(Publication No. USPS 426-140) Summer 2024 Issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason is published quarterly by the Masonic Villages, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Articles and photographs to be considered for publication should be sent with local Masonic authority to the address above, to the attention of The Pennsylvania Freemason or emailed to pafreemason@masonicvillages.org.
Except by special arrangement, all articles, photographs and artwork become the property of the Grand Lodge.
Published by the Masonic Villages, owned and operated by the Grand Lodge of F.& A.M. of Pennsylvania, as a means of soliciting the physical and financial support of the members, their families and the public in general. Periodical postage is paid at Elizabethtown, PA, and additional mailing offices.
We appreciate the many submissions we receive for consideration. We apologize, but due to space constraints, we are not able to publish every submission we receive.
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP
(Act of Oct. 23, 1962; Section 4369; Title 39, United States Code) Summer 2024, The Pennsylvania Freemason, published quarterly by the Masonic Villages, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Publishers: The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Editor: Larry A. Derr. Owner: The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Known bondholders: none. No advertising handled. Free distribution averages 82,000 each quarter. I certify that the statements made by me are correct and complete.
Larry A. Derr, Editor
Mailing address changes
If your address on the back cover of this magazine is not exactly as you have provided it to us, please be aware that addresses are modified through the various mailing process requirements required by the U.S. Postal Service. If you have any questions or would like to inform us of a change in address, please contact the Office of Mission Advancement and Development at 1-800-599-6454 or giving@masonicvillages.org.
Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Pennsylvania Freemason, c/o Masonic Village, One Masonic Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2199.
Inside This Issue
3
FREEMASONRY TODAY
Grand Master’s Message • June Communication Highlights • Unity Day • 7th Annual Sporting Clays Events • Planting Symbols of Freedom
10 MEMBERSHIP
Small But Mighty: A Lodge Making Its Mark • Fueling an Entrepreneurial Spirit
15 EDUCATION
Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge • Pennsylvania Lodge of Research • Franklin Legacy Society • Membership Engagement & Lodge Revitalization Efforts • James Buchanan: The President and the Mason
22 PHILANTHROPY
Supporting Growing Military Families • A Home Like No
Other • Ready and Eager for What’s to Come • Boy Scouts & DeMolay: A Perfect Pair • Power 5 Leadership Weekend
• Job’s Daughters Selects Leaders • Rainbow Launches New Program • Paying It Forward to Help Save Lives
View the magazine online!
If you would prefer to receive an electronic version of the magazine for your convenience and/or to save the fraternity printing and mailing costs, please make your request by emailing pafreemason@masonicvillages.org. An electronic version of the magazine is also available online at PaGrandLodge.org/magazine.
Brethren,
There are those who will tell you that our world, our country and our people are so widely polarized that they fear for our children’s future.
I wish all who fear could witness anytime Freemasons meet, because they would see how vastly different people CAN and DO get along, enjoy one another and build great things together, through unity.
That doesn’t mean we share the same politics, religion or financial status. No; we are very different people, but we are above our differences.
I have hope for our future because our great Masonic institution demonstrates how people should care for and treat one another.
Our lodge friendships enrich our lives and strengthen our purpose: to make good men better through honor, integrity, tolerance and duty to our country and our fellow man.
It all starts with the firm foundation of our blue lodges, the vital grassroots of all Masonic memberships. Without blue lodge membership through the Grand Lodge, we cannot be members of other Masonic organizations such as York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shrine and numerous other appendant bodies that enhance our individual journeys and unique experiences.
When you step back and look at what Freemasons have accomplished through the centuries, it’s a breathtaking measure of the unity of our membership. Each of our lodges recently submitted their rich histories to preserve for perpetuity, and every single one is impressive and inspiring.
I am so proud to be part of this brotherhood, and you should be, too.
Freemasons truly change lives. Our mission is worthy. That is why it is vital that we – today’s Freemasons –assure our traditions continue long into the future.
While some of our younger generation believe they are too busy to participate, those who join the fraternity when they get older wish they would have decades prior. This trend underscores the
value of being a Freemason: we share a brotherly love that people desire and need in their lives.
As humans, we are designed for community, and our brotherhood promises that you are never alone. If you’ve ever been lonely, you know this promise means everything.
As a Freemason, you can travel the world, find a lodge and participate, even if you don’t speak the same language.
You always have a place to go and a brother who will help you. We are one. I don’t know about you, but that makes me feel good.
I would like to share with you a poem written by the brethren of Newtown Lodge No. 427:
Brethren, I challenge you to Ignite the Light Within
To do your best, to guard against Its precious glow going dim Fan the flame and you will see What our fraternity can truly be Remember when you came to the light The joy you felt ... oh, the high that night It can be rekindled as you rededicate self To brotherhood, fraternity and Masonic wealth So Ignite the Light for the world to see How Pennsylvania Freemasons ought to be As your journey continues On this path of light Remember always Without a flame, it’s surely night
If you know a good man who exemplifies the qualities of an ideal Freemason, I encourage you to invite him to consider the gift of membership. It may be just the nudge he needs to
“IGNITE THE LIGHT WITHIN.”
Sincerely and fraternally,
R.W. Grand Master
JUNE COMMUNICATION HIGHLIGHTS
R.W. Grand Master Larry A. Derr presented 17 Master Builder Awards, one Master Pillar Award and one Century Club Award, as well as the Region Ritual Awards at the Grand Lodge Communication on June 1 in Erie, PA. He also presented Outstanding Service Awards to Brothers Eric S. Berger, P.M., Union Lodge No. 324, Mifflintown; and William E. Rabbitt, P.M., Perry Keystone Lodge No. 392, Erie.
Grand Master Derr was pleased to announce the appointment of Brother Peter M. Kraus, P.M., Oasis Lodge No. 416, Edinboro, P.D.D.G.M.-24, as Deputy Grand Secretary.
The weekend also featured several area Liberty Tree plantings (see pp. 8-9) as part of Pennsylvania Masons’ participation in the upcoming celebration of the United States Semiquicentennial. For videos documenting the fraternity’s contribution to our nation’s founding, visit PaGrandLodge.org/videos.
The December Communication will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m., at the Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA.
Photos taken by Grand Lodge Photographer Brother Tim McKiernan.
THE GRAND LO DGE OF PENNSYLVANIA PRESENTS
January 25, 2025
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Unity Day
Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
An enhanced fellowship opportunity
$75 per ticket (non-refundable)
EVENT DETAILS
Grand Lodges participating: Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania; however, Master Masons from all recognized Grand Lodges are welcome to attend.
Ritual performed by the following jurisdictions:
NEW YORK: Entered Apprentice Degree by Garibaldi Lodge No. 542
NEW JERSEY: Fellowcraft Degree -Kilties Degree Team (Kilts regalia)
DELAWARE: Master Mason Degree - Colonial Degree Team (colonial regalia)
PENNSYLVANIA : Open Installation of Officers and the Entered Apprentice/Fellowcraft Degrees combined
Breakfast, lunch and a commemorative gift included.
Purchase tickets by scanning the QR code or by visiting PaGrandLodge.org. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 1.
For more information, contact Brother Jeff Wonderling at RWWonderling@pagrandlodge.org or 724-396-8001.
EASTERN
EVENT: KENNETH J. RITTER, P.M., MEMORIAL SHOOT
Sunday, Sept. 8 | Register by Sept. 2
Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays 2750 Limestone Street, Coplay, PA 18037 610-261-9616
For more information, contact Brother Alan Beidel at alanbeidel@gmail.com or 717-658-3477.
SCHEDULE FOR BOTH EVENTS:
8:30 a.m. Registration and warm up 10 a.m. Shooting will begin promptly
Cost per person for each event is $150 (includes coffee and donuts prior to shooting & lunch following).
$25 cost for non-shooter lunch, either event. Green bird, 50/50 and more!
Please check the event you wish to shoot:
□ Western Sporting Clays on Aug. 17
□ Eastern Sporting Clays on Sept. 8
Sponsor Opportunities
□ Station Sponsor $100
□ 5 Stand Sponsor $500
□ Breakfast Sponsor $1,000
□ Ammo Sponsor $2,500
□ Lunch Sponsor $3,000
□ Shoot Sponsor $5,000
□ Auction Item $ Total $
Each event will be capped at 150 attendees. Shooters must provide their own ammunition and have eye and ear protection.
All proceeds benefit the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
MAIL COUPON BELOW WITH PAYMENT TO: Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania c/o Harry Rutter Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Name: Address: City: State: __________ ______ Zip Code: ____________________________ Phone: Shooters Shooter 1: Shooter 2: Shooter 3: Shooter 4: # of shooters ______ x $150 = $___________ # of lunch only ______ x $25 = $ Total: $
Planting Symbols of Freedom
Since the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania committed to supporting the Liberty Tree Project in 2021, America250PA faced an unexpected challenge: acquiring enough propagated trees to plant. While six Liberty Trees had been planted by the end of 2023, plenty more were needed to cover all 67 counties in the Commonwealth.
The last of the original Liberty Trees, which stood on the grounds of St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD died in 1999. Francis “Champ” Zumbrun, a retired forester, takes care of a scion, or descendant, from that tree, gathers its seeds and takes them to the Maryland Forest Service for sprouting.
“Tulip poplars can get quite large and drop a lot of seeds, but most don’t sprout – only a few make it,” R.W. Deputy Grand Master Rob Brink explained. “He [Champ] learned that the seeds from the top of the tree are the best. Since the trees grow to over 100 feet tall, obtaining the “best” seeds requires getting a lift bucket to reach the top. Last year’s harvested seeds produced a lot of saplings.”
From the sapling stage, it takes about a year for the trees to be big enough to plant – approximately three feet tall. “They grow really
fast if you keep them fed and watered,” Rob said.
Rob was ecstatic when Champ called him in early spring to offer 70 Liberty Tree saplings – enough for the remaining plantings throughout Pennsylvania.
There was only one challenge: the saplings had to be picked up in Flintstone, MD, and kept refrigerated so they would stay dormant and not sprout until they could be potted.
“One of the great things about this fraternity is that you can get anything done,” Rob said.
“I called a few brothers in western PA, and two were willing to do the whole drive.”
On March 27, Brother Jimmy Mayes, King Solomon’s Lodge No. 346, Connellsville, drove from Flintstone, MD, to Carlisle, PA, where Brother Henry Federowicz, P.D.D.G.M.-2, P.M., Robert Burns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, Aide to the
Grand Master, took over the journey to Tilley’s Nursery in Coopersburg, PA. Tilley’s Nursery is owned by Brothers Tom and Rick Tilley, P.M., Saucon Lodge No. 469, Coopersburg, who are continued supporters of the Liberty Tree program.
Meanwhile, Rob put another call out to his local lodge brothers to help pot the trees at the nursery.
“If you need help and you ask, it’s amazing – your Masonic brothers will come,” he said.
“I got buckets and soil, and we were ready to go.”
On March 28, Brothers Steve Uhl; Don Edmonds, Jr., P.M.; and Rudy Gross, P.M., of Saucon Lodge No. 469, met at the nursery to help the staff pot the saplings (shown on opposite page).
Some of the Liberty Trees obtained last year were planted throughout the spring and summer, and more are planned for the fall.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY:
A Lodge Making Its Mark
Western Crawford Lodge No. 258 resides in Conneautville, PA, a rural farming community with a population of about 736. Located in Crawford County – about 40 miles south of Erie – the lodge has about 52 members.
Founded in 1852, the lodge is small, but mighty, said Brother Ryan Cottrell, Secretary, who along with Brother Douglas Carr, Worshipful Master, is working to grow membership back to what it was many years ago (about 100), when a lodge could survive on just dues alone.
“We’re looking for men who are involved in the community, and men who we already know are of good standing in the community and deserve to be Masons,” Ryan said.
The deaths of several senior members have impacted membership the most, said Ryan, 36. But with a bolstered social media presence and new efforts to boost visibility, that trajectory is starting to change.
“Even though we’re small, we’re getting new members on a regular basis and a lot of guys to fill the chairs,” Ryan said. “We haven’t merged with any other lodges. We’ve stayed on our own through the rough times. I think we’re coming out of those times. I have two petitions for membership right now, and two more coming.”
The lodge’s Facebook page currently has more than 600 followers and 558 “likes.” Ryan enjoys posting lodge news and personal achievements of members. For instance, four members will receive Grand Lodge awards this year, either Master Craftsman or Master Pillar. The lodge also hosts community fish fry dinners four times a year as a fundraiser, Doug said. This past March, they sold 230 pounds of fish and grossed about $3,800.
“This event gives us between $4,000 and $5,000 in revenue a year, which helps offset the lack of membership,” he said.
Doug and his wife, Debbie, host a “trick or treat” night every Halloween at the lodge, where
they hand out candy and toys to children. The event typically draws about 200 youth.
“In the past, we weren’t getting members out to the fish fries and other events, and we were having trouble getting candidates to come in,” Doug said. “I wondered if we were just spinning our wheels. Some of the senior members stepped up. We started calling members and asking them to help. Since that time, those people are still active. And we’re getting younger members, too. Our Junior Warden’s son is 18 and just joined.
We’re doing something right.”
Some brothers from other lodges have become dual members of Lodge No. 258 because “when they visit, they feel a welcoming atmosphere and want to be a part of it,” Doug said.
“People see that we take a lot of pride in our lodge and do good degree work,” he said. “When people see that it’s not all business – that we’re doing things in the community and getting together [to hang out] on our own, they want to be a part of it.”
Ryan added: “We’ve gone back to what I call ‘bare-boned Freemasonry’ – we treat people the way we want to be treated. We encourage them to get involved, and we show them how. When you have active Past Masters and officers, it’s easy to show the newer guys that it can be done. When we have a member who accomplishes something or becomes more knowledgeable, we
recognize him at meetings or write something on Facebook about it. Everyone likes to be recognized.”
As a youth, Ryan learned about Freemasonry from his uncle. He would ask about his Masonic ring and license plate. As he got older, Ryan worked in the service industry, fixing furnaces and doing plumbing for customers. That’s where he met many of the brothers whom he serves with today.
“Other than marrying my wife and having kids, becoming a Freemason is the best decision I ever made,” he said.
Long term, Ryan hopes to maintain a stable succession of officers and new members. Lodge No. 258 is one of six lodges in District 25, and all the lodges work together to help each other when necessary.
“When you’re six hours away from Philadelphia, you can sometimes feel left out on an island, but the Grand Lodge does
a good job trying to support everybody,” Doug said.
“If another lodge calls and asks us for help, we go,” Ryan said. “If they need assistance with degree work or someone is learning the Masonic guidelines, we refer to one another and we network with each other. The more we educate ourselves, the better suited we are to approach potential candidates and answer their questions confidently. Then, they see that we’re organized, and they want to be part of that.”
Brothers like Ryan, who are young and enthusiastic, are great leaders for the fraternity, Doug said. “He has been Worshipful Master four times and has now taken over as Secretary,” he said. “Being a first-time Worshipful Master, he really helps me out.”
Doug and his father, a 60-year Mason, live in Titusville, which has its own lodge, but choose to travel an hour to Lodge No. 258 in Conneautville, where they are members. In addition, his son, Billy, a third generation Mason, drives 90 minutes from Pittsburgh for lodge meetings.
“My dad grew up there [in Conneautville], and I petitioned the lodge,” he said. “We are not members of the Titusville lodge, but we do attend meetings often. Although Titusville is my true home, Conneautville feels that way, too.
“When joining the fraternity 20 years ago, there was never a question as to where I wanted to join. It’s a great way to spend time with my dad. We’ve had many great conversations in our travels, and we hope to have many more.”
FUELING
AN Entrepreneurial Spirit
Running a small or family business is filled with daily challenges that test knowledge, abilities and patience. Entrepreneurs are often responsible for managing everything in front of and behind the scenes, while ensuring they’re surrounded by people they trust. The satisfaction of doing it their way and growing as a businessman and Mason makes the hard work worth it for several brothers across the state.
Brother David “Ringo” Roseman, Shekinah-Fernwood No. 246, Philadelphia, spent more than 20 years in the restaurant industry. While he always said a person would have to be nuts to want to own a restaurant, with their typically low profit margins, it was a calling he couldn’t ignore.
A bagel and sandwich lover, Ringo didn’t see the type of bagel or bagel shop he was looking for, so he answered the call by opening The Bagel Place on Queen Street in Philadelphia.
“I have a romantic notion of what a bagel shop can be: a place of community, comfort, family and, of course, great food,” Ringo said. “We do this because we care about the work we do and providing our guests with a truly great experience.”
While he has a supportive crew working for him, Ringo finds it challenging to be “an expert at
every facet of life and business.” Small business owners need to be repairmen, financial and legal experts, accountants and human resources personnel all in one. There is also a sense of freedom, though, knowing they answer to themselves.
“People don’t realize just how much goes into running most businesses, certainly restaurants, or at least what goes into running them well,” Ringo said. “I love that at the end of the day, I have to rely most upon myself. When I know something needs to be taken care of, it will be, because it’s on me.”
Ringo wanted to do something for himself beyond owning his own business. Both of his grandfathers were Masons, and knowing it was important to them, he wanted to feel closer to them and
focus on growing within himself. Since he joined the fraternity in 2021, he’s felt embraced, supported and encouraged to learn and participate.
“Like my business and my industry, in Freemasonry we always have more to learn,” Ringo said. “The most important thing is to surround ourselves with people who are going to lift us up and support us, instead of trying to break and beat us down. With Freemasonry, we know we have that, and I’m glad to be a part of it and to try and help support others.”
Brother Nate Storck, Lodge No. 43, Lancaster, spent more than a decade creating basic illustration and art for medical and science textbooks. In 2014, he made the decision over lunch one day to follow his dream and signed up for barber school.
“Barbering was something that was in the back of my mind in my later years of college,” he said. “It’s a trade first and foremost. I wanted something that would allow me to be able to travel anywhere and still be marketable. It’s also recession proof.”
After completing school, Nate worked at a popular shop in Lancaster before opening the Keystone Barbershop in Easton, PA, in 2020. He passed his inspections on March 16 and was shut down
Brother Ringo Roseman at his shop
the very next day due to COVID-19. His business survived the pandemic, and while he’s still figuring out time management and how to say “no” sometimes, he enjoys the freedom of being his own boss.
“I can make my own hours and take a day off here and there if I am burned out,” Nate said. “I felt like I did hard time sitting behind a desk in a cubicle for all those years prior, so being able to have the freedom of being on my feet and having amazing conversations with my clients is a huge perk, too.”
Like barbering, Freemasonry had also been in the back of Nate’s mind for years. He was always fascinated with the history of the fraternity and had avoided researching it on the internet, as he wanted a genuine experience. After speaking to a few of his customers he knew were Masons, he decided to join in 2018.
“I’d have to say the most enjoyable part of Freemasonry for me is the relationships – the bonds you create with your fellow brothers near and far,” he said.
“Just knowing that we are working on ourselves together is a refreshing feeling. I have also helped a few others out in their journey to find a local lodge and become brothers in our great fraternity.”
Brother Greg Sutliff’s last name has been synonymous with car dealerships in Central PA since the 1930s. Although he’s semi-retired, you can still find him in his office at the Sutliff Volkswagen in Harrisburg, which is owned by his daughter and son-inlaw. His road to running car dealerships started right after the Great Depression, when his father and his father’s cousin started Sutliff Chevrolet together. The cousin had worked as a bookkeeper for a Chevy dealer in Wyoming and brought his skills and knowledge back to Pennsylvania.
Greg began working for the family business in 1947. In 1953, he graduated from Brown University on a Navy scholarship with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He served in the U.S. Navy for three years before attending Dickinson School of Law and earned his Juris Doctorate in 1959. In 1962, he became General Manager and part owner of Sutliff Chevrolet and went on to run more than nine auto dealerships.
Among his proudest career accomplishments was when he was recruited by General Motors as one of 11 dealers (out of 18,000) in the country to help create and launch the Saturn brand. His
Brother Nate Storck
Photo credit: Adam Naples
dealership was the second largest in the country, selling more than 48,000 cars across Central PA.
Greg received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pennsylvania Automobile Dealers Association in 2013.
“It was a matter of ethics,” he said. “I consider myself pretty ethical, but sometimes car dealers aren’t known for that.”
Greg’s honest and ethical life lined up perfectly with the values of Freemasonry. His father and his cousin were Masons, and Greg was initiated into West Shore Lodge No. 681. After Lowther Manor Lodge No. 781 opened in Lewisberry, Greg, his father and his father’s cousin joined. Greg is now the oldest surviving charter member of Lodge No. 781. He also belongs to the Zembo Shrine and Valley of Harrisburg Consistory.
“I regard Freemasonry as patriotic, and I’m a military veteran, too. I’m proud to be a participant,” he said.
Greg’s heart is in his community and with his family, which includes his wife, six children and 13 grandchildren. He still makes some time every day to spend in the office, a place where years of hard work paid off for him.
“I enjoy having a place to go,” he said. “Plus, my wife likes me to be out of the house.”
Brother Richard (Dick) Knoebel, Elysburg Lodge No. 349, is president of Knoebels Amusement Resort. The park is known for affordable family fun, and while Dick and his brother, Buddy, and sister, Leanna, have made lots of changes over the years, a few things remain steadfast.
“At the forefront, we’re going to give people great quality at the lowest possible cost, and make it all fun,” he said.
Brother Greg Sutliff - Photo courtesy of Penn State Dickinson Law
Brother Dick Knoebel with girls from the Masonic Children’s Home during a recent visit to the park.
The Knoebel family has been hosting guests on their property since the turn of the 19th century. Their grandfather opened the park in 1926, and Dick started working there at the age of 5. In the beginning, families took a dip in the swimming pool and had a picnic in the woods. The resort has since grown to include more than 60 rides, an 18hole golf course and two campgrounds. Keeping true to its original mission, Knoebels is the largest free-admission amusement park in America.
One of Dick’s priorities is keeping the park bright with new flowers every season and more than 100 new trees planted in each of the last two years. “People love the flowers, and the trees for the campers,” he said. “We’re always looking for new ideas.”
The biggest challenge Dick currently faces is finding qualified electricians and carpenters. “We have enough staff to operate rides and flip burgers, but otherwise, it’s a tough job market,” he said.
The challenges never interfere with Dick’s mission to bring joy to families. The best part of his job is riding around the park on his scooter greeting guests, especially those who come from out-of-state, passing other amusement parks along the way.
“I like seeing everyone having fun,” he said. “People will stop me and ask, ‘Are you Mr. Knoebel? Can I take your photo?’ I always take photos with the kids.”
Dick employs several Masons, and as an almost 60-year Mason, he uses the lessons he’s learned through Freemasonry to manage people. Much like his job, what Dick enjoys most about the fraternity is socializing with other people. Whether filling lodge chairs or a ride operator position, he knows what it takes to keep a legacy going.
Running a small or family business isn’t always a walk in the park, but the passion to succeed keeps Masonic entrepreneurs going full speed ahead. Rather than spinning their wheels, getting sandwiched or letting a few split ends deter their dreams, these brethren have demonstrated how to Ignite the Light Within.
Brother Dick Knoebel with kids and house parents from the Masonic Children’s Home and residents of the Bleiler Caring Cottage during a recent visit to the park.
Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge
The Fall 2024 Symposium of the Academy of Masonic Knowledge will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Freemasons Cultural Center at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. Registration will open at 8:30 a.m., with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m.
A lunch (cost is $20) will be served at noon, and the program will be completed by 3 p.m. This event is open to all Masons, their significant others and their guests. Dress is coat and tie.
Pre-register at PaMasonicAcademy.org/meetings or through your lodge secretary. Please recognize that a cost is incurred to the program for your registration. If you preregister and subsequently determine that you will be unable to attend, please have the Masonic courtesy to cancel your reservation by emailing amksecretary@pagrandlodge.org. All fees are non-refundable if you do not attend the event.
Missed a previous presentation? View it here: PaMasonicAcademy.org/presentations
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE SPRING SYMPOSIUM: March 15, 2025
Pennsylvania Lodge of Research Stated Meeting
SATURDAY, DEC. 14, AT 10 A.M. THE VALLEY OF HARRISBURG, A.A.S.R., 2701 N. 3RD ST, HARRISBURG, PA 17110
Open to all Masons, the program will feature general information about the Craft and at least two research paper presentations, followed by discussion and fellowship. Brethren interested in submitting papers for possible presentation at future meetings or who have any questions may contact the Secretary at Lodge.of.Research@pagrandlodge.org.
PRESENTERS: Masonic dress OFFICERS: Tuxedo (no tails, no gloves) MEMBERS: Coat and tie with member jewel
SAVE THE DATE FOR TENTATIVE FUTURE MEETING DATES: June 14 and Dec. 13, 2025
Society FranklinLegacy
The Franklin Legacy Society recognizes and honors individuals who believe in and support the mission of one or more of the Masonic Charities through planned giving.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
Members help ensure the good works of one or more Masonic Charities by committing to one or more of the following methods of support:
1. Naming a Masonic Charity as a beneficiary in their will or trust
2. Purchasing a Charitable Gift Annuity to benefit a Masonic Charity
3. Establishing a Charitable Remainder Trust naming a Masonic Charity as a remainder beneficiary
4. Including a Masonic Charity as a named beneficiary of an IRA, life insurance policy or the like
5. Including a Masonic Charity as a named receipt of a bank account or brokerage account through a Transfer on Death (TOD) or Paid on Death (POD) designation
MEMBER BENEFITS
Members of the Franklin Legacy Society are recognized in the following ways:
• Invitations to special events
• Recognition on a special donor wall*
• Recognition in The Annual Report for the Masonic Charities*
• Recognition with a special gift for joining
*Persons who wish, may remain anonymous while participating in the activities of the Franklin Legacy Society.
HOW MAY I JOIN?
For an application, visit MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org, email us at giving@ PAmasoniccharities.org or call 1-800-599-6454.
NEW GIFT!
New members to the Franklin Legacy Society will now receive a brand new, meaningful gift as a token of our appreciation: a leather-bound journal, embossed with the Franklin Legacy Society logo, accompanied by a wooden, engraved pen handmade by members of The Rooster Village at Elizabethtown – crafted from a tree on
Brother Steven Shimp, P.M., St. John’s Lodge No. 435 and Teutonia Lodge No. 367, both of West Reading, has been traveling to various districts within the Commonwealth sharing helpful information, processes and tools to assist lodges with membership growth and engagement.
As Chairman of the Committee on Membership Engagement, Steven shares a proven, stepby-step program that begins with leading lodges to develop a comprehensive self-assessment to help identify and evaluate their current situation. Through this process, members document the lodge’s history, culture/traditions, health (not just how many members they have, but how many are active), administration, ritual, charity, communication, fellowship, values, support, education, mentoring, etc. This provides a snapshot showing how attractive or valuable the lodge is to prospective and current members in terms of offering diverse opportunities, such as education, socialization, positive culture, support, etc. Next, members conduct a SWOT analysis, during which they list the lodge’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats.
From there, the lodge devises a development plan to achieve its vision, identifying specific actions, responsible parties, time frames, required resources and evaluation criteria. Through this process, lodges discern what they want to keep doing, what they want to start doing and what they
want to stop doing. Succession planning is another vital element to ensure a continuity of leadership commitment, preparation and training for continued success.
Through a membership action plan, brethren prepare to engage and discuss Freemasonry with potential candidates.
“It’s important that we all feel comfortable and confident talking to prospective members about the fraternity, our lodge and our own experiences,” Steve said, noting that for generations, brethren did not discuss these topics with non-Masons. “We need to be prepared to discuss membership requirements and expectations, the membership process, motives for joining, the cost and benefits,” he added.
The program provides all this information and much more on the GrandView website, including templates, reference materials, lodge profile examples and ideas for lodge meeting enhancements.
Brother Joseph Reuter, P.M., Shrewsbury Lodge No. 423, is the Blue Lodge Revitalization Committee Chairman. The purpose of the committee is to infuse lodges with ideas and energy and start them on the path to recovery. The group offers creative ideas, effective tools and easy-to-follow guidelines for planning and promoting quality events that members and others will look forward to attending.
“We’ve met with a lot of lodges already,” Joe said. “We can’t wait to hear their success stories.”
Joe begins with discussing leadership. “If you have the right leader, with a little bit of encouragement for his team, good things will happen,” he said. “You need to start with a solid foundation.”
Joe discusses how to get a good team together, what things to avoid and how to handle negative push back. He encourages Worshipful Masters to spend time with their officers not only while conducting their business, but outside of the lodge, too. That includes their families, as well.
“Communication is key,” Joe said.
In his presentation, he offers plans for communicating with the officer line and members, including steps and examples for creating lodge notices members look forward to receiving.
“Use all the tools in your toolbox: your website, Facebook page, Call-em Alls and emails,” he said. He recommends publishing upcoming events in the local paper or online community listings if the public is invited.
To assist lodge leaders with planning events, the committee offers an event tracker, as well
as a multitude of ideas that can be adopted or modified to fit each lodge’s personality, membership and culture. Joe recommends conferring degrees at locations outside of the lodge building to make it an event that family and/or the community can join before or afterward. Examples include:
• Conferring a degree in a barn, followed by a pig roast. Or, holding a “Barntoberfest” with German food and music
• Hosting an author presentation/meet-and-greet
• Pairing scholarship presentations with a crab feast
• Hosting a meeting at a local restaurant with a specific history or aesthetic and having family join for the meal
• Conferring a degree at a meaningful Masonic location, such as the George Washington Memorial in Arlington, Virginia
“It’s important to think outside of the box,” Joe said. “I encourage lodges to plan one huge ‘knockit-out-of-the-park’ event each year.” In addition to publicizing out-of-town events, Joe recommends providing a meeting location with travel options. “Many times, you will find brothers from other lodges will want to go with you,” he said.
When Steve and Joe visited Mount Lebanon Lodge No. 226 in October 2023, the lodge was suffering from low attendance and involvement. During the course of the two committees’ presentations, they spent time with now-Worshipful Master Don Carter and shared some ideas on how to start down the path of recovery and revitalization.
With the dedicated help of several brothers’ wives, Don implemented the suggestion to hold a meal before each Stated Meeting. When Joe returned in May, 45 brothers from various lodges were in attendance. “Don and his officers did a nice job running the meeting, and the brothers in attendance seemed in very good spirits,” he said. Joe and Brother Howard Shepherd, P.M., Ashara-Casiphia Lodge No. 551, Mount Joy, then presented the next installment of the Blue Lodge Revitalization Committee’s program.
“It is fair to say that this lodge has turned the corner, and a very bright future is on the horizon in District 1.” Joe said. “Already, more guys are coming, they’re planning events and having good meetings. They’re taking the information and running with it.”
The delicious meals have played a significant role in deepening Masonic ties within the lodge, Don said, by bringing brethren together to share fraternal bonds and enjoy each other’s company. “They have also created opportunities for potential candidates to join us, meet our members and experience the warmth and camaraderie of our lodge firsthand.”
Don expressed his gratitude for the committees’ dedicated efforts in rejuvenating his lodge, which is also implementing educational programs and fostering inclusivity by involving wives, widows and potential candidates.
“Communication emerged as a cornerstone,” Don said, so the lodge is employing Call-em-Alls, emails and leveraging Grand Lodge mentoring resources, as well as embracing social media to amplify their presence within the community.
“Looking ahead, we’re focused on bolstering our officer line, establishing Assistant Treasurer and Secretary roles and nurturing our candidates through the degrees,” Don said. “With several petitions in progress, we’re laying the groundwork for continued success. Though our efforts are nascent, we’re steadfast in our commitment to keeping our brethren engaged and our lodge thriving.”
James Buchanan:
THE PRESIDENT AND THE MASON
On paper, Brother James Buchanan was highly qualified to be president of the United States. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania State Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, as Foreign Minister to both Russia and Great Britain and as Secretary of State for President Polk.
But the topic of slavery dominated the presidential election of 1856, and while Buchanan managed to edge out the incumbent, Franklin Pierce, to become the nation’s 15th
president, he is widely considered by most historians and scholars to be one of our country’s worst presidents, due to his inability to stave off the looming Civil War.
Buchanan served as president from 1857 to 1861, just before the Civil War would divide the country in two. He simultaneously angered the North by not stopping secession and the South by not yielding to their demands, scholars and historians said.
“His [James Buchanan’s] weaknesses in the stormy years of his presidency were magnified by enraged partisans of the North and South,” noted Buchanan biographer Philip S. Klein in 1962. “His many talents, which in a quieter era might have gained for him a place among the great presidents, were quickly overshadowed by the cataclysmic events of civil war and by the towering Abraham Lincoln.”
Prior to his election, Buchanan was a prominent lawyer representing Pennsylvania in both houses of Congress, where he was considered an advocate for states’ rights, particularly regarding slavery, and minimizing the role of the federal government.
Buchanan was particularly significant to Pennsylvania as the first president from the Keystone state (President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., who was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the second).
Buchanan was also a prominent Freemason, a member of Lodge No. 43 in Lancaster. He was also a
prominent Freemason, a member of Lodge No. 43 in Lancaster. Last year marked the 200th anniversary of Buchanan’s service to the lodge as Worshipful Master, said Nathaniel (“Nat”) Gilchrist, Past Master and historian for Lodge No. 43. This year marks the 200th anniversary of his appointment as the first District Deputy by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Despite disagreements as to whether he was an effective president or not, the city of Lancaster chose to honor Buchanan by erecting a statue of him in Lancaster city’s Buchanan Park in 1928.
The eight-foot statue of Buchanan was professionally cleaned in May for the first time since 2003, thanks to the efforts of four District 1 lodges: Lodge No. 43, Lancaster; Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, Elizabethtown; Columbia Lodge No. 286; and AsharaCasiphia Lodge No. 551, Mount Joy, along with the Lancaster City Parks Department, the Office of Public Art and A.R.T. Research Enterprises, a local business that specializes in fabrication and restoration services.
“To commemorate this accomplishment was a worthwhile community and District 1 endeavor,” Nat said. “Grand Master Larry Derr is from District 1. He said that lodges should look for more ways to partner with the community. We thought this was a great opportunity.”
Charles Grafly, a Philadelphia
sculptor, worked on the original Buchanan statue from 1925 to 1927, according to Jack Brubaker, retired from the Lancasteronline. com news staff, who writes for “The Scribbler” column every Sunday, and recently penned a piece about the cleaning of the statue.
Brother Dulon F. Buchmiller, a prominent philanthropist and member of Lamberton Lodge No. 476 (which merged in 2021 to form Millersville Lodge No. 476) admired Buchanan and offered to underwrite the expense and donate the land to the city for the statue. Mary Buchmiller Ledwith, Dulon’s daughter, unveiled the finished sculpture in June 1928.
“Buchanan was misjudged a lot,” Nat said. “He was trying to walk the fence and appease both sides [north and south]. He knew the Southern states were upset with the Northern states’ reaction to slavery and wanted to secede from the union, and Buchanan was trying to prevent that. That was truly his intent.”
On May 8, 2024, Nat presented a paper to his lodge in first person as Buchanan, dressed in 18th century clothing with a cane representative of Buchanan’s statue. He had found the paper in the lodge’s archives that a lodge member had written and presented to Jerusalem Lodge No. 506, Philadelphia, on April 11, 1991, defending the criticisms Buchanan had received as president.
“I wanted to do it to demonstrate support for our historic lodge brother, present some factual information not many are aware of and mainly because as a lodge whose history includes a
brother who was president, it’s important to keep his memory alive,” Nat said.
An excerpt of the paper stated the following from Buchanan:
“I think anyone who has ever been elected to a position of responsibility has high hopes for what they hope to accomplish while in office. I know that was the case when I was elected Worshipful Master of this lodge, and when I was elected to the presidency, there were definite goals that I hoped to attain. It wasn’t long for these hopes to be dashed. The ‘Loyal Opposition’ and members of my own [Democratic] party soon started planting the seeds of unrest.”
But with mail service not being efficient in the 1800s, by the time the lodges in the more remote regions of the state received the communication, the vote had already been taken.
When he returned home from Washington, D.C., after his presidency, Buchanan was besieged with threats to his life and property. He was entitled to Secret Service protection but declined it. Lodge No. 43, however, rallied in support of Buchanan, forming a committee to patrol his property 24-7 for several months.
“He was well respected in the lodge,” Nat said of Buchanan. “He had come in as a young lawyer and made friends with everyone.”
Buchanan was known for getting things done, Nat said. In the 1820s, he and Lodge No. 43 Past Master John Reynolds led a campaign to elicit feedback from all the lodges in the state on a number of needed improvements. For example, when there was a vote on a resolution, a communication would go out by mail to all the lodges in the state.
“The primary voting base was in Philadelphia because of its close proximity to the Grand Lodge, so it became largely a Philadelphia vote,” Nat said. “That is one of the changes he [Buchanan] recommended to the Grand Lodge – to get messages out sooner and by different means, so these other lodges would have more of a say.”
Regardless of Buchanan’s place in history, Nat said it’s important for Masons to honor a fellow Mason – especially the only Pennsylvania president in U.S. history – by cleaning and maintaining the statue of Buchanan.
“Masons around the state should be proud of it and appreciate it,” Nat said. “History has not been kind to James Buchanan. We try to defend him by recognizing there were a lot of things involved that were not of his doing. Anybody who was president during that time would have been subject to criticism and have a difficult time trying to pacify everyone.”
Supporting Growing Military Families
More than 50 moms-to-be who are in the military, or whose partners are in the military, were invited to a Help for Our Heroes Baby Shower held at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown on April 21.
Those invited included three moms expecting twins and one dad whose wife gave birth prematurely. They were showered with gifts, including a baby monitor, blanket, thermometer, diapers, a box of toys, a travel system (stroller and infant car seat) and a $200 gift card from buybuy BABY.
The event included brunch, maternal and baby health information and shower games, with prizes and expressions of gratitude for attendees’ service.
Amy Thomas, family advocacy nurse from the Joint Base in New Jersey, and Teresa Rychlak, assistant director of child passenger safety, Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, provided important health and safety information for a baby’s early months. Special thanks to Brother Harry Rutter, William L. Elkins Lodge No. 271, Philadelphia, for helping with a demonstration on reducing stress.
Co-emcees Brother Sam Freeman, District Deputy Grand MasterDistrict C, and Alicia Richards, abc27 anchor, led the program. Guest speakers included retired Brigadier General Brother Wilbur Wolf, Eureka-West Shore Lodge No. 302, Mechanicsburg, and retired Major General Brother Marvin Jay Barry, Richard Vaux Brotherhood Lodge No. 126, Philadelphia. Volunteers from local lodges helped distribute the gifts and load the attendees’ cars at the end.
Special recognition goes to retired Colonel Brother Harris Brooks, who has spearheaded these military baby showers for 15 years.
R.W. Grand Master Larry Derr introduced special guest Haylie Brown, a recent graduate of Juniata Valley High School in Mifflintown. Last fall, Haylie chose as her senior project to plan a craft show to raise money for Help for Our Heroes, thanks to a recommendation from her uncle, Brother Michael McConaughey, Mount Union Lodge No. 688, who is a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves. Haylie, assisted by community participation and support, raised $8,000. Grand Master Derr recognized all those who make Help for Our Heroes a priority.
“The support of our district and lodge leaders and all the members who contribute to Help for Our Heroes, and this baby shower event in particular, is greatly appreciated,” he said. “It’s a huge surprise for the guests, and the greatest part is it’s all charitable money that goes to the support of these expectant mothers and military members.”
Branches represented included the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army National Guard and Air Force Guard, with families from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, as well as Harrisburg, Horsham, Pittsburgh and throughout Pennsylvania.
Edward Amon has served in the PA Air National Guard out of Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville for four years. He and his wife, Imani, are expecting their first child. Since they’re away from family, Imani was worried about being alone during this new chapter in their lives.
“It was nice to be invited,” she said. “It means a lot. Everything was very surprising.”
“It was amazing and really humbling,” Edward said. “We didn’t expect this magnitude of generosity. A huge ‘thank you’ to everyone!”
Hailey Rutt has served more than 10 years with the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the United States Air Force, Air National Guard, in Middletown.
“It is so helpful to receive the support and the gifts from the baby shower while waiting for my baby girl to arrive,” she said. “What an amazing event for our members. It definitely relieves so much stress off parents and allows them to sit back and enjoy this time rather than stressing about getting these larger items for their new baby coming. Thank you so much for all the time and effort put into this awesome event!”
Hailey was not familiar with the Masonic fraternity prior to attending the event, but their gesture has made a lifelong impact.
“I think this organization is amazing, and the support they give our military members is unmatched,” she said.
Since 2008, Pennsylvania Masons have contributed nearly $1.6 million in support of our military members, our veterans and their families. In addition to today’s event, the program has provided calling cards for those serving overseas, telemedicine, household repairs and financial assistance for those facing costly medical bills and job loss.
Military families surprised with baby gifts
Expecting mother with her gifts
A home Like No Other
Eloise Dreese had a rough year in 2023, but with the help of family and friends, she was able to keep her spirits lifted. She feels fortunate to live in a place where she is surrounded with love and comfort: Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.
Eloise grew up in Lebanon, PA, and moved to Harrisburg after meeting her husband, Brother Ronald (Don) Dreese, Prince EdwinSpring Creek Lodge No. 486, Middletown (Steelton-Swatara Lodge No. 775 before it merged). They met during a singles club event at the Hitching Post in Reading in March 1975. The only two open seats in the place were with Don and another man, so Eloise and her friend joined them. By June, both couples were engaged to one another and remained close over the years.
Don worked with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
designing State Parks. The couple has two sons, who are both retired from the U.S. Navy. Eloise is proud of her sons, two daughters-in-law, grandson and two granddaughters, as well as six horses, 36 chicken, five dogs, 18 goats and one cat.
Eloise and Don enjoyed traveling to see their sons at the different military bases where they served, including Virginia, Georgia, Rhode Island and Connecticut, and to the various parks Don had a hand in creating. They attended concerts at Coleman Park in Lebanon and block parties in their neighborhood and were active in their church.
Don was encouraged by members of his church to join the Masonic fraternity. When he attended meetings, Eloise would join him for the dinner served beforehand and then participate in activities with other women. She is a member of Hershey Chapter No. 509, Order of the Eastern Star; she was the last Worthy Matron of the Steelton-Swatara Chapter
before it merged with the Hershey Chapter.
“Don was a family guy who spent a lot of time with us,” she said. “Freemasonry got him out of the house with others.”
When it was time to consider a place to retire, Don and Eloise looked at other places, but Masonic Village offered benefits they couldn’t find anywhere else.
“They take care of you even if you run out of money, and we were happy with that,” Eloise said.
In 2010, they moved into an apartment in the Village Green area of campus, which had a view of the child care center on campus. Eloise loved to see the kids there, during trick or treat night and at the Masonic Children’s Home. She was excited to learn they needed a volunteer to help organize the greeting cards in the gift shop – a job she had held when she was younger. Don enjoyed playing bingo.
A man of few words, Don always had nice things to say about the landscape around campus. He especially enjoyed knowing the grass was mowed and the snow was shoveled without him.
In March 2023, Don passed away. The same year, Eloise’s nephew and a grandnephew died. A week after Don’s passing, Eloise broke the top of her femur, and soon after, the bottom part. She was in the hospital
until the end of March and ended up moving from her apartment to the Masonic Health Care Center.
“I can’t expect my family to come every day to help me,” Eloise said. “The employees have been so helpful this last year. It’s indescribable. They can tell when you’re down, and they pick you up. You can joke with them. Some of the nurses call me ‘mom,’ and I call them ‘daughter.’ One even has the same name as one of my ‘grand-goats.’”
Eloise likes to stay busy. She volunteers to sort mail, serves on the resident council and attends weekly devotionals. She’s met a lot of new people and runs into some who were her neighbors in the Village Green area.
“Everyone says, ‘Hi, dear’ or ‘Hi, friend,’” she said. “They know my name even if I don’t know theirs.”
After a challenging year, Eloise is making the best of her situation.
“A big ‘thank you’ to the Masons and everyone who helps keep this place going and growing,” she said. “They’ve helped me in so many ways. I’m so glad Don was a Mason and chose this place to retire.”
Village Green, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown
Ready and Eager for What’s to Come
Four seniors at the Masonic Children’s Home are getting ready to spread their wings, leave the nest and explore new opportunities. They are primed for success, thanks to their time spent at the children’s home, made possible by generous donors who invested in their futures.
ANDREW is excited to have completed his final year residing at the children’s home, a place for which he feels greatly appreciative. While his journey at the children’s home has come to an end, he is confident he is prepared for what’s to come.
“I am so thankful for all my time spent here,” he said.
As an only child, Andrew transitioned into the children’s home by himself when he was 10 years old. His mom was growing restless over the idea of her son growing up in a busy city filled with many unknown possibilities. Andrew remembers his mom wanting a positive environment for him since he was a bubbly and energetic kid. When she heard of the Masonic Children’s Home, she knew Andrew would have better access to educational
support and the opportunity to play sports.
Andrew’s transition to the children’s home was not as smooth as he had hoped, as he had to adapt to an unfamiliar environment.
He remembers struggling at first because he was not used to sharing a home with other boys. However, with time and help from his house parents and housemates, Andrew adjusted and slowly began to enjoy the new freedoms he had.
“I have always liked hanging out with the other guys here in our cottage and other houses,” he said.
The children’s home provides kids with an endless number of activities to do in their free time, indoors and outdoors.
One of Andrew’s favorite spots is the basketball court near his cottage. He can be found practicing his skills daily alongside his housemates, who have become some of his best friends. He is grateful to always have someone to play sports with to improve his athletic abilities. One of his fondest memories is taking a trip to Disney World.
Andrew recently wrapped up his senior year at Elizabethtown Area High
School. Along with his schoolwork, he kept busy playing football, lacrosse and wrestling. He is thankful for the encouragement the house parents provide as he pursues his passions.
“I get so much support here,” he said. “I am thankful for the tutoring that helps me study for tests during the school year.”
The children’s home offers kids access to in-house tutors who provide academic support in all areas needed. Thanks in part to this assistance, Andrew was accepted to Thaddeus Stevens College, where he will study welding technology.
“I know there will be some challenges when starting my own life, but I know the children’s home has prepared me, and I am ready to do it,” Andrew said.
“I would like to thank the donors for everything they’ve done for us. You have truly made a difference in the lives of all the kids here and without you, this place would not exist as it does today.”
OTELIA said it feels like just yesterday when she arrived at the children’s home. While she has enjoyed her time there, she is excited to go out into the world and apply the skills she has learned to her future endeavors.
She appreciates the support of her house parents, especially Miss Hope, for helping and listening to her over the past four years.
“I am thankful for what I learned at the children’s home,” she said. “They taught me to be more patient.”
Moving from Philadelphia to Elizabethtown was a fairly easy transition for Otelia. She enjoyed living with the other girls and made a lot of friends. She will attend East Stroudsburg University this fall to major in business.
While in high school, Otelia participated in theater, working backstage to set up props for the productions.
“I just want to say a big ‘thank you’ to the donors,” she said. “Thanks for allowing me to make a lot of great memories and meet some great people. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go to college and do good work.”
ANJELISSA called it an “honor” and a “privilege” to live at the children’s home.
“I have lived, I have learned and I have come out the other side as an adult,” she said. “I lived with 16 of the most brave, loving, compassionate and hard-working girls I’ve ever met, and I have gained lifelong friendships.”
Anjelissa said she’s excited for what’s to come in her future. She will study communications and public relations at Pitt Bradford, a satellite campus of Pittsburgh University.
She came to the children’s home at age 17 and stayed for two years. During that time, she learned and achieved a lot.
“I learned about community living and how to live with other people,” she said. “I also liked having structure and organization to my day.”
She enjoyed the trips during the summer and all the good friends she made.
“It has been nothing short of an adventure,” she said.
ANTHONY grew up at the children’s home, having arrived when he was only 8 years old. It was difficult at times being away from his family, but he found guidance through the friends he made and the staff who supported him.
“It has been one long trip to the finish line,” he said. “It wasn’t always easy, but I got through it because of the people who helped me grow and want to improve myself. Adjusting to the area and being away from home was hard. I was lost at first but found my way through the people around me.”
Learning basic skills like table manners and organization became lifelong lessons, and he will never forget the laughs, long talks and hours of games played with friends.
“The parent and son bond that was created between me and the house parents was unreal,” he said. “They
truly have our best interests [at heart] and want to see us take advantage of every opportunity. They taught me how to take care of myself as a man and what to expect in the real world.” Anthony will attend Central Penn College to study surgical technology.
He said he appreciated the trips and vacations he was able to take part in through the children’s home, especially visits to the Jersey shore. He also enjoyed playing football and competing in track and field.
“I want to thank the donors for their generous support,” Anthony said. “We appreciate them because they help take us a long way, from going on trips to getting supplies. Because of them, we have clothes to wear, food to eat and necessities without any expenses. It wouldn’t be possible without them.”
For more information about the Masonic Children’s Home, MasonicChildrensHome.org
Boy Scouts & DeMolay: A Perfect Pair
It’s been a memorable year for Mason C. Barrick, Past Master Councilor of Elizabethtown Chapter, Order of DeMolay. The 18-year-old joined Prince Edwin –Spring Creek Lodge No. 486, Middletown, with his proud father conferring all three of his degrees; he’s been appointed Chaplain of his lodge; he’s served Pennsylvania DeMolay as State Junior Councilor; and he earned his Eagle Scout in the fall of 2023. At his Eagle Scout Court of Honor, he was presented with several special awards including the Masonic Eagle Scout Lapel Pin, and a large representation of his DeMolay family was in attendance.
In a tremendous show of the cooperation that can and should exist between the Scouting program and the Order of DeMolay, Mason invited his DeMolay brothers to partner with his Scout troop, Troop 97, Londonderry Township, in his Eagle Scout Project: the erection of bat boxes at the Swatara Beagle Club in Elizabethtown. Scouts and DeMolays worked together, side by side, in raising funds for the project at a car wash, as well as in the actual erection of the bat houses.
In presenting the Masonic Eagle Scout Lapel Pin, Brother Dave Berry, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, noted how the cooperation between the organizations was important and set an example that should be embraced in communities throughout the Commonwealth.
Brothers Stephen Kiessling, Jr., Mason Barrick and Dave Berry
Brother Stephen Kiessling, Jr., D.D.G.M.-2, also participated in the honor court when he presented Mason with the Eagle Scout Commendation Letter from R.W. Grand Master Larry A. Derr. In a truly inspirational moment, Mason surprised his Scouting mentor, Brother Christopher Kiessling, also a member of Lodge No. 486, who earned his Eagle Scout in 2018, by presenting him with the Masonic Eagle Scout pin.
Leadership Weekend
organizations it supports: DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, Knights of Pythagoras, Rainbow Girls and Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls, at the Masonic Conference Center-Patton Campus.
As part of the weekend, 40 adult advisors from the five youth groups participated in an overview of the Youth Mental Health First Aid program sponsored by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing presented by Cynthia Pollich, an educator with the Penn State Extension. This Penn State University program provides an
eight-hour certification training with in-person, online or hybrid classes. Over the next 18 months, the PMYF plans to make the full training available to any youth group advisors in Pennsylvania who wish to complete it.
Deborah McCoy, PMYF’s educational consultant and trainer, offered the youth an in-depth presentation on social media safety.
Other presenters for the weekend program included Meg Purdum, Masonic Villages’ Social Media Specialist, who offered pointers on social media marketing; and Thom Stecher, of Thom Stecher and Associates, founder of the PMYF LifeSkills Conference, who, assisted by his staff, offered a 90-minute interactive experience.
Job’s Daughters Selects Leaders
On April 6, Pennsylvania Job’s Daughters held their annual Miss Job’s Daughters Scholarship Pageant, with events being held at both the Patton Campus and the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown. Delaney Stains, Bethel 16, Chambersburg, was elected Miss Job’s Daughter and Miss Congeniality for 20242025; and Samantha Boyer, Bethel 12, Gettysburg, was elected Miss Junior Job’s Daughter. Delaney, who is the daughter of PA DeMolay Past State Master Councilor Jason Stains and Past Miss Job’s Daughter Sarah (Chubb) Stains, succeeded Miss Job’s Daughter Lauren Wetzel, Bethel 16, and Miss Congeniality Alexys Scott, Bethel 21, Butler. Samantha succeeded Lucy Heaton, Bethel 12. The 2024 Pageant had a theme of “Under the Sea” and raised over $8,000 for the Job’s Daughter Scholarship Fund.
At the Mary Etta Wright Jurisdictional Bethel Meeting on May 18 at Patton Campus, Miss Maggie Woodring, Bethel 21, was selected Grand Bethel Honored Queen, succeeding Molly Heaton, Bethel 12. It was also announced that Jurisdictional Guardian Melinda
Culp would be appointed Supreme Bee Keeper at the Supreme Session of Job’s Daughters in July held in LaVista, Nebraska. She will be supervising the Jobieto-Bee Program that provides girls 9 years of age and younger the opportunity for a fraternal experience based on the values and teachings of Job’s Daughters.
Rainbow Launches New Program
The two years of isolation during the pandemic caused a lapse of mentorship, resulting in a leadership void within the Rainbow Girls assemblies in Pennsylvania. Supreme Inspector
Helen Snedden and her team of adult leaders have developed a plan to address this by providing opportunities for the younger girls to get together to learn about Rainbow through games, fun activities, food and fellowship while engaging in service projects.
This program was launched at the Masonic Village in Sewickley on May 4, when a group of seven younger Rainbow Girls from assemblies in the Pittsburgh area joined their advisors and 10 Grand Officers of the Pennsylvania Grand Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, to assemble flower arrangements that would be presented to residents for Mother’s Day. This
Follow the foundation’s happenings on social media:
provided an excellent opportunity for caring and interested adults to mentor the young ladies in an informal atmosphere and help them to learn and grow.
More events like this will be planned throughout the jurisdiction. The expected reward for the time and talent invested by the adults will be young ladies better prepared to become leaders in their assemblies, which will translate into better leaders in their schools, homes and communities at large, one of the most basic tenets of the experiences offered by our Masonic youth groups.
(Left) Lucy Heaton, Samantha Boyer, Lauren Wetzel, Delaney Stains and Alexys Scott (Right) Molly Heaton and Maggie Woodring
PAYING IT FORWARD to Help Save Lives
In 1988, Brother Bruce Edwards, P.M., Williamson Lodge No. 307, Womelsdorf, received a corneal transplant to restore sight in his right eye after a recurrent viral infection scarred his cornea. A corneal transplant is an operation to replace part of the cornea with corneal tissue from a donor.
In 2008, his daughter, Melissa, 17, was tragically killed in a car accident. Bruce and his wife, Carolyn, agreed to donate her tissue to help save someone else’s life. Donated tissue can include skin, heart valves, ligaments and bones used in transplant procedures.
In 2017, Bruce’s son, Brother Greg Edwards, S.W, Williamson Lodge No. 307, became a living organ donor, making the decision to donate half of his liver to help save a co-worker’s life.
“My son has always been an unselfish, giving person, but he may not have donated if not for our family’s experience and how involved we were with organ donation after Melissa was killed,” Bruce said. “It was a very positive experience.”
Bruce continues to pay it forward. Through his role as an active Mason and his personal connection to organ and tissue transplantation, he has become a strong supporter of the Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program. Today, he is one
of 13 Masonic Organ Donor Ambassadors in Pennsylvania, each of whom have a personal connection to life-saving organ transplantation.
“As an ambassador, I can share my personal story and explain the need for organ donation, the lives it saves and why it’s important to become a donor,” Bruce said. “I speak to different lodges, sometimes with my son.” Bruce is also the Blood and Organ Donation Chairman for District 7.
Bruce has volunteered for years with the Gift of Life Donor Program in Philadelphia, the nation’s leading organ procurement organization. He also serves on the Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee, after being appointed by former Gov. Tom Corbett.
The Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program promotes Masonic blood drives throughout Pennsylvania. It also heightens awareness and provides educational materials on blood and organ donation, including living donations. All Pennsylvania Masons and women’s Masonic groups are eligible for membership in the program. The program recently partnered with NMDP, formerly known as the National Marrow Donor Program and Be The Match, to assist those facing blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and other life-threatening diseases.
Bruce is a retired member of the Pennsylvania State Police, where he spent 27 years and was President of the Troopers Association. Through that position, he was instrumental in helping to update Pennsylvania’s organ donor laws. The legislation, passed in 2018, provides better access to organ donation, including tissue donation, as well as public education about the donation process and its importance.
“We were the first in the nation to have an organ donor law (thanks to Gov. Casey of Pennsylvania, who received a new heart and liver in 1993), but we were one of only five states that did not have the law updated until recently. It was a real challenge, but I was helpful because I was used to dealing with senators and representatives and was familiar with the lobbying process.”
Brother Bruce Edwards (center) with representatives from The Gift of Life Donor Program
More than 113,000 Americans and over 6,600 Pennsylvanians are currently on the national transplant waiting list, according to Dwendy Johnson, Community Relations Supervisor for the Gift of Life Donor Program in southern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and the state of Delaware.
One person is added to the waiting list every eight minutes, and on average, 17 people die each day while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant, Dwendy said. In 2023, 2,155 people in Pennsylvania were given a second chance at life when they received a transplant.
“We rely on our dedicated ambassadors, like Bruce, to educate the community about organ and tissue donation and transplantation,” Dwendy said. “Our programs welcome donor family members, transplant recipients, living donors, friends and others who have been touched by a donation and/or transplantation to share their experience and contribute to Gift of Life’s education and outreach efforts.”
“While 95% - 98% of the public believe in organ donation, only 49% of Pennsylvanians have registered to be organ donors,” Bruce said.
The reason for this may have to do with misconceptions about the process, which Bruce continues to try to dispel.
“Some people think if they donate an organ, the doctors won’t try to save them if something happens. Others think their religion won’t allow them to do it, but all the major religions agree on organ donations. Some people are just scared. But if you would accept a donation to help save your or your loved one’s life, why wouldn’t you give one? Why would you not want a healthy organ to help save someone else if something happens to you?”
“We’ve really started growing awareness, and the support we’re getting is amazing,” he added. “It goes to show people are inspired to help save lives.”
To register to be an organ donor, visit DonateLifePa.org/register.
For more information on the Masonic Blood+Organ Donor Program, as well as information on NMDP, visit MasonicBloodandOrganDonors.org.
Brother Bruce Edwards and his family
Melissa Edwards
Brother Greg Edwards and his co-worker, Jan
Masonic Charitable Gift Annuity A LIFETIME
OF BENEFITS
A charitable gift annuity provides you with favorable fixed payment rates. No matter what the economy does or how long you live, Masonic Charities will send you a check in the same amount with a rhythm that is dependable and predictable. It is ideal for someone wanting fixed payments for life, especially if he or she has cash or appreciated property producing little or no income.
Talk to us to make sure you receive all the tax benefits you are entitled to by calling Masonic Charities at 1-800-599-6454 or visiting our website at MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org.
In addition to receiving fixed payments for life, partial tax-free payments, dependability and a tax deduction, you will be invited to join our Franklin Legacy Society featured on page 17 of this issue.
Contact us at MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org or call 1-800-599-6454.
Note: This is a partial listing. Rates exist for any combination of ages.
View our charitable solicitation disclosures by scanning the QR code or visiting MasonicCharitiesPa.org.
COMPLETE AND MAIL TO: Office of Mission Advancement and Development, One Masonic Dr., Elizabethtown, PA 17022 • 1-800-599-6454
I would like more information, with no obligation. Please:
Send me a Charitable Gift Annuity illustration.
Name(s)
Address
Telephone ( )
Email
My birth date Spouse’s birth date (if two lives) Dollar amount(s) to be illustrated (up to three amounts)
If using appreciated stock, estimate cost basis
I/we am/are considering a provision for a Masonic Charity and membership in the Franklin Legacy Society. Please contact me/us to discuss.
