Masonic Outreach Winter 2017

Masonic

Outreach

A publication of the Masonic Home of Missouri

Winter 2017 The History Issue

Mission & History

MAIN CONTACT INFORMATION Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65202

In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons… to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home incorporated in 1886 and opened the doors of the St. Louis Home to its first resident, a 12-year-old girl named Della Gale Farthing, in 1889.

The Home expanded into a full campus of service for indigent Masons and their families. The Masonic Home opened the Western Unit in Kansas City in 1986.

In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach qualified individuals in their communities.

In 2011, the Board of Directors also sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs.

Outreach expanded from one program to 10, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. Three provide financial assistance to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. Three Partnership Programs partner with lodges and chapters throughout the state to provide for needy children, help their fellow brothers and sisters with a project, help send veterans on Honor Flights, and give care packages to active military. The final four programs are non-financial, serving the membership through financial education, honoring Masonic widows and veterans, and providing information on community resources.

We encourage you to check us out on our website at www.mohome.org, give us a call at 800-434-9804, or stop in and tour the Masonic Museum at the Masonic Complex in Columbia.

573-814-4663 Phone 800-434-9804 Toll Free 573-814-4660 Fax

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Website: www.mohome.org Masonic Complex hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Closed for state and federal holidays Executive Director Barbara Ramsey bramsey@mohome.org | Ext. 209 Director of Finance & Fund Development Jodi Blake jblake@mohome.org | Ext. 212 FUND DEVELOPMENT Truman Club & Vincil Society, Courtyard Paver Stones, Penny-A-Day, General Donations Julie Kirchhoff, Annual Giving Officer jkirchhoff@mohome.org | Ext. 230 Legacy Society, Planned Giving, Major Gift Donations Jackie Walters, Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org | Ext. 214 MASONIC HOME PROGRAMS Long-Term & Short-Term Financial Assistance, Children’s Outreach Dana Morgenthaler, Financial Assistance Caseworker danam@mohome.org | Ext. 211 Debbie Summers, Financial Assistance Caseworker dsummers@mohome.org | Ext. 219 Financial Education Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor cdibben@mohome.org | Ext. 217 Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) & Partnering To Honor (PTH) Letitia “Tisha” Woodard, Partnership Coordinator twoodard@mohome.org | Ext. 210 Widows & Veterans Programs, Masonic Family Cares Program Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator cirvin@mohome.org | Ext. 239 Museum & Masonic Complex Calendar Michelle Phillippe, Administrative Office Coordinator mphillippe@mohome.org | Ext. 213

CONTENTS

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6 On the cover: It would be impossible to learn the history of Missouri without noticing the masons who helped build this state. Hamilton Gamble became Missouri's fifth Grand Master in 1832. He sat on Missouri's Supreme Court and was Missouri's governor during the Civil War. The Masonic Museum's newest exhibits explore the relationship between settlers, statesmen, and the Grand Lodge.

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Executive Director Notes

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Giving to the Masonic Home of Missouri

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Eastern Star Thank You

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Masonic Home Success Story: Craig McMichael

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Program Spotlight

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Museum Moment: New Exhibits

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Solving the Credit Score Mystery

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Agency Spotlight: OATS

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Winter Health

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5 Tips to Protect Your Privacy Online

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Meet a Mason

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What’s in the Numbers?

Annual Charity “Tailgate” Golf Tournament

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NOTES

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his Masonic Outreach issue focuses heavily on the Masonic Museum in celebration of the recent updates to the Patriots and Pathmakers and Leadership galleries. The project was truly a labor of love, and I would like to invite everyone to come see the museum. There are so many interesting people, complex stories, and a bit of fun technology thrown into the updates.

The wonderful thing about the Masonic Museum is that it has artifacts and documents specific to the fraternity that only masons may fully appreciate, such as the letter of dispensation from the first Grand Master Thomas Riddick to Hiram Lodge No. 3. If you are not a mason, then you may not understand what a letter of dispensation is or appreciate that this document contains the actual signature of Missouri’s very first Grand “IF YOU DON’T KNOW Master. But the museum HISTORY, THEN also has people YOU DON’T KNOW and stories that ANYTHING. YOU non-masons ARE A LEAF THAT will understand.

We all know DOESN’T KNOW IT IS about the Dred PART OF A TREE.” Scott case and —MICHAEL CRICHTON Civil War, but we don’t know that the man who played a critical role in both was a Past Grand Master­—Hamilton Gamble.

The Masonic Museum is not just for the Masonic family, just as the information in this magazine is applicable to more than just Masons and Eastern Star members. Both the museum and the magazine can be used to help spread the word about Missouri Freemasonry and the Order of the Eastern Star. What is Missouri Masonry?

What is the Order of the Eastern Star? Come learn about their past; then discover the wonderful things they are doing in partnership with the Masonic Home today.

The holiday season is upon us, and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you. There are so many Board members (past and present), Masonic Home Representatives, volunteers, donors, Masons, Eastern Star members, and staff that make the Masonic Home truly special. Together we all make a difference, so thank you for making that possible!

Mission Statement

To assist eligible adults and children in need by practicing the principles of Freemasonry.

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GIVING

Making an Impact at Year-End The holidays are a time of giving and of receiving. We take great joy in giving gifts to loved ones and strangers alike. We shop for just the right gift, we consider what we can do to bring joy to others, we volunteer, we participate in programs for the needy. We also take joy in receiving. Through our happiness, we give joy to those who have given to us.

This year, the Masonic Home is working to provide financial relief and other resources for individuals throughout the state. Last year, we touched the lives of almost 21,000 individuals, providing over $1.3 million in financial assistance through the Outreach Programs.

Our goal is to continue to increase

the number of lives touched and the amount of financial assistance provided. We work during these winter months to ensure that those in need are kept warm by keeping them caught up on mortgage payments, real estate taxes, gas bills, and electric bills.

We help keep food in the house and medications up-to-date.

While you take joy in the gift of giving, please remember the Masonic Home. We, in turn, can help you take joy in receiving a tax deduction. Take a look at the many opportunities to support the Masonic Home during this holiday season, and thank you for allowing us to give joy to so many people each year.

WAYS TO GIVE (AND RECEIVE TAX DEDUCTIONS) AT YEAR-END

• Participate in Giving Tuesday (online appeal the Tuesday after Thanksgiving) • Respond to the Holiday Appeal mailed in November • Donate online • Make a Charitable IRA Rollover • Give a larger gift • Use retail giving programs while you shop (Amazon, Dillons, Gerbes, Baker’s)

If you have any questions about giving to the Masonic Home, please contact Julie Kirchhoff or Jackie Walters at 800-434-9804.

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THANK YOU!

Volunteerism and the

Order of the Eastern Star

By Barbara Ramsey | Photos by Keith Borgmeyer

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s Associate Grand Conductress this past year, Debi Olson chose to show her support of the Masonic Home of Missouri and her passion for helping her sisters and brothers in need. She wanted to remind her fellow Eastern Star members that they are not forgotten when age or physical limitations prevent them from attending Chapter. Rather than receive personal gifts at her reception, she asked for gifts of fabric to be used to make gifts for Masonic Home Outreach Clients.

She then turned those pieces of fabric into beautiful lap quilts.

Outreach staff has been presenting the lap quilts to our clients all over the state. It is difficult to put into words the reaction that we receive when giving these beautiful gifts. One specific client is currently struggling with a life threatening illness. She lives alone with no family support. This beautiful act of kindness by the Order of the Eastern Star wraps her in warmth and reminds her that she is not alone and forgotten during this most difficult time in her life.

The relationship between the Order of the Eastern Star and the Masonic Home of Missouri spans over 100 years, beginning when the 6

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Masonic Home was just an idea.

The year 1875 was an important year for two organizations that would become linked together to make a difference in the lives of men, women, and children for over a century.

On October 12, 1875 Past Grand Master John C. Ralls introduced a resolution at Grand Lodge Annual Communication recommending a committee be appointed to look into the creation “of a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons.” This was the first call to create what would become the Masonic Home of Missouri.

The very next day, October 13th, would begin the creation of the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star.

The Missouri Order of the Eastern Star was still finding its way in 1877, when Worthy Grand Matron Mattie A. Yost spoke to the possibilities of the organization as it grows. She stated “One of the possibilities I see outlined in the future would be a Masonic Widows’ and Orphans’ Home, labored for, and maintained by, the joint efforts of the two Orders.” Only two years after its inception, the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star joined in the call for a Masonic Home.

The initial support for the Home by the Order of the Eastern Star chapters and members was financial, helping to raise the funds to open the Masonic Home’s doors in 1889. In 1904 the Grand Chapter formalized their support with the approval of 25 cent annual per capita dues for each member.

They would build the Order of the Eastern Star Chapel on the St. Louis campus in 1897 and a replacement Chapel in 1928. They would build a playground for the children, provide furnishings for the Home, volunteer hours at the Home,

7 Debi and Jack Olson Masonic Outreach

THANK YOU! and provide necessities for the residents. The Order of the Eastern Star spent over a century helping to not only fund the Masonic Home’s operations, but provide the extras that helped make the Masonic Home truly feel like a home to the many men, women, and children who lived there.

As the Masonic Home shifted away from facilities to helping people remain in their own homes and communities, a new phase in this century-old relationship would take place. In 2009 the Eastern Star’s Masonic Home Advisory Board began providing a $20 monthly gift for each Outreach client receiving monthly financial assistance through the LongTerm and Short-Term Financial Assistance Programs. In 2012, the Grand Chapter of Missouri voted to forward the monies accumulated by the Eastern Star’s Masonic Home Advisory Board directly to the Masonic Home.

The Masonic Home set these funds aside to continue providing the $20 monthly gift to Outreach clients in the name of the Order of the Eastern Star. There have been countless stories from clients of gratitude and appreciation for this extra kindness.

Two years ago, MWB Richard Smith was the Masonic Home Board President. The topic of Penny-A-Day was being discussed during a Board Meeting. In attendance at the Board Meeting was then-Associate Grand Matron Nancy K. Lane and Grand Conductress Karlene Baylous.

Brother Smith turned and issued a challenge to Sister Lane – would the Order of the Eastern Star consider 8

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adopting a Penny-A-Day program?

Sister Lane accepted Brother Smith’s challenge, and introduced Penny-A-Day to the Chapters this past year as Worthy Grand Matron, beginning the year with her own personal Penny-A-Day donation.

The Masonic Home is so very grateful for the support shown

by WGM Lane and continued by now WGM Baylous. Their support extends well beyond the renewed financial support. They have taken time out of their schedules to attend meetings and learn more about the Outreach Programs.

They have become tremendous advocates for the Masonic Home helping to share what the Outreach Programs are doing while also strengthening the bond between the two organizations.

Volunteerism has always been a very special part of the relationship between the Masonic Home and the Order of the Eastern Star. As the Masonic Home, transitioned to Outreach, it seemed like this part

of the relationship might be lost.

However, the Order of the Eastern Star has always known that it was never about the buildings – it was always about the people within the buildings. We just needed to get a bit more creative in how we fit the desire for service with the confidentiality of the Outreach Programs.

Creative thinking by The Missouri Show-Me State Grand Representatives Club would be the beginning of the modern era of volunteerism to benefit clients through the Outreach Programs.

The group had visited the Masonic Home’s facilities in St. Louis and Kansas City in the past, bringing gifts to the residents to brighten their holiday season, and wanted to do something similar for the Outreach clients. In 2014 Club President Bev Steelman led the charge on the new project – creating gift boxes, filled with items for the clients, to be mailed out to each client in time for Christmas.

Another Order of the Eastern Star project was done in honor of Brother Jack Olson’s year as Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Missouri, Order of the Eastern Star. Instead of a reception, they held a service day.

They created bags that could be attached to walkers for Outreach clients to hold items such as their phones and keys as they move around their home or assisted care facility. They also made beautiful greeting cards that the clients could then use to send to loved ones.

The Order of the Eastern Star’s support of the Masonic Home helps make it possible to truly make a difference in the lives of those in need.

SUCCESS STORY

A Giving Heart & Zest for Life The Masonic Home helps a Springfield man who has given so much to others.

By Nicole Flood | Photos by Ikenroth Images

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raig McMichael has a sense of humor and a zest for life that leaves an impact on everyone he meets. His love for his family, community, volunteerism, and travel radiates as he speaks.

The wall in Craig’s room at his assisted living center serves as a representation of a lifetime of volunteerism and community engagement. Plaques and photos adorn the wall and bring life to some of his fondest memories.

And though he’s lost his sight, blindness cannot stop Craig’s eyes from sparkling when he speaks about the meaning volunteer work has brought to his life over the past 88 years.

“I’ve always felt that a person ought to give something back not only to his country and community, but also to the organizations that have done so much for them,” says Craig.

Throughout his life, Craig has loved volunteering for different organizations, including professional engineering, fraternal, community, and civic organizations. He even served on the U.S. Olympic Committee in the 1980s. At the heart of his civic engagement is his involvement with the Masons. Craig received his Masonic Third Degree and went on to become a Shriner in Greene County.

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SUCCESS STORY

“It’s one of the most fantastic organizations,” says Craig. “What they do for the community and on up to the Shrine is just absolutely fantastic. If a person really wants to get involved with these organizations, their quality of life would improve tremendously.”

Craig retired in 1997 to Springfield, Missouri after a career in mechanical engineering in the HVRAC commercial and industrial construction field. After Craig graduated from Iowa State University, he moved back to his hometown of Kansas City to work with his father’s company. He lived there before a career move within the company took him to Chicago for 25 years.

Since moving to Springfield, Craig has become an instrumental volunteer at The Convention and Visitors Bureau. “One of the most fascinating and exciting events in my lifetime was when I was selected as the Springfield volunteer of the year for 2016,” says Craig. “The awards were very meaningful to me; however, there are not words in my vocabulary to tell you how it felt when approximately 400 people stood up and gave me a standing ovation for expressing 10

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my feelings for volunteering my services to a community that has done so much for me. It is something I will never forget.”

This summer Craig’s five children, nine grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren threw him a huge celebration. “This summer the family decided to give the old guy one last hurrah,” says Craig. “And I had a lunch in Springfield and I got the chance to see a lot of family and it was really heartwarming.”

THE MASONIC HOME

As Craig began thinking of his longterm care, he and his family reached out to the Masonic Home for assistance. “I was told to contact the Masonic Home of Missouri.

Debbie, who is my caseworker, is just fantastic to me and I can’t be complimentary enough,” says Craig. “The Masons’ long-term care program is just fantastic.” Craig, who is legally blind and has cancer, is now under hospice care.

Craig and his family contacted the Masonic Home early to discuss his finances and assess his needs. Doing so allowed a smooth transition for Craig to enter the program when he needed. Program recipients must be a Missouri Master Mason, a

wife or honored widow, or a female member of the Order of the Eastern Star in good standing.

“Craig is a participant of the Outreach Long-Term Financial Assistance Program,” says Debbie Summers, BSW, Masonic Home Financial Assistance Caseworker.

“The program assists eligible senior adults who do not have the income and assets available to pay for the entire cost of their care needs and living expenses.”

After always giving to others, Craig can now look to Masonic Home for assistance and support. “It’s incredibly meaningful to witness the quality of life this program is able to offer eligible adults. In Craig’s situation, he is comfortable and receiving the care he needs. He’s fortunate enough to have outlived his resources and long-term care insurance,” says Debbie. “The Outreach Long-Term Financial Assistance Program was able to partner with Craig and his family to help him stay where he needed and wanted to be.”

Debbie adds that Craig has a great attitude and is very positive.

“Life has thrown him curveballs, but he has remained positive and that’s been inspiring.”

HOW TO APPLY

For more information or to begin the process of applying for assistance, please call the Masonic Home of Missouri at 800-4349804 and request to speak to a Financial Assistance Caseworker about your needs and specific situation. You can also find more information, including the initial application, on our website at www.mohome.org.

PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT

What If You Simply Need Someone?

The Masonic Home makes a difference through its Outreach Programs

By Elizabeth Quinn

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asonic Family Cares Program is precisely as it is titled – a program that cares. As a partnership program, it helps the Missouri Masonic community strengthen connections with its members in need, bridging the gap between a member and their lodge or chapter. Supporting members, who find themselves in need of a friendly face or a helping hand is the priority. In the busyness

“Sometimes members just enjoy the company and conversation of other members.

This program tends to the needs of the individual.”

—­Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator

of each day, we can easily forget that people are facing challenges alone and at such a time are in need of our humanitarian attributes: compassion, a helping hand, or a listening ear.

In the past, the Masonic Home of Missouri owned facilities where the Lodges and Chapters would volunteer to spend time with residents. As the Masonic Home transitioned from facilities to the Outreach Programs, the Masonic Home recognized that it could still partner with Lodges and Chapters to help members in their communities. In 2011, Masonic Family Cares formally started.

The program’s purpose is to work with Lodges, Chapters and youth organizations to find someone to assist a Masonic brother or sister or widow with a helping hand. Nancy Painter is one such member who has been able to receive help through the program, giving her a new future to look forward to after the loss of her husband, James J. Painter, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2015. Nan, as she prefers to be called, is described by those who know her as a strong, passionate Masonic Outreach

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PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT lady who, despite her own health issues, is vibrant, outgoing, and has a soft spot for her four-legged companions, who by all accounts are thoroughly spoiled.

To begin with, “everything was just fine,” Nan recalls, and then the small things, which had been second nature, began to be challenging: housework, yard work, changing a light bulb. In August of 2017, Nan was referred to Masonic Family Cares. Nan’s late husband’s lodge, Cooper Lodge No. 36, visits her in her home in Boonville, Missouri making sure her to-do list is checked off. Their friendly faces and helping hand give her the peace of mind that her home and fourlegged friends are well taken care of.

“These guys mean the world to me,” she says. “It means the world to me to know that they are out there.”

Chantana Irvin is the Masonic Family Cares Coordinator, and she works to ensure that people like Nan are connected with their local lodge or chapter. This is a program that is “not just for doing tasks—sometimes members just enjoy the company and conversation of other members.

One gentleman likes to sit and talk about baseball,” she says. The program helps members maintain

Nancy Painter and her lodge brothers

their independent lifestyle with a little extra assistance. For example, if someone needs a ride to lodge or chapter, they can get someone to pick them up.

“Masonic Family Cares is fantastic,” Painter said.

With the holidays fast approaching, the Lodge Brothers are beginning the festivities to ensure no one is left out of the holiday spirit. The Lodge Brothers caringly put together holiday baskets every year, which are gifted to the widows over the holiday season. These gifts, along with all they do to assist Nan, depict the true spirit of the Lodge Brothers.

They genuinely care for all their Masonic family members and gladly help them when they can.

Missouri Masons, their wives, honored widows and Order of the Eastern Star members are eligible for the Masonic Family Cares program. “Don’t hesitate to call,” Irvin said. “We are here to help people out.” Call 800-434-9804 or email info@mohome.org for more information.

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MUSEUM MOMENT

Shaping History The Masonic Museum unveils new exhibits with an important story to tell: Masons aren’t just part of history.

They shaped history.

By Brenna McDermott

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MUSEUM MOMENT

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asonic Home of Missouri Executive Director Barbara Ramsey was sitting in a conference room meeting at the Grand Lodge of Missouri office and happened to look across the room at a picture frame hanging on the wall. Inside the frame was some kind of document, but it had fallen down in the frame. After examining it, she discovered it was the charter for one of the original three lodges that created the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Not a copy. The real thing.

This exciting discovery and months of research led to the first major renovation of the Masonic Museum since it opened in 2008.

The new exhibits, which are now open to the public, are more than just artifacts: they illustrate how Missouri Masons have helped shape Missouri and U.S. history.

Masons and Missouri

Around the same time the charter was discovered, there was ongoing excitement surrounding a pair of upcoming anniversaries. Not only is the State of Missouri about to celebrate its bicentennial in 2021, but the Grand Lodge of Missouri is also approaching its bicentennial in the same year.

That’s the story Ramsey knew she wanted to tell in the museum.

She started research on the how Masons played a critical role in shaping Missouri’s history, which would become the basis for a new exhibit in the museum.

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MUSEUM MOMENT

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“I really wanted to see the interaction between the State of Missouri and the Grand Lodge and tell that story through the people,” Ramsey says. “I was excited to tell the story through who William Pettis was and who Thomas Riddick was and who Edward Bates was, and so all of these things are layered together. They’re all connected to these lodges and then they’re all connected to the state.”

Many people who visit the museum don’t know that Meriwether Lewis started the first lodge in St. Louis — the lodge where William Clark became a mason. Visitors can see Brother Clark’s Masonic apron on display in the museum. Missouri’s first governor, Alexander McNair, was a Mason. Thomas Hart Benton, one of Missouri’s first two U.S. Senators, was a Mason. Much of Ramsey’s research went into finding the interconnectedness between the parallel histories. In this way, the museum connects people to moments in time — and those people are Masons.

Sharing a Complex Story

The biggest challenge was creating rich, detailed exhibits without overloading visitors with the nearly unlimited amount of history to share.

The Masonic Home worked with PGAV Destinations to design the new exhibits. Located in St. Louis, PGAV created the original museum designs in 2008. That existing partnership meant the updates were seamlessly integrated into the existing museum.

What is the Masonic Museum?

The Masonic Home of Missouri built the Masonic Museum, a permanent fivethemed gallery museum, to weave together the historical significance of the fraternity, the history of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and the history of the Masonic Home of Missouri while providing an opportunity to share historically significant Masonic items from individuals, lodges, and chapters throughout the state of Missouri.

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MUSEUM MOMENT

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“The story was so complex — these people are very complex people, there’s a lot of story behind them,” Ramsey says. “One of the things we talked about with PGAV was how are we going to tell this much story?”

The solution was a first for the Museum: integrate technology into the exhibit, now named “Freemasons Shape Missouri,” with interactive touch-screen displays.

The first interactive display shows the impact of each Mason on the state. You can touch an individual’s name to learn more about him, and the timeline wall lights up to show you when that person was involved in Missouri history. The interactive also shares the stories of the original lodges that helped create the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The second touchscreen tells the parallel stories of the Grand Lodge of Missouri and the State of Missouri holding their conventions, writing their constitutions, and electing their officers.

“If you’re someone who loves history and you want to learn all about the founders of our state, there’s more than enough information to learn about all of these people, the lodges, about what was going on at that time,” Ramsey says. “Or, if you just kind of want to look at the highlights, you can do that too.”

The new exhibits were created around newly discovered artifacts, but Ramsey says she wanted to go beyond just putting items behind glass. She wanted to show how those items fit into the fabric of history.

“I think sometimes when people talk about museums, they think of items in a case, like an art

museum,” Ramsey says. “This is a beautiful museum. I think it was very well done, and it was done with an eye to tell stories.”

A Shared History

The Masons in the museum laid the foundation for generations to come. They faced many struggles, but Masonry persevered, and their efforts would light the way for those to come.

Just as the westward pioneers carried Freemasonry to Missouri, the Missouri Masons helped spread Masonry west. The Grand Lodge of Missouri would help establish lodges in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, California, and Mexico, making it the Mother Lodge of the West.

On display in the museum is the original Dispensation and Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri to the first lodge in the Utah Territory.

This military lodge was only in existence for a few years before the troops were called back to Washington D.C. to fight in the Civil War. One of the discoveries made in the Grand Lodge’s archives were those original requests for dispensation.

“All of these documents got bundled up, and thankfully they got stuck in a drawer that has somehow made its way to Columbia over time,” Ramsey says, “and they were just sitting there, waiting to be discovered.”

The story of the early territory and formation of the state is a rich tapestry of Masons whose stories intersect with each other, intersect with the creation of lodges, and

Proud Missouri Masons

You can learn more about these Missourians in the newly renovated Masonic Museum, which tells the story of the Masons that helped create the State of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Thomas Riddick: The first Grand Master of the State of Missouri was also a land surveyor. During the transition from the Louisiana Purchase, U.S. land titles were a mess, and there were numerous disputes over who owned what land.

Riddick traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby that unclaimed land be given to public schools.

“And so Riddick basically creates what will become the entire public school system in St. Louis. And that’s the very school system that the children of the Masonic Home would go to while they lived there,” says Masonic Home Executive Director Barbara Ramsey.

At the museum, you can learn about many more Missouri Masons, including: Edward Bates: President Lincoln’s attorney general Alexander McNair: Missouri’s first governor Thomas Hart Benton: One of Missouri’s first two U.S. senators John Scott: Missouri’s first representative to congress Masonic Outreach

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ultimately culminate in the creation of the State of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

The Masonic Home is a product of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, hence why it was so important for the Masonic Museum to tackle this project. “Their history is relevant to our history in a very global sense,” Ramsey says. “We come from them, and they do have this great story.”

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Leaders Leading

Another new exhibit, called “Leadership While Serving,” features past Grand Masters who served the country during times of war, including the MexicanAmerican War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II. One of those Grand Masters was Hamilton Gamble, who served on Missouri’s Supreme Court and wrote the dissenting opinion

on the Dred Scott Case, arguing Scott and his wife Harriet should have been awarded their freedom.

Brother Gamble was also a critical voice advocating for Missouri to remain in the Union during the Civil War. After Governor Claiborne Jackson, a Confederate sympathizer, fled the capital at the onset of the war, Brother Gamble accepted the appointment of Governor of Missouri.

Visit the Masonic Museum having served as a Home Board member for nine years (1971 to 1975 and 1980 to 1985), including a year as Masonic Home Board President.

“He has been the single most respected person dedicated to serving and protecting the Masonic Home that I’ve had the privilege of knowing,” Ramsey says.

Future Plans

One unplanned surprise for the museum was a special addition to the Leadership Room. A portrait and plaque for Past Grand Master Vern H. Schneider was added to the Grand Masters of Missouri’s Grand Lodge wall, which showcases those that gave extended years of service to the Masonic Home of Missouri.

MWB Schneider retired this year after serving as legal counsel to the Masonic Home since 1985, also

While there are no immediate plans for another renovation, there’s certainly more story to tell.

“I do see more renovations in the museum in the future,” Ramsey says. “The key is: what’s the next story? Between the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star members, there are lots and lots of interesting stories.”

The museum has something for everyone, not just Masons.

Inside, you’ll find Missouri history, U.S. history, military history: the Masons have been part of it all.

“It is just layers and layers of information,” Ramsey says, “and if you care at all about history or people in history, moments in time in history, this museum is a perfect destination.”

Did you know anyone can visit the Museum free of charge? The Masonic Museum is open for visitors 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when the Masonic Complex is open.

Although no appointments are necessary, you are welcome to call the Masonic Home of Missouri at (800) 434-9804 with any questions you might have regarding availability or if you would like to schedule a group tour of the museum.

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FINANCIAL EDU

Solving the Credit Score Mystery

By Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor

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ver wonder about your credit score? The truth is if you go looking for your credit score, you’re going to find more than just one number. We all have multiple scores, some of us as many as 40. How is this possible?

Well, lenders are particular about

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the information they require in order to determine if you are a good credit risk. For this reason, credit score companies will compile a score utilizing tailored equations based on your past behavior that best represent the probability that you will repay any new debt you

acquire. The calculation used to determine your ability to repay a mortgage is not the same one used when you attempt to purchase a car. Some of the more widely used scores include the Generic FICO Score, FICO Mortgage Score, FICO Auto Score, FICO Bankcard

Score, FICO Installment Loan Score, and FICO Personal Finance Score. Regardless, all of your credit scores are based on your debt and repayment history, so they all generally paint a similar picture of credit history.

So, who calculates these scores that hold the power to determine whether or not you’re a good investment for lenders? The most widely known generator of credit scores is the Fair Isaac Corporation, which produces the FICO score. Ninety percent of top lenders utilize this score. FICO scores range from 300 to 850 – the higher your score, the better your chance to be approved for a loan.

Vantage Score, similar to the FICO Score, is a more recent addition to the credit score universe, created in 2006 by Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Differences include a shorter 24-month look-back period, rather than seven years, and the lack of consideration of overuse of credit or paid collection accounts, while FICO Scores consider these behaviors heavily.

FICO scores are calculated based on five factors that are weighted differently based on the score that is being generated.

FICO scores range from 300 to 850 – the higher your score, the better your chance to be approved for a loan.

These factors are payment history, amount you owe, length of credit history, new credit, and types of credit. Here we will focus on a basic FICO score.

PAYMENT HISTORY This is the most heavily weighted factor, making up 35 percent of your total score. As a result, late and missed payments will affect your score quickly. Creditors want to know that you’re going to be reliable.

AMOUNT OWED Makes up 30 percent of your score. High balances and overuse of credit will indicate to a lender that you are not able to take on additional debt payments.

LENGTH OF CREDIT HISTORY Makes up 15 percent of your credit score. This helps creditors

determine consistency of your credit history. The older your credit accounts are, the better your credit score will be.

NEW LINES OF CREDIT Makes up 10 percent of your total score. Opening several new accounts can bring down your credit score. Rapid and excessive opening of new lines of credit can indicate to a lender that you’re struggling financially and using credit to meet your expenses.

TYPES OF CREDIT Makes up 10 percent of your score.

This calculation determines your ability to manage a mix of credit types. The more diversity in your borrowing, the better you will appear as a potential borrower.

The last remaining question is what you can do to improve or maintain your scores. The simplest answer is to be financially responsible. Ensure all monthly payments are made on time. Be aware of your credit card balances.

Be cautious of opening new lines of credit that aren’t necessary. These small steps can help improve and maintain a healthy credit score.

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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: OATS

Who ya gonna call? OATS!

By Elizabeth Quinn

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nown as the largest and most unique rural transportation provider in the entire country, OATS public transportation has been serving Missourians since 1971. No matter age, race, gender, religion or national origin, riders can use OATS to get where they need to go.

OATS offers a wide variety of services to accommodate every client. Whether a person needs a ride to work or to a doctor appointment, there is a service for that. Not only does OATS accommodate adults, but children as well. If a toddler needs to get to preschool, OATS will get them there.

They don’t leave out the seniors either. OATS can take senior citizens shopping to help them buy groceries so they are able to

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continue living independently. They will even deliver meals to seniors’ houses in some communities.

The bus is a shared-ride, demand-response service providing door-to-door service.

The shared-ride allows riders to visit and meet with new people

who may be their neighbors or other Missouri residents.

If an agency needs contract transportation, OATS is available for one day or one year.

“My mom and I are both so grateful for the service the OATS bus provides. We’re not sure

“OATS is a fabulous organization!” Cherelle said on greatnonprofits.org. “The drivers go out of their way to provide professional and courteous service with little ‘extras.’ The OATS office staff is always willing to help my patients out whether that is for a scheduled ride or figuring out transportation in a pinch. THANK YOU OATS for taking such good care of our patients!”

how we would cope without it,” username Psuter wrote on greatnonprofits.org. “Patti, the driver of her bus, is incredibly friendly and helpful to my mom!”

In 2016, OATS received two outstanding awards. In May, the Community Transportation Association of America recognized OATS as the Rural Transportation

System of the Year. In July, at an annual conference in Springfield, OATS was recognized as an American Legion Employer of Older Workers.

OATS is dedicated to providing reliable transportation to Missourians that enables them to live independently in their communities.

LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS OATS is a 501(c)3 corporation that serves 87 of Missouri’s 114 counties. While the home office is in Columbia, there are regional offices in Bridgeton, Harrisonville, Macon, St. Joseph, Sedalia, Springfield, and Union as well as satellite offices in Festus, Kirksville, Troy, Chillicothe, and Trenton.

Here are the facts: • Over 730 employees • 712,000 hours of operation • 847 vehicles • 1.5 million one-way trips last year • 14 million miles driven last year • Over 28,000 Missourians used OATS during their 2016 Fiscal Year Safety is a top priority for OATS. For every 149,015 miles, there was one preventable accident. Last year, 297 drivers were awarded Safe Driver Awards.

For more information, visit oatstransit.org or call (888) 875-6287.

Connect with OATS on social media: facebook.com/oatstransit and twitter.com/oatstransit.

“It means I can go and do what I want; without OATS, I wouldn't be able to get things done...”

—Irene Pennel, OATS transit rider who just celebrated her 100th birthday Masonic Outreach

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HEALTH

Small Changes, Big Difference

By Debbie Summers, BSW, Financial Assistance Caseworker

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now caps of research abound about the challenges that winter can bring to our physical and mental health. Just like hibernating bears during the winter months, many adopt the attitude of “trudging through the winter months” or “just making it to spring.” However, winter can actually be a great opportunity to focus on improving your health.

Unlike the weather, there are many parts of our health that we can control. Missouri physician Julie Deles Stansfield, FACP, is no stranger to long winter months and encourages patients not to use winter weather as an excuse to slow down health change efforts: “Studies have shown that small daily changes can make a big difference in aging and preventing health problems. This is good news! A great place to start is to be more active, even if you never lose weight. The benefits are huge and it is an opportunity you don’t want to lose. People who exercise use half as many sick days at work compared to non-exercisers.

People who exercise daily are my healthiest patients.”

GET MOVING THIS WINTER According to Dr. Stansfield, daily activity can have a powerful effect on our health: “Any activity is better than nothing. It is best to start 26

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slowly with an amount of walking or other exercise that you can easily do, like walking around the block.

Start out once a day and then, in a week, add a lap or two. If you are terribly busy one day, do one quick lap. Then the next day do your regular routine. The key is to keep moving and stick with it without getting too tired or injured.”

IDEAS FOR WALKING IN WINTER MONTHS

• BUNDLE UP AND GO: Dr. Stansfield likes the quote “There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.” Many communities have outdoor walking trails and paths that are maintained throughout the winter months. Of course, use your common sense and avoid ice, snow, and extreme temperatures!

• WALK FOR FREE: March in place at home, go up and down stairs and hallways in your home(safely), walk to and from the television to

A little bit of weight loss goes a long way.

Even losing only 10 percent of your weight can prevent diabetes.

change channels, walk the mall, or walk at a local high school or college track space (check for availability).

• MAKE IT EASY AND MAKE IT FUN: The more you treat your time like recess, the more likely you will do something tomorrow. You don’t have to wear Lycra to get exercise. Some people like chopping wood or cleaning a house like a maniac. If you like that, great. If you don’t, choose something else.

DON’T GET LOST IN PERFECTION Dr. Stansfield has found that many patients postpone making health changes because they want to be perfect: “The good news is that you do not have to be perfect to help yourself. A little bit of weight loss goes a long way.

Even losing only 10 percent of your weight can prevent diabetes.

That’s only ten to twenty pounds for most people. There are many people who never lose weight, even though they make changes.

Studies show that daily exercise, even small amounts, and even without weight loss, makes people much healthier. It is important to focus on what you have achieved.

If you miss your goals, remember every day is a different day and a new opportunity. Focus on fixing today.”

GET YOUR SHIELD Dr. Stansfield encourages us to consider ways to stay healthy and age well: “Being active and losing a little weight is like a shield. It protects you and your whole family. Families tend to eat similar foods. Bad habits can put the whole family at risk.

However, one leader in the family can help everyone.” For example, Dr. Stansfield recommends picking green vegetables first.

Vegetables fill you up with very few calories, like low octane fuel.

The benefits of other kinds of

food are limited. The serving size of nuts, meat, fish, whole grains, and sweets should be small. So enjoy in moderation.

GET HELP Changing a habit takes time.

Everyone has setbacks. There is no one change approach that works best for everyone. Consider seeking out professional help for setting goals, preventing setbacks, and maintaining good changes.

There are scientific methods that have been proven to help people

make changes. Many people do not realize that help is available through a licensed professional counselor, dietitian, or health coach. Your physician might also have tips to help you make changes in your health habits.

Think of exercise just like care and maintenance of any equipment.

It’s for you—you deserve it.

The internet has many free sources to help you as well.

Check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/losing_ weight/getting_started.

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IN THE NEWS

5 Tips to Protect Your Privacy Online Being internet savvy can make your life easier — but you have to do it right.

By Matt Patston

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ver the last couple decades, everyday life has increasingly moved online: you can now talk to your friends online, pay your bills online, pick up a new skill online, get involved with your community online — pretty much anything you’d ever want to do, you can do online. Internet literacy offers all sorts of new and interesting ways to make your life easier. But it also comes with some risks.

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Cybercriminals — “hackers,” as you may know them — are constantly developing more sophisticated and more subtle ways of getting access to your personal information online. In some cases, you may not even know that your personal information has been compromised. Being active online means exposing yourself to these risks, but fortunately, there are some simple, effective measures you can take to guard your privacy.

1. IT ALL STARTS WITH YOUR PASSWORD(S).

Your passwords are the first line of defense in your online security — when people are trying to compromise your information, this is where they usually start.

Avoid making your password something that’s easy to guess, like your birthday or your kids’ names: people can get that information from a quick visit to your Facebook page. It’s best to keep your passwords as random as possible, and be sure to mix in some punctuation and uppercase letters (leMMons232! is a fairly safe password, for example; it would take a computer about 400 years to crack it.)

If you have trouble remembering complex passwords, turn to the good old pen and paper — you can buy a “password journal” that you can keep in a secure physical place around the house.

2. TO CLICK OR NOT TO CLICK? The most prevalent threat to your personal information online comes in the form of a “phishing” attack.

Essentially, this attack works by sending you an email or message with a link for you to click—once

you click the link, it will unleash some sort of nastiness on your computer. There used to be some tell-tale signs that a phishing email was fraudulent — misspelled words, obvious grammar errors, awkward language, etc. — but they’ve gotten increasingly sophisticated. In May, users of Google Docs were hit with phishing emails that were almost indistinguishable from real emails from Google.

Here’s the most important thing to remember: if you have even the tiniest funny feeling about an email, don’t click on it. If the email appears to come from someone you know, give them an old-fashioned phone call and verify that they sent it. And absolutely do not download anything from an email unless you’re 100 percent sure what it is.

3. KEEP YOUR SOFTWARE UPDATED. Cybercriminals do their homework. They can exploit weaknesses in your computer’s software by studying it for vulnerabilities. To combat this, developers are always releasing software updates to stay one step ahead of any attacks. But here’s the catch: this system only works if you keep your software up to date. Most computers today have a feature that can check for any software updates you have available — be sure to check it out every couple of weeks to be safe.

4. BE WARY WITH WI-FI. I said earlier that you can do pretty much anything you’d like to do online — and thanks to the proliferation of free Wi-Fi in coffee shops, restaurants, and other

public spaces, you can now get online pretty much anywhere. But be careful when you’re on public Wi-Fi — hackers can use these networks to intercept any personal information you’re sending around online. If you want to surf Facebook or check the news at your favorite Wi-Fi-friendly diner, that’s great. But when you have to use some of your private, identifying information, it’s probably best to wait until you can find a secure, private network.

5. ENCRYPTION IS YOUR FRIEND. “Encryption” may sound like an intimidating word if you’re not particularly good with computers, but it’s not as complicated as you might think. Basically, encryption is a way to protect your information if your other defenses (passwords, usernames, etc.) fail and someone accesses your computer. There are some free, online tools that let you encrypt single files, like your family photos or copies of your kids’ birth certificates and social security cards. Most of them require a password to lock and unlock — so be sure to pick one that’s unique to your encrypted files.

Again, being online can be really great (cat videos! Netflix! Online bill pay!), and it shouldn’t have to be scary. But, just like your parents taught you to never talk to strangers, there are some online ground rules that everyone must learn to stay safe. As long as you’re aware of the potential threats that are out there, you can surf the web to your heart’s content.

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MEET A MASON

Giving Their Time and Talents

DAN WARD, MASONIC HOME BOARD MEMBER During his four-year term on the Masonic Home Board, Dan Ward has seen the mission of helping people in need come to fruition.

Ward was especially fond of how the Masonic Family Cares Program helped people stay in their homes. His Lodge partnered with the Masonic Home to make home improvements for their members — the Brothers did the work and the Masonic Home covered the materials costs. Ward always advocated for the Masonic Home, not only during Board meetings, but also in his lodge and community.

He plans on staying connected and involved with the Masonic Home, encouraging his lodge’s Masonic Home Representative to learn as much as he can about the role of the Representative.

Ward’s appeal to his fellow Brothers is to take an active role in supporting the Masonic Home by participating in the Outreach Programs and donating to the Masonic Home in any amount you can afford.

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KEITH M. BAIL , MASONIC HOME BOARD MEMBER Over his four-year term, Keith M. Bail served on the Finance, Outreach, Development, and Administration committees, the last of which he chaired. Bail brings his expertise from 24 years in law, including last 11 years he’s spent as a judge. Bail believes the Masonic Home is the fraternity’s greatest charity and serving on the Board gave him the opportunity to be part of a life-changing organization providing assistance for individual Masons and OES members. Bail found special meaning in the Long-Term Financial Program and children’s programs for helping both the older and younger generations. Bail advises the next term’s members to “enjoy your time on the Board — it will go by fast. Serving on the Board is like everything in life. You get out if it what you put into it.” Bail and his wife plan to stay active within the Truman Club for both its support for the Masonic Home and the lifelong friendships they’ve made over the last four years.

RICHARD L. SMITH, MASONIC HOME BOARD PRESIDENT 2015-2016 AND GRAND MASTER 2016-2017 As Richard L. Smith ends his term, his reflections of his service are a great insight to future elected members. Smith originally served on the Masonic Home Board as an elected Board member from 20012005. He returned to the Board by virtue of his Grand Lodge Office in 2012. Though knowing little about the position he was elected to the first time, Smith regards this role as one of his most rewarding contributions to his Masonic life thus far. It is fair to say that his terms passed by at lightning speed, and Smith offers this advice: pay close attention to each committee report, attend every possible meeting, and encourage your spouse to be part of your Board experience. Truly immerse yourself in the role you play to assist our Masonic world.

Smith leaves the Board proud of the accomplishments made during his tenure. Smith and his wife intend to continue their support of the Masonic Home with their involvement through the Truman Club.

WHAT’S IN THE NUMBERS?

Museum Edition

2008 Year Masonic Museum opened

5

Number of themed galleries

9

Number of Masonic Gavels on display

9/23/ 2017

Date redesigned galleries were unveiled

20 1819 Lodges have loaned or gifted items currently on display to the museum

1897 the year Laura Ingalls Wilder helped form Mansfield Chapter # 76, O.E.S. (part of the Wilder display in the museum)

the year of the oldest artifact on display – Charter for Joachim Lodge No. 25

14 8

Grand Master’s Jewels on display

Number of Masonic Aprons in the museum Masonic Outreach

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Save the Date!

Masonic Home of Missouri Annual Charity “Tailgate” Golf Tournament

Monday, June 18, 2018 Columbia Country Club Columbia, MO

Don your favorite team’s gear and join us for a round of golf in this tailgate themed tournament. Now in its 16th year, the Annual Masonic Home of Missouri Charity Golf Tournament is an event attended by Masons and friends from all across the State. All proceeds from this event benefit the Masonic Home of Missouri Partnership Programs. Registration will open February 1, 2018.