A Mom, a Marine and a

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
O
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
2
WINTER 2011
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
•
Employer of Choice
Goal: Empower our employees through intentional
and transparent interactions to allow our vision to
flourish and grow
•
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
3
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
4
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.
WINTER 2011
5
Pioneer
Brother Honored as
in Laparoscopic Surgery
M
“
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.”
6
WINTER 2011
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.
WINTER 2011
7
O
U
R
S
E
R
V
Local
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
8
WINTER 2011
C
E
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.
I
“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
9
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.
10
WINTER 2011
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
11
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.”
12
WINTER 2011
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
13
BeFriend
FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
BeActive
By Right Worshipful Brother Timothy B. Strawn, CAE, President,
The OMH Benevolent Endowment Foundation
O
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.
14
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.