Masonic Villages include locations in Dallas, Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill, Sewickley and Warminster.
Published by Masonic Villages’ Public Relations Department Masonic Village, One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022
717-367-1121, ext. 33383 or email pr@masonicvillages.org.
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Masonic Villages is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Decisions concerning admissions, the provision of services and referral of residents are not based upon race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age (where minimum age for admission is met), sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, limited English Proficiency (LEP) or any other protected status.
MAKING AN IMPACT on Our Friends and Neighbors
As a nonprofit organization, and as part of our Mission of Love, Masonic Villages extends services to surrounding communities and individuals of all ages. Efforts focus on supporting local businesses, nonprofits and economic development; educating and engaging students and children; assisting those in need; sharing cultural experiences; and encouraging our residents’ participation in community projects and service.
To read our full 2023 Community Impact Report, visit MasonicVillages.org/community-report.
Masonic Villages partners with other organizations to help fulfill needs in the community, some of which also benefit our residents, including intergenerational programs with young children and college students. We donated approximately $25,925 in space for use by community groups to hold programs, training and meetings in 2023.
“We are eternally grateful for this trusted partner. It is quite difficult to ‘talk about’ lifesaving techniques from the side of the pool and much easier to practice them from the water.”
Frank D. Telenko, Jr., lifeguard trainer, Wildwood Swim Club, which uses Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s pools for training
We contributed $61,793 to fire and EMS companies, libraries, ministries and other causes in 2023, including $15,000 to the Elizabethtown Area Education Foundation to help generate support for the foundation’s grant program to enhance learning experiences in the classroom and beyond. One of the current projects is to increase accessibility of outdoor play spaces at the Bear Creek School for the enjoyment of all students and the community.
At Masonic Villages’ Elizabethtown and Sewickley locations, we awarded $32,400 in scholarships to 13 graduating high school seniors and college students who volunteered at least 100 hours with us during their high school years.
Masonic Villages works with local schools and universities to welcome students seeking internships and job shadow experiences to enhance their formal education. In clinical settings, including the pharmacy, music therapy, recreation, social services and environmental services departments, staff spent more than 6,500 hours supervising 58 students.
Many of Masonic Villages’ residents are active in the community. Last year, residents contributed to service projects that benefited children, students, older adults, emergency service providers and those with food and housing insecurities. Residents participated in an Adopt a Highway project, the Susan G. Komen West Pennsylvania “More Than Pink” walk and Project Linus (a national nonprofit organization which donates homemade blankets to hospitals, shelters, social service agencies or anywhere a need arises). They also donated to groups including Elizabethtown Community Housing and Outreach Services, The Children’s Playroom of Lancaster, Hope Within and Communities That Care.
Individual staff and departments led community projects throughout 2023, whether it was collecting items to donate to a local food bank or financial donations for community nonprofits. Beyond regular office hours, many staff are active leaders in professional associations where they share their expertise while gaining knowledge and connections to enhance their work at Masonic Village, including LeadingAge PA, Pennsylvania Council on Aging and Masonic Communities and Services Association.
It takes a village to make a thriving community, and Masonic Villages’ staff and residents are proud to be part of what makes their local areas great places to live, work and grow.
Capturing Life on Land and Sea
Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill resident Ginny Glazier took residents on an underwater adventure recently while showcasing her beautiful photos of sea and aquatic life from a trip to Hawaii.
Ginny and her husband, Rick, both enjoy snorkeling. Ginny uses an underwater digital camera to capture images of sea urchins and colorful tropical fish, such as saddle butterflyfish and rainbow parrotfish. The couple also shoots photos (and video) on land, featuring turtles, unique birds and even flamingos.
Over the years, Ginny and Rick have taken their love of travel to Tahiti, Antarctica, southeast Asia, Norway, Scotland and Alaska. Ginny and a friend went on a Kenyan safari in September. Ginny and Rick plan to visit Japan next.
“I like traveling because when I come home, I appreciate what I have even more,” Ginny said. “Every country has something special. My photos can’t show you exactly what I saw, but I can talk about it with people and reflect on my experiences.”
Ginny enjoys photographing birds, flowers, scenery really anything in nature. She can often be found capturing outdoor photos of Masonic Village during the different seasons. She uses Shutterfly to print her photos and store them in albums, books or on the walls of her apartment.
“I like capturing moments in time,” she said. “I can do it on vacation or just walk around the campus. I look at the flowers and get in a ‘moment.’ It gives me a sense of peace.”
Ginny and Rick have been living at Masonic Village for a little over a year, but their history with the building goes back long before then.
In the 1980s, Ginny was a nurse at Masonic Village, eventually becoming assistant director of nursing education, director of nursing and assistant nursing home administrator, after receiving her administrator license. In total, she was a Masonic Village employee for eight years.
Ginny earned a nursing diploma from Bryn Mawr Hospital and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in health administration from both Eastern University and Saint Joseph’s University, respectively.
She served as an Army nurse during the Vietnam War, and her veteran benefits helped to later pay for her education. She was stationed at Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, and did her basic training classes at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. She never served in active duty because President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger brokered a peace agreement at the time.
After leaving the Army, Ginny worked as a nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital for a few years before deciding she wanted to work with older adults. That led her to answer an advertisement for the nursing position at Masonic Village.
Rick’s parents lived at Masonic Village from approximately 2005 to 2014. Rick himself worked at Masonic Village for a short time as a master painter.
Rick is a member of Palestine Roxborough Lodge No. 135, which meets at Masonic Village. His father, grandfather and brother were all Masons, and his mother was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
When it was time to move out of their four-bedroom home in West Norriton in 2023, it was a no-brainer that Ginny and Rick decided to return to Masonic Village. Ginny still knows a handful of employees who worked with her back then, including executive assistant Trudy Plunkett and chief operating officer Adrienne Staudenmayer.
“I like it here because it meets my life goals. And having no kids, it’s easier for our family members to care for us here,” Ginny said.
“I figure no place is the perfect fit, but any place that can keep their employees for so many years and provide stability and quality living – that’s where I want to be.”
MILES OF Memories
For almost two decades, residents of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown have traveled to national and international destinations together, thanks to the Travel Club, which takes the headache out of making travel arrangements, so residents can focus on the fun.
The Masonic Village Travel Club was started by resident Roberta Ewing. She passed on the travel maps and suitcases to Ann Berger (shown standing on the right in right photo with Jo-Anne Karnes) in 2018, who eagerly accepted the challenge of leading the club.
“Group travel is a good idea,” Ann said. “You travel with your neighbors and friends to see sights that you might not otherwise travel to on your own. It is a feeling of camaraderie and security to share special times with those from Masonic Village.”
The club holds meetings bimonthly and takes four or five trips per year. Annual dues are $5 per person, which covers costs such as postage and goes toward an annual donation the club makes to groups and charities on campus.
When a new trip is announced at a meeting, spaces are quickly reserved. When the maximum number of travelers is reached, Ann creates a waiting list. Often, but not always, those on the waiting list are called due to unforeseen circumstances which require someone else to cancel their reservation.
Trips are open to residents, their family and friends (as long as they’re accompanied by the resident), as well as employees and retirees of Masonic Village.
Most members are interested in traveling by bus and plane. The bus trips typically include 42 passengers, and the group makes the transportation part fun by playing games and telling stories to pass the time. Destinations by plane have varied in number of attendees, from 24 to 51 travelers.
Photo by Connie Morris
Every two years, club members complete a survey and provide suggestions on which Ann follows up. They try to avoid visiting the same place within two years; otherwise, they’re open to any and all ideas.
Over the years, the Travel Club has visited many locations, including Branson, Vermont; Greenbriar, WV; Mackinac Island, MI; Nashville and Pigeon Forge, TN; Finger Lakes, NY; Indian Head Resort, NH; Washington, D.C.; Maine; The Ark Encounter in Kentucky; Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; Asheville, NC; Nova Scotia; New York City; and Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Newport, MA. Some of the locations have been visited several times over the years, with each trip offering new inclusions.
Christmas trips have included Christmas in the Smokies with a parade in Dollywood; Christmas at the Biltmore; a Myrtle Beach Christmas; the Festival of Lights in Oglebay, WV; and Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro, PA. There have also been cruises to New England, Canada, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Panama Canal.
Since 2019, the Travel Club has ventured farther from home to see the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer; the Albuquerque Balloon Festival; the Rhine and Moselle River Cruise; the National Parks of America from Scottsdale, AZ, to Rapid City, SD; Iceland; and Ireland. This December, they’ll be cruising on the Danube to enjoy the Christmas Markets in Austria and Germany, with some travelers going on a pre-tour extension in Prague. In May 2025, they’ll journey to Scotland and Wales for the British Landscapes tour, which concludes in London.
“With great food, interesting venues and new friends to meet, our travels are met with enthusiasm and joy by all our members,” Ann said.
Photo by Jeff James
Photo by Ginny Locker
Photo by Connie Morris
Photo by Jeff James
A Dash of Pa ssion
Masonic Village residents are treated to regional and seasonal entrées and side dishes in campus restaurants and cafés. We asked chefs at four of our locations to share their favorite dish to create and what keeps their culinary fires blazing.
A PARISIAN PALATE
Over the summer, Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill celebrated French American Heritage Month and the summer Olympics by hosting “An Evening in Paris” in the dining room. Residents enjoyed the finest French cuisine, right at home.
Among other French fare, Simon Seitz, executive chef, chose to make one of his favorite dishes. Osso buco is comprised of slow-cooked pork shank, cooked with red wine and beef stock until tender. He served it with creamy au gratin potatoes and steamed green beans.
Simon said he was inspired to make the dish to provide an excellent experience for residents while keeping with the French theme.
“I really wanted to do something special for the residents and something they may not have a chance to eat all the time, so I decided to offer the osso buco and pair it with a couple of classic French sides that I felt went well with the dish,” he said. “The dish was wellreceived, and residents talked about it for days.”
Zach Lindeman, director of dining services, said he typically reviews the calendar of upcoming holidays and events as a baseline when planning meals like this.
“We look at what season it is, what the residents are asking for, what has worked in the past and what we haven’t done that may be a hit,” he said.
In addition, Zach and Simon get ideas from the monthly resident food committee meetings and just speaking with residents about what type of cuisines they enjoy.
“Simon has some wonderful ideas that I know he’s practically bursting at the seams to try out, so this gives him a chance to flex his culinary ‘muscle’ and showcase what he and his staff can do for Masonic Village,” Zach said.
CATCH OF THE DAY
“My favorite dish is every one my staff produces that is exactly what the resident wanted, so I guess you can say they all are my favorite,” Gary Spicer, chef, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, said.
When pressed, he said he’s partial to the seafood dishes offered in the Cornerstone Restaurant utilizing fresh seasonal fish caught off the shores of Delaware and Maryland.
“My inspiration comes from the residents’ feedback, seasonality of products and, of course, any local items that the region is known for. I also try to incorporate the experiences of my staff, so they are involved with menu item selection and execution,” Gary said.
Gary has been the chef at the Restaurants at Grand Lodge Hall (Cornerstone Restaurant and Café 1911) for five years. He was previously an instructor at the Pennsylvania School of Culinary Arts and has a total of 43 years of experience in hotel dining, restaurants and cruise ships, including time spent in the Caribbean and South America.
For someone who started off his professional life studying sound engineering, Gary has learned a lot through his experiences working under other chefs.
“My goals for dining are to provide three great meals every day to the residents, ensuring consistency of items and offering many choices so dining does not get stale,” he said. “We also strive to meet any nutritional or medical needs, so residents are not limited in their choices.”
Gary understands he’s cooking for a unique group, and his decisions and work ethic are based around this fact.
“My favorite thing about my job is making a difference,” he said. “Unlike other restaurants, I feed the same people daily. That puts a lot of pressure on my staff and me to perform at a high level. The feeling of satisfaction of a job well done from my 300 ‘grandparents’ every day is what drives me.”
KITCHEN CONNECTIONS
What James Licht, executive chef at Masonic Village at Sewickley, likes most about his job is the opportunity to make a positive impact on residents’ lives through food. He strives to create meals that bring joy, comfort and nourishment.
One of his favorite dishes to prepare is a classic chicken marsala. It’s a dish that combines simplicity with elegance, and he finds it’s always a hit because of its rich, savory flavor.
“I love it because it allows me to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and create something that not only tastes wonderful but also feels comforting,” James
said. His inspiration for menus comes from a mix of seasonal ingredients, resident preferences and nutritional needs. He constantly seeks new ways to incorporate fresh, locally-sourced foods and listens to residents’ feedback to ensure their tastes and dietary needs are met.
“I also find inspiration in classic comfort foods and global cuisines, aiming to blend traditional favorites with new and exciting flavors,” James said. “I aim to foster a sense of community and connection, too, through shared meals and to ensure our dining services contribute to the overall well-being and satisfaction of our residents.”
James’ background includes a degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America, and he has extensive experience in both fine dining and senior living food service. He’s worked in various roles, from dishwasher to line cook to sous chef, which has given him a well-rounded perspective on both the creative and operational aspects of running a kitchen.
“I enjoy the collaborative environment in our kitchen and the chance to work closely with a dedicated team to achieve our dining goals,” James said. “What makes this role so special to me are the personal connections I build with staff and residents and the satisfaction of knowing our meals enhance residents’ daily lives.”
A TASTE OF HOME
Carmen Borgia, executive chef, Masonic Village at Warminster, grew up in an Italian household, where his grandparents, aunts and uncles and mother all cooked.
“The house was filled with amazing smells and delicious food,” he said.
Carmen has worked in food service since age 15 when he started at Burger King. He later became a dietary aide at Frankford Hospital, where he witnessed corporate service, marketing, managing, inventory control, menu planning and batch cooking. Becoming a chef became his dream.
He took advantage of the hospital’s tuition reimbursement assistance and attended culinary school at Bucks County Community College, one of the best programs on the East Coast at the time. He was later named head chef at Frankford Hospital and has also worked at renowned inns, as a personal chef and in catering.
Carmen’s favorite dish to make for Masonic Village residents is pan-seared salmon in a fresh basil, caper, white wine, lemon beurre Blanc, garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach.
“This dish brings me back to the days of working the line at the William Penn Inn,” he said. “I think it really hits home with residents.”
He strives to ensure residents always look forward to meals and for items to be inviting and appealing to the eye.
“Our residents want what they grew up eating. They really enjoy comfort foods,” Carmen said. “My main motivation is to reproduce those dishes as best as we possibly can to remind them of something their mother, father or grandparents made. My goals are fresh food, balance and variety in the menu.”
Carmen loves many aspects of his job, including planning menus and special events, but most of all, he loves serving residents.
“It’s an honor to be
their chef,”
he said. “Being
able to take all of my food service experience and put it to work at Masonic Village is very rewarding for me.”
The Power of Music
Dating back to 16th century Italy, opera has remained popular for hundreds of years with its elegant tapestry of vocal range, romantic language and fine costumery. Residents of Masonic Village at Elizabethtown are fortunate to enjoy this art form right at home.
As a professionally trained soprano opera singer, resident Narumi Schirling has generously shared her vocal talents with fellow residents. Even though she and her husband, Peter, have only been living at Masonic Village for a year, they’ve made a big impression on the community in a short time. Narumi has become widely recognized around campus.
“People always ask me, ‘Are you the singer?’” she said.
Narumi was born across the world in Nara, Japan, a city near Kyoto. As a child, music fascinated her. In elementary school, she took piano lessons but quickly switched to singing. Her piano teacher was an opera singer, and Narumi enjoyed singing more than playing piano.
Through high school and university, Narumi was always involved in music and sang in choral and musical productions. After graduating, however, her passion for music took a backseat when she moved to Tokyo for her new career.
While working as the secretariat for media standards committee at the International Standards Organization, she met her husband, Peter.
The two first met in Seoul, South Korea, on a business trip. For several years, Narumi and Peter were business colleagues, connecting once a year at annual conferences around the globe.
As years passed, the couple became closer, and a relationship blossomed. Peter eventually moved to Tokyo on assignment and settled there after retiring, so he could be closer to Narumi.
It was Peter who re-introduced Narumi to the world of opera, as the couple would constantly listen to opera in their home and attend live performances. After being away from music for so long, Narumi was struck with a realization: singing was her true passion. “If I don’t start singing right now, I’ll never sing in my life,” she said at the time.
Traditionally, opera singers begin their training as teenagers. At 33, Narumi found herself significantly behind her peers. This did not deter her; instead, it motivated Narumi to work even harder.
She quickly enrolled in a professional opera school in Tokyo and started taking lessons from multiple private opera teachers, including some in Italy, where Narumi invested countless hours practicing and perfecting her skills. For 24 years, she continued taking lessons to further her talents, only taking a hiatus when the global pandemic hit.
Opera teachers played a critical role in Narumi’s singing journey, and she attributes much of her success to their help. Her advice to those interested in beginning opera is to, “find a good teacher,” she said. “You cannot do it by yourself. That’s because our voice doesn’t sound to others the same as we hear ourselves.”
While living in Tokyo, Narumi would perform a yearly solo recital, which included singing in Italian, Japanese, English and German. Peter calls himself Narumi’s “unofficial manager,” as the two were tasked with putting together the entire production from scratch.
Opera singers are known for their extravagant gowns, and Narumi is no exception.
For every solo recital, she has two dresses custom made for her, one for each half of the performance.
“Narumi wants the audience to enjoy the whole performance, not only the music,” Peter said.
Music has impacted Narumi’s life in profound ways. Her father, in the late stages of dementia, had lost virtually all his memories, including his ability to speak. The one thing that endured were the songs from his childhood. Singing these tunes together was a unique way for Narumi to connect with her father.
Their favorite thing about Masonic Village is the welcoming people. “We’ve got great neighbors, all 1,400 of them,” Peter said.
After moving in last June, the couple quickly became involved in a few campus activities. Narumi is a member of two singing choirs and the handbell chorus and performs during Sunday church services. She and Peter picked up pickleball, which is now a favorite hobby of theirs.
In May, Narumi made her United States debut, performing for residents and community members in the Deike Auditorium at Masonic Village.
Over 200 people attended her concert, and she was thrilled to receive two standing ovations.
“The best thing about performing is sharing the music I love with an audience who also enjoys the music with me,” she said. “That’s the reason why I love singing on stage.”
Soon, Narumi will perform another recital at the Masonic Health Care Center, knowing residents there were unable to attend her recital in May, except to watch it on television. She wants them to enjoy an in-person performance, not one through a microphone/amplifier.
“The power of music is really tremendous,” she said.
After years of retirement and travel, the couple were ready for the ideal community to settle into, which was when they found Masonic Village at Elizabethtown.
“For a year, I searched all over the internet, from Vermont to Florida,” Narumi said. “This Masonic Village stood out above all the others.”
Narumi also enjoys singing solo at Sunday services, accompanied by the Sell Chapel organ. She hopes to provide more performances for the Masonic Village community whenever the opportunity arises.
Opera singing is a technical skill with a never-ending improvement process to which Narumi is dedicated.
“I’m still learning,” she says. “There is no end to studying music. It’s for life.”
By Alyssa Weaver, public relations associate
DOING OUR PART for the Planet
Masonic Villages’ Sustainability Plan was first created in 2008 and largely concentrated on energy conservation and efficiency. The plan has since grown to focus on seven primary areas: renewable energy/on-site generation, energy efficiency and carbon footprint, water efficiency and stream protection, sustainable sites, materials and indoor air quality, social responsibility and innovation.
From switching to LED light bulbs and encouraging the use of laundry detergent sheets to installing solar panels and planting pollinator-friendly gardens, residents and staff are making an impact on our planet’s health today and for future generations.
KEEPERS OF THE LAND IN ELIZABETHTOWN
Residents and staff at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown take pride in protecting the 1,400 acres of Lancaster County farmland that provides a beautiful and bountiful environment.
More than 80 resident gardeners manage 65 plots of various sizes. Residents Ray Horn, Ray Laubenstein, Ron Bahn, Barry Hitchcock and Bob Strickler help manage the logistics, provide advice and service the tools kept in a shed for all to use.
Gardeners grow for their own pleasure, to share with neighbors or to provide produce for the campus restaurants. When a resident’s items are available on the salad bar, a sign designates their contribution. Some residents also donate their produce to local food banks.
Masonic Village Farm Market & Orchard
Tad Kuntz, farm market orchard manager, understands the key challenges of designing an orchard system that integrates sustainable practices, nutrient cycle knowledge and promotion of soil biodiversity to maintain a healthy environment. He focuses on cultural controls, such as soil preparation techniques, erosion control, crop sanitation, using pest resistant crop varieties and crop rotation.
As part of integrated pest management, Tad properly identifies the impact of disease, rot and animals on crops. He traps and monitors insects, takes a modern and low impact approach when selecting pesticides, finds optimal fertilizer that doesn’t create nutrient runoff, uses weather modeling and data collection to determine correct spray timing and employs fencing for animal control.
Renewable Energy
A 3-megawatt solar array was built on a low-profile area of campus (partly in 2011 and 2018). It provides approximately 15% of the daily energy needs, with a rate of return of 15-20%. A Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) uses natural gas to generate electricity through the use of microturbines, from which “waste” heat is collected to heat water for a portion of resident apartments and the Masonic Health Care Center, reducing the use of gas boilers. The CHP provides for an average of 8% of the campus’ daily energy needs, while reducing emissions by as much as planting 1,000 acres of forest per year.
Resident Gardens
Stream Protection
Emptying into the Susquehanna River, and subsequently the Chesapeake Bay, 3,200 feet of the Conoy Creek passes through Masonic Village’s property. A series of mill dams constructed over the centuries resulted in tremendous amounts of nutrient laden sediment being lost following heavy storms. A 2008 restoration project stabilized that sediment, restored natural floodplains, re-established the stream to a multi-channel flow regimen and created over six acres of wetlands and a natural habitat closely resembling pre-colonial times.
Masonic Village Farm
The Masonic Village Farm, which received the 2011 National Environmental Stewardship Award from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, has partnered with local, state and federal governmental and private organizations on innovative practices and technologies that will leave the land and its resources better for future generations of beef producers.
Among the initiatives, which are overseen by Scotty Miller, farm manager:
• 8,000+ feet of fencing and three stabilized stream crossings prevent cattle from freely accessing streams or ponds
• 200 acres of “highly erodible” cropland, which was converted to pasture, saves on the loss of top soil
• 350 acres of pasture divided into more than 50 paddocks with temporary fencing maintains the pastures and decreases wear on the land
• 15 acres of fenced wildlife creates natural wooded wetlands.
ON THE ROAD TO A HEALTHIER PLANET IN DALLAS
If you spot a woman on the side of the road near Masonic Village at Dallas — dressed in an orange vest and picking up trash with gloves — it might be resident Mimi Johnson.
Mimi is one of several residents who volunteer with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Adopt a Highway Program to collect trash on statemaintained roadways. PennDOT provides participants with gloves, safety vests, trash bags and more.
Mimi, an eco-friendly individual who supports recycling and sustainability, started the group a few years after she came to Masonic Village in 2012. She grew up only five miles down the road, but she never had the opportunity to be involved in clean-up efforts previously. When she asked executive director Noah Davis if she could start a program, he happily agreed.
Through the Luzerne County PennDOT program, Mimi and several other residents work together twice a year (since 2016) to maintain a 2.4 mile stretch of Country Club Road beginning at Memorial Highway and ending at Tunkhannock Highway.
“We have a good group of people, and I try to get new ones every year,” Mimi said. “We do it in April and October for one or two hours. The maintenance workers put up a sign at each end of the road, so people know to slow down when they see us.”
Mimi and her fellow volunteers use extended hooks to pick up trash from the road. They’ve found many unusual items through their efforts, including coffee makers, tires and a couple of years ago, even a skull from a fox or some other animal!
“There’s no shortage of trash to pick up,” Mimi said. “Sometimes, we will have up to 10 bags of trash when we’re all done.
“It’s not an easy job. We’re not young, but it’s good for the environment and we get a lot of ‘thank yous’ from people. They are happy about it.”
Mimi has always been dedicated to improving the environment and she recycles nearly everything she’s allowed to — even aluminum foil.
She moved to Masonic Village with her mother, MaryAnn Johnson, who is 96 years old. The two live in the same apartment, and Mimi takes care of her. Mimi also has one daughter, Leah.
Mimi has served on the resident social and executive committees. She’s also involved with an outside group, Northeast Counseling Services, which provides mental health services to the public.
She plans to continue finding ways to keep the Dallas area as clean and sustainable as possible.
“I just like to keep everything nice and easy for people,” she said. “I don’t like seeing garbage all around. It’s prettier without it.”
COMING UP ROSES IN LAFAYETTE HILL
Gary Clabaugh and Clay Ratcliffe (shown l-r above) make a great team.
These Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill residents spend numerous hours planting flowers, trees and shrubs in the village’s courtyard and other areas of the campus to further beautify the place they call home.
“We’ve been planting for about seven years now,” Clay said. “We started out doing a lot of the grounds, but we narrowed it down to mainly the courtyard. We also planted in a flower bed outside the length of the wall of the auditorium. We take on projects when inspiration strikes. Many residents say they appreciate our efforts.”
So much so, that several residents donate money for Clay and Gary to plant in the courtyard below or near their apartments. When a spouse passes, oftentimes a resident will ask them to plant flowers, like azaleas, in their memory.
When Gary’s dog, Julie, passed away two years ago, residents helped Gary by donating more than $800 for a memorial planting in her memory.
“It’s a labor of love, what we do,” Gary said. “People want to be able to look at something. That’s how it starts.”
Resident Carol Kinkaid donated money for Gary and Clay to plant a flowering bush outside her apartment. She said she was thrilled to help the grounds committee.
“I’m delighted by what they do, and I think they do a super job,” she said. “The bush they planted for me is seasonal. It starts out pink in the spring, and now it’s changing to a merlot. In the winter, it will have darker leaves. It’s fun to watch it grow.”
Gary spends about an hour a day, five days a week, in the courtyard doing things like using head shears to trim Black-eyed Susans and other flowers. It’s a labor-intensive activity, but he likes getting exercise and enjoys seeing the results of his work.
“We like making where we live nice,” he said. “My grandfather used to grow and sell flowers and vegetables. I helped him when I was growing up. It has been a hobby of mine ever since.”
Clay is a self-taught gardener who sometimes spends four to five hours working in the courtyard on any given Saturday. Both Gary and Clay say they’ve planted about 10 to 12 trees and 5,000 bulbs since they started gardening around campus. They mainly plant in the fall and the spring.
“We want the courtyard to look like an English country garden,” Gary said. “We try to make it look natural, with no pattern. It’s much less maintenance than a formal garden.”
Gary and Clay have both lived at Masonic Village for nine years. They met and bonded over their mutual love of gardening. They plan to continue planting and maintaining what they started seven years ago for as long as they can.
“However long I can physically do it, I intend to do it,” Gary said.
SMALL STEPS ADD UP IN SEWICKLEY
A group of 12 residents put their heads together monthly as part of the Sustainable Living Committee at the Masonic Village at Sewickley. Their goal is to provide education and guidance on sustainability practices that are simple and convenient for residents to implement. Among their efforts, they feature a weekly slide on the in-house television channel and an article in the resident newsletter with environmental facts and reminders about recycling and other tips. In the dining rooms, table cards provide additional education.
In the general store on campus, environmentally friendly items include cleaning supplies, reusable shopping bags, laundry detergent sheets and other plantbased products.
Nancy Merrill has served on the committee for six years, and she’s seen an increase in the awareness of how people can impact the environment.
“It’s important to me, and it’s fun,” she said. “Small steps can become routine and add up. We always welcome more people to join us and bring new ideas.”
The waste collector in the area only accepts two types of plastics for recycling, so the group encourages people to avoid buying plastics when possible. They encourage the use of cardboard, paper and metal — materials that can be used over and over or easily recycled. Blue plastic recycling bins placed near the mailbox area make it easy for people to recycle paper.
The committee focuses on four “Rs”: reuse (e.g. glass jars, yogurt containers, etc.), refuse (e.g. switch to paper straws instead of plastic), reduce (e.g. single use plastics like silverware and Styrofoam packaging) and replace (e.g. use cloth grocery bags instead of plastic).
While vacationing near Lake Erie, Nancy was horrified when she saw a large plastic laundry detergent bottle bobbing up and down in the lake. It inspired her to start using laundry detergent sheets, which come in compostable packaging, are lightweight and clean just as well as liquid detergent. The committee sent a letter and a sample laundry sheet to residents, explaining the benefits of the sheets and encouraging residents to adapt their usage. Their efforts were a success, as the sheets are now “flying off the shelves” in the general store, according to Nancy.
Other future efforts include growing a pollinator garden using deer- and drought-resistant native plants, with help from landscape staff and donations from residents.
Across the state, residents and staff are making the planet a priority as they develop innovative and fun ways to do their part. From small steps to big initiatives, Masonic Villages is leaving a mark while reducing its footprint.
A NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE
When Coleman Plecker lost his sight three years ago from glaucoma and type 2 diabetes, he went from being a professional golfer to staying at home feeling depressed.
“It was a huge life change,” he said. “I was a professional athlete who earned a living through golf. All of the sudden, I’m sightless and sitting around. I felt hopeless.”
The Masonic Village at Dallas resident changed his outlook once his daughter, Beth, connected him with Northeast Sight Services (formerly the Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind) in Exeter, Pennsylvania. The
organization’s mission is to serve the needs of blind and visually impaired individuals in the local community.
The organization partners with nearby Misericordia University on a program using water aerobics to help improve strength and balance. Beth registered her father for the class.
“I was trying to think of how to get out of going initially, but I’m a nice person, and I couldn’t say no,” Coleman said. “The first day the bus came to pick me up and the driver called my name, I climbed the first step and the people on the bus shouted, ‘C’mon Coleman, we’ll all help you!’ I found out that day there were other blind people. I wasn’t the only one who had a problem. I was feeling sorry for myself. It put things into perspective, and I ended up having a great time.”
Coleman has stayed involved with Northeast Sight Services, attending dinners, holiday functions, field trips and other activities. He also gives speeches for various organizations.
“Not everyone is blind in the organization,” Coleman said. “There are a lot of conditions that can lead to sight loss, and most older adults have lost some degree of sight. These [Northeast Sight Services] events get us around, and we talk to each other. There is a sense of community.”
Northeast Sight Services also helps people pay their bills, read their emails, make phone calls and other services, said Sara Peperno, president and CEO.
“We were providing services to Coleman and his wife, Barbara, before she passed, because she had also lost her sight,” Sara said. “We provided Coleman with ‘assisted technology training,’ teaching him how to use his cell phone and other devices through accessibility features.
“Seniors losing their vision it’s more of a slow progression. There is technology to help slow down the progression, but it’s inevitable, so learning these skills and being prepared is important.”
Coleman has created a whole network of friends through the organization, and it has been a wonderful thing to watch his support system grow, according to Sara. “He is a wonderful spokesperson for our agency,” she said.
People can relate to the fact that vision loss can really affect anyone, even a professional athlete like Coleman, Sara said.
In her role, she’s observed the number of people with vision loss increasing, now that the senior population is living longer and experiencing more chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma and macular degeneration, an age-related condition that affects part of the retina.
“A lot of people don’t realize the services they can receive for vision loss,” she said. “They hear the word ‘blind,’ but there are varying degrees of vision loss. Typically, people have some form of vision, but they can’t drive anymore, or cooking and cleaning becomes a challenge. Having the hope and realization that they can still do all the things they enjoyed before, but just in a different way through the help of professionals, is important.”
Coleman received the Arline Phillips Achievement Award from Northeast Sight Services in 2023. It was created for the group’s founder, who established the organization more than 100 years ago.
“We give this to someone in the community who is blind or vision impaired and exemplifies the independence that we foster in individuals and the community,” Sara said. “Coleman is funny and has a big personality. So, when he speaks about his struggles and how he overcame them, it’s an important message. When you lose your vision, you can really do anything that a sighted person does. It’s just learning a new way to do it.”
Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Coleman and his wife, Barbara, spent 16 years living in Florida. Coleman retired in 2000 after a successful career running golf programs at different country clubs. Coleman competed in the Kemper Open and PGA Championship. After retirement, he took full-time care of Barbara, who experienced various health problems and lost her sight due to a stroke.
Coleman’s daughter eventually convinced the couple to sell their house and move closer to her family in Clifford, Pennsylvania. That’s how the couple learned about Masonic Village at Dallas, where they lived for four years before Barbara’s passing in 2023. The couple were married for 54 years and also have a son, Joe.
Coleman experienced golf at a young age, thanks to his father. He started as a caddy in 1958 and really learned the game. He was naturally good at it and began winning golf tournaments. Through the golf world, he was invited to the White House by former President George H.W. Bush and was introduced to sports celebrities like the great Joe Lewis and Jackie Robinson.
“I enjoyed seeing my name in the newspaper when I won tournaments and the notoriety that came with it,” Coleman said. “I just loved the spirit of the game. It’s such a neat game. Nothing is unfair about golf. It’s just a matter of luck.”
Coleman still likes listening to golf competitions on television. He enjoys living at Masonic Village, where the staff are excellent and the campus is clean, he said. He doesn’t take life for granted, now that he is 77 years old.
“I’ve had 74 years of sight,” he said. “God doesn’t say to you, ‘I’m going to make you blind one day.’ Things just happen. You hope to have more good luck than bad luck. I live my life that way. When I went blind, I blamed God, but God had nothing to do with it.”
PROUD TO Protect, Serve & Love
He’s a retired, longtime Philadelphia police officer whose job it was to protect the first black mayor of Philadelphia. He was assigned to the security detail for former Pope John Paul when he visited Philadelphia (and was blessed in the process). He served in the U.S. Army, where he met the late Elvis Presley twice while they were stationed outside of Frankfurt, Germany.
To say that Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill resident Joseph Fierko has lived through some amazing experiences would be an understatement.
When he left the military around 1960, the Philadelphia resident began looking for a job that he would enjoy. He received an offer from the Philadelphia Police Department and was sworn in as a patrolman on May 5, 1960, at the young age of 24.
“I worked mostly in the Fairmount Park office,” Joe said. “It was a 550-officer police force at that time, and I was there for 13 years. I was very fortunate I was only injured a couple times.”
Joe stayed with the police force but was transferred to the Police Labor Squad out of Philadelphia City Hall. The job involved handling labor disputes with city officials. He was transferred in the mid-70s to the Civil Affairs division, where he helped settle disputes without violence or demonstrations.
Joe was eventually assigned to former Philadelphia Mayor Wilson Goode’s security detail.
“It was a privilege to be his personal security,” Joe said.
Joe remained with the mayor’s office for six years until “retiring” after 30 years with the city.
“I had promised my wife [Peggy] that 30 years was more than enough,” he joked.
Once he made the decision to leave City Hall, Joe became a security guard at Inglis House, a specialty nursing care facility providing long-term residential care at Belmont and Conshohocken Avenues. He stayed there for 10 years before really retiring, a “few years” over age 65.
Joe and Peggy moved to Masonic Village about two and a half years ago from an apartment three minutes down the road. The couple decided to move because Peggy could no longer use the stairs.
When they arrived at Masonic Village, Peggy was placed in the skilled nursing care area due to complications from an operation, but she eventually joined her husband in their apartment.
“I had been here several times when I was well to visit friends,” Peggy said. “I remember saying to my son when driving down Ridge Pike, ‘This is a really nice place.’ When I got sick, my son had to find somewhere for us to go. He said I made it so easy for him because I always complimented Masonic Village. When the time came to move, he made the arrangements for us to come here.”
Today, Joe and Peggy are enjoying life at Masonic Village. Everyone is friendly, the food is tasty, the building is clean and there are a lot of activities, Peggy said.
The couple, who have been married for 64 years, are rarely without the other by their side. Joe recalls meeting Peggy at a Sadie Hawkins dance in South Philadelphia.
“I was walking around after dancing with another girl, and I heard [Peggy] say, ‘I want to dance with you,’” he said. “I turned around to look at her, and that’s how we met.”
In what could only be seen as fate, Peggy had unknowingly been working with Joe’s sister, Anne Marie, for over a year at the Bonwit Teller department store.
“When I met Joe at the dance, I asked if he had any siblings, and he told me his sister’s name. I approached her at work after the weekend was over, and I told her I had met her brother and asked her to fix me up with him,” Peggy said.
Joe eventually reached out to Peggy, and the two communicated for about five months before Joe had to leave for his military stint. Before he left, he told Peggy that “18 months and nearly 3,000 miles” would present a challenge to their budding relationship.
“I told her if the right guy should come along, she should take advantage of it,” Joe said. But Peggy responded, “I’m waiting for you,” and she did just that. The couple married on Oct. 1, 1960, and the rest is history.
“It was tough for her, taking care of the kids when I was on the police force,” Joe said. “I traveled with the mayor all the time and wasn’t home that much. But we made it work.”
During his time with the mayor, Joe met many famous people, from Senator Diane Feinstein, the mayor of San Francisco (whom he guarded when she was in town for a conference), to the famous disc jockey and performer Jerry Blavat, whom he pulled over during a routine traffic stop.
But he said meeting the Pope still remains the highlight of his career.
“He put his hand on my head and blessed me,” Joe said. “I survived [all these years] because I was blessed by a future saint. That was a big memory. You felt in his presence something different.”
Joe likes to keep moving, playing poker or pinochle and spending time with his three children [two daughters and a son], and of course, his longtime love, Peggy.
“I’m fortunate things are going well,” he said. “I take care of my life here.”
ABOVE AND BEYOND CARE
As all organizations face budget and operational constraints due to the current economy, with the support of our donors, Masonic Villages can continue offering 5-star quality care and beyond.
For residents who are unable to cover the cost of their care and rely on Medicaid and medical assistance, donors’ generosity ensures their care is complete. Medicaid does not cover all services and items that may be needed, but Masonic Villages’ residents have access to everything they need, including:
• 24-hour security
• Dental care and dentures
• Eye care and glasses
• Hair care services
• Hearing aids
• Housekeeping services
• Incontinence supplies
• Laundry services
• Maintenance services
• Occupational therapy
• Oxygen supplies
• Physical therapy
• Prescription and non-prescription drugs
• Recreation therapy
• Social services
• Speech therapy
• Spiritual care counseling
• Television and telephone services
• Toiletries
Programs and options made possible by donors, like music therapy, multi-sensory rooms and Evergreen (endof-life area at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown), engage residents in beneficial ways and brighten their lives.
Music therapy staff in Elizabethtown recently received a special recorder to capture an individual’s heartbeat and coordinate music with it for their families to cherish for years to come as a priceless memento. It was a donation from one of our Evergreen family members in memory of her mom, who loved music.
Therapeutic recreation staff plan programs daily to allow for reminiscing, socialization and joy. In Elizabethtown, recent events have included visits from a pony, rabbit, bird and dogs as part of a petting zoo and a carnival featuring snacks, games and prizes. Sewickley residents enjoy an annual fishing trip, visits from kids at the on-site YMCA child care center and more. Warminster staff held a picnic for residents and their families, in addition to cooking and gardening activities. In Lafayette Hill, residents had a blast at a recent fair featuring carnival games, classic cars and caricatures.
“We plan and carry out events for our residents as a means to effect overall health, well-being and quality of life,” Julie Cartin, director of resident services and life enrichment at Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, said. “We try to pick events that have meaning to a majority of residents by asking for input or gauging from past successful events. Our carnival and other events are not only fun and games but can bring back fond memories of past carnival, animal or farm market experiences, leading to reminiscing conversations and good feelings. This in turn can lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety.”
These events also give residents an opportunity to practice their independence. Bringing the event to them, rather than trying to make arrangements to go to an event off campus, which can present challenges at times, makes them more accessible. Staff make adaptations to games and other activities, so residents of all ages and abilities can participate.
For more information on how you can support Masonic Villages and give residents the all-encompassing care they deserve, see the following page.
For more information on making a gift to Masonic Villages, return the enclosed business reply envelope, call 1-800-599-6454 or email giving@masoniccharitiespa.org.
Make Dreams Come True This Holiday Season
4 WAYS TO SUPPORT MASONIC VILLAGES
JOIN THE CORNERSTONE CIRCLE PROGRAM – Authorize a specified amount of money to be electronically transferred directly from your checking account or credit card monthly. This is the easiest form of giving, and a year-end statement makes tax preparation easy. Call 1-800-599-6454 or visit MasonicCharitiesPa.org to join.
QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION (QCD) – If you are 70½ or older, you can use your IRA to support the mission of Masonic Villages. Visit MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org to request our QCD planning kit or to connect with a gift planner for more information.
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY (CGA) – Make a gift to a charity and receive a secure stream of income for the remainder of your life while earning a sizable current tax deduction. The payments can begin immediately or can be deferred to a future date. Rates of return range from 4.6% to 10% based on the age of the donor. The arrangement terminates on the death of the annuitant(s), at which point the charity uses the remaining funds toward its mission. Visit MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for more information on rates.
BEQUESTS – A bequest is a gift written into a Will that is fulfilled after your death. It costs you nothing today but will have an impact on the charity tomorrow. You have several different options for how to word a bequest in your Will that make a difference in the type and size of gift, such as a general bequest, a fixed dollar amount or a percentage. Visit MasonicCharitiesLegacy.org for sample language and more information about bequests.
