member of Millbrook Chapter No. 293 OES – 05-13-02
Installed Associate Patron of Millbrook Chapter # 293 – 03-24-03
Past Patron – 2004/05
Committee Member of Christmas at the Home – 2005
Millbrook's Chaplin, Worshipful Brother Bill Parr was born in Greensboro, NC and has been a resident of Raleigh for thirty years. Now semi-retired, Bro. Bill continues working part time in his chosen field of sales providing Enhanced 911 Communications Systems for local, county and state government emergency communications centers. When not contributing to Masonry in general or being active in Millbrook candidate coaching, Bro. Parr enjoys gardening and doing yard work.
Bro. Bill became a Mason twenty-seven years ago as he had friends that were Shriners and Bill found out to become a Shriner he first had to become a Master Mason which for him turned out to be the best part of being a Noble in the Shrine. Bro. Parr joined Millbrook after a neighbor who was a member provided Bill with his petition to become a Mason thus it was natural for him to join Millbrook.
Worshipful Bro. Parr was Master of Millbrook in 1986 and continues to be active in Scottish Rite and Amran Shrine where he is a member of the Keystone Cops unit. When asked what advice he would offer to anyone considering Masonry, Bro. Parr replied "Being a true Mason just makes you a better man."
If there has ever been an example of being a "True Mason and Good Man;" Worshipful Brother Bill Parr sets the standard!
P.M. Brother Max Bloodworth originally from York, SC and a Raleigh resident fifty-two years has been a member of Millbrook since 1971. Max wasted no time in becoming a Mason as he petitioned for membership the day after his 21st birthday. Max said he was forced to wait until the next day as his birthday fell on Sunday that year. His decision to become a Mason was based on his feeling that everyone he had met that was a Mason impressed him as an example of a man he was proud to know.
Now retired as Chief Engineer for the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Max selected Millbrook as his lodge of choice since a number of people he worked with were members. In addition to Masonic activities with Millbrook, Max is a member of the Scottish Rite and currently serves as Worshipful Master at Granville Masonic Lodge 380. Max enjoys several hobbies including amateur radio, woodworking, fishing, researching and studying Masonic history and folklore. Max is a Life Member of Millbrook since 2001, elected an Honorary Member of Archer Lodge #165 in 2004, and will celebrate his 50th anniversary in Masonry on December 8, 2004. He has been a member of the Scottish Rite 27th Degree team for thirty-two years.
Webmaster Comments:
I am blessed to know Max Bloodworth for the past twelve years. He is the most caring person I have ever known, always the first to offer help and assistance to anyone in need be they a Mason or not. Max sponsored me at Millbrook, served as my coach and was there for me on my special night. He continues to be the example of the kind of man I hope to be. Not only is he a lodge brother, Max is the big brother I never had. One thing for sure, nobody grows tomatoes like Brother Max...
A Wake County native and Raleigh resident for seventy-four years; B.T. is retired from a management career in NC state government; has been a Mason for twenty years and a Millbrook member for the past twelve years. When asked why he became a Mason and joined Millbrook; B.T. said he held the fraternity in high regard and decided to join Millbrook due to its location, meeting nights and his knowledge of other members.
Brother B.T is a Shrine Noble with Amran Temple and member of the Wake County Shrine Club; he has been Captain of the Guard at Amran as well as Junior and Senior Steward, Junior Deacon and Chaplin in Millbrook Lodge. Brother Kornegay said any man considering becoming a Mason should be willing to learn, willing to give and willing to serve with dedication to this worthy fraternity and… any man who petitions Millbrook lodge will find friendship, fellowship and brotherly love.
When asked what he would like others to know about him, Brother B. T replied “I walk tall and straight, and I am trustworthy and honest in all my dealings”. I am of good faith, cooperative and treat others as I wish to be treated.
Brother B. T. Kornegay
P.M. Bill Parr
Bro. Logan Teachey
P.M. Rick Long
P.M. Rick Long
P.M. Frank Spears
P.M. Sam Watts
P.M. Max Bloodworth
When asked “Why did you decide to become a Mason?” Bro. Luigi replied: “My uncle was a Mason and always wanted me to join; although he never really asked. He only told me I should consider it because Masons were the cornerstones of the community. He later died and never had a chance to see me become a member. My original petition went to J.J. Crowder Lodge where my uncle was a member. I was investigated by my uncle and an old Ham Radio friend, Harry Wiggs. Both Harry and my uncle passed away shortly thereafter. My petition was lost and I was never initiated at J.J. Crowder Lodge. That was in 1983. Two years later I filled out another petition and my neighbor gave it to Millbrook Lodge.
Regarding why he joined Millbrook Bro. Ammons said – “When I joined Millbrook Lodge it was extremely active. We were having at least four meetings a month; two stated and two emergent for degree work. As with all organizations, Masonic as well as Civic, the leadership determines the success. All lodges have ups and downs with good years and bad ones, but Millbrook has continued to be an active lodge through the years. Although we rarely have “emergent” communications anymore, we are still active to the point of doing degree work at the regular stated meetings. Millbrook has been rejuvenated in the past couple of years with a wave of new affiliations and new members with new ideas. Our dinners at the second stated communication have become a challenge to see which chef can out-do the other, which has improved attendance considerably. Though I am rarely able to attend any dinner meetings due to my wife’s declining health, I hear they are fantastic. As a whole, Millbrook can offer the active Mason any goal he may chose to pursue and has enough active experienced Masons to guide him toward his goals.
As advice to any man considering becoming a Mason, Bro. Luigi stated. “You only get out of “anything” what you put into it. When I joined the lodge the members saw to it that I had plenty to do so I never had a chance to be inactive. I continued to be active pretty much seven nights a week until my wife’s health put a stop to my involvement. Even though a person may not be able to attend every single meeting, he should try to be as active as possible. Masonry is like a large faceted ball with some form of Masonic activity on each facet. Every Mason normally finds a facet that he enjoys better than the others, and exerts himself into that particular aspect of the Fraternity. Then others try to be active in all aspects of the craft, but all-in-all, Freemasonry has enough history to keep the average Mason busy a lifetime searching for answers.
