“Le Phare Des Alps”
An interesting organization which has been
in existence among the Waldensians ever
since they came to the state in 1893 and
formed their colony at Valdese.
AMONG the Waldensians of Val-
ZA dese. N. C., there’s a fraternal
/
\and humanitarian order called
“Le Phare Des Alps.” Translated,
that means ‘‘The Eternal Light¬
house of the Alps,” and it stands
for friendship and good-fellowship
among men.
An exclusive order, with its
membership strictly limited to men
of the highest character, "Le Phare
Des Alps" had its birth among the
Waldensians of southern France
and northern Italy. When thirteen
families of Waldensians came to
North Carolina and founded a
colony at Valdese in 1893, they
decided to retain certain features
of their Old World life.
For example, they continued to
play Boccie every Sunday after¬
noon; to hold church services in
French every second Sunday, and
to celebrate their religious and
civil freedom on the Saturday
night nearest February 17 (their
4th of July). They also decided
to form a "Le Phare Des Alps"
organization to serve their needs
in the New World.
Regular Meetings
On a Saturday night once every
three months, “Le
Phare Des Alp s"
members gather at
the community club¬
house in Valdese for
a regular meeting.
There's one sure way
to spot a member of
this group. He’ll be
wearing a button in
his coat lapel; and on
it will be inscribed
the initials: "LPDA.”
It’s a signal honor for
a Waldensian to be
able to wear this but¬
ton. He feels pretty
much the same as a
native - born Ameri¬
can who enjoys mem¬
bership in the Elks.
No women are per¬
mitted to attend a
"Le Phare Des Alps"
meeting. Outsiders
are also barred from
By HOYT McAFEE
attending — and this includes re¬
porters and photographers. But
two members of "Le Phare Des
Alps" have revealed to this writer
exactly what takes place at their
meetings.
All business is conducted in
parliamentary fashion. Subjects of
vital concern and interest to the
membership are discussed infor¬
mally, frankly, and freely. Stiff
dignity has no place at these meet¬
ings. And each member may rest
assured that his expression of
opinion — and his comments — won’t
be repeated outside the clubhouse.
Taking in New Members
If some Waldensian desires to
join "Le Phare Des Alps," he
makes known his wish to a mem¬
ber of that order. If this member
is convinced of the applicant’s fit¬
ness, he'll propose his name at the
next meeting. That opens the way
for a discussion of the applicant’s
qualifications. Finally, a vote is
taken to determine whether he’s
acceptable.
Each member casts his vote with
a small ball — either a black or a
red one. With the red ball he
indicates his approval; a black ball
means "no." But there’s no way
of checking .on how anyone has
voted. Here’s why:
In voting, the member, un¬
observed, places a black or a red
ball in a slot and rolls it forward
to a central board. That’s where
all the balls — signifying votes —
wind up. If their color is altogether
red, that means the applicant has
won unanimous approval. Even
one black ball is no bar to his being
accepted for membership.
But it’s a different story when
two or more black balls turn up
against him. Under that circum¬
stance, he’s flatly rejected.
All during the discussion pre¬
ceding the voting and the actual
casting of votes with balls, the
applicant remains outside the club
room. Once he’s accepted, his
sponsor notifies him and then es¬
corts him inside. There he, the
new member, listens to a full
explanation of the purposes, princi¬
ples, and by-laws of "Le Phare
Des Alps." Older members ex¬
tend him their congratulations and
expressions of good-
fellowship. Then a
convivial good time is
had by all.
Each new member
must pay an admis¬
sion fee of $25. From
that point on, he
stands to enjoy many
benefits. In the event
he encounters finan¬
cial difficulty, the
club will step in and
help him. If he
undergoes an opera¬
tion, and the bill
comes to $100, "Le
Phare Des Alps" will
pay $75 of that
amount.
Members of the LPDA playing "Boccie.”
In many other
ways, the club makes
its influence for good
felt throughout the
community. No mem-
Continued on page 18
THE STATE. October 18. 1947
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