VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1
WINTER 2011
BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
Marathon
A Mom, a Marine and a M others and their adult
sons regularly get together for one of many different activities, like a family visit during the weekend, dinner out or possibly vacationing together. Nita Wilkinson, Director of Marketing at the Springfield Masonic Community, went a bit further. She joined her son Wesley and 28,000 other participants to run the 26-mile Marine Corps Marathon around Above, left to right: Suzann Barnard, Washington D. C. Sgt. Wesley Smiley (Nita’s son) and “I had been running for Nita Wilkinson; Right: Barbara Gainey about four years and had done a few five kilometer many mothers have their (3.1 miles) when I mentioned to sons invite them to run a Wesley that I would like to run marathon together?” the Marine Corps half marathon So Nita began the six-month (13.1 miles) in Washington,” Nita training process to prepare for the said. “He said we should do the race. Another Springfield employee full marathon together. I was was also training for the race. Barnervous because that was a big bara Gainey, the community’s jump in distance for me, but how Executive Assistant, had run in the
SMC Merits Top ODH Recognition Springfield Masonic Community (SMC) recently earned a deficiency free annual survey from the Ohio Department of Health for its skilled nursing facility and residential care (Assisted Living) facility. This makes SMC part of an elite retirement community group – less than 8% of Ohio Centers rate a deficiency free rating. “This continues our legacy of excellence, and allows us to maintain our Five-Star Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. We are the only Clark County provider with that distinction,” said Brother Jerry Guess (Raymer-Covenant #683), SMC president. “Jerry and I attribute our success to an excellent professional team, a team with heart, soul, and care – and with a whole bunch of attention to the reason we are here – our residents,” said Vice President/Administrator, Iva DeWitt-Hoblit.
Columbus Marathon the year before. She wanted to run the Marine Corps marathon to try to improve her time. She was excited by the prospect of running a marathon in the capital city of both her state and country. Nita and Barbara found the training to be grueling, and both had thoughts of quitting. “During the last two and a half weeks, you just want it to be over,” Barbara recalled. For Nita, the high point of the race occurred as she was running in one direction past a park, and Wesley, who was ahead of her, ran past on the other side of the park. “He spotted me, and was so excited that he ran across the park, picked me up and whirled me around,” Nita said. “That was a very special moment for me.” In the end, Barbara improved her time by almost 40 minutes. Both she and Nita said that marathon running teaches you a lot about yourself. “When you do something like this, you realize that you are stronger than you thought,” Nita said.
In This Issue: Secretary of the Year ........................ 5 Brother Honored as Pioneer in Laparoscopic Surgery ....................... 6 Pen Pal Thanks ................................. 7 Community Involvement ...............8-9 Columbus Considers Forming a Daylight Lodge............................ 13 BeActive BeFriend .......................... 14
Freemasonry...
Faith, Family, Brotherhood and Charity By Bradford Allen Goebel, Grand Master
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n several occasions, I have been asked: How does a Grand Master determine and select his theme? While I can not speak for every Grand Master, I can share that I have selected my theme based on several key and important words that will inspire me throughout this Masonic year. Freemasonry is the continuation of the traditions and beliefs of those who have been members before us. Freemasonry is following the ways of the ancient craft in proving our level of learning by gestures and signs. It is the support of the tenets of our Masonic profession. Freemasonry is working with our ritual and understanding the meanings of our degrees. It is the practicing of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. Faith is the one common belief that all Masons share. Each Mason has stated that he has the belief in a Supreme Being. Faith is our ability to worship in our own way, and yet unite together in our Lodge rooms. It is faith that allows us to support
The Beacon is published quarterly effective Winter Issue 2011. Please 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 labels. Chad Simpson Director of Program Development The Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Ohio P.O. Box 629 Worthington, OH 43085-0629 614/885-5318 csimpson@freemason.com Thomas J. Hickey, Director of Sales, Marketing and Communications The Ohio Masonic Home 2655 W. National Road Springfield, OH 45504-3698 937/525-3074 thickey@ohiomasonichome.org
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It is possibly through and establish the morals charity that Masons are of good individuals. best known to the world. As Masons, we have Charities such as our declared that in a time Masonic Homes, The of challenge, we put our Ohio Special Olympics, trust in God. We know scholarships, helping that with our faith and to recognize children with God’s guidance, at risk Masonic Model we will be supporting our faith and the divine Bradford Allen Goebel, Student Assistance Grand Master Program (MMSAP), our plan of our God. work with children with learning Family is the basis of our home disabilities, our work through York life. Without the support of our Rite charities, the Shrine Hospitals, family, we can not do all the good the Grotto Humanitarian things that Masons have come Foundation or a wide variety of to be known by. It is often our other programs are all examples family ties that bring us to our of where Ohio Masons help others Masonic membership – our fathers, through charity. grandfathers, sons, uncles. It is The order I have put these key our support of our sisters and our words in illustrates the importance youth. It is the opportunity to join they represent in my daily life. with someone special and being If the day ever comes when I do comfortable referring to them as not have the resources to support our Brother, often without sharing charity, I will still have my faith, bloodlines and a common family family and my brotherhood. And background. It is developing the should the day come when I can no ties of a special family with love, longer have my brotherhood, I will support and care. Brotherhood is the tie that brings still have my faith and family. And while I hope the day never comes us together as a fraternity. There is when I do not have my family and just something very special about their love, I will still have my faith. knowing that every Brother has So in their order of importance: travelled the same path for our I have my faith, I have my family, membership. It is the trust we have I have my brotherhood and I have in each other. A brotherhood can accomplish more that an individual. the opportunity to help those less It is working to create and maintain fortunate through charity. I trust you can now see how harmony in our gatherings. The real I developed my theme and the true life stories abound where one importance of these words in my Brother helps another in a special life. Please take time to reflect on way, not knowing that they share each of these words in your lives Masonry as a common ground. and enjoy the benefits of enjoying And Charity allows each of us them on a daily basis. the opportunity to help those who Together, let’s live and celebrate: are less fortunate than we may be. Charity has become an integral part “Freemasonry . . . Faith, Family, of our visibility in our communities. Brotherhood and Charity”.
Strategic
Direction for 2011 By Marion Leeman, Managing Chief Executive Officer
The Ohio Masonic THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
MISSION: The Mission of The Ohio Masonic Home is to provide quality adult healthcare, retirement living and community-based service in a dignified, supportive living environment in the name of Ohio Freemasonry.
VISION: The Ohio Masonic Home will be recognized for focusing resources to research and provide innovative eldercare and charitable relief in the best possible environments, serving people where they want to be. The Ohio Masonic Home will be recognized for developing employees to achieve visions.
VALUES: We Respect our residents, clients, employees and suppliers, by the exercise of brotherly love, and invite their participation in support of our mission. Truth, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us in our relationships with residents, clients, employees and suppliers. Our Charity is found in the gathering of resources to provide relief to elder Masons, their families and the general public in distress (psychological, social, physical, medical, economic, shelter, need for advice). By practicing good Stewardship with our resources, we preserve our future and expand our charity. Through these values we will provide Distinguished Service and be recognized as outstanding in Ohio in any service/ operation, satisfaction, or best practices.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND GOALS • Financial Strength Goal: Achieve a positive consolidated operating income and increase net assets through improved operations as well as effective understanding and management of capital resources •
Provider of Choice Positioning Goal: Become the desired residence/provider of choice in our market areas
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Employer of Choice Goal: Empower our employees through intentional and transparent interactions to allow our vision to flourish and grow
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Philanthropic Growth Goal: Enhance its fundraising program to expand financial support of the Ohio Masonic Home
Home’s Strategic Plan for 2011 sets out a bold and ambitious vision for our service across the state of Ohio. It provides a clear and important challenge to position “The Home” as a statewide leader providing exceptional care and cutting edge Marion Leeman, Managing Chief Executive Officer senior living options for Masons, their wives and widows, and our communities served. The Executive Staff and Presidents’ Council have been engaged in an intense and rigorous process of thought, questions, analysis, and choices in the context of rapid development in senior care and health priorities, policies and practices. We have taken this critical opportunity to provide direction for the further development of our senior care continuum from addressing aging in place right through providing quality skilled nursing care at our facilities. We realized early on in the planning process that our priorities create a cycle of success. At the core of focus, our strategic plan provides direction for financial strength. We know that when our actions position us as the provider and employer of choice and when we grow our philanthropy, financial strength will be achieved and sustained. In turn, when we achieve financial strength, our ability to continue providing quality care, our capacity to attract and retain great employees, and the power of our fundraising message will all be measurably increased. The next step is to roll out The Ohio Masonic Home 2011 Strategic Plan to all of our stakeholders including our trustee boards, our employees and our communities. We are confident that the plan lays the foundation for an even higher performing and sustainable service and mission for years to come. WINTER 2011
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Recognition
70-Year Award
Grand Master Goebel, Grand Chaplain Robert Behner and Aide to the Grand Master, Ronald Runion present Worshipful Brother West with his 70-year award.
O n December 21, 2010, Grand Master Bradford A. Goebel along with members of the Grand Lodge and Wellington Lodge #127 presented Worshipful Brother Howard West with his 70-year award from the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Brother West, and his wife Nettie,
were both residents of Western Reserve Masonic Community until he relocated to another community specializing in Dementia/ Alzheimer’s care. This unfortunate situation (of relocation) will soon be a thing of the past at Western Reserve
National Camping Travelers for Master Masons in the Outdoors
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The National Camping Travelers (NCT) is a Masonic family camping club. Its membership is composed of Master Masons and their families. There are approximately 66 local chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
continuing to uphold the principles of Freemasonry.
NCT was founded in 1966 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by the late Brother Myron Fox, his family, and twenty one other Masonic families. The NCT is dedicated to bringing Masonic families together for fun and fellowship, while
The official publication of the NCT is the NEWS TO CAMPERS, which is printed quarterly in March, June, September and December. For more information about the NCT visit www.gonct.org.
WINTER 2011
Each chapter is led by a Master of Travel, assisted by a Wagon Master, Secretary-Treasurer, Chaplain, Safety Director and the Chapter Trustees.
Masonic Community. Planning for a twentyfour room dementia unit is currently underway. And while Brother West was unable to experience this new building, we hope that you will support Western Reserve Masonic Community and respond positively to the upcoming capital campaign. Thank you Worshipful Brother West for representing the values of Freemasonry for the past 70 years: we commend you!
Save
the Dates!
Proud
Reason to Be
Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice president Mary LoughPencil is always proud of the job her staff performs, but recently she had reason to celebrate. In the latest survey at the Urbana office from an independent organization contracted to conduct mandatory Medicare surveys, Cornerstone scored 98% on positive feedback from its clients. Mary said, “This is a great tribute to our entire staff. I am pleased with the hard work and dedication they give to our clients.” You may recall in the last issue of the Beacon, Mary had just opened a new Cornerstone location in Boardman, Ohio. With two locations, Cornerstone now covers west central and northeast Ohio. The Urbana office serves clients in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties, while the Boardman office covers both Trumbull and Mahoning counties. The Urbana office routinely provides services to more than 160 clients and the Boardman office clients now exceed 85. Mary
predicts these numbers will continue to grow as the State of Ohio looks for ways to trim projected shortfalls in the state’s budget. Mary said, “Providing in-home services is more economical in the long run for the State. Cornerstone can deliver a variety of skilled services to individuals in their home thus avoiding having to admit an individual into a skilled nursing facility.” Mary goes on to say, “Being part of a larger organization such as The Ohio Masonic Home makes it possible to grow our business and one day reach individuals throughout the entire state.” Cornerstone services include skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy, home health aides and medical social workers
to name a few. It is Medicare and Medicaid certified and accepts most private insurances. Contact Cornerstone Home Health & Hospice: Urbana office at 877/684-5710 or Northeast Ohio at 330/782-8850 or 330/782-8871. Visit our website at www.cornerstonehealthcare.org.
Tim Ray Announced as Secretary of the Year The Grand Secretary’s office staff selected Tim Ray, a past master and secretary of Franklin Lodge #14 as the Grand Lodge’s Secretary of the Year. Since 2005, the Grand Secretary’s staff, which works closely with the 512 Lodge secretaries, has chosen an outstanding Lodge secretary as Secretary of the Year. This distinction is announced each year at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge and is in recognition of excellence in work, timeliness in reporting, and general cooperativeness. A secretary must have held that office for at least five years to be eligible for selection, and no recipient may receive the award more than once.
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Pioneer
Brother Honored as in Laparoscopic Surgery M
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different movements of the instruments – ost Americans are citizens of this great and how the first time he actually performed country by birth. I am an American by choice.” a laparoscopic surgery – how his knees These are the words of Dr. Dimitrios N. trembled – and the sweat ran down his head Xanthakos, native of Greece, respected medical – and how the nurses were crying – but when doctor, an Ohio Freemason, and recipient of one it was all over, how they all cheered because of this year’s Community Service Awards from they knew they were on the cutting edge of the Grand Lodge. something great. He was one of the first surgeons to He subsequently served as Chairman of the introduce and use laparoscopic surgery. His Department of Surgery and as Section Head, research and study in this area of medicine General Surgery at the St. Luke’s Hospital makes him a pioneer for this less invasive in Maumee, Ohio. He retired from active type of surgery. practice in 2003. Dr. Xanthakos (known to many friends Brother Xanthakos was raised in Barton as Dr. X) was born in Sparta, Greece. He Smith Lodge #613 in Toledo, and he received graduated from high school in Sparta and then the Scottish Rite’s 33rd Degree in 2004. from the University of Athens. He is an emeritus member of OMH’s Board He served two years in of Trustees and has also served on the the National Greek Army as Browning Masonic Community and Masonic a Medical Doctor. His next Senior Services of Ohio (MSSOC) boards assignment was a two-year of trustees. He is currently an Auxiliary Internal Medicine Internship Member of the MSSOC Board and the in the German Red Cross OMH Board’s Strategic Planning and Hospital in West Berlin. He then served his Policy Committee. Surgical Residency at Dr. and Brother Xanthakos the University Hospital, loves everything America Free University of Berlin. stands for – especially He also did a Surgical all the freedoms it offers Residency at Mt. Carmel – freedom of religion Hospital, Columbus, Ohio – freedom of assembly – and was Surgical Chieffreedom of education – to Resident at the Medical study and learn and make a College of Ohio in Toledo. contribution. He became a U.S. Citizen He loves the freedom to on April 26, 1974. read and write books – the At the Medical College freedom to disagree with of Ohio in Toledo he was those in government, if he Instructor in Surgery, chooses. Assistant Professor of And he loves the freedom Surgery, and Assistant Dr. Dimitrios N. Xanthakos to belong to the Masonic Clinical Professor of Fraternity and to be able to Surgery. openly declare yourself to be a Mason. Brother Xanthakos relates stories of the These are reasons why he has “chosen” early days of laparoscopic surgery – how he to be an American. used to practice in a small box to learn the
“I am an American by choice.”
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Thanks
Pen-Pal
An eighth-grade school project at Northridge Middle School in Springfield turned into an assignment that 13-year-old Ericka Hughes will never forget. Assigned with the task to write to a veteran on Veteran’s Day, Ericka turned to her father Rick Hughes, Director for Risk Management at The Ohio Masonic Home for help. Rick suggested that she write a letter to Worshipful Brother Homer Henry (Victory #649), a resident at the Springfield Masonic Community and Korean War veteran. Homer was touched when he received her letter and said that he “had never been personally thanked for his service.” The story does not end there. Homer returned the favor and wrote to Ericka to say thank you and a friendship began. Ericka’s next school assignment was a trip to Washington, D.C. where she visited the Korean War memorial. While at the memorial, she learned that the 19 larger than
life stainless steel statuess of the soldiers reflect upon on the black granite wall and nd reveal the optical illusion n of 38 soldiers. Thirty-eight ght represents the number of months this Forgotten n War was fought and the 38th parallel – the latitude that roughly approximates the borderr between North Korea and South Korea. Ericka visited the souvenir stand and purchased a commemorative coin, magnet and post-card to give to Homer. Rick arranged for the two pen-pals to meet. Ericka visited Homer at the Springfield d Masonic Community, shared with him her photo album, and presented him with the mementos from her trip. Homer enjoyed the visit and the opportunity to see the Korean War memorial through the eyes of his new friend.
Homer Henry and Erika Hughes share mementos from her visit to the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
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Residents and Staff Involved in Their M ost retirement communities offer various activities for residents. On any given day, you will find people sewing, gardening, painting, dancing and more. At The Ohio Masonic Home communities, you will find all of these activities on campus. You will also discover that both residents and staff are deeply involved beyond their campus in the community-at-large, offering their time and talents through a variety of service activities. “Retirement living is changing. There are far fewer ‘sit-and-knits’ and far more people interested in staying useful and busy,” said Browning Masonic Community President David Subleski. “Being active in their community has been part of their life, and it’s something they don’t want to give up.” The longest-running community service project at the Browning Campus reaches far beyond their Waterville home. A resident group dubbed The Sew and Sews handmakes stuffed animals that are shipped to area service men and women around the world. Over 3,000 of these “Love Animals” have been distributed by troops to children in combat areas, making some small friends and helping
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Communities
these children see America in a more positive light. Closer to home, Browning residents turned an emergency services exercise into a community service event honoring the local firefighters. “Our community has the only four-story building in the area, and the fire department wanted to do some practice with their bucket truck using our building,” recalled Worshipful Brother Subleski (Rubicon #237). “It was a hot day when they came, so we treated them to special ’Fire Engine Red Soda,’ made from red cream soda and vanilla ice cream. Some of the braver residents participated in the activity by taking a ride in the bucket.” The local police department got wind of the event and contacted Browning to ask when THEY could have a day to come to the community. As a result, plans are underway for a “Chili Dogs for Chilly Days” event with them. Staff members at the Springfield Masonic Community share their time and expertise through a support group for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients. Sew & Sews at Camp Perry where they dropped off 100 love animals to go to the service men & women deployed out of Camp Perry. The two representatives are Ginnie Whitten and Margaret Hayes.
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“Jane Eckels, the social worker for the Pathways Center, started the group more than 10 years ago,” explained Springfield President Jerry Guess. “It was originally created for the families of our residents, but Jane saw that there was also a need in the area around our campus, so we opened group membership to caregivers from outside of the Springfield Masonic Community. We provide this service at no cost because we see it as part of our mission to support the needs of our community.” The support group is sponsored through the Alzheimer’s Association. Caregivers are encouraged to bring the family member with Alzheimer’s disease with them. This gives the caregiver a short respite, while their family member with Alzheimer’s has the chance to get out of the house, socialize and participate in some activities. Jane and the other Springfield staff members involved with the support group aren’t the only ones devoting their professional skills to community service. In the Springfield Campus kitchens, Ken Pool, Director of Food Service, and his crew are busy supporting the Clark County Meals on Wheels program. “Volunteer drivers from the community pick up 1,650
lunches and 200 dinners each month from Ken,” Jerry said. “They deliver them to folks all around Springfield. This is a real above-and-beyond effort for our staff, because these meals are in addition to what they prepare for our residents and staff. Ken asked his crew if they were willing to make the extra effort, and their answer was a definite ‘Yes!’ They were eager to do their part.” The Ohio Masonic Home communities are very forward-looking in their facilities and programs, but at the Western Reserve Campus, their major community activity is a definite look backwards … all the way back to the Renaissance. “The annual Renaissance Family Faire is our signature community event,” explained campus President Brother Jay Dettorre (Victory #649). “The back of our campus is filled for two days with displays, vendors and activities. Visitors can even watch a jousting tournament. We invite area residents to come and participate, with no admission charged. Anywhere between 3,000 and 4,000 guests typically visit. It’s a great community activity.” Jay also supports the community on a personal level by participating in community organizations
as a board member, and he encourages other staff to do the same. “We want to be a good community citizen, to build relationships with other groups and invite them to participate in our campus activities. Joining with the community is part of our social accountability, helping us to be mindful of needs, concerns and priorities of the area around our campus.” When asked about the role that the not-for-profit Masonic communities need to play in the cities and counties where they are located, Jay paraphrases a Bible verse. “It says that ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ The members of our staff are very blessed, and we feel a responsibility to share our blessings with the community that surrounds and supports us.” At the Masonic communities across the state, both residents and staff are reaching beyond their campuses through community service activities. In doing so, they provide comfort, support and joy to others, while at the same time enriching their own lives.
From left to right: Margie Baumbarger, Betty Perry, John Marsh, Anna Pope, Larry Russell, Grace Russell, JoAnn Lucas, Sarah Bond, Annabelle Long and Ralph Cole, plus the firefighters of Waterville!
Bob Stevens and the new fire truck WINTER 2011
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Blue Lodge Masons Go Green to Support Area Children Members of Lone Star Lodge #175 recently donated $2,380 to the Cambridge Masonic Learning Center for Dyslexic Children. The money was raised through the recycling of 8,000 pounds of scrap metal from the Jones Metal Product Company in West Lafayette. The metal came from industrial lights formerly used by the Jones Company, and it took the members of the Lodge three months to dismantle and recycle the scrap.
From Left: Jim Friel, Alan Hart, Al Miskimen of Lone Star Lodge and Chuck Gaiser, Jen Navicky, and John Anderson of the Cambridge Learning Center.
Joint Master Mason Degree Held at Indian Mounds On September 11, Brothers from the 6th and 7th Masonic Districts jointly conferred a Master Mason degree on Sergeant Christian Watrous, a U.S. Army recruiter. The raising took place at Fort Salem, an Indian Earthworks mound being restored and maintained by Bill Bear of Sardinia Lodge in the 6th District.
Jim Waters, 7th District President Randy Campbell, Christian Watrous, 6th District President Larry Gillinger, and Master of Highland Lodge Gregory Grant.
The day began with Sergeant Jeremy Stump, of Highland Lodge #38, presenting the United States Flag and included a presentation by Jim “Great Elk” Waters, a member of Rome Lodge #535 and Shawnee Indian Chief, entitled “A Curious Comparison between Mound Builders and Masons.”
Senior Grand Warden Visits Lowell #436 – A Lodge with Distinction Senior Grand Warden James F. Easterling visited Lowell Lodge #436 on January 7 to witness their annual inspection – the first in the 17th District. Lowell Lodge is a good example of the hard working Masons in the District. It has the added distinction of having two of its members currently serving the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Lloyd Bonar is serving as a District Deputy Grand Master and his brother Larry Bonar is serving as a District Education Officer. There were 75 Brothers present at the inspection, and the members of Lowell Lodge were honored to have the Senior Grand Warden in attendance.
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From left: James F. Easterling, Jr., Senior Grand Warden; Richard Thomas, newly raised Master Mason; Jess N. Raines, DDGM; Francis Farnsworth III, Master of Lowell Lodge; Charlie W. McClain, DDGM; Lloyd C. Bonar, DDGM; Larry D. Bonar, DEO.
Marion Lodge Supports Child Safety Program Matthew Pollock, Master of Marion Lodge #70, right, presents a check to Major Randall Caryer of the Marion City Police Department. The donation from the Lodge will be used to support the distribution of child safety information throughout the Marion City School District.
Class of 1953 Presents the Fellow Craft Degree Heath Lodge #771 recently witnessed the conferral of the Fellow Craft degree with a special twist. Though members of the degree team were from various Lodges, they all graduated from Newark High School in 1953. From left: 1st Row Tom Brannon, Jack Schumaker, candidate, Paul Sands, Robert Neff; 2nd Row Daniel Stricker, Melvin Brown, Jerry Grant, Lyle Bowers; 3rd Row Charles Rhodes, Richard Lewis, Bill Koman, Larry Jacobs
Three Generations at Bloomingburg Lodge Josh Maddux was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason on September 16, which made him the third generation of his family to join Bloomingburg Lodge #449. Craig Maddux (Josh’s uncle) was raised as a Master Mason in Bloomingburg Lodge in 1984 and served as Worshipful Master in 1991. Richard Maddux (Josh’s grandfather and Craig’s father) was raised in 1989. Although the Maddux family is probably not the only family with 3 generations in Bloomingburg Lodge, they are the most recent. Craig is now a dual member in Mt. Moriah Lodge #18 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and made the trip from Tennessee to Bloomingburg for his nephew’s raising. Josh has traveled extensively with his grandparents and the National Camping Travelers. Several club members drove great distances to witness his Master Mason degree. Craig Maddux, Josh Maddux & Richard Maddux WINTER 2011
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Memory
Architect Selected for New T
he Ohio Masonic Home Board of Trustees voted last year to add 24-bed centers devoted to treating residents with dementia at both the Western Reserve and Browning Masonic Community campuses. That project took a major step forward with the recent selection of the architect, JMM of Columbus. “We searched for an architect with experience in not just designing healthcare facilities,” explained Jay Dettorre, President of the Western Reserve campus. “We wanted a firm with specific knowledge related to facilities used for the care of residents with dementia. The architect we selected actually has experience creating
facilities with the special features and characteristics needed to care for dementia patients.” While the architect can now begin to develop the first drawings of the facilities, staff members at both campuses are already drafting the programs and processes that will be used. “You need a building with the right features,” said Browning Campus President David Subleski. “Equally important is how you put those features to the best possible use. Our staff is drawing from their personal experience as well as an investigation of best practices
“We wanted a firm with specific knowledge related to facilities used for the care of residents with dementia.”
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Care Centers
at other facilities to develop our program. When these two new facilities open, they will represent that best possible environment to provide a caring and comfortable home for the residents.” As with the Masonic retirement communities, the new dementia units won’t be limited to Masonic families. Anyone in need of highquality care for dementia will be welcomed.
Florida
Grand Master on the Move in More than 450 brethren and ladies attended the three recent Florida Grand Master’s luncheons for an update on Masonic happenings “back home” and information on the Grand Master’s program for this year. Most Worshipful Brother Brad Goebel and his lady, Kathy, led the 18 member Ohio delegation anxious to enjoy a couple days of warm weather! Other Grand Lodge officers/spouses attending were: RWB Kevin Todd; RWB Jim Easterling & Jill; RWB Ron
Connelly & Elaine; MWB Mike Watson & Brenda; RWB Bob Behner & Kendra; RWB Rick Schau & Linda; RWB Bob Hager and Del. RWB Tim Strawn, Brother Ken Marsenburg and Mrs. Tara Lloyd represented the Home. A special guest, former Cleveland Indians pitcher and Cy Young Award winner Jim Perry, host for golf events which support the Home, and his wife, Daphne, joined Grand Master Goebel addresses the luncheon crowd at Tavares.
the luncheon in Sarasota where all wished Kathy Goebel a happy birthday!
Grand Master Goebel is seen with Past Grand Masters Steven J. Krekus and Charles S. Ward and Junior Grand Deacon Eric R. Schau at the Ft. Myers luncheon.
Senior Grand Warden James F. Easterling and his wife Jill (far right) enjoy the fellowship at the luncheon at Sarasota.
Columbus Area Brothers Consider Forming a Daylight Lodge Columbus-area Freemasons are in the process of determining if there is enough interest to support the creation of a daylight lodge. An organizational meeting will be held on Saturday, March 26 at Reynoldsburg Lodge #340. Breakfast will be available from 8 am to 11 am, with the meeting beginning at 11 am. In the good old days of yore, Masonic lodges met in accordance with the phases of the moon in order to provide their members the greatest
possible light by which to see as they traveled home from lodge. Only 13 of the 512 Ohio Lodges are still moonlight lodges. A much more modern trend in Freemasonry is to establish daylight lodges. As their name suggests, daylight lodges meet during the day rather than at night, either during the week or on Saturday. This format appeals to a number of Freemasons, including Brothers who work nights, those who do not like to travel at
night, or even those who just prefer a Saturday meeting. There are currently three daylight lodges in Ohio, Meridian Lodge #610 in Berea, Solar Lodge #730 in Dayton, and Blue Steel Lodge #791 in Lorain. Brothers interested in learning more about a possible daylight lodge in Columbus should contact Steve Cokonougher at scokonougher@wowway.com or 614/946-1320. WINTER 2011
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BeFriend
FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
BeActive
By Right Worshipful Brother Timothy B. Strawn, CAE, President, The OMH Benevolent Endowment Foundation
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nce again, the Home has been blessed by the Grand Master and First Lady of Masonry in Ohio designating it as their charity for the 2010-2011 year! Most Worshipful Brother Brad Goebel and his lady, Kathy, have been frequent visitors to our campuses and have seen firsthand the importance of a wellrounded activities program in our residents’ lives. They have also seen how much many residents cherish a visit or chance to talk with someone, even if only for a brief moment. They realize that, together, the combination of a strong activities program and residents who have support from loving, caring families and friends creates the healthiest and happiest of environments for our residents and our campuses. Thus, their charity this year focuses on enhancing our activities program and connecting lodges with residents to help provide that loving, caring support. They hope you will join them in helping our
residents to BeActive and/or that your lodge will BeFriend a resident who will benefit from its contact and friendship! While we encourage our residents to live the life…and be just as active or inactive as …he/ she wants, it certainly appears that those who enjoy their time with us the most are those who have found ways to be actively involved in the life of the campus. If we do not use the muscles in our body, we slowly lose much of our mobility. If our brains are not challenged, our thoughts become cloudy and unclear. Activities are critically important in maintaining physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Each of our campuses has a good activities program, providing entertaining, educational and informative programs. But we want to provide more activities, more options for our residents! Our goal this year is to fund new programs, including new equipment which may be necessary, as well as to provide additional support for existing programs. Our residents, through their campus Resident Councils, will help
identify potential new programs and activities to be funded. The BeActive portion of this year’s program seeks your gifts to enable this to happen! Many of our residents continue to enjoy close relationships and active involvement with their families, even when those families live at some distance from the campus. Yet other residents have no family or friends or even an occasional visitor. They have no one close with whom they can talk and share and visit….like those of us fortunate to have our families with us. You yourself know the importance of a strong and supportive family and network of friends. That’s one of the primary benefits…no, blessings!... of our Masonic involvement. Some of us know from personal experience and others can only imagine what it is like to not have a loving, caring family or family member or close friend who can share in our joy and comfort us in our sorrow. The BeFriend portion of this year’s program enables lodges to BeFriend a resident by making a minimum of three contacts, at least one of which must be face-to-face, before the end of September. To learn more about how you can help residents BeActive or your lodge can BeFriend a resident, contact the Foundation at 888/248-2664 or visit our website: www.omhbef.org. You…and our residents…will be glad you did! For more information about BeActive/BeFriend or how to make a gift, contact the Foundation toll free at 888/248-2664 or write to us at: Five Masonic Drive, Springfield, 455043658. Visit us at www.omhbef.org.
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WINTER 2011
Generosity
Thank You For Your
We offer our grateful appreciation to the estates, individuals, groups or other Masonic bodies who have supported The Ohio Masonic Home with gifts given between October 1 and November 3, 2010. $10,000 + Lindner, Carl & Edyth Miracle, Eleanore C. $5,000 - $9,999 Grand Chapter of Ohio, RAM Grand Lodge of Ohio, F&AM Moss, George K. Neal, Millie Schulze, Vivian H. Valley of Dayton, AASR $2,500 - $4,999 Grand Chapter of Ohio, OES Oberle, Betty H. Seifert, Dorothy T. & Myron T. $1,000 - $2,499 3rd Masonic District Association Arabic Club Foundation Arters, George D. & B.J. Coy, Richard L. Davis, Orlando W. Groveport Lodge #240, F&AM Hiram Lodge #18, F&AM Norwood Winton Carthage Lodge #576, F&AM Rubicon Lodge #237, F&AM Sine, Anna Laura Star Lodge #187, F&AM $500 - $999 19th Masonic District Association Allen Lodge #276, F&AM Guernsey Lodge #66, F&AM Kelly, Floyd Kilwinning Lodge #356, F&AM National Lodge #568, F&AM Nicholson, Gary, M.D. & Shirley Nickel, Charles A. North Bend Lodge #346, F&AM Pilgrim Lodge #691, F&AM Science Lodge #50, F&AM Sebring Lodge #626, F&AM Shadyside Lodge #724, F&AM Sharonville Lodge #204, F&AM Washington Lodge #17, F&AM West Gate Lodge #623, F&AM $100 - $499 Adrian, Charles L. Albin, Paul F. & Carol A. Bane, John R., Jr. Baxter, John A. Benjamin Franklin Lodge #719, F&AM
Black, Ross R., II & Linda Bolling, James C. & Phyllis S. Buckeye Lodge #150, F&AM Carl, Douglass S. Center Lodge #86, F&AM Charity Lodge #530, F&AM Charles T. Raymer-Covenant Lodge #683, F&AM Coleman, Carl R., M.D. College Hill-Harry S. Johnson Lodge #641, F&AM Collinwood Lodge #582, F&AM Cooper, Robert E. Creps, Michael R. Cunningham, John T. Dalton Lodge #578, F&AM DeVassie, Terry L. Elliott, Arlene & Philip R. Emery Lodge #258, F&AM Eureka Lodge #592, F&AM Flat Rock Lodge #580, F&AM Foote, Lowell C. Fouch, Edward L. & Carol Frecker, Alan L. Fultz, Martin J. Gage & Gavel Lodge #448, F&AM Gerard Lodge #428, F&AM Gibson Lodge #301, F&AM Green, David D. Groff, David T. Gross, Richard Grove, Joshua Jeremy Harkins, Daniel C. Haubert, David D. Hebron Lodge #116, F&AM Hicksville Lodge #478, F&AM Hochstettler, William H., III Holcomb, J. Robert & Antoinette Holmes, Terry D. Hovan, Richard G. Indian Lake Lodge #722, F&AM Irville Lodge #184, F&AM Jamestown Lodge #352, F&AM John W. Durst Lodge #716, F&AM Johnson, Owen E., M.D. & Joyce Jones, Alan W. & Sally B. Jones, Ernest L., Jr. Jurczyk, James A. Karth, Charles E. & Marjorie J. Kauffman, John Keffer, Thomas A. Kelly, Charles L Kopacka, Jeffrey N. Kreigh, Robert J. & Jean (French) Lattanner, C. Rolland & Joy G.
Leeman, Marion Liberty Center Lodge #518, F&AM Llewellyn, James C. Losasso, Donald L. & Theda Magnolia Lodge #20, F&AM May, Donald L. McCorkle, Leon M., Jr. McMillan Lodge #141, F&AM McNutt, Robert E. & Jean Mechanicsburg Lodge #113, F&AM Moore, R. Alden Napoleon Lodge #256, F&AM Nevada Lodge #343, F&AM New Holland Lodge #392, F&AM New Home Lodge #338, F&AM Nicholas, Henry E., Jr. Nims, Kenneth Oak Harbor Lodge #495, F&AM Ohio Grand Assembly, Order of the Rainbow For Girls Oxford Lodge #67, F&AM Park, Howard D. Parkside Lodge #736, F&AM Paulson, Edward E., Jr. Pickaway Lodge #23, F&AM Puskarich, Michael T. & Judy Robinson Locke Lodge #659, F&AM Salineville Lodge #348, F&AM Sarchione, John W. Schram, Gene E. Scio Lodge #587, F&AM Shank, Harold & Josephine Sherwood Lodge #620, F&AM Shiloh Lodge #544, F&AM Smith, Lois Smith, Michael South Point Lodge #497, F&AM Spriggs, Emily E. Strawn, Timothy B. & Lois K. Sunsbury Lodge #362, F&AM Taylor, Jesse Hudson The Order of the Red Cross of Constantine Valley Lodge #145, F&AM Valley of Cincinnati, AASR Van Wert Lodge #218, F&AM Waltz, Jeffrey P. Whitehall Lodge #761, F&AM William McKinley Lodge #431, F&AM Williams, Frank R. Wolf, Beulah & Karl J. Wright, Charles F. & Patricia A. Yoder, Glenn A.
WINTER 2011
15
BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
2655 W. National Road Springfield, Ohio 45504-3698 www.ohiomasonichome.org www.freemason.com
Strength
Stanley Evans Insures Board We rely on various forms of
insurance to protect us from events like theft, fire, illness and accidents. As a life-long insurance agent, Brother Stanley Evans (Tippecanoe #174) was in the business of providing this type of protection for his clients. As a member of the Springfield Masonic Community’s (SMC) board of trustees, he’s helping to ensure the comfort, health and happiness of Masonic community residents. Stanley graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1973 and returned to Tipp City to work in his family’s business, the Favorite Insurance Agency. A year later, his brother joined the agency. Together, they bought the business from their father, enabling their parents to retire to Florida. When his mother returned to Ohio in 1996, she chose the Masonic Home as her residence. She loved her independent living apartment, and was pleased to find both friendly residents and a caring staff. She and her sons were impressed by the community and the organization.
Also in 1996, Stanley began his term as a board member of the Brethren Retirement Community, a position he would hold for 13 years. When Worshipful Brother Dave Bannerman (Huber Heights #777), then CEO of The Ohio Masonic Home, learned that his friend Stanley was leaving the Brethren board, he relentlessly pursued Stanley, encouraging him to join the Springfield Masonic Community Board of Trustees. Brother Evans was convinced with only minor arm-twisting, becoming a member in 2009 and assuming his role as a member of the finance committee. It’s a position he was well qualified to fill, having also served on the board of a credit union and as a member of the finance committee for Edison College. Stanley says he’s amazed at the changes he’s seen in retirement living style, from a place to live out your final years in poor health to retirement facilities where residents enjoy years of active living and have a variety of housing options to choose from. He predicts that, in the future, retirement living facilities
Stanley Evans
will continue to shift their main focus from primarily providing medical beds to developing lively communities that support a more independent living style. However, he does see an increasing need for dementia care, such as that provided in SMC’s Pathways Center for Alzheimer’s Care. Stanley stays very busy, enjoying a mix of activities that include business, volunteer work and especially time with his children and his first grandchild. He also remains deeply involved in Masonic life. He was raised a Master Mason in 2003, is a member of Tippecanoe #307 OES and the Valley of Dayton, AASR. Members of The Ohio Masonic Home and its communities, especially Springfield Masonic Community, have a strong insurance policy protecting the integrity of our financial practices with Stanley Evans.
