VOLUME 17, ISSUE 1
January/February 2010
BEACON A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME
Congressman Bob Latta Continues Half Century of Masonic Heritage in Ohio By George Braatz, PGM
W
hen it comes to public service, Freemasons have been solidly in the forefront in one region in northern Ohio. For nearly 51 consecutive years – from 1959 to the present – the 5th Congressional District has been represented in Washington, D.C., by Master Masons. Robert E. “Bob” Latta, of Bowling Green and a member of Wood County Lodge #112, has been a U.S. Congressman since December, 2007. The 5th Congressional District, which he represents, is the second largest in Ohio and includes 16 counties. Brother Latta’s father is Delbert Latta, who served the same District for 29 years, from 1959 until his retirement in 1988. He, too, is
U.S. Congressman Robert E. “Bob” Latta
Get Caught Up With New, Improved Web Sites
The Ohio Masonic Home and its family of campuses and services are starting 2010 in a fresh way with redesigned and improved web sites.
It’s now more convenient and user friendly to find the latest information from each organization. Continued on page 8
a member of Wood County Lodge and a 33rd Degree member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Toledo. At age 89, he is a 63-year Mason. When the elder Brother Latta decided to retire, he endorsed his son to replace him. However, Bob Latta lost the election to Paul E. Gillmor. Brother Gillmor, of Old Fort, was a member of Oliver H. Perry Lodge #341 in Port Clinton and was a 33rd Degree Mason. He served in Congress for nearly 20 years. After his unexpected death in September, 2007, the younger Brother Latta was elected to the Congressional seat. Brother Latta has the utmost respect for Freemasonry and what it stands for. He learned the respect from his father, “that we should live the lifestyle of a Freemason, taking care of others and always doing the right thing.” Continued on page 3
In This Issue: Keeping the Light Burning ...................4 Writing a New Life Chapter .................5 Hands To Help in All Directions ...........6 Masonic Model ...................................7 Bicentennial Prints & Photos ..............11 Debt of Freedom...............................13
We Are the Stewards of Freemasonry By Terry W. Posey, Grand Master
Occasionally, I will see emails and
hear phone calls by uninformed brethren complaining about “Grand Lodge” doing something they are unhappy with. Who is the Grand Lodge? That answer is easy. The 511 Ohio Lodges and the 106,500 Ohio Masons are the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge is not the Advisory Committee or the Past Grand Masters or the District Deputy Grand Masters or the Masters of the lodges or the Grand Lodge Officers. It is our membership. Who owns the Grand Lodge? Who owns Freemasonry? Who owns our rituals, our history, our fraternity? These questions are rhetorical. The answer, of course, is no one owns them. We are stewards. We occupy this space as stewards of Freemasonry. An author once said that service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy in this world. In our case, we are holding companies,
The Beacon is published bi-monthly 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. Brett Turner, Manager of Marketing and Communications The Ohio Masonic Home 2655 W. National Road Springfield, OH 45504-3698 937/525-3025 bturner@ohiomasonichome.org 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
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holding Freemasonry for the next generation. We are improving it, we are making it available, we are contributing to it and we are continuing it. Occasionally some Brethren decide not to improve it or contribute to it, but instead try to take from it. Those brethren have lost their way. They have decided to turn their back on their obligation and on their history and on those who have gone before us. Those brethren are not “innovators” or the “new breed” or anyone we should look up to. They have left Freemasonry worse than they found it and they have left their community and mankind worse than they found it. They are not heroes. They are, in some cases, thieves of our heritage. Disdain them.
Terry W. Posey, Grand Master
You might have heard me speaking of a very smart friend of mine, who said in 1997 (when he and I were much younger): “The worst thing about being a younger man in an older man’s organization is that you bury your friends.” I have been to way too many Masonic funerals for Brethren who have kept the faith, who have kept their working tools clean and sharp and have built the bridge for those to come, much as in the poem to the left. THE BRIDGE BUILDER This year, I am trying By Will Allen Dromgoole to keep an online “blog” of the various An old man, going a lone highway, Masonic events that I Came at the evening cold and gray, attend. (http://gmohio. To a chasm, vast and deep and wide, blogspot.com) I spend Through which was flowing a sullen tide. a considerable amount The old man crossed in the twilight dimof time working on That sullen stream had no fears for him; Grand Lodge business. But he turned, when he reached the other side, However, the blog will And built a bridge to span the tide. not include meetings “Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim near, of an ordinary nature, “You are wasting strength in building here. phone calls, emails and Your journey will end with the ending day; other events that would You never again must pass this way. not be newsworthy. I You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide, do hope you will Why build you the bridge at the eventide?” follow my blog and share in some of the The builder lifted his old gray head. many highlights of this “Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said, Masonic year. “There followeth after me today May God continue A youth whose feet must pass this way. to keep you in the palm This chasm that has been naught to me of his hand. To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be. He, too, must cross in the twilight dim; Good friend, I am building the bridge for him.”
A Year of Transitions, a Future of Promise By Worshipful Brother Wm. David Bannerman, Chief Executive Officer, The Ohio Masonic Home
We are proud that The Ohio
Masonic Home offers some of the strongest retirement communities and in-home care services in Ohio. Our Foundation is the source of that strength. We have dedicated trustees and employees working to ensure great care to our present residents and clients. And we are looking at
the most effective ways to care for future residents and clients. To meet such needs, last year, we reduced the size of the Springfield Community skilled nursing operations. We also offered an early retirement option to many of our long-time employees. Many took advantage of the offer. We appreciate their work over the years and helping us provide great care, wish them success in their new endeavors. We were pleased to be able to replace
many of those who retired by promoting from within. Many of our leadership positions are filled with employees who gained experience under those who’ve retired. Those who moved up are excited to continue to serve you and offer fresh ideas in moving our organization into the future. We still have dozens of employees with 15 or more years of service with us. When you visit, you will find many familiar faces, in new positions. Other changes will allow us to expand our Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice services and accept new sources of referrals for our Helping Hands services. We encourage you to come visit us and meet our staff. We welcome you. Ohio Masonic Home CEO Dave Bannerman and wife Anita greet Springfield Masonic Community resident Rufus Dickson at the campus Christmas event in December.
Congressman Bob Latta Continues Half Century of Masonic Heritage in Ohio continued from page 1 In some of his recent visits across the Congressional District, he said he sees vividly the “disaster” of unemployment. While working in the National Capitol on ways to solve this problem, he also suggests that there is a role for Masons. “We should look for those in need in our communities and do what we can to assist them, including finding or creating new jobs.” A native of Bluffton, Brother Latta is a graduate of Bowling Green State University and received his law degree from the University of Toledo. Before entering politics, he worked in private legal practice. He served as a Wood County
Commissioner from 1991 to 1997. He then was elected to the Ohio Senate, serving from 1997 to 2001. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representative from 2001 to 2007. While a member of Ohio’s state legislature, he worked with other Masons in the General Assembly for passage of tax relief legislation for Lodges in the state. “The lessons learned in Freemasonry should have a very important role in each of our lives. We should take these tenets to heart and remember them in our actions each day,” he said. Brother Latta’s wife, Marcia, who is also a Bowling Green
State University graduate, is the interim vice president of university advancement at BGSU. They have two daughters. Brother Latta knows well the routine of a Congressman – working in the District of Columbia during the week and flying home to be with family on the weekends. In his late teenage years, Bob used to be the driver, who took his father, Del, to the airport very early on Monday mornings, and picked him up on the weekends. It is a father-son tradition that has continued for a half century.
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Keeping the Light Burning Cornerstone Home Health and
Hospice celebrated its first year as part of The Ohio Masonic Home’s Masonic Senior Services family by celebrating the memory of those who passed away in 2009. Cornerstone held its first Keep the Light Burning Memorial Service on Dec. 21 outside its office in Urbana. Despite the chilly evening that first day of winter, the glow of candle light and the memory of loved ones warmed hearts. Families and friends of Cornerstone clients whose loved ones passed away during the year were invited to commemorate their lives along with Cornerstone staff. The ceremony was led by Joe Flora, Cornerstone’s chaplain, and Mary Lough, Cornerstone’s president. It was highlighted by the lighting of candles to commemorate loved ones and the lighting of a Christmas tree. Special hand-made ornaments were given to attendees to mark the occasion as it closed with the singing of Silent Night and a prayer.
The event was rounded out with hot chocolate, cookies and fellowship in the comfort and warmth of the Cornerstone office. The holidays can be a tough time for some people, especially those who have lost loved ones. This inspired the Cornerstone staff to action. “We’re proud to serve families and this is our way of celebrating that and letting them know they aren’t alone
A Christmas tree was lit to memorialize those who passed away in 2009.
in what they are going through,” said Mary. As a further gesture of remembrance, Cornerstone staff plans to plant a blue Spruce Christmas tree in memory of former hospice patients on the Springfield Masonic Community campus in the future. Cornerstone president Mary Lough watches as attendees light a candle to memorialize their loved one during the Keep the Light Burning Memorial Service on Dec. 21 at the Cornerstone office in Urbana.
Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice offers in-home care needs to people in Clark, Champaign and Logan counties. For more information, call 877/684-5710 or go to www.cornerstonehealthcare.org.
Mad River Lodge Thinks Out-of-the-Box for Education Mad River Lodge #161, West Liberty, Ohio has recently changed its college scholarship program to a financial aid program that assists juvenile offenders at the Central Ohio Youth Center (COYC) to earn their GED. “Our $500 scholarship was able to buy about a semester’s worth of books for one student,” explained Larry Lance, secretary of Mad River Lodge. “However, with that same amount, we are now able
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to sponsor 12½ students in the GED program. It just might be that this could be the deciding factor that helps these young people to turn their lives around. Wouldn’t that be awesome!” COYC is a secure, 38-bed district juvenile detention facility located
in Marysville, Ohio. The Correctional Treatment Unit (CTU) is a 90-day program for chronic juvenile offenders. Residents are required to attend year-round educational classes. COYC instituted a General Educational Development (GED) Testing component into its school program in October 2003. Juveniles sentenced to the CTU can prepare for and take the GED test during their stay.
Writing a New Life Chapter Antoinette (Toni) Holcomb is
writing her own second act. This Springfield Masonic Community garden villa resident is completing her Master’s Degree thesis in English and preparing for a new career – as an author. Completing her Master’s Degree at The University of Texas at Brownsville with her Oral Defense slated for February, Toni began her graduate education in the Fall of 2006. Having an active retiree lifestyle has helped her to have the time to complete her degree. Toni and husband Bob lived and owned a business in Springfield for nearly 40 years, spending the last five years in Bob’s native Texas. They moved to a garden villa home on the Springfield campus last May, where they’ve picked up their energetic pace. Bob is a member of St. Andrews Lodge #619 and Toni is a member of Home City Chapter #258, Eastern Star, in Springfield and they were frequent visitors to the Springfield campus. The Holcombs recall watching the first villas being built in the late 1980s, and later, Toni’s mom was a resident for 10 years. With friends already living there, Springfield Masonic Community seemed like a natural place to make their next home. Without the concerns of home maintenance and upkeep, the Holcombs can concentrate on their
A Thanksgiving Tradition Since 1948 One hundred and fifty Master Masons gathered at Hicksville Lodge #478 at 6 am on Thanksgiving
Toni Holcomb works on her master’s thesis in her home office at her Springfield Masonic Community garden villa home. She is completing her master’s this winter.
goals and activities with Toni’s involvement with the Clark County Master Gardeners, her researching and socializing with Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Red Hat Society on campus. Bob helps with marketing ideas, and as a financial planner/advisor to select clients. Whereas some people may be intimidated by returning to school to complete a Masters Degree, Toni was energized by it. She’s enjoyed the convenience of sharing ideas online and doing everything outside the conventional classroom setting. Toni’s thesis is on The Narrative Strategies of the Twelfth Century Marie de France, who was an English poet. She’ll present it to a thesis board of five PhDs in February and is excited that this is to be her first published work. Some people are surprised Toni is seeking a Masters Degree and ask what she wants to do with
the degree, for which she already has plans – to write books, with the first aimed at children on Marie de France. “I’d like to entice young ones to believe that they can be successful in any endeavor that they choose. During the 1100s in a militaristic and male dominated England, Marie de France, a female, successfully wrote, was published, and is being recognized as a legitimate author.” Toni would also like to write genealogy books, starting with one on her own family. This marks just part of an exciting time for Toni and Bob, who enjoy bringing their youthful, energetic side to their new community. Toni also wants to be a resident ambassador to share her enthusiasm of the campus with prospective residents and visitors.
morning to enjoy a hearty breakfast and to raise a new Master Mason – a tradition observed annually since 1948.
Sixteen other Ohio Lodges, ten Indiana Lodges, one Michigan Lodge and one in Maine were also represented.
Fifty seven members of Hicksville Lodge were in attendance, including Brother Robert L. Stotler, a Past Master, who has attended every Thanksgiving Day raising.
This special meeting also provided an opportunity for the presentation of service awards ranging from 35 to 60 years.
For more information on Springfield Masonic Community, call 888/290-2664 or visit us at www.springfieldmasoniccommunity.org.
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Hands To Help in All Directions Alvin and Juanita Harmon are
eager to become residents at Springfield Masonic Community. As the Harmons try to sell their current home, the Springfield marketing team and Masonic Helping Hands are working together to make the transition easier. The Springfield couple has been interested in an independent lifestyle for a while, touring the campus, making plans and working toward the move. The economy and slow housing market have slowed the process.
Juanita and Alvin Harmon learn about the many options Masonic Helping Hands offers from companion Teressica Phillips. The Harmons are receiving Helping Hands services in their present home as they work toward moving to Springfield Masonic Community.
Alvin, a member of Champion Lodge #15 of Prince Hall, said the support he and Juanita are receiving has kept them upbeat rather than upset. With health concerns limiting some of what they can do for themselves, the Harmons needed some help. Alvin is a retired pastor, and some of his congregation helped keep up their home over the warmer months. Springfield Masonic Community marketing representative Brian Clayborn suggested the services of Masonic Helping Hands, the in-home, non-medical service offered to people who want to remain independent in their own home, to help the Harmons’ needs. Masonic Helping Hands serves clients in the greater Dayton/ Springfield, Cincinnati and Toledo areas. The Harmons received an early holiday gift on Christmas Eve when
companion Teressica Phillips came to do some general housework. Having this type of help relieves the Harmons of some of their concerns. “This is wonderful to have this available to us as we wait to sell our home,” said Juanita. The prospect of not having such a large home and yard to manage is one of the appeals of moving to Springfield Masonic Community for the Harmons. The similar principles between the ministry and Freemasonry attracted Alvin to join Champion Lodge. He sees those values reflected by Masonic Helping Hands and Springfield Masonic Community. “It’s very clean, everybody is friendly, it’s well managed and no hassles,” said Alvin. “This is the kind of atmosphere we want to be a part of. We’ve met a lot of nice people during this process.” Helping Hands companions have also helped on the Springfield campus recently with a transition of some of the skilled nursing residents to a new building. Call 877/564-0210 to get started or for more information, visit our web site www.masonichelpinghands.org.
Harold Potter Installed Master of Hart’s Grove Lodge at Age 99 On December 4. 2009, Harold Potter was installed as
Worshipful Master of Hart’s Grove #397. Grand Master Terry W. Posey, Deputy Grand Master Bradford A. Goebel and Grand Tyler Clifford P. Koss were present along with approximately 130 Master Masons and guests. On February 5, 2010, Worshipful Master Potter will turn 100 years old and may be the oldest Freemason to serve as Master of an Ohio Masonic Lodge. Additionally, Worshipful Master Potter and his son Howard Potter were presented their 50 year service pins by the Grand Master. The Potters were raised to the degree of Master Mason on the same night in 1960.
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Grand Master Terry W. Posey congratulates Worshipful Master Harold Potter (wearing top hat) and his son Howard Potter for 50 years of service.
Wood County Lodge Raises Three Master Masons, Each of a Different Faith The Entered Apprentice degree
states that “Freemasonry unites men of every country, sect, and opinion.” On December 12, 2009, Wood County Lodge #112 demonstrated that truth by conferring the sublime degree of Master Mason on three young men of different faiths. One was obligated on the Christian Bible, one on the Muslim Quran, and one on the Jewish Tanakh. Over the last several years, Wood County Lodge has welcomed a variety of new members. Some are college students, some are area residents, others are Masons who have moved into the area. Although they vary in terms of age, profession, faith, and ethnicity, they all share a steadfast belief that it is indeed good and pleasant for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is important, especially now, for Freemasons to look beyond superficial differences and embrace the larger truth: the brotherhood of mankind under the fatherhood of almighty God.
From left: Bashir Handous, Joseph Edens, Worshipful Master David Browning, Senior Grand Deacon Robert Rill, Jr., Ron Sayre
“We have realized our diversity is increasing and when these three particular men petitioned the Lodge at almost the same time it seemed appropriate to demonstrate the principle tenet of brotherhood by conferring the sublime degree of Master Mason for each of them on the same day. It didn’t surprise us that all three candidates and
the Brethren of the Lodge were in complete agreement,” said David Browning, Master of the Lodge. Three back to back degrees made for a long but truly delightful day of Masonry. Wood County Lodge is delighted to have these new members and the diversity they bring with them.
Masonic Model Presented at Ohio Prevention & Education Conference On November 18, 2009, Dr. John Bearoff and Mark Bernardin presented the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program to a room full of Ohio’s prevention specialists at the Ohio Prevention and Education Conference. The group was introduced to the Masonic Model, and they were able to guide one of their schoolchildren through an abbreviated version of the intervention process. The Masonic Model is a threeday, intensive seminar that trains
school faculty and staff to identify and intervene with at-risk youth. This training is provided free of charge by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Masonic Model Training Schedule • January 26-28, 2010 (Columbus) • February 23-25, 2010 (Dayton) • April 13-15, 2010 (Cleveland) To learn more about the Masonic Model, including how local schools can participate, visit www.freemason.com/mmsap. January/February 2010
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George Washington Masonic National Memorial Celebrates Centennial On February 22, 2010, Freemasons from across the United State will gather in Alexandria, Virginia to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. To commemorate this important milestone, the Memorial Association has fostered the creation of the White House Stones Exhibit, which will be inaugurated on February 22. Each stone in the exhibit is marked by one of the Scots Masons who helped build the White House in the 1790s. The stones were discovered during the restoration of the White House in 1948, and President Harry S. Truman, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, sent one of these stones to each U.S. Grand Lodge and other Masonic organizations. The Exhibit reassembles nearly 50 stones,
including the stone from the Grand Lodge of Ohio’s museum collection. The exhibit will also include minute books from Lodge #8 of Edinburgh, Scotland recording the stonemasons’ marks and noting those who have “gone to America.” A matching Minute Book of Federal Lodge #1 will show those Scots Masons forming a Lodge in 1793 on White House grounds. Also on display will be the trowel and gavel used at the 1793 cornerstone laying of the United States Capitol by George Washington and the 1752 Fredericksburg Lodge #4 Bible upon which a young Washington took upon himself his Masonic obligations. In honor of the centennial, the Conference of Grand Masters of North America will be held in Arlington. Delegates will attend the Memorial Association’s Annual
Meeting and celebrate the 100th Anniversary and Washington’s 278th birthday at the Memorial. Following the Annual Meeting, the International Order of DeMolay will rededicate the colossal bronze statue of George Washington in Memorial Hall and reaffirm the role of DeMolay in Freemasonry. The statue was a gift to the Memorial from the DeMolay and 2010 marks the 60th Anniversary of its unveiling by President Truman. To learn more, visit the Memorial’s web site: www.gwmemorial.org.
Get Caught Up With New, Improved Web Sites continued from page 1 In addition to The Ohio Masonic Home, www.ohiomasonichome.org, you can find individual pages for: Springfield Masonic Community, www.springfieldmasoniccommunity.org Browning Masonic Community, www.browningmasoniccommunity.org Western Reserve Masonic Community, www.westernreservemasoniccommunity.org I-CARE, www.mssohio.org Masonic Helping Hands, www.masonichelpinghands.org Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice, www.cornerstonehealthcare.org
New and convenient features on each site allow users to find out about housing and service options, key contact information, event calendars and much more. On the campus sites, you’ll find virtual tours of the villa homes and apartments, and an interactive floor plan tool to arrange furniture and other amenities that can be printed to share with family and friends. Find out which I-CARE coordinator serves your area, or the areas Masonic Helping Hands and Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice are serving and what their latest services include. The Benevolent Endowment Foundation page shows the many ways you can make a gift and the advantages of doing so along with the latest campaigns and information on events like the Jim Perry Legends Golf Classic.
The Benevolent Endowment Foundation, You’ll find the latest news from each organization, see photos from www.omhbef.org events and much more. Visit the sites frequently to see what’s new and different. It’s one of the many ways The Ohio Masonic Home Each site is easily accessible from the other is serving Masons, their wives and widows and those of affiliated sites. Icons are located at the bottom of organizations and the general public wherever they want to live. each page of every site.
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Chimers Ring in First Year
Members of the Rainbow Chimers along with other members of the Western Reserve Masonic Community chimers club, perform their first concert for families in the campus chapel in December.
The Rainbow Chimers are adding
color to Western Reserve Masonic Community. The recently formed group is made up of skilled nursing residents playing hand chimes. Roberta Gifford, executive assistant at Western Reserve and director of the campus independent living chime choir, stumbled onto the new program in a prophetic way. While searching web sites for ideas for her chimers, Roberta came across a site that talked about how hand chimes can benefit people with Alzheimer’s and dementia issues. Intrigued, Roberta then contacted a Western Reserve resident’s daughter, who works as a music therapist in Cleveland.
The process works with a series of flip charts in various colors, the inspiration for the rainbow name. You don’t have to be able to read music, but the colors are a code to which notes to play. The process helps keep memories and minds active by following along. Residents with dementia would benefit most from such a system, as well as other residents who enjoy music. Roberta said she’s impressed with the great strides the chimers have made in a short time. Members of the independent living chime choir assist with the new group. She knew the program was a success recently when some of her
chimers left a movie early because they didn’t want to miss out on their rehearsal time. The Rainbow Chimers had their first concert in December for families. Roberta admits she didn’t know what to expect and the result was amazing. Families brought cameras and the response was overwhelmingly positive according to Roberta. Western Reserve Masonic Community president Jay Dettorre told Roberta the performance was one of the most moving things he’d seen. Roberta said she’s working with skilled nursing staff to identify residents who could benefit from playing in the group, as well as planning the next concert. It will be in February for the entire Western Reserve campus. “Seeing our folks waving and having a good time makes me grateful I am able to work with them and grateful our campus provides things like chimes. This program is a win-win for all.” For more information on Western Reserve Masonic Community, call 866/433-1514 or visit our web site at www.westernreservemasonic community.org.
Freemasonry – It’s All in the Family The raising of Brother Stephen L. Kern to the degree of Master Mason on December 17, 2009 was very much a family affair at College Hill Harry S. Johnson Lodge #641. His grandfathers, Herb Kern and Joseph Unthank; uncles, Christopher and Jeff Kern; and great uncle Arthur Haynes all participated in the degree work. From left: Arthur Hayes, Herb Kern, Stephen Kern, Joseph Unthank. Back row: Christopher Kern, Jeff Kern January/February 2010
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Taking Care of Their Own One of the most gratifying parts
of an I-CARE coordinator’s job is identifying someone who could use assistance and watching them benefit. There’s an added sense of satisfaction when there’s a challenge involved as South Central Ohio coordinator Deb Dunseath found recently. An elderly Mason in her area who kept mostly to himself had fellow lodge members concerned. Following an I-CARE presentation at their lodge, a member approached Deb about the man. It was important timing considering many people don’t contact the I-CARE program for help until they reach a crisis point. The Mason would soon be faced with such a situation. Deb visited the Mason for an assessment and found him in need of help. She offered to make referrals for home health, but the man refused due to pride and financial concerns.
Living alone in a small house in a vast, remote area with no immediate family close, the man learned to be self-reliant. But at an advanced age with health concerns, it was obvious he couldn’t continue this way. He had a small support system in his lodge brothers, who checked in on him from time to time, but they knew he needed more. It reached a critical point last fall when the Mason broke his pelvis. He was trying to gather firewood on his property and fell. He made it back to his house and waited two days until someone checked on him and took him to the hospital. The Mason’s physician suggested a nursing facility, but the man refused, opting to stay in his home to recover. When his lodge brothers learned, they responded with visits and food and made sure his needs were taken care of. “The men at his lodge are doing a great job of making sure this man is being looked after,” said Deb.
With that type of concern from lodge members and Deb’s frequent check-ins, the Mason is being taken care of and still maintaining his pride. He gladly acknowledges this. “There are three major things that I did right in my life: Being born, marrying my wife and joining the Masons,” he said. I-CARE is available to senior Masons, their wives, widows, Eastern Star members and members of affiliated bodies. For more information, call 866/286-0010 or visit our web site www.mssohio.org.
Ohio Masonic Home Scholarship Application Deadline Approaching
The application deadline for The Ohio Masonic Home Scholarship Program for the 2010-2011 school year is April 1, 2010. Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for consideration: • Have graduated from a high school or passed the GED. • Have made satisfactory academic progress in the
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preceding academic year (if applicable) as indicated by completion of required credit hours and a grade point average of at least 2.3 on a 4.0 scale. • Be at least 16 but not more than 25 years of age at the time of application. • Be accepted to or currently enrolled in a college or university on a full-time basis. • Have a Masonic membership, or affiliation by establishing that the applicant or the applicant’s father, step-father, grandfather, or step-grandfather is or was a Mason in good standing at the time of death of a body
recognized by the Grand Lodge of F.&A.M. Beginning this year, Masons who are students may also apply with proper documentation. Upon meeting the above criteria, applicants must complete a four-page application form. Forms are available at The Ohio Masonic Home’s web site, www.ohiomasonichome.org under the Resources directory. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For more information or questions, contact John White at 800/564-9016 or FAP@ohiomasonichome.org.
A Leader in Several Ways Dave Subleski’s leadership is
evident in many places in 2010. He’s the president at Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Master of Rubicon Lodge #237 and recently joined the Board of Directors of the Waterville Chamber of Commerce. Although these commitments means a lot of time and dedication,
Browning Masonic Community President Dave Subleski
Dave sees each can benefit the others. Although the smallest of The Ohio Masonic Home’s three retirement campuses, Dave is helping Browning transform from the best kept secret in Waterville. “Being smaller has its advantages,” said Dave. “We can adapt more readily to changing consumer needs and the relationships we develop with residents and families are special.” Dave credits a dedicated staff, board of trustees and Ohio Masonic Home support in helping its success. He has a lot of pride in hearing competitors speak of Browning as a well recognized and favorably viewed community. In becoming the Master of Rubicon Lodge, Dave said he was following in the footsteps of great leaders, encouraging him to add to the legacy. “Most of all, this allows me to give something back to the lodge for all it has given me,” said Dave. “In my six years with the fraternity,
I have learned quite a few things. Freemasonry is truly a life-long journey.” An opportunity to represent Browning and Rubicon in the community led to Dave’s accepting a trustee position with the Waterville Chamber of Commerce. Dave’s professional experiences will help aid him on the two committees he’s on, involving membership and fundraising. While three important duties seem like a lot to handle, Dave has a lot to keep him grounded. He said that stems from a strong work ethic instilled by his dad. “I could not accomplish much of anything without my faith in God and the support of my bride, Joyce and our four children.” Dave and Joyce became grandparents for the first time recently and he said that’s what puts everything into its proper perspective. For information on Browning Masonic Community, call 866/878-4055; or go to www.browningmasoniccommunity.org.
Bicentennial Prints & Photos Still Available Prints of the painting, “From Whence We Came,” commissioned for the Bicentennial are available for order from the Grand Lodge Office, 800/292-6092. The painting is the creation of Washington, D.C. artist Peter Waddell. Unsigned prints are available for $100 and signed prints for $200. Matting and framing services are available upon request. The prints are professionally produced on high quality paper, measuring 36” x 24.” The painting depicts the March 1, 1789 meeting at the Bunch of
Company established the town of Marietta, the first American settlement in what would become the state of Ohio.
Grapes Tavern that lead to the formation of the Ohio Company of Associates, four of whose leaders were Freemasons. The Ohio
Panoramic photos of the reenactment of the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Ohio Statehouse are available from the photographer, Joe Strausbough, 937/974-4768. The photos measure 10” x 24” and cost $25 each, which includes shipping. Photo #1 shows the Statehouse in the background, and photo #2 is taken from the Statehouse steps and has High Street in the background. These photos are great mementos of the Bicentennial of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. January/February 2010
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Akron Beacon Journal Thanks Summit County Freemasons (The following is reprinted from a column written by Jewell Cardwell and published in the Akron Beacon Journal on December 26, 2009.)
Major and endless thanks to more
than 50 Summit County Freemasons and caring community members who assembled and delivered 100 food baskets and certificates to area families in need last Sunday. ‘’The effort is part of the charitable work of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in Ohio,’’ said Robert L. Jamison, secretarytreasurer, Symbolic Lodge Officers Association. ‘’The Masonic Assistance Program is a year-round outreach by Summit County Blue Lodges and the Scottish and York Rite bodies and is designed to assist those in need.’’ Huge holiday food baskets – which included a ham, potatoes,
a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, cans of soup, fruit, bread and more – were delivered to families in Summit, Portage, Medina, Cuyahoga, Stark, Wayne and Tuscarawas counties. Some of the families were nominated by myself, others by area churches, the Salvation Army, social service agencies, members of the Masonic fraternity and included military veterans who require assistance. ‘’This effort, which began over 19 years ago as a Christmas food basket program – has expanded to a larger year-round helpful initiative,’’ said Ernie Spencer, event chair. ‘’It is consistent with the foundational beliefs of
Opportunities for More Light The internet, the History Channel, and even local books stores seem to abound with information about Freemasonry – some accurate and much that is not. Ohio Freemasons have three great opportunities to receive vetted information about Freemasonry by becoming members of the Ohio Lodge of Research, the Philalethes Society, and the Masonic Society. The Ohio Lodge of Research was created by the Grand Lodge in 1965 to foster Masonic study and research among Ohio Freemasons. The Lodge of Research meets three times a year as the guest of local Lodges. These meetings provide a forum for members to present research papers and to discuss them. The cost of membership is $7.50 a year. To learn more about the Ohio Lodge of Research, contact Norman Lincoln, nlincoln@woh.rr.com.
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The Philalethes Society was founded on October 1, 1928 by Freemasons desirous of seeking and spreading Masonic light. In 1946, The Philalethes magazine was established to publish articles by and for its members. Each issue includes articles for Entered Apprentices,
Fellow Crafts, and Master Masons in addition to articles of more general Masonic interest. The magazine consists of 44 pages and is published quarterly. Membership, which includes the magazine subscription, costs $50. Information about the Philalethes Society can be found at www.freemasonry.org.
Freemasons, which are brotherly love, relief and truth . . . ‘’In addition to food donations, the 116,000 Freemasons in Ohio provide approximately $15 million in charitable giving annually. This year they gave $94,000 in college scholarships, contributed $125,000 to Special Olympics Ohio Summer Games, and funded $70,000 in free training for hundreds of Ohio school teachers to recognize students at non-academic risk. They also provided $12 million in elderly care and helped many needy Ohio families and individuals through their Charitable Foundation.’’
Founded in 2008, The Masonic Society is the newest of the three research organizations. The goal of the society is not just to look backward at the history of Freemasonry but to foster the intellectual, spiritual and social growth of the modern Masonic fraternity. The society also publishes a quarterly magazine, The Journal of the Masonic Society, which features articles written by Freemasons and members of the academic community. Membership, including a subscription to the magazine, costs $39. Additional information is available at http://themasonicsociety.com. The importance of improving oneself in Masonry is a lesson stressed to every Entered Apprentice. Membership in any or all of these Masonic research organizations is a reliable means of accomplishing that goal.
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FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
Resolve To Make A Difference By Right Worshipful Brother Timothy B. Strawn, CAE, President, The OMH Benevolent Endowment Foundation
By this point in a new year, most of
us have either abandoned our New Year’s resolutions or are working hard to make them a regular part of our lives. While everyone has his or her own list, may I be so bold as to suggest a New Year’s resolution, even now, that can easily “fit” for all of us: Resolve to make a difference in someone’s life. That, of course, is what The Ohio Masonic Home, now the Springfield Masonic Community, has been doing since 1895: making a difference in people’s lives. For many years, only for “…worthy distressed Master Masons, their wives, widows and orphaned children.” While we haven’t served children on our campus since the mid-1950s, we continue to serve Master Masons, their wives and widows plus a larger part of the Masonic family and now, also, people from the general community. But we could never have begun this honorable and humbling task, nor continued it, if it hadn’t been for individuals, groups and units who resolved to make a difference in others’ lives. Take, for instance, the Worshipful Master of York Lodge #563 who, sixty plus years ago, created a fund
to which brethren contributed as they passed through the refreshment line after lodge. That fund, affectionately named the “Doghouse Fund,” has for each of those years provided a cash gift to every resident of The Home (now to every health care and assisted living resident), delivered personally by members of the lodge on a Sunday afternoon in December. Not only the fund but those personal visits certainly make a difference in many lives. Just ask the lodge members who present the gifts to residents about the impact the gift makes. Or the brethren of the 2nd District who for many years provided a similar Christmastime cash remembrance to our residents, also via personal delivery on a December Sunday afternoon. Participants in those visits can also attest to the difference those gifts and visits made to our residents. Or the Shrine, Eastern Star and Scottish Rite choruses who made pilgrimages to the campus at different times throughout the year and over the years to perform and bring cheer to the residents. Or the Grand Masters and Grand Lodge officers who have, for a number of years, made several trips
Masonic Family holiday cheer and comforts of home in the form of a free breakfast to Cooks Up Holiday their local police and firefighters who had to work over the holiday. Cheer for First Tim is a Past Master of Benjamin Franklin Lodge #719 in Hamilton, Responders and he and his wife are members The delicious aroma of home cooking filled the kitchen and dining room of the Masonic Lodge in Hamilton, Ohio on Christmas Eve night and Christmas morning. Kathy and Tim Rork, along with friends and family, provided some
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of the Order of the Eastern Star. Breakfast included eggs, sausage, bacon, potato cakes, donuts, and coffee. Because their guests were working, the Rorks had to make most of the meals “to go.”
a year to the campus (for Home Day, Thanksgiving, the residents’ Christmas party and the annual Widows Dinner) to visit with and honor the residents. Or the York Rite bodies who visit annually in the summer with a worship service and picnic for the residents. Or the Worthy Grand Matron and OES Grand Chapter Officers who present her annual tea for the resident members of the Order. Or the young men of Ohio DeMolay who, for years, have visited the home on a Sunday in May, presenting a worship service and message showcasing leaders of tomorrow. Or the numerous lodges that have brought degree casts to the campus over the years to present the several lodge degrees for the resident brethren so they wouldn’t lose touch with the fraternity which made their care here possible. Or the thousands of donors and supporters over the years who have made current gifts and estate gifts to provide the compassionate care all our residents receive. All of these, and many more not listed here, have made a difference in our residents’ lives. We invite you to resolve to make a difference in someone’s life this year in any way you can. And, in so doing, may you find the warmth and blessing of not only true caring for another but also fulfillment of your fraternal obligation. For more information about this program or to make a gift to it, contact the Foundation toll free at 888/248-2664 or write to us at: Five Masonic Drive, Springfield, 45504-3658. Visit us at our new web site: www.omhbef.org.
Thank You For Your Generosity 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 30, 2009. $10,000 + Brister, Charles E. Christy, Charles W. Herd, Doris R. Mueller, Mildred B. Perry, Walter Edward, Jr. Sackett, Floris A. $5,000 - $9,999 Clow, Bud Grand Chapter of Ohio, RAM Moss, George K. Pohler, Louise G. Seifert, Dorothy T. & Myron T. $2,500 - $4,999 Bowyer, Dallas W. & Helen B. Grand Commandery of Ohio, KT Hackett, Gregory P. Hiram Lodge #18, F&AM Oberle, Betty H. Schulze, Vivian H. Sheeler, Howard M. Valley of Columbus, AASR $1,000 - $2,499 Arters, George D. & B.J. Cypress Lodge #604, F&AM Davis, Orlando W. Groveport Lodge #240, F&AM Muntz, Inez M. National Lodge #568, F&AM Newark Lodge #97, F&AM Old Erie Lodge #3, F&AM Rubicon Lodge #237, F&AM Sine, Anna Laura St. Andrews Lodge #619, F&AM Wick Lodge #481, F&AM $500 - $999 Acacia Lodge #651, F&AM Anonymous Bolivar Lodge #82, F&AM Far Hills Lodge #784, F&AM Fielding Lodge #192, F&AM Johnson, Owen E., M.D. & Joyce Kelly, Floyd McCoy, David Nickel, Charles A. Norwood Winton Carthage Lodge #576, F&AM Scenters, James W., Sr. & Ruth A. Shadyside Lodge #724, F&AM Shrive, Harold George Solar Lodge #730, F&AM Sylvania Pyramid Lodge #287, F&AM Washington Lodge #17, F&AM Western Sun Lodge #91, F&AM
William H. Hoover Lodge #770, F&AM Williams, Frank R. $100 - $499 2nd Masonic District Association 19th Masonic District Association Allen Lodge #276, F&AM Allen, Richard & D. S. Ambelang, Richard C. & Jo Ann Anonymous Arcanum Lodge #295, F&AM Augusta Lodge #504, F&AM Avon-Miami Lodge #542, F&AM Bethel Lodge #61, F&AM Bollmer, Kevin & Donna Brenneman, Kevin R. Bridgeport Lodge #181, F&AM Calvary Lodge #700, F&AM Capital City Lodge # 656, F&AM Carnes, Edward College Hill-Harry S. Johnson Lodge #641, F&AM Collinwood Lodge #582, F&AM Connell, Jack A. Copper Penny Lodge #778, F&AM Cossler, James W. & Christine T. Creps, Michael R. Dalton Lodge #578, F&AM DeWolf, Ronald Duff, Daniel W. & Nicole C. Eddy, Aaron L., Jr. Edwin S. GrifďŹ ths Lodge #749, F&AM Englewood Lodge #743, F&AM Esper, Allen W. Euclid Lodge #599, F&AM Eureka Lodge #592, F&AM Fellowship Lodge #106, F&AM Forest City Lodge #388, F&AM Fouch, Edward L. & Carol Fowler, Morris French, Roger L. & Kathleen M. Gibson Lodge #301, F&AM Green, David D. Groff, David T. H.S. Kissell Lodge #674, F&AM Harkins, Daniel C. Heights-Lion Heart Lodge #633, F&AM Hicksville Lodge #478, F&AM Holcomb, J. Robert & Antoinette Homeworth Lodge #499, F&AM Hovan, Richard G. Jefferson Lodge #90, F&AM Juilliard Lodge #460, F&AM Karth, Charles E. & Marjorie J. Kopacka, Jeffrey N. Kreigh, Robert Lebanon Lodge #26, F&AM Liberty Center Lodge #518, F&AM
Loomis, Gilbert R. & Carmela M. Mariemont Chapter # 234, RAM McCorkle, Leon M., Jr. Mechanicsburg Lodge #113, F&AM Miller, Lester Earl Monroe Lodge #189, F&AM Moore, Roger M. Moscow Lodge #122, F&AM Mowry, David Dee & Kathy Neeper, Jeffrey R. Nichols, Junior A., U.S.A.F., Ret. & Ursaline J. Oak Harbor Lodge #495, F&AM Ohio City Lodge #486, F&AM Ohio Grand Assembly, International Order of the Rainbow For Girls Ohio Hospital Association Omega Lodge #564, F&AM Osborn, Robert D. Paramuthia Lodge #25, F&AM Parker, James B., IV & Barbara Penix, Arnold R. Phelps, Edgar R. Phoenix Lodge #123, F&AM Pickaway Lodge #23, F&AM Pilgrim Lodge #691, F&AM Posey, Terry W. & Cheryl Powers, Thomas J. Queen City Lodge #559, F&AM Reisinger, LeRoy Robinson Locke Lodge #659, F&AM Salineville Lodge #348, F&AM Savannah Lodge #466, F&AM Schafer, Albert C. & Beatrice S. Schneider, Roy E. Scio Lodge #587, F&AM Sebring Lodge #626, F&AM Selinsky, Warren Shank, Harold & Josephine Shelby Lodge #350, F&AM Shore, James O. Simpson, William R. & Carol A. Stapleton, Mack The Progressive Insurance Foundation Valley of Cincinnati, AASR Valley of Dayton, AASR Wampler, Jay M. & Amy Western Hills - Cheviot Lodge #140, F&AM Western Reserve Lodge #507, F&AM Weyer Lodge #541, F&AM Whitacre, Jo Ann White, John Whitehall Lodge #761, F&AM Winchester Lodge #236, F&AM Wood County Lodge #112, F&AM Zickefoose, Marshall
January/February 2010
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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
A Natural Place to Serve Toni P. Duncan
With a background in healthcare
and involvement in Masonry with her husband, Steve, it was only natural that Toni Duncan would gravitate toward The Ohio Masonic Home. With more than 25 years experience as a Registered Nurse in a hospital acute care setting and more than 10 years experience in long-term care, including obtaining her Nursing Home Administrators License, Toni loves being on campus and interacting with the residents and staff at Springfield Masonic Community, where she is the chairman of the Springfield Masonic Community Board of Trustees. Toni became involved in The Ohio Masonic Home when Steve was in the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons line. Upon a recommendation by good friend Dale G. Ray, Jr., the chairman of The Ohio Masonic Home Board of Trustees, Toni was appointed to the Springfield Health Care Board in 2003. During Steve’s year as Grand High Priest, Toni travelled around the state with him and spoke about
the care and services offered at The Home’s campuses. Toni has served as chairman of the Springfield Masonic Community Board of trustees for the past three years. There have been numerous changes in that time, including the merger of the healthcare and independent living portions of the Springfield campus; opening the Springfield campus to the general public; and the emergence of Masonic Seniors Services and Cornerstone Home Health and Hospice. “Change is an important element in progress and success,” said Toni. “Planning for the future while maintaining valuable experience and the heritage of the past is the key to success. “There is much opportunity to expand and build to remain marketable and attractive to our clients, offering on campus amenities to our independent clients, modern and more efficient housing to our assisted and long-term care clients, and looking toward our future clients. It is important for board members to focus and look
forward, set goals and guide toward those goals. There Toni P. Duncan is a very fine line that needs to be traversed maintaining the charitable objective of the Masonic homes, providing the care and concern that is evident and assuring that The Home is self sustaining, this is the biggest challenge facing all board members.” Toni lives south of Dayton, where she and Steve manage a familyowned commercial refrigeration service and repair business. They have three children and four grandchildren. Toni has been a member of Eastern Star for 35 years and is with Miami Chapter #107 Order Eastern Star, Waynesville. She has also been involved as an auxiliary member for Clarksville Lodge #323; Friendship Chapter #245; Adoniram Council #131; 3rd Arch, Valley Commandery #80; Valley of Dayton, AASR; and numerous other Masonic affiliations.
2010 Calendar Events The following are dates for 2010 signature events for Ohio Masonic Home events. Dates may be subject to change. Sunday, June 6 – Ohio Masonic Home Day at Springfield Masonic Community Saturday, July 24 – Classic Car Cruise-in at Browning Masonic Community Monday, July 26 – Jim Perry Legends Golf Classic in Medina Monday, September 13 – Jim Perry Legends Golf Classic in Fairborn September, Dates TBA – Renaissance Family Fair at Western Reserve Masonic Community