Many people own appreciated stock - stock that has risen in value over time . For example, Stan has a stock account with a well-known brokerage company. One of his stocks has grown from S15 a share to $7 5 a share over the past few years . If he asked his broker to sell the stock he would owe tax on the $60 of appreciation for each share that was sold.
However, if Stan gave the stock to Masonic Homes, he would avoid this tax on the appreciation and receive, instead, an income tax deduction on the full value of the stock. What ' s more, because Masonic Homes is a qualified charitable organization, it could sell the stock and avoid any tax on the appreciation . A win for Stan; a win for Masonic Homes.
Let's say Stan decided to give 1 00 shares of this stock as a year-end gift to Masonic Homes. In malting the gift, he would obtain a charitable income tax deduction of $7,500, even though he only paid S1,500 for these shares originally. If he happens to be in the 31 percent tax bracket and claims the deduction on his itemized tax return, he could possibly save $2,325 in taxes more than he paid for the stock in the first place!
Historically, year-end is a popular time for making stock gifts. In fact, most stocl{ gifts occur dur-
Add itional Mailing Offices
ing the fourth quarter of the year. Many thought· ful donors review their stock portfolio and select those stocks which have appreciated the most and which have been held for more than a year. These donors give stock instead of cash because they have discovered the value, and enjoyment, of stretching their giving power by giving the appreciation. And, after all, the more they can prudently give to help the worthy efforts of Masonic Homes, the better they feel.
Have you ever considered malting a gift of appreciated stock to Masonic Homes? It may be better for you than malting a gift of cash. To learn more about this, you may want to talk with your financial advisor.
You can also contact Fred D. Rissinger, Director of Development or john R. McFadden, Planned Giving Officer in the Development Office at the Masonic Homes. They are delighted to help friends of the Masonic Homes mal{e tax wise gifts. Why not call them today? You can reach them by calling 800-599-6454. (Please complete and return this coupon)
The PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON
The Annual Grand Communication And Grand Master's Banquet Set For December 27 in Pittsburgh
The Annual Grand Commun cation of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is scheduled to be held in the Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center o n Saturday, Dece mber 27, 1997, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Th e Com mun ication wi ll mark the e nd o f the adm i nistration o Edward 0. Weisser as the R.W. Grand Master and the beginning of the expected ter m o f Ja mes L. Ernette.
Th e Grand Master's Banquet is schedu led or the even ing a t the Pittsburg h H ilto n Tickets are ava i lable for $25.00 per pe r son and will be sold b y the G r and Master' s office, Di st rict Deputy Grand Masters, or lodges on a fir st reques t basis
Enclosed is a check for $
for
Please make checks payable to "Grand Secretory."
The Members of the Grand Lodge are requested to attend:
Lettermen
Entertain
The Grand Master Speaks •••
hia, PA 19107
1 , A.D 1997 , A.L. 5997
The Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in th e Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Ph iladelph ia, Wednesday, December 3 , 1997 at 10:00 o clock, A.M., at which t he Grand Officers and Committee on Masonic Homes will be elected.
Action will be had upon the following proposed Amendments to the Ahiman Rezon.
Am e ndment No 1
Elimin ating Executive Director of Fin ance and Adm inistrative Services
Whereas, th e Executive Director of Finance and Admi nistrative Serv ices was elimi nated by the action of the Grand Lodge Officer s; and
Whereas, it becomes necessary to amend Article 12.03.1 of the Ahiman Rezon.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that Article 12 03 1B shall be removed in ts entirety fr om the Constitution.
Amendm ent No 2 Hono r ary Membership
Be it resolved that Article 17.04 of the Ahiman Rezon shall be amended so that as amended the same shall read.
"17 .04. Lodg e have th e option of having a membership classi fi ca tion known as Honorary Member which may be created with a minimum of 20 years membership and upon t he payment of at least Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) to the Lodge , which sum shall be in cash and which shall be placed in the Permanent Fund of the Lodge.
Lodges are prohibited from making Honorary Members based solely or pa rtially on number of years of membersh p in a Lodge payment of full dues for a specific pe riod or age of a Member or any combination of the foregoing.
Any By-Laws which are in contravention of the foregoing are hereby declared null and voi d."
Amendm ent No. 3
Life M e m be r ship
Whereas, the creation of new life Membership was el minated by act on of the Grand lodge in 1955 ; and Whereas, it is thought ou r Lodges may benef t fi nancially by re -creating such Membe rships.
Now therefore, be t resolved that Artic e 17.04A be added to the Ahiman Rezon, the said Article to read:
"A Lodge m ay grant Life Membership to its Members upon t he payment of $1 ,000.00 which sum shall be invested in the Permanent Fund of the Lodge, the income only to be used fo r the general operat ions o f the Lodge."
A mendment No 4
Reco mmender M ay Be From A nother L od ge
Be it hereby resolved that the second paragraph in Article 21.0 1 of the Ahiman Rezon be amended so that, as amended, it shall read:
"He must apply by petition, to be presented at a Stated Meeting of the Lodge His petition must be in writing, partly wr tten and p artly printed. He must sign the petition wi th his full name, set fo rth t herein his age, occupation and residence, that he has not been rejec ed by any regularly constituted Masonic Lodge, and that he believes in the existence of a Supreme Being. He must be recommended by tw o Master Masons, one of whom must be a Member of the Lodge bei ng pet t ioned "
The Members of the Grand Lodge are a so requested o attend the A nnual Grand Comm un ca t on in the Gr eater Pittsburgh Masonic Center, 3579 Masonic Way, Pittsburgh, Saturday, Decem ber 27, 1997 at 10:00 A M., at wh i ch the Grand Officers will be install ed
Thomas W. Jackson, Gran d Secret ary
Brethren:
As I look at the calendar, I realize that this will be my last message to you as your Grand Master. I want to assure you that I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure, and I personally want to express my appreciation to every Mason in Pennsylvan ia for his support
Brethren, your Grand Lodge enjoys having a very hard-working line of officers and staff. Please take the time when you meet the staff at our Masonic Homes, or at our Grand Lodge, to say "thank you" for their help. They deserve this recognition for the many hours they serve our Craft.
To the officers and members of each Blue Lodge in this State, I appreciate the enthusiasm you have displayed as I visited the lodges, announced and unannounced. Having met so many fine men and ladies across this Commonwealth will always be a highlight of my life.
Brethren , it is quite satisfying to have lodge officers who not only support their lodges , but who also supported the Grand Master's programs - from returning our ritual wo rk to the "old way" to the rededication of the Memorial Arch at Valley Forge. You are the ones who make Freemasonry vibrant and alive in Pennsylvania
THANK YOU!
Edward 0. Weisser R.W. Grand Master
Keep in tune with what's going on in your Fraternity. listen to the R.W . Grand Moster s weekly telephone update on activities ond ssues about Masonry in Pennsylvania.
Associate Editor
Dr. Glenys A Waldman, Associate Editor (Articles and photographs lor publication should be sent to The Editor The Pennsyll'aniil FtffflliJSOn P.O. Box 26t4, West l.aiYII, PA 19609·26t4
Thousands of Maso ns, farni· lies, and friends came to Valley Forge on Sunday after· noon, Augu st 24, to be par t of history and join in sti rri ng ceremon ies conducted by th e Grand Lodge of Fr ee and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania to "Unveil, Lay the Capstone, and Ded icate the Preserved Na t ional Memor ial Arch. "
Seventeen mon ths after th e Freem asons of Pennsylv an ia formally e ntered in to an agreemen t wi th the Na ti onal Park Se rvi ce, the Nat ional Memorial Arc h at Va ll ey Forge has been returne d to grandeur and w ill be preserved as a symbo l of fre e· dom for genera tions to come In addition, at the base of t h e American flag pole facing the Arc h , a new monument co n tinu e d on page 10
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHI P !Act of Oct 23, 1962; Secli on 4369 39, Un ited CodeI November 1, 1997, The Penn· sylvan ia Fre emason": pub i shed qu arter y at the Masonic Homes , Eli zabe thtown , PA 17022 Publis her: Th e Ri ght Wo rship ful Gra nd Lodge o th e Most A ncien t and Ho norab e Fraternity o Free and A cc epted Mason s of Penn sy van a. Ed itor: Bla ine F. Fab ia n O wn er: The R ght Wor shipful Gr and Lodge of the M ost A nc ent a nd Honorab e Frate rnity o f Free and Accep ted Masons o f Pennsylvan ia. Known bondholde rs: none. No adverti sin g ha nd led. Fr ee di s ribut ion a ver· ages 170 ,00 0 each q ua rter I cer tify th at the sta teme nts made by me are correct and complete: B a ne F. Fa b an , Ed tor.
Masonic Military Leaders Recalled
In a fitting preparation for Memorial Day after the May meeting of Philanthropy Lodge No 225, Greensburg , Pa st Master Duane V. Myers (fron t, right) led 20 members of th e Armbrust Vete ra ns Association in a program on "Famous Masons in Military Service." Ni ne of the group that conducts military funerals, marc hes in parades, and presents programs in schools are Masons.
The veterans are {1 -r) : Front - Jos ep h Hartm an ; Bro Wendell Summy, Westmoreland Lodge No 518 , Greensburg ; Cadet Shirer, a World War I veteran who is now 100; and Past Maste r Myers . Second row - Bro . Charles Miller, P.M., Westmoreland Lodge; Bro Wayne Shaffer, Marion Lodge No. 562 , Scottdale; Henry Sobota ; Paul Wilson; John Beer; Don Gray; and Bro . Robert Ramsay, Philanthropy Lodge . Third row - William Kunkle; Samue l Breegle; Eugene Brinker ; Kenneth Hillis; David Hamilton; and Donald Fowler. Back row - William Hillis; Thomas Webb; Bro . Curtis Dell , Westmoreland Lodge; Bro Arthur Hill , P M , Philanthropy Lodge
Team Travels for One-Day Class Conferrals
The Pin Club Conferral Team, comprising Masons who are law enforcement officers from Wes tern Pennsylvania, traveled to Juniata Lodge No. 282, Holidaysburg, near Altoona, to confer the Master Mason's Degree on two state police officers as part of a one-day class. On another occasion, they conferred the Master Mason's Degree in Valley Lodge No. 613, Turtle Creek, on two offi cers of th e Monroeville Police Department.
Participating in the conferral at Juniata Lodge are (upper photo, 1-r): Front - Albert Roll, P.M.; the newlyraised Masons, Trooper Charles R. Stitt, II, and Sgt. David C. Gehret; Daniel Konieczka, P.M.; and Lewis Rauhecker, P M Rear- Dale DeLozier, P.M.; Chief Richard Brantner; Michael De Cimmuto; Joseph Barth; William Polinsky; Leo McCafferty, S.W.; and Chief John Reilly, Sr., P.M.
Participating in the Valley Lodge conferral (lower photo, 1-r): Front · Lt. David Palermo; newly-raised Mason, Sgt. Steve Pascarella; Monroe Police Chief George Polnar, J.W., who conferred the degree; newly-raised Mason Cpl. Vincent Guerrier; Daniel Koniec zka, P M. Second row - Lewis Rauhecker, P.M.; Leo McCafferty, S.W.; Allen Brown, P.M.; Albert Roll, P M.; and Lt. Carlton Nagy. Third row - Luke Lesic; Michael Colberg; Joseph Barth; and William Polinsky
Ground Broken For Lodge No. 307
R. W. Grand Master Edward 0 Weisser, accompanied by the Grand Lodge officers, broke ground Thursday, Sept. 4, for a new building for Williamson Lodge No. 307, Womelsdorf. The new lodge hall, to be constructed at U S 422 and PA 419 at a cost in excess of $425,000, will replace the building in wh ich it has met since it was constituted in 185 7. Looking on as Grand Master Weisser turns the shovel, are (1 -r): WilliamS. Arnold, Sr , D.D.G M , 60th Maso n ic District; Marvin G. Speicher, R. W. Grand Treas urer, and a member of Williamson Lodge; Clark A. Knar r, W.M.; Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Grand Secre tary; Grand Maste r Weisser; Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R. W. Senior Grand Warden; and Marvin A Cunningham, Sr., R.W Junior Grand Warden
Ten Sectional Schools of Instruction have been announced for 1998 by Robert l. Krout, the Instructor of Ritualistic Work:
Larry Ebersole, a 22-year member of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No . 68 2, Elizabethtown, has hand-crafted a miniature carouse l of Masonic symbols that took a year to complete. It co nsumed more than 600 hours of work, not including the designing and tracking do wn the supplies and spe-
Brother Ebersole conceived his idea for the Masonic carousel from the miniature circus on display in the Masonic Homes Museum. He talked to William S. Arno ld, Sr., D.D.G. M., 60th Masonic District, to learn if it is pe rmiss ible to use the symbols of Freemasonry on the carousel discial mate rials needed to fabricate the intricate and precise wor kin g tools of the Craft and the assorted regalia th at adorn the beautifully crafted maste rpiece.
The Maso nic carousel is adorned with most of the fraternal symbols , including many of the wor ki ng too ls, cabletow, officers in formal Masonic dre ss with collars and aprons, an altar complete with the Bible, ballot box with voting pieces, columns, 24-inch ga uge, common gavel, sq uare and compasses, acacia b ush es , lodge lapel pins, and othe r symbols too n umerous to mention All are surrounded by 21 b rig htly deco ra ted h orse s mounte d on brass poles that go up and down just as on a li fe-si ze carouse l. It is h igh li ghted by 250 li ghts and features the Friend to Friend theme.
Crafted Clock Honors Secretaries
In recog nition of all of th e hard work he does, and th e de votion to the lodge shown by Jacob A Marqua rt, Sec retary of Mozart Lodge No . 436 , Bro. Willi a m 0. Reithmeyer wished to p resent Marquart with a gift. Bro. Reit hmeyer thus carved a clock like the one shown here. It is an exact copy, in woo d , of the Secretary s Service Award which had been presented to Bro. Marquart. The wrea th, laurel leaves, and square an d compasses are red oak; the ring surrounding the clock movement is bird s eye maple; and the quill pens are black walnut. These clocks, to be made in a limited edition of 100, of which number 00 1 was the g ift, will be brand ed , numbered , dated , and signed. One of these clocks would ma ke a wonde rful gift for yo ur lodge secretary. The clocks are available through the Gift Shop at the Masonic Temple, Philadelph ia. Ca ll (215) 988 -1 973 or fax (215) 988-1972 for more info rma tion .
play After rec eiving permission , he went to work on th e caro use l w ith the same vigo r and enthusiasm that he has for Freemasonry as an ac tive member of his lodge .
The Masonic carousel has been on display numerous times in various places, includ ing lodges and th e Miniature Carousel Associatio n shows, where he has been well received . He has earned the highes t accolades for his efforts and perfection of work. Brother Ebersole also has crafted a doub le-decker standard carousel, a regular carousel with a gazebo -type roof, and five do ll houses . He has displayed his carousels in nursing homes for the enjoyment of th e residents.
He wou ld like to constr uct another Masonicrelated carousel, if time pe rmits . Let's hope so!
May 9 ..... ....
.. ... ... .... W illiamspo rt
Union Lodge Helps Heart
Recipient
Brethre n of Uni on Lodge No. 291, Scranton, held a spa ghetti dinner and rai sed $4 , 000 to help Jessica Reap, a ten -year-old heart transplant re cipient. The entire community has joine d efforts to help the young lady as though she were a membe r of on e big s upportive family. At the time of a ceremonial check pre sentation, th e support by Unio n Lodge was the largest s ingle contribution received by the family. Credit for the su ccessful effort is due to the work of many Union Lodge members and hundreds of Masons, friends, and neighbors who patroni zed the event.
Pictured makin g th e prese ntation of th e cere monial c hec k to Jessi ca's grandpare nts, James and Ann Reap, are some of th e Masons respons ible for the success : Front (1-r) - Fred Jam es ,
P.M.; Howard Wormuth, P.M.; the Reaps; Richard Belardi, W.M .; Greg Dewey, J.W.; and Bro. Robert Reed Rear - Frank Mellert, P.M.; Wa rr en Maxson, P.M., Secretary; William Jon es, P M.; Rob er t Moore , P.M. ; Al Aukscunas , P.M.; Bro. Carl Taylor; Carl Sh erman, P M.; and George Hamborsky, P.M.
Marine On Leave Receives Degrees
29th District Holds Table Lodge
Police Degree Team Raises Trooper
While home on hi s fir st leave in 16 months , Ma r ine L/Cpl Mi chael T. McCarter wa s ente red , pa ssed , and raised during a o ne -da y conferral of degrees on Saturday, July 19 , in Boyertown Lodg e No .
7 4 1 The d egree s were conferred respectively by W Richard Dillon , D.D.G .M., 40 th Masonic District; Ro land H. Shock , P.D.D G M.; and Kevin D Baver, W.M. , Boyertown Lodge Brother McCarter has been stationed in lwakuni , Japan , si nce April 1996 and has returned for at leas t another nine months Pictured are deg ree participants (1 - r): Front - W. Richard Dillon D.D G M.; L/ Cpl McCarter; Ke vin D. Bave r, W.M .; Roland H. Shock, P.D D.G.M. Middle - Rob e rt R Buch e rt; Mark A Memmo; L. Laverne Sch legel, P.M .; and Le Roy R. Erb , P.M. Rear - Russel l M. Griesemer, P.M. ; Paul Mootz, Jr. ; Winfie ld R. Less ig ; Robert T. Ritter; and Harry H Buche rt A par ticipant not picture d: Mark K. Lessig.
Eighty brethren of the 29th Ma so nic Distr ict enjoyed a table lodge conducted by the Schoo l of Instruct ion ea rli er th is yea r Conducting the table lodge were (1-r) : Front- Thoma s M Glasm ire , P.M. , Cha rtiers Lodge No 297, Ca nno nsb urg ; Pa ul Terry, S W ., Bea ll svi lle Lodge No. 237; Daniel M. Martin, P.M ., Washingto n Lodge No. 164, who was the "cook;" Jay A McGuire, W.M. Claysville Lodge No. 447 , Principal Instructor of the School o f Instruction , w ho spoke at the table lodge; and David L. Richa rds , S.W., Washi ngton Lodge. Rear - G le nn D Mille r, Beallsvi ll e Lodge, Prin cipal of the School of Instruction ; and Wi ll iam M. Jones, Chartiers Lodge , Regional Instructo r fo r Grand Lodge Region 4 A lso among the p resid ing officers were J ames R Flanigan, Chap lain , Claysville Lodge ; a nd D. Everet t Plance , Sec re tary, Washington Lodge . Respo nding to the toasts were: W illiam M. Baily, D.D.G M, Waynesbu rg Lodge No 153 ; Eugene G. Painter, P.D.D G M ., Richard Vau x Lodge No. 454 , Burgettstown ; Walter L. Sykes , P.D.D G M. , Charti e rs Lodge ; and Tho mas E. Westfall , Sr. , P. D.D .G .M. , Claysvill e Lodg e.
All Together in Purple jackets
R. W. Gran d Master Edward 0. Weisser (center), R. W. Junior Gran d Ward e n Marvin A Cunn ingham , Sr. (second from right), and D.D.G. M. Stephe n Gardn e r (second from left), IOth Masonic Di stric t, were presen t in Qu aker town Lodge No. 5 12 , whe n a degree tea m of Pe nn sylvania State Policemen led by retired State Police Se rgeant Home r Jones (third from left), P.D D.G.M , acting as Worshipful Maste r, confer red the Master Mason's Degree on john P. Madi so n (th ird fro m right), a state trooper from the Bethlehem Bar racks . Also in th e fr on t row are William Grimly (left), W.M . of Q uakertown Lodge, and Evans jones, Union Lodge No. 291, Scran ton , who served as S. W. Other degree team members and the s tati ons or places they served are : Middle row (1-r) - Patrick Foy, Kingsbury Lodge No. 46 6, Olyphant, J.M .C.; Paul Bickelman, Mo sc ow Lodge No 504 , Guide; Robe rt Robb ins , Honesdale Lodge No 218, J.W. ; Richard Armbrust , Waver ly Lodge No. 301, ] D ; and Har rison Balth aser, Hon esdale Lodge No. 2 18, Treasure r. Back row - Davi d jones , Mo os ic Lo dge No. 664, S.M .C .; Carl Mease, Poco no Lodge No 78 0 , Cresco, Secre tary; Jeffrey Crurn, Salem Lodge No 3 3 0, Ham li n , Chaplain; John Richards, St. Johns Lodge No . 233, Je n kins Twp. , S.D.; and Harold McElroy, Pocono Lodge No . 780, Cresco, Pu rsuivant.
D.D.G.M. First on Tap to Give Blood
/A Fo ur Pennsylvan ia Masons a re among seven elected to l' f!t I( offices o f the Supreme Forest o f Ta ll Cedars of Leba non of North America. Joh n L. Gehres , a me mb e r o f Susqueha nna Lodge No 364 , Millersburg , was e lected Supreme Sc r ibe ; Charles L. Ru sh of H. Sta nl ey Goodw in Lodge No. 648 , Bethl e hem, Supreme Treasurer; Clifford I. Me ngel of Page Lodge No 270, Schuylk ill Ha ven , a nd Ellis P . Updegraff, Warren Lo dg e No. 3 10 , Collegevil le, both Sup re me Directo rs. James J. Ben so n of Virginia Beach was e lecte d Sup reme Tal l Cedar; Don a ld H. Knode of Forest Hi ll, MD, Sen io r Deputy; a nd Barry R. Stoc ker, Ph illi psburg , NJ, Jun ior De puty. All wi ll be ins ta lled an d beg in their terms during the mid -W in ter confere nce in January in Phila de lph ia .
"\ When Frank R. Derringer (right) of Duquesne Lodge No. 73 1, McKeespor t, gave a pre se ntatio n on the Congress ional Medal of Honor in Ivanhoe Lo dg e No 446 , Kansas City, MO , he was ho nored to meet the M W. Gra nd Master o f Missou ri, Dona ld E Scott Bro. Scott is the firs t G ra nd Master from Missouri's 52nd Ma so nic District since Presid ent Ha rry S Truman.
hAt the G rand Assemb ly For '(: th e York Rite Sovere ign College of North Amer ica held in Denver in mid-August, Marvin G Speiche r (rig ht), R.W Grand Treasurer, received the York Rite's highest honor, the Order o f the Purp le Cross . Thomas W. Jackson , RW. Gran d Secretary, a forme r recipient of the honor, co ngratula tes Bro Speicher after presenting him with the award. The ho no r is con ferred for service to Freemas onry far beyond th e norm , or For outs ta nding serv ices rende red on behalf of the nation or humanity.
A large con tin ge n t of th e more than 3,200 pro ud Penn sylvani a Mason s who h ave earn ed the pur pl e jackets of th e Grand Master's Team rallie d, Fri end to Friend, wi th R.W. Grand Master Edward 0. We isser on
e signer of a petition for a ne w Mason.
Dieter Daube r, D. D.G .M., 15th Masonic District, was the firs t on tap to dona te in the Mason ic Blood Drive in New Milford , May 10, and said he in te nded to do the same September 10 , in Tu nk hannock. The b lood drives, sponsored by the 15th Masonic Di strict, a re open to the public
At the annual meeting in Washington , D.C., on Oct. 8 , R.W. Past Grand Master Edward H. Fowl er, Jr. was to be instal led a s the Provin cial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland for the Un ited State s of Amer ica. Andrew Bruce, Earl of Elg in and Kincard ine, Deputy Grand Master and Gov ernor of the Order, was to tra ve l from Edinburgh , Sco tl a nd , to ins tall him in the Distr ict of Columbia Scottish Rite Cathe dral. Bro. Fowler served as the Prov inc ial Deputy Gra nd Ma ster for four years a nd succeeds Marvin E Fowler (no relation), who has se rved as Provincial Grand Master for 44 yea rs.
1997 Youth Leader Weekend
In August, 62 youth and 16 adult leaders spent the weekend at the Freedoms Foundation Campus, adjacent to Valley Forge National Historic Park, to participate in a special Youth Leader Weekend that was sponsored by the Pennsyl vani a Youth Foundation. The weekend program, supported by DeMolays, Rainbow Girls, and Job's Daughters from across
Youth Leaders inspect Continental Army encampment at Valley Forge.
14th Brotherhood Weekend For
Youth at Elizabethtown
7th Masonic District Hosts Rainbow Tour
"]ames Wilson," Signer of the Declaration of Independence, cha llenges the youth Pennsylvania , included a visit with a costumed Revolutionary War Soldier, a tour of the park, a supercharged motivationa l talk by Bob Tryanski, and a dance on Saturday night.
person then approached the candlelit table to sign the co py of the Declaration.
After a Sunday morning a worship service, an actor portrayed James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Indep endence Each youth was challenged to make the same commitment for the coun try as did the original signers. Each young
At noon, the youth leaders joined additional members of their organizat ions for the Grand Lodge's celebration of the preservation of the Val ley Forge Memorial Arch. This was followed by a "Family of Freemasonry" parade in which 175 youth group members participated_
The program was made possible, in part, by a contribution of $1,000.00 from Infinity Lodge No. 546, to honor Bro. William R. Hovis, a 76-year member of the fraternity. A certificate of appreciation was signed by all participating youth leade rs to be presented to Bro. Hovi s, who recently ce leb rate d hi s 104th birthday_
The 1997 Pennsylvania DeMolay Key Man Conference
Goal-setti n g and accountability were two of the key ingre di ents of the 199 7 Pennsylvania DeMolay Key Man Conference that was attended by 50 Pennsylvania DeMolays, 27 out-of-state DeMolays, 12 Jurisdictional Officers, 6 Advisors , and a full -time staff of 25.
The week was a mix of formal DeMolay training, w ith an emphasis on membership recruitment techniques and commitments; basic chapter procedures; leadership ideas and ideals; and programming for success. The conference also included guest speakers on the dangers of drug and alcohol use; sex education; and leadership development from a Top Gun In structor. Special programs and demonstrations included a police department canine corps drug dog program; interaction with residents of the Masonic Homes; a Masonic panel during which various Masonic organizations and their activities were highlighted; and a professional hypnotist who kept the audience both enter tain ed and mesmerized.
During the membership magic sess ion s, each DeMolay was chal lenged to set a membership recruitment goal for himself. These commitments could result in 260 new members for the Order of DeMo lay. To su ppo rt th e m as they aggress ively pursue their goals, these key men will receive remind e r calls and special ized assistance from the conference s taff members throughout the next several months. The goals are high, but the probability of succecss is also high. Pennsylvania DeMolay s hould grow in membership for the third straight and unpr eceden ted year !
The 14th meeting between the me mbers of the Order of DeMolay and the Knights of Pythagoras was held August 15- 17 at the Masonic Conference Center-Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. The Brotherhood Weekend was organized by Charles L. Saltzgueber, Jerusalem Lodge No. 506 and Pennsylvania DeMolay's Director of Brotherhood, and Edward W. Perrine, Worshipful State Director of Youth for the Prince Hall Grand Lodge. The weekend included brotherhood exercises, interactive group activities, and a tour of Fort Indiantown Gap, where the military staff stressed the importance of leadership development, education, and service to country.
The keynote speaker for the wee kend program was Joseph G. Summers, President and CEO of Pennsylvania Healthmate Corporation and Chairman of the Board of Directors fo r the Urban League of Metropolitan Harr isb urg. Summers is a senior member of the Knights of Pythagoras and spoke on the importance of setting and achieving the proper goals in life. He reminded the young men that "in life there are only speed bumps, not stop signs." He also stressed that truly happy people are those who set goals that include sharing of personal talents with other people, re member ing that you should never "s tep on someone else to get anywhere."
The weekend concluded with a Sunday morning worship service, which was prepared by the youth leaders. Plans are being made now fo r the 15th annual Brotherhood Weekend to be held August 21-23, 1998.
The lodges of the 7th Masonic District hosted the Grand Assembly Tour of Rainbow for Girls in the Masonic Center, West Reading, late in March During the session, the Rainbow Girls exemplif ied their ritua li stic work and initiated seven young ladies. Leading the session were (1 -r) : Frank E Daniel s, D.D.G.M. ; Barbara Johnson , th e Grand Deputy of Rainbow District No . 24; Miranda Gresko, Grand Worthy Advisor of Rainbow fo r Girls, 1996-97; Beryl L. Hogue, Supreme Inspector in Pennsylva nia for Rainbow; and June Claypool , Grand Trustee .
348 Enjoy Traveling To Alaska On Grand Master's Tour in August.
At a Friend ship Banqu et for the Grand Lodge of Alaska hosted by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in th e Anchorage Hilton Hotel , R.W. Grand Master Edward 0. Weisser (left in left photo) greets M.W. Grand Master Stan ley Foulks in Alaska. In ri ght photo, the Grand Master thanks the Elder of the Indian Tribe from Ketc hikan that provided the ent ertainment after th e banq uet.
Scholarship Guide Published
The tenth edition of the Mason ic Scholarship Resource Guide has been produced by th e Pennsylvania Youth Foundation. It includes a summary of mo re than 50 schola rship or grant programs provided by various Masonic bodies for Masons, their fami lies, and me mb e rs o f the Masonica lly- related youth groups. More than 4,000 copies of the gu idebook have been di stributed, free to all of th e Masonica ll y-related yout h group leaders, lodge secretaries, lodge youth chairmen, and more than 500 guidance co unselors in high schools in Pennsylvania. Additiona l copies are ava il able from the PYF offices, 1 244 Ba inb ridge Road , Elizabethtow n, PA 17022. (717) 367-1536 or (in PA. on ly) (800) 266-8424.
That 's the Grand Pursui vant, Emanu el lglasias (le ft ph oto) , behind the overturned kayak from which he fell when his dau ghter tried to photograp h him. In ri ght photo, Stanley P. Polekoff, Lod ge No. 9, Tacony, Philadelphia, sho ws the kin g salmon he caught, alon g wi th other pink salmon , in Ketchikan.
Five Students Awarded Stenberg Scholarships
Fi ve students were awarded Carl W Stenberg Schola rship checks for $1,000 each by the Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for the Prevention of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Among Chi ldren. The checks are th e first installments toward as many as four years of suppor t for eac h of the students who have turned their li ves around through th e Student Assistance Program (SAP) Th e five we re selected from 18 finalists ou t o f 125 original app licants. Prese ntly, th e fund is award ing $ 15,000 a year in scholarsh ip money.
The 199 7 recipients are : Joseph Flowers of Pittsburgh, Jam ie Crame r of Johnstown, Sara h O le jarz of G lenshaw, Jonathan Romanoski of Reinho ld s, and Gina Rubino of Blairsville.
Each recipient is eligib le for as much as $1,000 a year for as many as fo ur yea rs of pos t high school education. Each st ud en t has comple ted a Student Assistance Program and has been recommended by his or her school's (SAP) te am. The studen ts must remain drugand alcoho l-free and ma intain a t leas t a 2.0 grad e ave rag e while in colle ge.
Nearly two hours before the ceremonies were to begin, peo· pie were arriving at the Memorial Arch. Estimates of the total attendance ranged from 6,000 to 8,000.
It was a stirrin g sc ene of patrio tism and prid e as the thou · sa nd s joined in th e Pledge of Allegiance and th e singing of th e Na tional Anthem.
The Knights Templar Color Guard and the Friend to Friend banne r led the Grand Lodge process ion to the Memorial Arch.
lThe First Contine ntal Fife and Drum Cor ps set the cadence for the processional
The Gran d Lodge also erected a new monument at the base of the American fl ag pole faci ng tl1e Arch that pays tr ibute to Bro ther Geo rge Washington a nd Freemasons who we re among the soldiers of h is Conti ne ntal Army encamped there in 177 7·78.
Thousands Unite in Stirring Ceremony As Freen. asons Unveil, Dedicate Preserved Valley Forge Memorial Arch
(continued from page 3)
pays tribute to Bro the r George Washin gton and Free masons who we re among the soldiers of hi s Con tin en tal Army encamped the re in 1777 -78.
Following the cadence of the Continental Fife and Drum Corps, R.W. Grand Ma ster Edward 0. Wei ss er led an impressive processional of the officers of th e Grand Lodge, acc ompanie d by grand masters from 17 Masonic juris di ctions and leaders of ne arly all of the app en dant Ma sonic bodi es Join ing in th e p rocession and the ce r e mo ni es w ere Cong ressman and Bro. Jon Fox, U S. De partme n t of Interior re pre sen ta· tives, National Park Se rvice directors, and the Va lley Forge Na t io nal Historical Park Service Su perin tend en t and staff.
As th e program began, th e resto red Arc h was veil ed wi th a large blue banner with a white Square and Compasses emblem. Following th e invocat ion by Grand Lodge Chaplain Charles H Lacquemen t , Arthur L. Stewart, Superintendent of the Valley Forge National Historical Park, joined Gr an d Master We isse r in lowe ring th e veil to reve al full y th e pre· served 60 -foot high structur e and a h uge Ame ri can fla g h ang ing in th e center of its arch It was a dramati c expe rience w ith stirring pa tri otic moments as the thousands joined the Grand Mas te r in pledging ail e · glance to th e flag and sin ging "The Star Spangled Banne r " led by Pa st Master Raym ond Foose of Newtown Lodge No. 427, Woodside .
The ri tuali stic capston e-laying and de dic ati on began w ith a praye r by Grand Lodge Chap lai n Thomas C . Ha ugh afte r w hich Marvin G. Speicher, R.W. Grand Treas urer, prese nted coins and valuable ar ticles fo r depositing in the vault und e r the caps ton e Thomas W Jac kson, R W. Grand Secre tary, read the inventory of items th at were placed. The va ult, s ub sequently se ale d and low ere d in the presen ce of Gran d Master Weisser and Superinten den t Stew ar t, is a sta in le ss steel box w ith a bronze da te plate adorned with the Grand Maste r s Medallion.
The ceremon ial "App roval of the Wor k" w as performed by R.W. J un io r Grand Warde n Marvi n A. Cunningham, Sr. , who pro ve d and pronounced it plu mb; R.W. Sen ior Grand Wa rde n Robe rt L. Dluge , Jr., assu red it to be level; and R.W. Deputy Grand Master James L. Erne t te, verified it to continued on page 13
lg'he !h-and flaste,._* Children Are Freemason's Keystone for Future
Below is the text of R.W. Grand Master Edward 0. Weisser's oration concluding the "Unveiling, Capstone· Layi ng, and Dedicatio n" ceremonies at the National Memorial Arch. Placing a strong emphasis on children as "the keystone fo r free dom" in the future of our country, midway through the oration , Grand Master Weisser invited his grandson, Ge orge Stockburger, VI, and Aneesah Akil, daughter of Worshipful Master David E. Wilson , Ion ic Lodge No 112, Prince Hall Grand Lodge , to join him. The children stood upon the lectern as living symbols of a fu ture with freedom as the Grand Master concluded his remarks.
A co py of the Grand Maste r's Oration, along with the printed program of the "Unveiling, Capstone-Laying, and Ded icatio n" ceremo nies, were placed in the time vault under the capstone of the Memorial.
The Oration
We assem ble here to da y at this National Memorial Arch to show the world th at freedom is the keystone for all God-fearing peo ple . We es pecially hono r th ose brave men who, in the tim e of conflict, we re ready to lay down the ir lives in the cau se of liberty, jus· ti ce, and ri ghteous ness. Li ncoln said it so well whe n he stated , "The wo rld will li ttl e no te, nor lo ng remember, wha t we say here, but it can never forge t what the y did he re."
May th is Me morial Ar ch, that the Free masons resto red, rise to perpetuate th e memory of the hero ic men who gave th eir lives for friend s and country - to te ach us, an d our chil dren to the las t genera tio n, th e love of God, fideli· ty, and loyal ty to constituted authority.
(con tinued on p age 12)
Joined during his oration by his grandson and the daugh· ter of a Worshipful Master, R.W. Grand Master Edward 0. Weisser heralded children as the benefacto rs and the future of the freedom in this great country as earned by dedication and sac rifice of the soldiers of the Continental Army.
Bro. Raymond and Vtrginia Foose lead the large crowd in singing "The Star Spangled Banner"
R.W. Grand Master Edward 0. Weisser seals the box preparatory to its being lowered into the vault.
Lowering the time box into the vault are (clockwise from left): Project Representative Dean E. Vaughn, P.M.; Architect Edwin R. Junkin, P.M.; R.W. Grand Master Edward 0 . Weisser; and Valley Forge Park Superintendent Arthur L. Stewart.
Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Grand Secretary, places the fmal plans and designs in the stainless steel box before it is sealed under the capstone. Watching the action are (1r) : Earl L Hummer, Jr., P.M., General Contractor; Edwin R Ju nkin, P.M., Architect; Dean E Vaughn, P.M., the Grand Lodge Project Representative; Marvin A Cunningham, Sr., R.W. Junio r Grand Warden; Reg ina Jones-Underwood , Assistant Superintendent at Valley Forge; Arthur L. Stewart, Superin te ndent at Valley Forge ; and Edward 0 We isser, R.W. Grand Master.
Overs ee ing th e final action as a cran e hois ts the capstone and places it ove r th e vault is a group of prin cipal personaliti es in compl e ting th e proj ect. They are(l -r): Thomas W. Jackson , R.W. Grand Secretary; Tim Long, Valley Forge Histo ri an; Arthu r L. Stewart, Vall ey Forge Superinte nd ent; Norma Keen ey, of JWF Architec ts , Inc.; Edwin R Junkin, Archi tec t; EarlL. Hummer, Co ntractor; Edward 0. Weiss er, R.W. Grand Master; Rick Perkey, Houck Construction Supervisor; Harry Houlton, Constru ction Worker; Dean E. Vaughn , Grand Lodge Proje ct Representative; Henry Cole, the Maso n who first recomme nded the prese rvation project; and Scott Pe nce, Construc ti on Work e r.
Grand Master's Oration
No arch can stand without the infl uence of a keys ton e, and we, as Freemasons, cannot fulfill our God-given mission without being chari table to all who seek and need charity. Masons have - and Maso ns will- always be the keystone of charity and the keepers of fre edom. May we all ke ep the vision of th is National Memorial Ar ch in our mind s eye to re mind us always of the sacrific e that God's children gave for each of us.
Thes e ch ild ren are the hands of God's shaping of the keys tone for the future. Always let them be the keystone of freedom, and may freedom prevail because of th e beauty of ch ild ren who will be the arch th at holds th e future of freedom.
( continued from page 111
fragment of the George Washington Memorial Arch that was restored to its grandeur by the Freemasons of Pennsylvania. It is being rededicated on this 24th day of Au gust, 1997, to futur e generations. May this ro ck always re mi nd you that Brother George Washington and his men, who were encamped at Valley Forge durin g th e harsh wi nte r of 1777-78 , believed in freedom and fou ght to preserve it.
The Masons of Penn sylvani a, who resto red this Arch to its grand eur in 199697, also have a stron g belief in freedom. They want you, your children, and their childre n to know that the Masons of this gre at country have always believed in freedom. Keep this authentic piece of granite as a so lid remembrance of this be lief - and may yo u enjoy freedom always!
V. F. Park Superintendent Accepts Gift
Following are the remarks of Arthur L. Stewart, superintendent of Valley Forge National Historical Park, w hen he accepted the gift of the " preservation of the National Memorial Arch" from the Freemasons The original text has been placed in the time vault under the capstone of the Memorial Arch .
Thank you Grand Master Weisser Lad ies and gentlemen , I am very pleased to be here today representing Valley Forge National Hi storica Park, The National Park Service and th e American people, for we are the recipient of a most generous gift.
A gift that helps us Fulfill the mission of the National Park Service to preserve and protect the nationally significant resources th at have been entrusted to us by you, the people of the United States
A gift that helps us all preserve a most worth y resource the National Memorial Arch
I do not believe that we can state too often the purpose of this monument to honor the "patriotism displayed and the suffering endured by General George Washington , his officers, and men ."
Though no battles were fought here, during that win ter of 17771778 hundreds of soldiers died. For Valley Forge is the site of the American army s epic struggle to survive against hunger disease and the relentless forces of nature as the price of those most elu sive commodities liberty and independence.
When Washington's Army marched into Vall ey Forge, the men were tired cold , and ill-equ ipped. The Co ntinental Army had been handicapped in battle because military training was not unified , but rather administered from a variety of commands, using a
variety of technique s and fiel d manuals. This made coordination during battle difficult at best But after six months of intense training at Valley Forge that same army emerged as a cohesive fighting force able to go on to secure liberty ... and wi n our independence.
On March 15th, 1996, we stood on this same g round and made a covenant to insure th e Future of the memorial that honors them
Today we have returned to this same place to celebrate the culmination of the most difficult part of our journey in this covenant.
Over a year of craftsmanship, innovati ve engineering , and design have resolved problems that began almost 80 years ago, when the Arch was new But, w hat is equally significant is that our covenan t wi ll go on beyond today for our journey together continues The Grand Master has given the Brotherhood a charge to continue to help the National Park Service care for the National Memorial Arch.
We are comforted by the knowledge th a t the National Memorial Arch w ill continue to be jointl y protected b y the Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvan ia and by the National Park Service two organizations w ith a devotion to our nation' s past, as well as a sta ke in ou r nation 's future.
Thousands Unite For Unveiling and Dedication
be square. Th e same officers then spread the corn, wine, and oil in the "Act of Consecration ."
Dean E. Vaughn, P.M., the Grand Lodge Project Representative, whom the Grand Master had introduced at the beginning of the ceremonies as having spe nt countless days overseeing the project, presented the Ar chitect, Edwin R. Ju nkin, P.M., and the General Contractor, Earl L. Humme r, Jr , P.M. Bro. Junkin thanked the Grand Lodge for the opportunity to be part of th e historic effort and turned over to the Grand Master the plans and designs from the trestleboard. Bro. Vaughn then presented Valley Forge Park Sup e rintendent Stewart to whom the Grand Mas ter gave th e plans for official records.
Superintendent Stewart thanked the Grand Master and the Free masons on behalf of the " Valley Forge National Historical Park, National Park Service, and the American people, for we are the recipients of a most generous gift. " (Please see the t ext of Superintendent Stewar t's remarks in an adjoining column .)
Sp eakin g last in the program, the Grand Master de livered an oration, wh ich was brief, but poig nant. His message first heralded the dedi cati on, brave ry, and suffering that delive red freedom for this nation. Th e n he looke d to t h e childr en of tod ay and ge ne ra tions
to come to appreciate, benefit, and protect that fre edom and " let them be the keystone of freedo m, and may freedom prevail because of the beauty of children who w ill be the arch that holds the future of freedom." (Se e the complete text of the Grand Master's Oration on Page 11.)
The event was dramatically climaxed with a stirring rendition of "God Bless America" sung by Raymond and Virginia Foose who were joined by the thousands of voices in the crowd.
To that music of "God Bless America," several hundred children came forward to encircle th e prese rved National Memorial Arch at Valley Forge. They joined hands in unity and sang "We Are the Children, We Are the World." Each of th em received a hi sto ric memen to, a small piece of the granite stone that came from the Arch during the restoration.
Throughout the ceremony, moving patriotic and so lemn musical selections were offered by the Fooses ; organist John E. Goodman, Barger Lodge No . 333, Allento wn; Karen M. Jeffries, a statewid e Grand Lodge musi cal tal e nt con test winner; th e Contine ntal Fife and Drum Corps; and the Men's and Boys' Choir of the Washington Memorial Chapel.
Masonic Homes and Eastern Star Homes Merging
The Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania Order of Eastern Star and the Masonic Homes of the R.W. Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. are pleased to announce that the Eas tern Star Homes in Warminster, Bucks County, and in Bellevue, Allegheny County will become part of the Masonic Homes ' continuum of services.
On June 23, Eastern Star members voted to accept the agreement from the Masonic Homes to merge thei r facilities. On Friday, July 25, the Committee on Masonic Homes voted to mo ve forward with the merger, which could take place by January 1, 1998. The preliminary plans for t he merger were agreed upon when R.W.G.M. Edward 0. Weisser, and Bro. Joseph E. Murphy, NHA, Executive Director/CEO of the Masonic Homes, signed the Letter of Intent on Friday, August 29, and Barbara R. Carson, Worthy Grand Matron and Betty L. MacAdam, PGM, Chairman of the Overview Advisory Board , signed the document the following week.
The merger of the Homes brings an opportunity to expand the Masonic Homes quality care services to indiv iduals across the Commonwealth. Admission eligibility for all three Homes will then extend to Masons and their family members and to Eastern Star members. Details are being finalized as both facilities work to meet the needs of the residents and employees at the three Homes.
To build and maintain efficient administrative relations among the thre e Homes, Bro. Murphy, NHA, Executive Director/CEO, has appointed Bro. William C. Davis Jr., NHA, as Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, effec tive July 25, 199 7. In this capacity,
Bro. Davis is responsible for the se rvices provided in the Masonic Homes' Freemasons Building and Village Green Area, as well as the operations of the two Eastern Star Homes. Brother Davis has been employed by the Masonic Homes since 1990 as Adm inistrato r of Health Care Services.
William C Davis , J r.
Respite Care Facility to Open at the Masonic Homes
The Comm ittee on Ma sonic Homes ha s approved the opening of a respi te care facility at the Masonic Homes for developmentally disabled adults The eight-bed resp ite care co ttag e is tentatively schedu led to open March 1998. Masonic Homes goal in estab ishing thi s new service is to help meet the needs of Masons and members of our community in caring for their developme ntally disabled and menta lly retarded adult children.
Having a family member with mental retardation and / or a developmental disability presents some unique challenges. As children wi th mental retarda tion or developmental disabilities grow into adulthood , they often are unable to acquire the ski ll s necessary to become fully functional , in dependent adults. Many times they remain dependent on their families throughout their adult li ves.
The burden of caring for a child diagnosed wi th menta l retardation or a developmental disability fa ll s almost exclusively on the immediate famil y, and usually on th e parents. Parents of child ren suffering from
deficits in cogni ti ve abilities, learn ing skills, judgment, and adaptive skills encounter many difficult situations. Children with physical , behav ioral , or psychological challenges require additional demands from th eir parents. As both the parents and the child age , all of those pressures become even more signifi cant.
All parents hold their children in their th oug hts: at work , at play, and at home. But, parents of children wi th mental retardation or a developmental disability exper ience even more constraints and greater challenges . The time and energy spen t caring for their chi l d is interminable Even something as simple as a weekend at the beach presents unique and diffi cult questions : Who wi ll care for my chi ld? Will my chi ld be safe without me? Will my child be lonely? How w ill he or she occupy his or her time? Where can my child go to experience a safe, secure, and nurturing enviro nmen t?
To whom can I turn to help me and my child?
The Masonic Homes Respite Care Program is an answer to those question s. A hom e
Outreach Provides Support through Helpline Referrals
Your Masonic Homes Outreach Program continues to serve Pennsylvania Freemasons all across America. And as you are well aware, the Outreach Program also extends its information and referral services to our friends in our local communities.
To help make the services easily accessible to all who may need them , Outreach has registered with community " helplines" that are offered across the Commonwealth. Many communities offer, with help from the United Way, an information and referral service. A telephone number usually listed in the " Blue Pages" of the telephone directory puts people in touch with an operator who is then able to direct the caller to an appropriate service provider. In some cases, those calling the help line are referred to the Masonic Homes Outreach Program.
This was exactly the case when a woman in the Pittsburgh area was threatened with eviction from her apartment. She was experiencing financial trouble and was behind in her rent Her landlord did not consider that she was not well and unable to work. She was put in touch with the Outreach Program in Elizabethtown. After speaking to her and gathering some necessary information, the Outreach Director was able to speak with the landlord and the Area Office of Aging in Allegheny County. Some facts were cleared up, and the woman was able to remain in her apartment while payment arrangements were made.
A completely different referral came from Contact Helpline in the Harrisburg area. Occasionally, when calls are received from families distressed about their children,
their information is passed on to the Masonic Children ' s Home. When a referral to the Children's Home is not appropriate, other options are investigated , as in the case of a child diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder. The child needed special, professional support services in the home and at school to supplement the care already being provided by the family Outreach located those services and provided the family with the necessary information to accommodate the child's special needs
As Outreach registers with more of the community helplines, more calls will come from cities and towns across Pennsylvania , helping Outreach fulfill its mission to extend Freemasonry's good work through the Masonic Homes into our communities.
away from home wi ll soon be available, with around-the-clock supervised care in a com fortabl e co ttage w ithin the safety and security of the Masonic Homes. There, individ uals with specia l needs wi ll receive three nutritious meals a day plus snacks, social , and recreational activities , ass i stance with personal care, and access to medical care if needed A ll of this will be available at a reasonable cost, so care -givers can enjoy a vacation without feeling guilty about leaving their loved one behind. Masoni c Homes w ill make sure their loved one is having a vacation too!
Thi s quality respite care will be available to adults, 18 and older, with mild to moderate retardation or other similar developmental di sabilities. Freemasons, as well as their friends in the community, who are fa ced with providing care for an adult ch ild will be eligible to use this respite care facility. For more information about the Masonic Homes Respite Care Program , or to make reservations, call (717) 367-1121 , extension 33301.
The Masonic Homes continues to make plans for single- and double-room accommodations in the beautiful Village Green Area to be available in the sp ring of 1998.
If you have been thinking about joining the Masonic Homes family, call now to make an appointment to visit and tour the facility.
If you are traveling a distance , overnight accommodations at the Masonic Home s are available by
reservation at $32 a night. Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the caring services and various opportunities offered at the Masonic Homes.
Should you be interested in accommodations prior to spring 1998, some double room s will be available. Now is the time to start planning for your future.
You d eserve the best that retirement has to offer! The beautiful Kuhlemeir building in the Village Green Area.
For more information, or for an application to the Masoni c Homes' Village Green Area , please send th e coupon to: Admissions Office, Masonic Homes , One Masonic Dri ve, Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Or, call 1-800-422-120 7, and the staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about retirement living at th e Masonic Homes
Please send me more information about the Masonic Homes' Village Green Area
Eastern Star Home, Bucks County
Eastern Star Home, Allegheny County
A view of the majestic formal gardens in the Village Green Area.
Some Dreams Really Do Come True
Thirty-five r esi dents of the Masonic Children's Home an d 14 staff members flew to Disney World on Friday, August 8, and returned August 13. Funds to fi nance this special t ri p were raised through the sale of note cards designed by th e child r e n.
Th e mornin g th ey le ft for Florida, the youth and staff w ere presented w ith t -shirts imprinted with the Masonic logo and the quot e, "Nothin g is impos s ible if you dream. Dreams do come true," compliments of Wil liam W. Weisser, Grand Sword Bearer of Grand Lodge, and twin brother of R.W. Gran d Master, Edward 0. Weisser.
The resi de nts of the Maso ni c Children's Home exten d a b ig "Thank You! " to Grand Master Weisser for making this dream come true. The youth also app r eciate the su pport given by the Committee on Masonic Homes They are extre mely gra teful
to Freemasons across the Commonwealth for supporting this tru ly wo nd erful adve n tu r e.
And an ad ven tur e it was ! This trip will have a lasting impress ion on thos e young people for the rest of their lives Words cannot describe the wonderful vacatio n they exp erie n ce d ; but these quotes from th e chi ld re n come close : "Can we go next year?" one child asked " Thi s is the best vacatio n I eve r had! " exclaimed another. " I can ' t believe we ' r e here!" ec ho e d a third. They had a great time.
The trip pre sen ted countless highlights, but the heart-stopping ri de s were the overwh e lming favorite . Other exciting events includ e d the fireworks that lit up the Dis ney Wo rld parks in the evenings an d Epcott's 25th Anniversary light show. The youth also spent several delightfu l ho urs swimmi n g in th e pools and re lax ing in the spas at the resort w h ere they stayed .
From th e tim e they boarded the plane un t il they arrive d back at the Harrisburg International Airpor t , the youth were in a world of fantas y and amazement T heir faces wore continuous smiles and expre ss ions of e xc i tement Thank you to all the Mas ons thr o ugh out the sta t e for touc h ing th e lives of these youn g p e ople. T hi s is one expe r ience the y w ill never forge t
Two-Bedroom Apartments Available in Independent Living Community
r------------------------------, YES, I'm interested in hearing more about Independent living at the Masonic Homes
Please send me a brochure wit h prices and floor plans
There are severa l ve ry attractive two-bedroom apar tme nts ava il able for immediate occ upancy. If you are tr ying to dec ide whethe r independent living at the Masonic Homes is for you , ca ll the Marketing Office at 1-800-676-645 2. The Marketing staff wil l be pleased to schedule an appointmen t for you to see th e apartments and a nswer any que stions you may have regardi ng retire men t living Moving into a community that has so much to offer can be an en joyab le experience
Mail the fo llowing coupon to: Market ing Office, Masonic Homes, One Maso nic Dr ive , Eli zabethtown, PA 17022.
Busy Day on Franklin Drive
The fi rst residen ts began moving into th ei r new in de pendent living cottag e s on Ju ly 28, and th e re has been a ste ady flow of movin g vans ever since. Man y of the res iden ts are alread y settled in and e njoying their ne w homes , while o thers a re wa iting for the completion of the ir homes in Phase 2 There is still a se lection of cottag es to choose from in Phase 1 and 2, including som e wi th bas emen ts . Call the Marketing Office at 1- 800676-6 452 fo r more in forma ti o n o n availab ility and cos t.
Considering Success or Failure
By Bro Thomas W. jackson R. W. Grand Secretary
My Brothers:
For a goo d many years, I have given thought to the significance of Freemasonry, as well as the purpose of the Craft. Certa inly, there are many definitions existing that state its purpose, all of them admirable , some ethereal.
There is no doubt that in many cases , and probably most, we succeed. In others, we fail. The successes and failures depend upon our efforts and systems, as well as our members' willingness to receive and respond to our efforts.
The success or failure of a man in life , howeve r, depends more upon the re c ipien t than upon the giver, and I would suspect that our fai lures are less of our making than of the Brother's willingness to accept our philosophies and principles
I was reading the publication of th e Grand Lodge of Hawai i rece ntl y and 1 saw a li t tle quotation which imp r essed me. It was an old lndian saying:
When you were born , You cried and the world re joic ed Live your life in such a mann e r that when yo u die the world cri e s an d you rejoice.
So g re at woul d be the Craft if we simply a ccomplis he d in s tilling that adage into our m e mb e rs. I hav e e xpr esse d a number of times tha t th e valu e of th e life of a man mi gh t be determined by th e number w ho ar e sad wh e n h e passes aw ay. T hat, basically, is w ha t is e xpre sse d in th e ol d In dian saying.
It mus t li e in the re spo ns i bi li ty of th e s ubordin ate lod ges to improve th e character o f th e man . T h a t cannot be th e re sponsibility of the Grand Lod ge, or an y other higher bod y. Grand bo di es may contrib u te to the im press io n o n th e man, but it will always be the subord inate lod ges w h o re ach th e brother
Our defin i tion is to take good men and make them better How m u ch better cou ld we do than to have the w orld cry whe n we di e?
District 55 Races For Charity
The 55th Maso nic Di str ict a rac in g "ca r" a nd crew in th e Arth ri tis Fo undation's Mini Gra nd Pri x on Aug ust 23 in Pittsburg h's Station Sq uare. Ted Bergfelt, Mi lno r Lodge No 287, Pittsb urg h, hea ded the team fo r th e charity event. George H Holt, D.D .G M. , explai ned th at th is is the second yea r tha t there has been a Ma so ns' ca r in the ra ce La st yea r, Mil nor Lodge pa rti cipa ted ; now it is a d istri ct-wide prog ram
Mo re th an two-dozen tea ms pa rticipated District 55 d idn 't ma ke it to th e finals; but noting th a t th is is o nly the second year, th e "young tea m" vouc hed to be back next yea r maybe with two racers. The re will be tryouts a nd practice runs for d rivers (wi ves and daugh ters over 21 are enco ura ged to joi n the co mpetitio n}. Between th e go- kart ra ces, els ewh e re o n the gro und s, people inspected booth s set up by the team s The Distri ct 55 booth tha t was attractively decorated wi th a banner created by Bro. Grego ry Nove ll i (pictured wi th hi s as sistant, Linda Stapleton ), provi ded refres hmen ts and fea tu red litera ture on Freemason ry and tee-sh irts with the racing tea m's logo.
1 to 75 Yrs. of Service Noted at Lodge 648
"Awards Nigh t" at the J une stated mee ting of Stan ley Goodwin Lo d ge No . 648 , Bethlehem, was " .. . a night of very special rewards," reporte d Te r ry E Minni ch , D. D G M , 9th Masonic Di strict
First, 100-ye ar-o ld Charles j . E. Dubbs was e s cor ted to lodge by his two sons, Ri chard and Donald , to rece ive his 75-Year Masonic Recogn ition Certificate from the District Deputy They are pic t ured in the fro n t row below (1-r) : Richard; D.D. G.M . Minnich; cen tenarian Charle s ] E.; Charles R Danie ls, W M ; and Donald
Then, th ree brethren two from Stanley Goodwin Lodge and one fr om Cen te n nial Lodge No 54 4, Carne gie were presented thei r 5 0-Year Em blems of Go ld. They are in the rea r (1-r) Charles F. Mohr, Sr ; Ch arles D. A rth ur of Ce ntenn ial Lodge , who is a cousin of the Worshipful Master; and Jack E Cole. In addition, twenty brethren rece ived 25-Year Gran d Lodge Service Emb lems ; fi ve rece ived Friend to Friend Gran d Master s purple team jacke ts; and fo ur newly raise d Maso ns receive d co p ies of the Exempl ar
T he Worshipfu l Ma s ter presented D D G.M Mi nnich a gave l and wall plaque . Al l bre t hren joined in an appro p ria t e "Rededication Service ."
