Star Of The West #24 Free & Accepted Masons

07/28/2026

Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) was a member of Excelsior Lodge #11 of the Prince Hall Freemasons in Cleveland, Ohio. The Prince Hall Freemasons is a branch of Freemasonry for African Americans.
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Garrett Augustus Morgan was a self-taught Black inventor and entrepreneur whose innovations continue to impact society today. Born in 1877 in Claysville, Kentucky, Morgan only received an elementary school education before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, in search of work. His keen mechanical skills and business acumen allowed him to become one of the most successful Black inventors of the early 20th century.

The Three-Position Traffic Signal

One of Morgan’s most significant inventions was the **three-position traffic signal**, which revolutionized road safety. Before his invention, traffic lights only had two signals—“Stop” and “Go”—which often led to accidents, especially when drivers had no warning that the light was about to change.

Morgan witnessed a serious car accident at a Cleveland intersection, which inspired him to design a third signal: “Caution” (the forerunner of today's yellow light). This addition allowed drivers time to slow down before the light changed, reducing collisions. In 1923, he patented this innovation and later sold the rights to **General Electric for $40,000**—a massive sum at the time. His invention laid the foundation for modern traffic control systems used worldwide.

The Safety Hood (Early Gas Mask)

Morgan also invented the **safety hood**, an early version of the modern gas mask. In 1914, he developed a device with tubes that allowed wearers to breathe clean air in smoke-filled or toxic environments. The invention gained national attention when Morgan and his brother used it to rescue trapped workers during the **Cleveland Tunnel Explosion of 1916**. Despite this heroic act, racial prejudice prevented many from recognizing him as the inventor, and white salesmen were often hired to promote the product. The U.S. Army later adopted versio

07/20/2026

07/10/2026

07/07/2026

Support this wonderful non-profit! They do so much for the community 🙏🏾💙

Thank you for checking out Lynchburg Food Not Bombs! Here are the answers to our most frequently asked questions!🥕

🗓️We hold our shares every Saturday from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (weather permitting, check our page for updates)

🌳Our share is currently located at Miller Park where the pool parking lot is, near the playground. We start setting up around 10:00 am and usually have a line by then so arrive early! Nothing is required, just show up and take what you need! We give out free meals, food, clothing, hygiene products, harm reduction supplies, household items, books, and more.

🎂To sign up for our birthday cake program fill out this form at least a month in advance from the date you need the cake: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIUgwM-hvMylj9S9aTyqWjSVPvqSpQqxnfMGb8noUd6an5FQ/viewform
To sign up to make a birthday cake for the program, DM us!

We currently have one community fridge and it is located at 3522 Campbell Ave (Unity in the Seven Hills) open 24/7 to the community. Take or give anytime.

📦DONATIONS FAQ:
We can share most anything that is clean and useable, even open items, but if you have a question just ask!

💌List of drop off locations:
* Our meal shares - Miller Park (Pool side)
-Every Saturday between 10:30am-11:30 am. Check our social medias or contact us for any weather related changes.
* Freedom 4/24 - 2306 Bedford Ave, Lynchburg, VA (same building as Golf Park Coffee but opposite end of building)
-Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm
* Givens Books & Little Dickens - 2236 Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg VA
-During business hours
* Kinship Roasters – 16955 Forest Rd Ste G, Forest, VA
-During business hours
* La Cocina de las Catrachitas – 7701 Timberlake Rd. ste 1140 Lynchburg, VA
-During business hours
* Lavender Lodge
-Members only
* ​​Lynchburg Beer Cellar - 3813 Wards Rd. Ste F
-During Business Hours
* Sattva Yoga Wellness Center – 311 Rivermont Ave., Lynchburg, VA
-During business hours
* The Happy Veteran – 520 Fifth St., Lynchburg, VA
-During business hours
* The Vibe Studio
-Members only
* Three Roads Brewery – 1300 Court St., Lynchburg, VA
-During business hours
* Trinity Episcopal Church – 104 Walnut Hollow Rd., Lynchburg, VA
-Anytime, box is on front porch

💝OUR ONGOING NEEDS:
-Plastic grocery bags! Please ensure they are clean and dry.
-Any food items that are safe to consume (if it needs to be refrigerated/frozen please bring it directly to a volunteer at Miller Park on Saturday). If it does not need to be refrigerated any drop off location is good! Popular food items include: instant ramen, soups, canned chili, ready to eat snacks (nabs, chips, crackers, granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.), canned or pouched meats, spaghetti in a can, spam/potted meat, eggs, meats, peanut butter, oil, spices, electrolytes, fruit, gatorade/sports drinks, juices, sodas, teas, instant meals/tv dinners, easy to prepare foods, and cereal/oatmeal.
-Bottled water (cases or individual)
-Hygiene and cleaning items: toilet paper, paper towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, q-tips, hand soap, bar soap, deodorant, menstrual products, body wash, shampoo/conditioner, brushes/combs/picks, razors, nail clippers, face wash, moisturizer, lotion, lip balm, wipes (body and baby), cleaning spray, disinfecting wipes, brooms/mops, dusters, rags, wash cloths, towels, laundry soap/pods, bleach, etc.
-Baby items: diapers, wipes, formula, clothing, food, furniture, etc.
-Tents, tarps, emergency blankets, sleeping bags, flashlights, bug spray, lighters, portable stoves, any camping gear, ice packs/cooking towels in the summer, handwarmers and hats/gloves in the winter, AA & AAA batteries
-First aid items: Ibuprofen/tylenol, allergy meds, nausea meds, ointment, first aid kits, bandaids, alcohol wipes/prep pads, vitamins, sterile syringes/insulin syringes, etc.
-Dog and cat food (dry or wet)
-Items for kids and teens: Craft supplies, notebooks/journals, stickers, toys, handheld games, body spray, earbuds, candy, juice boxes/milk, fruit snacks, granola bars/crackers, etc.
-Books (any kind), pens, notebooks, planners
-Any household items (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, storage, etc)
-Socks, ponchos, blankets
-Disposable food containers for shares (anything with a lid except for used Tupperware is great!)

🤝Ways you can volunteer/get involved:
-Join us at the next distribution! We usually arrive at Miller Park around 10:00 am to start setting up, and start packing up a little before 12:00 pm. We always need more helping hands!
-Outside of distributing, we also need folks who can help transport items, pick up donations, make meals, clean the community fridge, make graphics/social media posts, bag up supplies/create kits, and more! Come see us at the park to learn more about these volunteer opportunities.
-Do a supplies drive, fundraiser, benefit show, etc. (at your school, work, church, doctor or dentist's office, book club, library, favorite restaurant, bar, etc!) This is a super helpful way to help us raise donations for our shares.
-Help us network to find more stores or restaurants that would like to donate leftover food to us.

💸How to donate without even leaving your house:
Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/7YCHELOLE3F5?ref_=wl_share
Cashapp $FNBLYH
Patreon: patreon.com/FNBLynchburg

✊Thank you so much for your continued support and solidarity. Got further questions? DM us!

07/01/2026

Happy birthday 🎂 Bro. J.A. Burford

06/29/2026

Laid the reef on PGM Evans plot.

Thanks again Debbie Robertson for making this so quickly for us!

06/26/2026

We will be putting the reef on Past Grand Master Evans’ plot tomorrow at 10:30 at Old City Cemetery

06/26/2026

Masonic Reflections: The Compasses

The Compasses, placed upon the Altar beside the Square and the Holy Bible, are among the most important symbols in Freemasonry. While the Square is associated with the earthly and moral life, the Compasses point toward the spiritual dimension of man. Together, they unite earth and heaven within the Lodge, reminding the Mason that his life is lived between what he is and what he aspires to become.

In Masonic teaching, the Compasses represent the duty of self-governance. They instruct a man to circumscribe his passions and keep his desires within due bounds. This is not a call to denial, but to discipline. The Compasses teach that freedom is not found in the absence of restraint, but in the proper regulation of one’s thoughts, actions, and impulses. Without such balance, even good intentions may lead to excess or disorder.

This principle lies at the center of Masonic philosophy. A well-ordered life requires self-knowledge, self-respect, and self-control. The Mason is encouraged to examine himself honestly, to understand both his strengths and limitations, and to act within them wisely. In doing so, he builds a character that is stable, measured, and capable of growth. The Compasses serve as a constant reminder that personal liberty must be guided by reason and restraint.

To apply the Compasses is to live deliberately. It is to set boundaries within oneself, to act with intention, and to grow in understanding over time. As those boundaries expand with experience and discipline, so too does the individual. In this way, the Compasses do not confine the Mason, but guide him toward a life that is balanced, thoughtful, and in harmony with both moral and spiritual law... SMIB