Making Spirits Bright Even though the pandemic has been impacting the world for nearly a year, Masonic Villages’ staff and residents did not let it dampen their holiday spirit. Simple acts, like decorating, exchanging gifts and cookie baking, helped warm hearts and souls.
In Elizabethtown’s Masonic Health Care Center, residents enjoyed a visit from Santa, who delivered gifts and cookies from his sleigh (shown above, left). Thanks to our generous donors’ support of the Arline M. Hughes Caring Fund, residents in the nursing and personal care areas received a mini decorated tree and neck pillow. Residents in retirement living received a gift and candy cane from the big guy, too. A “secret” Santa packed an Italian dinner in a tote bag for each employee as a thanks for their extra dedication in 2020. Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill residents sampled treats such as peppermint bark, chocolates, cocoa and eggnog, shared door-to-door (Bryan Sparks, chef, Unidine; Amy Benekovits, operational excellence manager, Unidine; and Theresa Sheriff, dining room manager, shown l-r on p. 5, top right). They were also excited for the grand re-opening of their gift shop, which features snacks, personal items, gifts and décor. In Warminster, Trisha Lamb, activities director (shown above, right), brought Hanukkah, including a menorah and snacks, to each resident using a cart. Residents also received a cuddly surprise from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in the form of teddy bears. The Food Services Department at Masonic Village at Sewickley hand delivered poinsettias to each resident, while the Master Masons Club provided each lady with a pen. 4
Winter 2021 Issue
Concerts and spiritual services were live-streamed, and prerecorded entertainment was shared on campus television stations in Elizabethtown and Sewickley. Holiday meals were delivered, in style, for Thanksgiving and Christmas at all locations (Sewickley staff shown on p. 5, bottom right). In Sewickley, in anticipation of Thanksgiving, residents and staff were invited to create a leaf for a family tree with words of encouragement and other creative expressions. “Masonic Village is a place to shelter and feel safe during these difficult times,” Karen Hammond, recreation supervisor, said. “It is a constant; a strength we can rely on when we need a sense of stability and peace. Perhaps, most of all, trees can invoke images of family. This project was a way to recognize and commemorate this challenging time, both in the life of our community and for the world at large.” In-person Veterans Day celebrations were cancelled, but in Sewickley, volunteers delivered mugs with candy to veterans, and in Lafayette Hill, Glenn Miller performed patriotic classics outdoors. Special services were streamed in Elizabethtown and Lafayette Hill, and veterans were personally recognized in Warminster. Community spirit is still strong across the state. Masonic Village at Elizabethtown resident Nancy Balmer (shown on p. 5, bottom left, with Preston Van Deursen, director of pastoral care) knitted 70 hats, which she donated to
