The Ohio
BEAC N Volume 27, Issue 3, Summer 2020
Honoring Essential Workers Page 5
Honoring Community Moments at The Ohio Masonic Home Page 12
On the Road Again – But Safely! Page 6 Page XX
Grand Lodge 2020 to Be a Virtual Session Page 7
A J O I N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E O H I O M A S O N I C H O M E A N D T H E G R A N D L O D G E O F O H I O
IN THIS ISSUE Letter from the CEO . . . . 2 Letter from the GM . . . . . 3 Grand Lodge News . . . . 4 The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation News. . . . . . . . 8 The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center News . . . 10 Honoring Community Moments at The Ohio Masonic Home . . . . . . . 12 New at The Print Shop. . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Ohio One Masonic Drive, Springfield, OH 45504 614-885-5318 or 800-292-6092 Douglas Kaylor, PGM Program Coordinator dkaylor@glohio.com The Ohio Masonic Home Marketing Department 2655 W. National Road Springfield, OH 45504 937-525-5609 OMHmarketing@ ohiomasonichome.org If you would like to receive the Ohio Beacon electronically, send an email with your request to OMHmarketing@ ohiomasonichome.org The Ohio Beacon is published quarterly. Please update your information via Grandview, or report all changes of address to your Lodge Secretary, who, in turn, will notify the Grand Secretary, who maintains the database that produces the BEACON mailing lists.
Dear Brethren, I hope this message finds you and your families healthy and safe. I want to take a moment and say thank you to each and every one of you for the outpouring of support we have received. The words of encouragement, acts of generosity, and messages of gratitude are powerful affirmations for our team of dedicated HEROES that serve our community members each day. I am truly honored to be a part of this Fraternal community. In a short period of time, the world around us has changed. With stayat-home orders, and an increase in isolation, the need for a sense of community and human connection has grown considerably. Through the Ohio Masonic Home Foundation “Powering the Connection” initiative, we have provided our residents with an opportunity to connect with loved ones, fostered a sense of community, and given them hope. For stories, and more information on the “Powering the Connection” initiative, please see page 12. I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to recognize our staff for their tremendous hard work and dedication these past months. Their commitment to our community members, clients, and each other is the embodiment of our culture and who WE are as an organization. These have been challenging times, and our staff has been and continues to be our heroes without capes. On behalf of the entire Executive Leadership Team, thank you for all you do! Together WE will get through this. Fraternally, Brother Scott Buchanan CEO, The Ohio Masonic Home
Sands in the Hourglass Greetings Brethren and Friends all…This is another Great Day for Freemasonry!
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“525,600 minutes, 525,600 moments so dear, 525,600 minutes, how do you measure, measure a year?” Time, our most precious gift, continually sifts through the hourglass of life. No matter how we make use of it, once used, it's gone forever. Serving this great Grand Lodge of Ohio has taught me many things, but the value of time has been my greatest lesson. I give thanks every day for the chance to Step Into the Light for myself, my family, and my community. I hope you give thanks for your gift of time. On July 5, 2020, our Fraternity suffered a great loss with the untimely passing of Right Worshipful Brother Kevin L. Tanner, Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Please keep Kevin’s family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. He touched many people during his journey making us all better by knowing him. May you rest in peace Brother. Thank you for supporting the Grand View membership system by updating your account with your personal information and preferred choice of communication. I am proud to report all four communication channels have realized improvement since the Deputy Grand Master Roll Out presentations in August 2019: • • • • •
Grand Lodge of Ohio total membership as of July 10, 2020: 69,787 members. Email addresses increased from 36% to 43% or an additional 4,885 members. Mobile phone numbers increased from 23% to 29% or an additional 4,187 members. Home phone numbers increased from 58% to 59% or an additional 718 members. Verified mailing addresses increased from 88% to 92% or an additional 2,791 members.
Society has experienced many changes over the past four months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio Freemasonry also continues to adapt very well. Thank you for your patience and support. We are finding new ways to hold meetings, provide education, support charities and welcome new members.
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The Grand Master’s Ride for Charity is August 29, 2020. I hope you’ll plan to join us as we ride to raise money and awareness for the Grand Lodge Charitable Relief fund. Enjoy a great day with friends and brothers riding in/on your favorite motorcycle, car, truck or trike. Register at: www. grandlodge2020.com/ charityride With sadness, the Family Fun Camp out scheduled for September 18 – 20 is cancelled due to campground restrictions and limited calendar dates to reschedule other Masonic events.
It seems only yesterday we were together in Marietta. Today I find myself reminiscing over the last nine months of this Masonic year and just how fast the sands of the hourglass move. 2020 has been a year to go down in history. Ohio Freemasonry has made some good changes to adapt to the world today while maintaining our traditions of yesterday. Our Masonic year in 2020 is one we won’t soon forget. It is an honor to serve you and this great Grand Lodge we all love. I believe this is the greatest Fraternity in the world. Let’s all do our part to Step Into the Light and leave it a little better than we found it. I hope you continue to make every day “A Great Day for Freemasonry in Ohio”. Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply and Speak Kindly. Keith W. Newton, Grand Master
Here are some updates for your calendar for the remainder of this Masonic year:
Find the Mask
Congratulations to Thomas Alan Smith, Sr. of Albany Lodge #723 in Albany, Ohio, the winner of last edition’s Find the Tablet search! There were 5 Tablets in the last edition. In this edition, we get back to work, but in a safe and sociallydistanced manner. Search through this entire edition and count how many times you find the Mask graphic to the right (do not count the example graphic).
Submit the correct answer along with your contact information (name/address/phone) and Lodge affiliation to Ohio Masonic Home, ATTN: OMH Marketing, 2655 W. National Rd., Springfield, Ohio 45504 or via email at OMHmarketing@ohiomasonichome.org by Friday, August 21, 2020, and be entered to win a prize, courtesy of the Ohio Masonic Home Print Shop! (Your participation serves as permission to include your name and Lodge affiliation in the next edition of the Beacon.) SUMMER 2020 3
The Grand Lodge of Ohio
Masonic Charity as Community Service
Masonic charity is not always about distressed Master Masons, their widows and orphans. Often, it is an activity or fundraiser to address a need and help the local community. Likewise, it is not always the Mason that drives the charitable effort. The wives and ladies of Masons are often the thoughtful leaders who motivate and guide our efforts. Thank you, ladies! When Grand Master Keith and First Lady Sharon Newton were planning the 2019-2020 Grand Lodge year, Sharon wanted to promote the charity, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), as her personal interest and contribution to the wellbeing of her community and state. SHP is a national charity that builds beds for kids. It is hard for most of us to realize, but across this country, 2% of children go to sleep every night without a bed to sleep in. They end up on the floor, on a couch or in a chair. "It's hard for visions of sugar plums to dance in a little girl's head when she's sleeping on a cold floor. It's hard for a little boy to sleep in heavenly peace on a saggy living room couch. Too many children don't have a bed to sleep in," says Regina Brett of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sharon brought this need to the attention of the Lodges in Ohio, and the Masons heard her appeal and made significant contributions. Most recently, the 22nd District Masonic Association raised funds and organized a day for building beds. It was a very unusual build project because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lorain County Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace arranged with county health officials for an outdoor build day. 45 Masonic volunteers from the District received how-to instruction and proceeded to build 115 beds for children in Lorain County. They invited the Grand Master and Sharon to join them, and with special shirts for the occasion and lots of masks, they had a great day of fellowship and service in a good cause. In addition to a day building beds, the 22nd District Association presented a check for $7500 for SHP. In thanking the District, Sharon told them, “you are the sunshine!” Their donation will go to help fulfill the SHP motto, “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”
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The Grand Lodge of Ohio
Honoring Essential Workers In the Grand Lodge e-Newsletter for May 2020, we issued the following invitation: If you’re an essential worker or know a Brother who is that continues to show up and work so that the rest of us remain safe, fed, and healthy, we want to know. Please consider sharing your story with us. We have published two blog-posts on Freemason.com with several stories and featured essential workers on our Facebook and Twitter pages. They represent but a small sample of the submissions. We also were surprised, however, to have several members respond that we should not be talking about ourselves – we were bragging or not practicing humility. Brethren, if we don’t tell our own story, who will? We are an organization known to the world by the actions of our members. Names are not important. But Masons working every day in the face of great risk is a story that deserves to be told. Therefore, with the names left off in the interest of humility, here is a sample of our Masonic essential workers, identified by their Lodge affiliation.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Steubenville No. 45 Milford No. 54 Lancaster No. 57 Tiffin No. 77 Dresden No. 103 Farmers No. 153 Yeatman No. 162 Lithopolis No. 169 Flushing No. 298 Wadsworth No. 385 Muskingum No. 368 New Home No. 338 Hudson No. 510 York No. 563 Brookville No. 596 Hugh L. Bates No. 686 University Heights No. 738 Arts & Sciences No. 792
Grocery Store worker Supply chain management (5 members) (2) Auto Mechanic for dealership and EMTs Electrician / Plumber Police K9 Officer Dairy farmer UPS Hazmat worker, loader, sanitizer EMT Paramedic Security employee, checking temperatures and masks 911 Dispatcher and Firefighter EMT and Firefighter Volunteer working the Food Bank in Medina Hospital Chaplain Dayton VA Hospital Diagnostic Imaging (2) Water Department worker and Truck Driver Cashier in a Grocery Store Volunteer bus driver picking up other essential health workers
At the time of this writing, almost 9000 Ohio citizens have been hospitalized during the pandemic and over 3000 have died. The Hospital Chaplain from York Lodge wrote, “One of the hardest things…is that people end up in the hospital in isolation and unable to be close to their loved ones and many die completely alone… We hospital chaplains have become a much needed source of hope and solace in this time of extreme loneliness…a major support to other hospital staff as much as to our patients and families. I pray for all brothers and their loved ones to stay well and healthy in this time of trial and hardship of the pandemic!” The Grand Master, MWB Keith Newton, shares this prayer and wishes to express his thanks to all Masons who serve as essential workers to keep our families safe and our communities thriving in the face of a challenge unlike any we have known in our lifetime. We may not know all of your names, but they are known to the Great Architect, and we honor you for your labors.
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The Grand Lodge of Ohio
On the Road Again – But Safely! The Grand Master and Grand Lodge are on the road again, catching up on visits and ceremonies that had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 emergency – all following proper public health orders, of course. In some cases, the Grand Master has hopped on his motorcycle and travelled for a surprise visit to a Lodge. In other cases, he has led a Reconsecration Ceremony for Norwood Lodge and presented Community Service and Youth Awards. Grand Master Newton allowed Lodges to begin meeting again on June 10, 2020, and issued a dispensation that allows all Ohio Lodges that usually go dark for the summer to continue meeting in July and August if that is their wish. Summer meetings are not a requirement, but they are an option at the discretion of the Worshipful Master. In all cases, Lodges must follow proper public health rules regarding masks, social distancing, group size, and food service. Members are encouraged to act in a manner that promotes their own safety. If they are not comfortable in attending meetings, they should not go. It is that simple. If the current rules and regulations hold, the Grand Master will visit a number of Districts and Lodges during July and August as well as September in order to lead the Craft forward into whatever the new normal will be.
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The Grand Lodge of Ohio
Grand Lodge 2020 to Be a Virtual Session The Grand Lodge Annual Communication for 2020 will be different from any in our history. The following information is presented with the caveat that it represents our current state of knowledge regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the anticipated public health orders by the State of Ohio. Because we expect continued limits on group sizes, social distancing requirements, and travel restrictions, the Grand Master has ordered the Annual Communication to be planned as a hybrid virtual meeting with a small number of members attending in person and the majority of members attending virtually. The breakdown of attendance is as follows: • • •
The Grand Lodge officers will meet in person to open the Grand Lodge. If permitted by public health rules at that time, the District Advisors, District Deputy Grand Masters, District Education Officers, and Past Grand Masters will be invited to attend in person. Worshipful Masters, Wardens and Past District Deputies or their proxies will attend via a special Zoom account. Please note that the change to a virtual meeting does not release Masters and Wardens from their Constitutional obligation to attend Grand Lodge. If access to technology or network resources is an issue, they should notify their District Deputy to make alternative arrangements.
Please watch for more information in the coming weeks as the Grand Lodge adapts its plans to the latest public health rulings, arranges for the delivery of reports in digital formats, and provides a mechanism for electronic balloting. Grand Lodge 2020 will truly be a historic event.
Making a Good Thing from the Bad The COVID-19 Pandemic is reshaping our lives and forcing all of us to recognize our common humanity. We understand more than ever how we are a community. With this in mind, Grand Master Newton has ordered a limited-edition coin to commemorate this extraordinary year. This Masonic Coin displays the Grand Master’s 2020 emblem and name on the face and the Grand Lodge logo on the reverse along with the words, COVID-19 PANDEMIC “Adapting to the world and the times in which we live.” The coin is available for a $10.00 donation. All proceeds benefit the Grand Lodge Charitable Relief Fund. Order yours now at: www.grandlodge2020/covidcoin or contact your District Deputy Grand Master.
RWB Kevin L. Tanner Called to Rest We are saddened to report that Right Worshipful Brother Kevin L. Tanner passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2020. He was Worshipful Master of Adoniram-Joppa Lodge No. 517 in 2014, District Education Officer from 2015-2017, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District from 2017-2019. He was currently serving as District Advisor and Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Sherri, two sons and two grandchildren. As a token of respect, the Grand Master has ordered that all Lodge altars be draped in black for 60 days.
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The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation
Circle of Roses
The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation would like to recognize the following individuals, Masonic bodies, foundations, businesses and organizations for their support between April 1 and June 30, 2020. The individuals listed, along with many other donors at the $100+ level, are members of the CIRCLE OF ROSES. You too can join the Circle of Roses by making a minimum gift of $100 before December 31, 2020. Red Rose $10,000+ Douglas & Nanci Allen Charles E. Brister Trust Walter Frank Trust Alvin P. McCallum Estate Richard L. Snyder Estate Webster Sturdivant Trust Pink Rose $5,000-$9,999 Vivian H. Schulze Trust Lavender Rose $2,500-$4,999 Orlando W. Davis Trust DS Benefits Group, LLC Grand Chapter of Ohio, RAM Martin L. Hall Trust The Hamilton-Beck Trust KADS Real Estate LLC Dorothy T. & Myron T. Seifert Trust Howard M. Sheeler Trust Harold W. Ullman Cyril & Dorothy Veinott Memorial Fund Peach Rose $1,000-$2,499 William L. Applebee Blendon Lodge #339, F&AM Browning Masonic Resident Council Scott & Katrina Buchanan Frank & Marguerite Colburn Trust David & Mary Ann Collins Rosalie J. & Roger Edgington Adolph Krams Medina Lodge #58, F&AM
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Frank J. Moesle Kinsley F. Nyce Betty H. Oberle Trust Steve & Lori Petitjean Terry & Cheryl Posey Rubicon Lodge #237, F&AM Frank & Susan Schenck Stone City Chapter #325, OES Martin & Bonita Trent John & Bonnie Youngblood Orange Rose $500-$999 Ann Rutledge Chapter #453, OES George D & BJ Arters Trust David & Susan Black Ross & Linda Black Richard L. Coy Jay & Gina Dettorre David W. Feller Grand Court of Ohio, Order of Amaranth Stanley E. Harrison Phillip A. Hoffman Bessie V. Hosler Trust Anonymous Dawn L. Lange Renate Llewellyn Lone Star Lodge #175, F&AM Leslie J. Miller Donald E. Muncy Past Matrons of Day Chapter #479 OES Richard L. Roberts Harold G. Shrive Trust Sunrise Lodge #783, F&AM Craig & Jennifer Szczublewski Robert E. White Estate
Frank R. Williams Trust Yellow Rose $250-$499 1st Masonic District Association 3rd Masonic District Association 6th Masonic District Association 9th Masonic District Officers Association 18th Masonic District Association 19th Masonic District Association Athens Commandery #15, KT Larry Boger Community Lodge #684, F&AM Willard & Norma Davis Glenn E. Divan Rosalie Eaton Facebook Fundraisers Fairborn Lodge #764, F&AM James Golladay James A. Hallman William Irwin Arthur & Lily Kienzle Frank A. LaRosa Lithopolis Lodge #169, F&AM Montgomery Lodge #94, F&AM Susan Muenzer & Craig Nilsson Frederick B. Sallee Jon & Judy Schamp Harold & Josephine Shank Trust David & Joyce Subleski Valley of Dayton, AASR Jeffrey P. Waltz JoAnn Whitacre Estate Harry & Jessica Yanosky John & Amy Young
Thank You!
THE DESIRE TO DO GOOD
The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation
The purpose of life is to contribute in some small way to making things better. At their core, all individuals, especially Freemasons, have the desire to do good, to feel as if they are making a positive impact on the world around them. This intrinsic quality is the foundation for volunteerism. This quality is pervasive in the many volunteers at The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation. Whether serving on one of our Rose SPRIGs, Supporting People, Reinvesting In Good, working with a group of like-minded friends toward a specific cause, or a fraternal organization that chooses to benefit The Ohio Masonic Home, we are thankful for the generosity of your time and talents. We are amazed at the creativity shown by Amy Young, Chairwoman, and the Medina SPRIG for their work in soliciting financial support in an amazing show of love and kindness during a week-long recognition of some of our Heroes Without a Cape, our Western Reserve employees (photo, right). On page 15 is a complete list of the groups and individuals who helped SPRIG make this happen. We have been deeply touched by the NE Ohio fundraising team (comprised of John and Bonnie Youngblood, Roger and Jane Edgington and Jean Lee) that adopted the Powering the Connection tablet campaign in an effort to keep our community members from feeling isolated and alone. They can now connect with family and friends (photo, below). They can look into their eyes as they express their feelings of love. A shout-out also to Chairwoman Becky Vincent and our first SPRIG in Waterville, OH for their ingenuity and flexibility as they battled through the pandemic to host a successful raffle in support of The Home. And finally, we want to thank the men of Anthony Lodge as they worked tirelessly to secure a location for the second annual Ohio Masonic Home Car Show (past show photos, below). Unfortunately, with social distancing limitations still in place, they will not be able to reap the reward of their efforts until 2021. Please mark your calendars now for Labor Day, 2021 at the Springfield Masonic Community. At the Ohio Masonic Home we are thoroughly blessed by a community of volunteers that give our community members and clients the tools, resources and support they need to live healthy, safe and independent lifestyles at home, or at one of our three beautiful Masonic communities. I ask, “Have you ever wondered about what to do with all of your free time? Thought about how to share your professional experience and personal hobbies to help others?� Well, look no further! Simply contact Jesse Pertee, Assistant Director of Volunteer Programming at The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation at 937-717-8071 or via email at jpertee@ohiomasonichome.org, and he will help get you connected to the opportunities and activities of your choice at The Ohio Masonic Home.
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Resource Center
Staying Connected Through COVID-19 The goal of The Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center is to help members of the Masonic family, and other Ohioans, find solutions for their financial, social and clinical needs. Our focus is on helping those we serve receive the resources they need in the best location, whether that be their home, one of our campuses, or elsewhere. That goal remains the same, as we strive to stay connected through COVID-19.
that we have with all of you, and we are honored to serve in every Masonic District across the state, through connection to the OMH campuses and our trusted partners, and through our Masonic Volunteer Program, and Widow's Program. We offer connection to benefits, products, service coordination and referral, an Emergency Assistance Program, and a Masonic "At-Home" Financial Assistance Program for those that qualify.
We are all learning new ways to connect with each other during this time. We cherish the relationships
If you are in need of services, or for more information, contact us at 877-881-1623.
Masonic Volunteer Program Committees Step up to Serve our Communities Throughout the last few months, while COVID-19 has changed our daily lives and brought about a new normal, our 13 MVP Committees were busy serving our community clients. Necessary changes were made to implement OMH’s protocol requiring PPE and social distancing where applicable. Acting as the arms of our Resource Center, our MVPs made hundreds of calls to check on their Brothers and OES sisters, dropped off prescriptions, food and other needed supplies, and sent cards to let others know they are not alone. Even while the Fraternity was unable to gather in person, our MVPs creatively opened lines of communication via phone, e-mail and virtual chats. We had volunteers who worked with their local Liaisons to help clients file for unemployment, find pharmacies that would deliver medications, and arranged for virtual visits with loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes. One gentleman in SE Ohio reported that while he was recovering from an illness, Committee Volunteers came and cut his grass without even being asked to do so. This is what it means to be a part of the Masonic Volunteer Program, and the almost 300 volunteers who identify a need and respond to it as best they can. Our volunteers have taken their obligations to heart and we thank them for their service and support. Despite the pandemic, or perhaps because of it, interest in the Masonic Volunteer Program has grown statewide. We now have 15 of the 25 Districts represented in the program.
If your District is interested in scheduling a training to develop a new committee, please contact DeAnna Kinney, SE Ohio Liaison and Masonic Volunteer Program Coordinator, at 740-262-1974.
Navigating Your Financial Planning Through COVID-19 COVID-19 has caused a lot of financial distress for a lot of people but others are saving money by not being able to spend money on things like dining out, theaters, concerts, or sporting events. Some people are accumulating money in their bank accounts, while others have an urge to spend this extra money now for something they have been longing for. Financial advisors warn against spending extra money now. We don’t know how long this pandemic will last and you may end up needing the savings for essential living expenses before this is over. If you are in need of financial resources, or to see what aid and relief funds you may be eligible for, contact us. We can help. Millie McNeal, Financial Assistance and Billing Coordinator, can be reached at 937-525-3005. 10 SUMMER 2020
News from across the State Do you have a family member or loved one facing challenges due to COVID-19. Outreach to our family and/or friends is more important than ever during this time. Feelings of loneliness and social isolation can have a drastic impact on our loved ones.
If you have any questions on local resources, and/or on the Masonic Youth Outreach Program, please contact
Raquel Brown, Northwest Ohio Liaison, at 419-260-0855.
Melissa Hirn-Pulliam, Southern Ohio Liaison, at 740-970-7903.
Resource Center
Throughout the pandemic, Resource Center Liaisons have completed outreach to our community members encouraging socialization and to assure them that they are continually thought of. Are there ways you can help the community? If you answered yes, contact the Resource Center and we can direct you to resources for local senior centers, our own MVP program and community outreach programs, and discuss resources with you that you may utilize for your loved ones during this time.
In Southern Ohio, Masonic District 7 has completed their MVP training, bringing the Volunteer Committee officially on board on July 12. On July 26, Masonic District 6 will be coming on board with a new MVP Committee as well. As many of 7th District MVP you know, Southern Ohio often Committee times experiences gaps in services, Chairman, Jason lacking community resources found Throckmorton and his wife, Beth in more populous areas of the state. The Resource Center strives to try to find solutions to these needs where no formal services exist. The Resource Center is pleased to be the embodiment of the Ohio Masonic Home in Southern Ohio, working alongside our volunteers and community partners to meet the needs of the Fraternity. It is an exciting time to be a part of this important work! If you would like to become a part of the new MVP Committees in Districts 6 or 7, or for more resources, please reach out to
Count Your Blessings In today’s news we hear COVID-19 daily. Despite the negativity, I continue to count my blessings. You see, in 2019 I lost both of my parents within 3 weeks of each other. After their deaths, I found myself thinking more about my own mortality. I began to look at my life and think about what brings me joy... my job, my children, my husband, my friends, and other family members. I started to assess my life. My job at that time no longer brought me joy, like the way it did when I started. I decided to make a change and that change led me to the Ohio Masonic Home Resource Center last November. It’s always scary starting a new job but everyone has welcomed me and made me feel part of something much bigger. I am proud to work here and I am also proud to help people in the community and on our campus on a daily basis in NE Ohio. In March our normal changed with COVID-19. COVID-19 brought phone calls and e-mails, and no in-person visits or face-to-face fellowship with our Masonic Districts. But, COVID-19 did lead me to get to
Samantha Loy
Director, OMH Resource Center & NE Ohio Liaison (937) 504-4407
Raquel Brown NW Ohio Resource Center Liaison MYOP Coordinator (419) 260-0855
Bobbi Schickler SW Ohio Resource Center Liaison (513) 567-1100
know many IL residents at Western Reserve Masonic Community, and I’ve really enjoyed my conversations with them and learning what brings them joy! For me, my family and my work brings me joy. My husband and I have been married for 33 years this past June, and we have been empty-nesters for 2 years now. We have three children, one who lives in Detroit, Michigan, and two who live in Lexington, Kentucky. When I learned that there was an opening in our SW territory for a new Liaison, I made the request to transfer territories as I didn’t want to leave OMH! My request was approved, and as of August 1, I will be closer to two of my three kids and still work for OMH at a job I love. If you know someone who is in need, or if you would like to schedule a presentation in SW Ohio, please contact me, Bobbi Schickler, at 513-567-1100. And remember, always count your blessings and do what brings you joy!
DeAnna Kinney Melissa Hirn-Pulliam SE Ohio Resource Center Liaison & MVP Program Coordinator (740) 262-1974
Millie McNeal
South Central Ohio Resource Financial Assistance Center Liaison & Community Coordinator Outreach Manager (937) 525-3005 (740) 970-7903
Call toll-free 1-877-881-1623 or visit www.omhresourcecenter.org
The Ohio Masonic Home
e om H ic n so a M o hi O he T t a s t en om Honoring Community M No one on any of the three Ohio Masonic Home communities had any idea what life was going to be like and how their lives would change when in mid-March everyone was told to shelter in place, basically stay at home. If you live in a life plan community, will that be different than living in my own home and being told to stay home and only leave for absolute necessities? Community members really didn’t know what to expect. The leadership, like leadership and scientists around the globe, were learning as they went along, and responding with rapid-fire decision-making of great magnitude. You are probably thinking this had to be terrible and very lonely, even frightening, but some of our community members might tell you differently. Faith Garrison could tell you how exciting it was to celebrate her 100th birthday. She can tell you about the beautiful birthday cake and all of her family members that attended. Now you are thinking, they couldn’t attend, no one was allowed in the building. The Ohio Masonic Home Foundation has put tablets in the hands of hundreds of our community members across all of the campuses. That’s how Faith’s family was able to attend attended. She talked to them and could see the excitement on their faces and they could see that their mother/grandmother was doing great and celebrating her birthday in style. Birthday stories just like this one were told over and over on all three campuses. COVID-19 has changed all of our lives forever, and technology is ensuring that every moment in life can be honored with meaning. The same tablets that unite families around celebrations also help bring peace and
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Kathrin for e f wi s hi d an r e l eh Ko e l Ky e v e Representati mmunity. Co c i A big thank you to Ohio Stat on as M d l e i gf n ri Sp at rs community membe r ou to ns o ti na do us ro ne ge the
comfort in saying a final goodbye during unprecedented times. Not only were tablets provided to our community members, they were provided to families in other facilities to make sure that connection remains strong. From that “connection” was born the campaign “OMH Together, Powering the Connection,” an effort to ensure all community members have access to a tablet. For more information or to help grow this connection, visit the Ohio Masonic Home Foundation website www.theomhfoundaton.org/ connection.
Browning continues to celebrate and give back to their community members by throwing parades throughout the campus like the Browning Bonanza Parade and the Sunny Days Ahead Parade!
Change can be difficult for everyone, especially for the more senior population. Making sure there is not a feeling of isolation becomes a part of the everyday care provided by staff for brightening each day. The Life Enrichment Teams across all three campuses are never short on ideas. At SMC, community members may be serenaded by music in their hallways, or they may be sharing the stories of how they met their spouse. On another day you might find someone sharing the cases of Girl Scout cookies that were donated. And let’s not forget Wally the robot that was seen walking down the hall. Wally put smiles on everyone’s’ faces. At BMC, community members may be watching a Color Run outside their window or watching a parade go through their community. BMC loves their parades and parades come with all different themes. We certainly can’t forget the Easter Bunny that hopped through BMC. On another day you might find someone showing up or bringing donuts to everyone. Who can resist a sweet treat anytime of the day?
Berry’s Blooms and House of Flowers donated flowers for all community members at Western Reserve Masonic Commu nity.
Some days, community members at WRMC may be celebrating National Iced Tea Day, or National Donut Day, or even National Strawberry Day. And let’s not forget The Great WRMC T-shirt Toss. That put a smile SUMMER 2020
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on everyone’s face as they danced in the halls. Over the past few months all of our campuses have received an outpouring of support from our local communities reaching out to donate PPE supplies, gifts, and say thank you to our healthcare heroes and our community members.
with support and d e l fi s rd ca d an s er tt e l ed v i ce re We have look at this a ke Ta . es us mp ca r ou of e re th l encouragement at al om Springfield. fr y bo d ol ar ye 10 a , n ti en Qu letter from
In the midst of all the fun, employees at all three campuses remain vigilant and focused on safety, preparation and response to COVID-19. Robert Lane, Corporate Director of Procurement is helping with that. Rob shared, “At The Ohio Masonic Home we are very grateful for fantastic relationships with our core suppliers. Also, because of our reputation in the industry, we were able to create many new relationships that gave us access to additional protective products. Along with great suppliers we have an internal supply chain team that is 100% focused on making sure our front-line staff have all the tools they need.” Thanks to Rob’s hard work and that of his team, no employee has to worry about whether they have the appropriate protective tools they need.
Now, what makes our community members feel safe? Is it the care that they receive, the meals that they enjoy every day or the cleanliness of their rooms? Scott Buchanan, CEO for The Ohio Masonic Home commented, “I am so proud of our team. Every member, across all three campuses has stepped up to make sure that community members’ needs are always met.” To help guide resident care during these unusual times, The Ohio Masonic Home invited members to complete a national industry survey. We were honored to be rated above the national average in all 15 areas that were scored. We want to express our thanks to those community members who participated in the survey.” In the ongoing fight to protect its community members and staff, The Ohio Masonic Home is taking proactive measures and testing every employee for COVID-19 at its three campuses. It can be safely said that all of The Ohio Masonic Home campuses are prepared should cases be identified
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and will follow its pandemic plan. This includes contact tracing, isolation and rigorous disinfecting to ensure the continued safety of community members and staff. Over the past few months our campuses have received an outpouring of support from our local communities reaching out to donate PPE supplies, gifts, and say thank you to our healthcare heroes and our community members.
Our employees would like to send out a hea sponsoring WRMC Employee Appreciation Wrtfelt thank you to Amy and the fol owing groups for eek! o Medina Lodge #58 o Medina OES #266 o Wadsworth Lodge #385 o Relief Lodge#284 o Chris Lightner o Jim Zemancik o Stoney City OES #325 o Linc & Carolyn Jerome o Victory Lodge #649 o Shreve Chapter OES #496 o District 3 2020 WM#s#WP# s o John & Amy Young o Anonymous o Widows Sons Sublime Principles o Bruce & Karen Anspach o 20th District Association o KindlyUS o Staff of OMHF
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Browning Masonic Community Virtual Open House Thursday, August 27 12 – 1 PM To Register Call: Molly Good at 419-495-8413 Email: mgood@ohiomasonichome.org Visit: www.bmcohio.org
Western Reserve Masonic Community Virtual Open House Friday, August 28 12 – 1 PM To Register Call: Amanda Hoagland at 330-302-1531 Email: ahoagland@ohiomasonichome.org Visit: www.wrmcohio.org SUMMER 2020
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The Ohio
BEAC N 2655 W. National Rd. Springfield, OH 45504-3698 www.theohiobeacon.com
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OMH Print Shop Unveils 2020 Commemorative Apron 2020 Commemorative Apron is NOW AVAILABLE from the OMH Print Shop. This custom-designed apron features original art printed onto a sturdy, double-layer, white apron with unique buckle and pocket in the back. The design represents the importance of King Solomon’s Temple in Freemasonry, including an artistic rendering of the Temple and a Masonic Bible verse from 1:Peter over a stone block background. This apron would serve as a wonderful decorative piece for your Lodge, a personal gift, or an interesting talking point in your office. Be sure to check back at the Print Shop website, or join our mailing list to keep up on new products.
For more information, or to place your order, contact the OMH Print Shop at 937-525-4939, email info@omhprintshop.com, or visit www.omhprintshop.com.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID OH Masonic Home