Pancake Flips Equal Scholarships

L to R - Kelvin Ryder, Gary Prater, Don Mason, Ty Blakely, Chuck Holloway Sr, Roger Ball, Robert Monroe Jr, Calvin Cox

Union County’s JC Baker Lodge hosted a Scholarship Fundraiser Breakfast on Saturday, February 16. Members began to arrive for preparation at 4:00am with the breakfast being served from 7:00 – 11:00am. The goal of the breakfast was for lodge members to do their part in helping students from the community further their educations. Initially the goal was to kick this off as an annual event and with much support and success that goal seems hopeful. This year, the lodge will be distributing two $250 scholarships with hopes of doubling it to four students next year and adding to the amount and number reached in the years thereafter.

The hard work invested by the lodge officers and volunteers was greatly shown in the outpouring of support from the community and stakeholders. JC Baker Lodge Officers Master Chuck Holloway, Secretary Ty Blakely, Senior Warden Deiter Kiser, Junior Warden Calvin Cox, Past Master Roger Ball, Stewards Robert Monroe Jr & Kelvin Ryder, Junior Deacon Steven Berry, Senior Deacon Kermie Holloway, and Treasurer Don Mason, along with others spent countless hours in preparation of the successful event. The breakfast did just what they’d hoped: bring in enough to sponsor the two scholarships this year with enough left to help in expansion of the program next year. The lodge sincerely thanks everyone that attended and also a special thank you to the Beta Club students from Big Ridge Elementary who volunteered to help at the breakfast, all members that helped, the community for their support, and Chuck Holloway Sr for having the vision of starting the Scholarship program at the lodge.

This fundraiser is just a small portion of what the JC Baker Lodge brings to the county. They have the Masons, where it all starts, the Union County Shrine Club, and the Scottish Rite. The Masons core beliefs are Faith, Hope, & Charity, and they bring these principles to the community anytime an opportunity arises. JC Baker has adopted part of Main Street and cleans the roads on a regular basis. The Scottish Rite Club has a shoe program that gives shoes to the needy of the community. The Union County Shrine Club raises money to help keep the Shriners Hospital going: providing any child within Union County the possibility to seek medical attention at the Shriners Hospital.

As active as the lodge members are in Union County, they do not actively recruit new members, with acceptable reason. They want people that have a desire to be a Mason, not people who are recruited. Once a person becomes a Mason, there are three degrees in Masonry to be completed. The third and final degree is Master Mason. Once a person becomes a Master Mason they are eligible to become Scottish Rite, York Rite, which is not here in Union County but is in Knoxville, or a Shriner, with the option to do all three or a pair of the clubs. Since they don’t recruit, some of their biggest needs are members. To become a member all one must do is ask. Their motto on membership is "2B1 Ask 1". Monetary donations are always a need as well because it can become expensive running a lodge. If anyone is interested in membership, it is as simple as contacting Secretary Ty Blakely or any other member. Great things are coming from Union County’s JC Baker Lodge and the community is very appreciative.

L to R - Dieter Kiser and Don Mason

Breakfast crowd being waited in by big Ridge Beta Club members.

Nettie Mike enjoying her Mickey Mouse pancake made by Kelvin Ryder.