Welcome, Brother Brad!
Jump in and stir up some discussion.
BTW, did you ever encounter Brother Richard Pridgen at Waccamaw 596? He is a member of my lodge, Wayne Lodge #112, about 2 hours north of you in Goldsboro. He was down there working for a paper company (he's an engineer), but his job was in jeopardy, so he took a position in Chicago.
He was the first 18 year old petitioner of my lodge, and was able to 'examine himself' [give both the answers and the questions of the catechism] on all 3 degrees. We miss him.
I get down to our timeshare in MB, SC, 4 times a year and would love to stand in lodge with you sometime.
S&F