by Karsceal Turner, I GOT NEXT!
Truly, Prince Hall Day 2013 was a festive affair as Masonic brothers, of Districts 16 and 17 descended upon Pentecost Church of God located in Daytona Beach for their annual “Prince Hall Day.” Also in attendance were the sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star for the same district.
The entire Masonic body in attendance wore full regalia and jewels. The sisters of the O.E.S. were especially stunning in their all-white attire. I took full liberty as the roving photographer for this occasion. As is customary, I was also dressed in black and white with the jewel and apron of a Past-Master. But, it ain’t about me. Sunday was Prince Hall Day.
Prince Hall…abolitionist, educator, veteran, Master Mason
As an abolitionist, Prince Hall was an advocate of freedom and was a civil rights torch-bearer. He sought, and achieved civil rights for freed men New England. He adamantly filed petitions preventing free men, viewed as runaway slaves from being deported to the Deep South. As an educator, he established the first Black school in New England.
As a veteran, Prince Hall was a volunteer in the Revolutionary War, joining more 5,000 other Blacks fighting for a freedom that would not come to them, although the war was successful.
As a Master Mason, On March 6, 1775, Prince Hall and fourteen (14) other men of color were initiated, passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason in a Military Lodge attached to an Irish Regiment of the English army. This was the early beginning of what has become the oldest and largest Black Fraternity in America.
Prince Hall continued with his Masonic works, becoming the first Worshipful Master in 1775 and Grand Master in 1797. Today, there are some 250,000 Master Masons, 150,000 ladies of the Eastern Star and over 50,000 members of the various Youth Fraternities in many parts of the world, but more especially in the United States. There are Grand Lodges and Append ant Masonic Bodies in Barbados, Ontario Canada and the Bahamas, making the fraternity the oldest and largest fraternity in the world.
Districts 16 and 17 fall within the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Union Grand Lodge Prince Hall Affiliated of Florida: Belize, Central America; & St. John, U.S.V.I. and jurisdictions, incorporated.
Boaz Lodge #212 (my own lodge) served as the host of the event. The following lodges and chapters were well represented: Espanola Lodge #161-Bunnell, WM; Richard Frazier, Boaz Lodge #212-Daytona/Ormond Beach, WM; Franklin Oxendine, J.C. Reese Lodge #427-Mims, WM Leroy Fogle, Rudolph Bradley Lodge #706-Sanford, WM; George Foster, Jr, Deltona Lodge #756-Deltona, WM Willis Wright.
Sisters of the Order of the Eastern Star were represented by Essie Giddens Chapter #96-Bunnell, R.E. Williams Chapter #54-Sanford, and Deborah Chapter #107-Deltona.
I must tell you, from all angles of the photographer’s camera, they looked good. It was a sea of salt and pepper in the house of the Lord. But folks want to say members of the lodge and chapters are evil and satanic. I’m laughing out loud.
On program were; Assistant Deputy Grand Master James Alexander ( who was great in his capacity of Master of Ceremonies), My own Worshipful Master, “Ace” Oxendine, Past Masters Willis Wright and Tory Geathers, WM Leroy Fogle, WM George Foster, Bro. Secretary Roosevelt Harris, and District Deputy Grand Master Ronald E. Williams Sr.
The choir of Pentecost C.O.G certainly got a work out and the rocked the house too. You had to dig the brother on that Bass and the drummer who kept it funky at church.
Again for those of you claiming that Masons are the Illuminati, I ask you to explain this church service consisting of prayer, scripture, occasion, offering, and the speaker Pastor Vernetta Jean King? Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t stick around for that fantastic spread the brothers and sisters laid out after church. I promised to make my way to an event by my other sisters. In this case it was the Daughters of Isis. They complement the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Ancient City Court No. 216 Presents: The 2013 Little Miss and Jr. Miss Ancient City Pageant. Titled “Treasures of the Oasis”
The Daughters of Ancient City Court #216 presented, The 2013 Little Miss and Jr. Miss Ancient City Pageant. Held on Sunday, September 22 in the Master’s Domain Auditorium on 211 Bay street to usher in the autumn equinox. Entitled “Treasures of the Oasis”, the pageant offered a look into the future with glances at our young doctors, lawyers, and businesswomen during their formative years.
Participants ages ranged from six to 12 for Little Miss Ancient City Court No. 216, and ages 13 to 18 for Jr. Miss Ancient City Court No.216. Daughter Chantell Culmer served as chairman of the committee, which organized the event. Other committee members included: DT. Germaine Debose. DT. Carolyn Snipes, and DT. Ivy Alphonse.
In addition to contestants segments, there was also a martial arts presentation by three members of J.A.MZ. Let me warn you, you don’t want trouble with these boys.
Just the beginning
Culmer said the pageant was only the first of many more activities planned. “We intended on using the 6 weeks prior to the pageant to help mentor and groom the young ladies in areas such as personal hygiene, spirituality, self-esteem, the importance of education and self-respect,” she said. “The pageant was just to display all that the young ladies had obtained by way of the sessions. It was a great success. although it was the first, it will certainly not be the last.”
Awardees included; Little Miss Ancient City – Kristianna Holcombe – Deltona (Miss Jade), 1st Runner Up – Nefetari Walbey – Jacksonville (Miss Turquoise), 2nd Runner Up – Danielle Langham – Daytona Beach (Miss Amber) Jr. Miss Ancient City – Chyrelle Storr-Person – Deltona (Miss Sapphire), 1st Runner Up – Shanijah Wiggins – Daytona Beach (Miss Pearl), and 2nd Runner Up – Tasira Cooper – Jacksonville (Miss Amethyst).
I made special note not to list winners. All the young s sisters who participated are winners!
Illustrious Commandress Valerie Neloms of Ancient City Court No. 216 was thrilled in her assessment of the event. “I’m very pleased with the turnout,” she said. “It is testimony to the amount of talent our young ladies possess and the level of commitment the community as a whole has with them. My prayer is that God continue to bless and guide each and every one of these young ladies throughout life’s endeavors.”
Robust program keeps contestants sharp and teaches multi-tasking
Contestants were judged on appearance, poise, originality, and congeniality under the following categories: Costume/Self-introduction, Talent, Evening wear, and Popularity (number of ads sold for the program). Contestants were required to complete community service as a group and to attend three (3) two-hour self-development workshops and (4) two-hour pageant rehearsals.
The winner of each category received a trophy. The 1st and 2nd runners up received trophies and cash value prizes, and the winner received a crown, trophy, cash prize.
