Masons Say 'Thank You' to Tree Farmer

By Ron Fitzwater

Members of the West Jefferson Masonic Lodge presented Mayor Dale Hudler with two separate awards of

appreciation in an informal ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at the lodge.

The awards were not for Hudler's political service, but rather for his service to children as a Christmas tree farmer.

Welcoming Hudler into the fraternity's inner chambers where few non-Masons are permitted, and then only on special occasions, Master of the Lodge Jason Brown asked Hudler to stand before the brethren where he presented him with a plaque from the lodge in appreciation for his support for the fraternity's children's home, The Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, N.C. Hudler provides Christmas trees for the home each year at no charge.

"I would like to present you with this plaque on behalf of this lodge and the kids at the orphanage in appreciation for what you do for us," Brown said.

Moved by the moment, Hudler expressed his pleasure at being able to help in what he called his small way.

"I remember when Mike Sawyer first came to the farm looking for trees to go to the orphanage, I thought then and think now, 'who could say no to something like that?' I guess the lesson we have learned in our family, especially over this last year, which has been very difficult for us, we have learned that the things we thought were important in our lives weren't that important and the things that we missed in life have become very important to us. So on behalf of my family and our farm, this is just so nice, and if you need 800 next year, let me know and we'll do what we can," Hudler said to hearty chuckles.

Before Hudler could make an exit, Masonic Brother Mike Sawyer held him up for one more recognition, this one from the children of the Masonic Home naming Hudler 'Super Santa.'

"I am privileged to be able to present this to you from the children at the home. You are quite a hero to them," Sawyer said.

Recounting how he began to get trees from Hudler, Sawyer said that he had, in a tongue-in-cheek way, asked Hudler if he could afford to donate the trees [eight the first year] to which Hudler had replied, 'if I couldn't afford to give these kids a few trees, it would be a damn poor show.'

Hudler has been providing trees for the home for five years and has no plans to stop doing so, as long as the trees are needed to make Christmas a little better for some very special children.