and
Wilson County Habitat For Humanity
http://home.earthlink.net/~tomboduch/642/wchfh.html
updated 10/30/99
Mount Juliet Lodge began their partnership with Wilson County Habitat for Humanity in March 1997, by voting to get involved. Brother C. E. Hester, Past Master was appointed as Lodge point man and, subsequently in May 1997 was elected to the Wilson County HFH Board of Directors. He is currently serving as the affiliate's Treasurer.
Also in May, HFH had a Habitat Hoopla (fund raiser) at the Wilson Co Fairgrounds; Mount Juliet Lodge brethren ran the concession stand.
In June Wilson County HFH broke ground on a new house which was sponsored by St. Stephens Catholic Church. The Lodge supplemented the St. Stephens work force from the foundation thru installing light fixtures and appliances. The house was completed and dedicated in early September.
In August HFH ran a two day road block in Lebanon. Several brethren assisted and helped raise around $1,400.
In October HFH broke ground on another house which sponsored by the various banks of Wilson Co. The Bankers had virtually no work force, nor were there any contractor donated labor for electrical or plumbing work. Mount Juliet Lodge brethren provided about half of the framing labor, some of the roofing, all of the plumbing rough-in and about 85% of the electrical rough-in.
Shown at left are several brethren from our Lodge along with the happy new home owner and her daughter at the house dedication which was held in June 1998. Pictured (from Left to Right are): FRONT--Brother Corky Hester, home owner Thelma Johnson (a single mother of a 4 year old Elizabeth), Senior Deacon Ricky Stewart and Brother Bill Aldred. BACK--Worshipful Master Ben Rector, Mike Gabriel, Eddie Crowell, Mr. Mike Brejda (director of Wilson County HFH), Senior Warden Robert Stone and Brother Calvin Turner.
On November 15, 1998 Wilson Co HFH dedicated its 13th house. Members of Mount Juliet Lodge helped in its construction. Pictured below with Ms Cheryl Maddilina, the new owner, are (left to right) Brothers Ric Rios, C.E. Hester, Robert G. Stone and Jerry Belcher.
In the summer of 1998, Wilson County HFH purchased a parcel of land in Lebanon on the corner of West Adams and South Maple Streets, which will yield several home sites, including one for the 2000 Grand Master's Work Project. Brother Corky Hester, who is also a retired realtor, facilitated this land purchase. The property had an old condemned burned out house on it. Shown below is John Crowder III razing the house on November 27, 1998. To the right, is a house under construction, which is being sponsored by the Presbyterian Churches of the Cumberland District.
The remnants of the house were hauled to the Wilson County landfill on November 28. Brother John Crowder IV, a member of Mount Juliet Lodge arranged for the loan of the loader and dump trucks. Brother Corky Hester arranged for free tipping at the land fill.
The foundation rock from the razed house was salvaged and hauled to another Wilson County HFH house located in Mount Juliet. When the road to the house was built, a culvert was placed in a creek crossing with out wing walls. Over time, rain eroded much of the fill making the bridge hazardous to cross. Members of Mount Juliet Lodge took on the task of building the required wing walls using brick, mortar, and the salvaged foundation stone.
Shown in the photo below are (from left to right) Brothers Tommy Conn, C.E. Hester and Bill Lucas. In the background, in front of his tractor, is Howard Jackson.
In the year 2000, Mount Juliet Lodge along with the other Wilson County Masonic bodies will partner once again with Wilson County HFH and host the 2000 Grand Master's Work Project. A ground breaking ceremony will be held at the site on New Year's Day January 1, 2000 at 1 P.M. Central Time.