Spring 2022
Mission & History In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons . . . to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home incorporated in 1886 and opened the doors of the St. Louis Home to its first resident, a 12-year-old girl named Della Gale Farthing, in 1889. The Home expanded into a full campus of service for indigent Masons and their families. The Masonic Home opened the Western Unit in Kansas City in 1986. In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach qualified individuals in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors also sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs. Outreach expanded from one program to 10, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. Three provide financial assistance to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. Three Partnership Programs partner with Lodges and Chapters throughout the state to provide for needy children, help their fellow brothers and sisters with a project, help send veterans on Honor Flights, and give care packages to active military. The final four programs are non-financial, serving the membership through financial education, honoring Masonic widows and veterans, and providing information on community resources. We encourage you to check us out on our website at www.mohome.org or give us a call at (800) 434-9804. 2
Masonic Outreach
MAIN CONTACT INFORMATION Masonic Home of Missouri 6033 Masonic Dr., Ste. A, Columbia, MO, 65202 Phone: (573) 814-4663 | Toll Free: (800) 434-9804 Fax: (573) 814-4660 Website: www.mohome.org Masonic Complex hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for state and federal holidays Masonic Museum hours: (located at Masonic Complex in Columbia, MO) Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director bramsey@mohome.org | Ext. 209 Jodi Blake, Director of Finance & Fund Development jblake@mohome.org | Ext. 212 Shannon Mulvania-Beck, Public Relations sbeck@mohome.org | Ext. 245
FUND DEVELOPMENT Truman Club & Vincil Society, Courtyard Paver Stones, Penny-A-Day, General Donations Julie Kirchhoff, Annual Giving Officer jkirchhoff@mohome.org | Ext. 230 Legacy Society, Planned Giving, Major Gift Donations Jackie Walters, Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org | Ext. 214
MASONIC HOME PROGRAMS Long-Term Financial Assistance Sonya Carney, Financial Assistance Caseworker scarney@mohome.org, | Ext. 218 Short-Term Financial Assistance, Financial Education, Children’s Outreach Carly Dibben, Accredited Financial Counselor cdibben@mohome.org | Ext. 217 Allyson Reynolds, Financial Assistance Caseworker areynolds@mohome.org | Ext. 219 Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) & Partnering to Honor (PTH) Letitia “Tisha” Woodard, Partnership Coordinator twoodard@mohome.org | Ext. 210 Widows & Veterans Programs, Masonic Family Cares Program Chantana Irvin, Masonic Family Cares Coordinator cirvin@mohome.org | Ext. 239 Museum & Masonic Complex Calendar Michelle Phillippe, Administrative Building Coordinator mphillippe@mohome.org | Ext. 213
Table of Contents
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10
12
Executive Director's Notes
5
Giving
7
Client Success
Fellowship Lodge Donates $100,000 to Masonic Home
Exactly Where She Wants to Be
10
Museum Moment
12
Legacy
22
Financial Education
24
Agency Spotlight
26
Health
28
In the News
30 31
By the Numbers
Patriots & Pathmakers Gallery
Rufus Easton
Building a Strong Financial Foundation
City of Refuge
Back to the Basics
The Road Not (Previously) Taken
Save the Date
20th Anniversary Event: Annual Charity Golf Tournament Masonic Outreach
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S NOTES
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his issue of the Missouri Outreach magazine is all about building foundations. What do we build today for the future? The Museum and Legacy sections in this magazine feature those Masons who helped build our country and our state. In the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery of the Masonic Museum, there are many important Masons featured that helped create the state of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri. It was tempting to feature a famous Mason, such as Meriwether Lewis or William Clark. It was by luck or maybe serendipity that I came across Rufus Easton. I admit that I did not know much about Brother Easton beyond the fact that he played an important role in establishing the earliest Masonic Lodges in the “West,” and he was instrumental in the creation of what would become Missouri. He turned out to be a fascinating man with a large family of equally fascinating people. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the foundation he built personally, professionally and within Masonry would go on to have a connection to the creation of the Masonic Home. Fast-forward around 200 years later, we have the story of Barbara Jefferies, an Outreach client, who is the recipient of those entities and ideals so strongly fought for all those years ago. What I love about her story is how much she gave to her fellow Brothers and Sisters, never expecting to receive help herself. Finally, I am deeply moved by the generosity of Fellowship Lodge No. 345 in Joplin, Missouri. It is one thing to recognize the incredible work the Masonic Home is doing and voice support. It is quite another to back that support financially. When we arrived in Joplin to personally thank the members of the Lodge, we were welcomed with a beautiful evening planned with dinner. I shared information on the various Outreach Programs, so they would all have an idea of the important work their donation would fund. 4
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After the dinner and program, I met a Masonic widow in attendance. She let me know that several years earlier, after her husband passed away, the Masonic Home had helped her. I do not know if the Masons in the room knew that the Masonic Home had been there for her during her time of need – one of their own. It is unsettling during times of change, war, pandemic, and who knows what is next. However, we know that what we build together not only makes a difference today, but for those in the future. We also know we cannot make lasting change alone; rather, the strongest foundations are those we build together.
GIVING
Fellowship Lodge Donates $100,000 to Masonic Home By Shannon Mulvania-Beck
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n an effort to embody the values they hold as Masons, the Brothers of Fellowship Lodge No. 345 recently made one of the most generous gifts from a Lodge to the Masonic Home of Missouri in the charity’s 133-year history. Lodge member Rob Gephardt spearheaded the idea to use $100,000 of Lodge funds to support the Masonic Home. “Our job as Masons isn’t to amass wealth,” Gephardt said. “Our calling is to give back to our fellow man.”
Gephardt explained that his Lodge is more than 150 years old, and his predecessors had been good stewards of Lodge funds – meaning the Lodge was able to give a substantial gift without causing any financial risk to the Lodge itself. Once Gephardt, a member of the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors, saw how deeply the work of the Masonic Home of Missouri affected not only Masons in southwest Missouri where he lives but throughout the state, he
saw opportunity for his Lodge to do more. Gephardt saw the vast reach of the Masonic Home of Missouri, as well as the circumstances of the Masons, widows, and Eastern Star members helped by the organization. While board members never see the names of those the organization helps to ensure confidentiality, they do see a full picture of their circumstances, and Gephardt said he does not know how many of the Masonic Home’s clients were Masonic Outreach
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GIVING
making it day-to-day before receiving help. “Our Lodge is always active in the needs of our local community, but having seen what happens at the Masonic Home of Missouri, it occurred to me,” he said, “what better contribution could we make to our community and to be able to touch more lives? What better way to leverage what we have?” Once having this realization, Gephardt did not hesitate to discuss the idea with the trustees 6
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of the Lodge. The trustees soon took the question to the Lodge, and voted unanimously in favor of the donation. In recognition of this incredible act of generosity, the Masonic Home of Missouri is bestowing naming rights to the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery in the Masonic Museum to the Lodge.
A dinner was held at Fellowship Lodge on March 26 to mark the occasion. Grand Master Ty Treutelaar, Masonic Home of Missouri Board President Rick Kaeser, Executive Director Barbara Ramsey, and several Masonic Home employees attended the dinner to thank the Lodge for their generosity. If your Lodge or Chapter would like to discuss making a gift to the Masonic Home of Missouri, contact Major Gifts Officer Jackie Walters at jwalters@mohome.org.
CLIENT SUCCESS
Exactly Where She Wants to Be By Shannon Mulvania-Beck
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f you visited the Masonic Home of Missouri facility in Kansas City in the '80s, you undoubtedly would have met some unforgettable people. You might have even had the good fortune to stumble upon a mother-son tap dancing duo entertaining the residents. That duo was Barbara Jefferies and her son, David. “It was our thing, something special that mom and I could do together,” David Jefferies said. But, it was no coincidence that Barbara Jefferies chose the Masonic Home as a venue for her performances with David. Barbara came from generations of Masons, and she joined Job’s Daughters as a child before becoming a member of
the Order of the Eastern Star as an adult and then marrying a Mason. She held a deep appreciation for that tradition and heritage, and she took pride in giving back to the Masonic community. In addition to the tap numbers she and David performed, she volunteered to help serve meals and assist the residents any way she could. Today, the Masonic family is taking care of Barbara Jefferies, as she is a client of the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Financial Assistance Programs. “Mom made it very clear to my brothers and I that if she ever needed a place to go, this (the Masonic Home) is where she goes,”
David said. “She is exactly where she wanted to be, even if the actual building is different.” The road to getting Barbara where she wanted to be was a long one. When Barbara was diagnosed with dementia, her family knew she would need the care of an assisted living facility in the future. They also knew they could not continue to pay for that care out-of-pocket forever. David was taking the lead on finding a suitable living arrangement for his mother, and, being the only one of his brothers who was not a Mason, was unaware of the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Long-Term Financial Assistance program. Masonic Outreach
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CLIENT SUCCESS He did know he did not want to move his mom in the future unless he absolutely had to. A phenomenon known as “transfer trauma” occurs often in dementia patients. The result is that each time a patient is moved into a new living environment, the patient is likely to experience a decline in cognitive abilities. “I wanted to get her established and keep her stable,” David said. So, he began his search looking for facilities that would accept
Medicaid. While this would have prepared the family for the day Barbara could no longer pay for her own care, David was beginning to despair at the quality of care offered at the available facilities. “I just kept thinking, I cannot put my mom here,” David said of the facilities he was touring. “I was contemplating quitting my job and taking care of her myself. I just could not picture putting her in these facilities.”
That is when David had a conversation with his brothers – who are Masons. His brothers told him about the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Outreach programs, and suggested he find out if their mother qualified. What the Jefferies got from that phone call was much more than financial assistance. It was a new set of relationships. It was support. It was relief. “Sonya (Sonya Carney, Barbara Jefferies' Masonic Home of
"Mom made it very clear to my brothers and I that if she ever needed a place to go, this (the Masonic Home) is where she goes." - David Jefferies
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CLIENT SUCCESS
Missouri caseworker) told me that if we spent down mom’s money (on her care) and did a few other things, then she would qualify,” David recalled. “Then I could start looking for places that didn’t necessarily take Medicaid. It shifted my search and opened up a whole new level of, ‘Maybe she won’t have to go to this awful place,’” he said tearfully. It was more than a year after that initial contact with the Masonic Home of Missouri that Barbara qualified for assistance, but her caseworker maintained regular contact with David that entire time, helping him find resources and giving guidance on how to ensure his mother would qualify when the time came. “Sonya is like a sister to me now,” David said. What David was receiving during that time was support through the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Social Services Program. The Masonic Home’s caseworkers are skilled in social
work, and if the Masonic Home cannot provide direct financial assistance, we will help find resources for that person. These services are free to anyone regardless of Masonic affiliation. During his time working with his mother’s caseworker in a social services capacity, David found the perfect home for her in a caregiving setting to match her needs. David just worried about one thing – the home was in Kansas, and this type of residential care does not exist in Missouri. Once again, Carney was able to reassure him. Barbara is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Missouri, and she would qualify regardless of what state she lived in now. Many months later, when Barbara's funds had depleted, the transition to Long-Term Financial Assistance was a smooth one, and the Jefferies family did not have to spend even one month worrying about how to pay for their mother’s care.
“By the grace of God, it all came together,” David said. It is not only the living environment that David appreciates, as it gives his mom the best chance at the highest quality of life during this stage of life, but the continued connection to the Masonic tradition that his mother holds so dear. At her facility, she keeps a photo book filled with memories from Masonic events, including being a Job’s Daughters Honored Queen. She keeps her gavel bestowed upon her for that honor as well. Barbara’s Order of the Eastern Star ring was once her mother’s, and David holds onto it for safekeeping. He says on her good days, it is one thing she is aware of, and she will ask for her ring. “I am just so very pleased with the fact that the Masonic organization is helping my mom, because I think if she knew that, she would be very proud of that,” David said. “I think she would be glad.” Masonic Outreach
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Patriots & Pathmakers Gallery By Barbara Ramsey
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he Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery features some important Masonic founders of our country and state. Masonry can claim nine signers of the Declaration of Independence, 33 or more generals of the Continental Army, and 13 signers of the U.S. Constitution. It is fitting that this Gallery prominently features the first President of the United States - Worshipful Brother George Washington. On April 30, 1789, while Master of his Lodge, George Washington was inaugurated the first President of the United States, taking his oath of office on a Masonic Bible. During his second term in office, George Washington presided as Grand Master of Masons, pro tem, to lay the cornerstone for the 10
Masonic Outreach
Capitol in Washington, D.C. This momentous occasion is captured in a mural called George Washington Laying the Cornerstone of the National Capital, 18 September 1793 painted by Allyn Cox for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in 1952. The Masonic Home proudly displays a replica of this mural within the museum. In the mural, George Washington is holding a gavel. A replica of this gavel is located below the mural, generously donated to the Masonic Home for the Masonic Museum by PGM Glenn Means. The story of Freemasonry in Missouri begins with the Louisiana Purchase. Masons would help found the early settlements in the new territory, establish local governments, schools, and eventually help
establish a state government. To quote MWB Ray V. Denslow, “It has been said that ‘Freemasonry follows the flag,’” but the development of the Mississippi Valley is one where Freemasons helped “raise the flag.” The historic Lewis and Clark Expedition is featured within this gallery, as both were Masons in the Louisiana Territory. Meriwether Lewis received his degrees at Door to Virtue Lodge No. 44, Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1797. Upon his return from the famed expedition, Lewis would be appointed Governor of the Louisiana Territory by President Thomas Jefferson. While Governor, Lewis and his fellow Masonic Brothers in the new territory petitioned the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania for a lodge in the Town of St. Louis. In 1808, the
MUSEUM MOMENT Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a warrant to Meriwether Lewis (Master), Thomas F. Riddick (Senior Warden) and Rufus Easton (Junior Warden) for Saint Louis Lodge No. 111. A year later in 1809, William Clark would receive his Masonic degrees in St. Louis Lodge No. 111. Within the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery, Brother Clark’s Masonic apron is on display. Brother Clark’s apron is generously on loan to the Masonic Home from St. Charles Lodge No. 241, St. Charles, Missouri. The story of the early territory and formation of the state is a rich tapestry of Masons whose stories intersect with each other, intersect with the creation of lodges, and ultimately culminate in the creation of the State of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M. These Masons include Missouri’s First Governor - Alexander McNair, Missouri’s first Representative to Congress - John Scott, one of Missouri’s first U.S. Senators - Thomas Hart Benton, a man whose public service career would culminate in President Abraham Lincoln’s Cabinet – Edward Bates, and many more. In addition to learning about the Masons that founded our state, there are artifacts on display from the three lodges chartered by the Grand Lodge of Tennessee that are responsible for the formation of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M. On February 22, 1821, representatives from Missouri Lodge No. 12, Joachim Lodge No. 25 and St. Charles Lodge No. 28 held an organizational meeting in St. Louis, Missouri.
On April 21, 1821, those three lodges chartered by Tennessee organized the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M. The first installation of Missouri Grand Lodge Officers was held on May 4, 1821, with Most Worshipful Brother Thomas F. Riddick becoming the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, A.F. & A.M. Just as the pioneers carried Freemasonry to Missouri, Missouri Masons would help spread Masonry west, and the Grand Lodge of Missouri would help establish lodges in Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, California, and Mexico, making it the Mother Lodge of the West. On display in the gallery is the original Dispensation and Charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri to the first lodge in the Utah Territory. This military lodge was only in existence for a few years before the troops were called back to Washington D.C. due to the Civil War. The Masons featured in the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery laid the foundation for generations to come. They faced many struggles, but Masonry
persevered, and their efforts would be far reaching to light the way for those to come. We invite you to come visit the Patriots and Pathmakers Gallery. Thank you to Fellowship Lodge No. 345 for sponsoring this incredible Gallery. The Masonic Museum is open for visitors 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when the Masonic Complex is open. Although no appointments are necessary, you are welcome to call the Masonic Home of Missouri at (800) 434-9804 with any questions you might have regarding availability or if you would like to schedule a group tour of the museum. Masonic Outreach
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LEGACY
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Masonic Outreach
A most important figure in Missouri history. BY BARBARA RAMSEY
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ufus Easton’s family came to America in the 1640s from England. They were early immigrants to the Connecticut area, becoming prominent founders of Hartford. Rufus was the child of Joseph and Mehitable Easton, born on May 4, 1774, in Washington, Litchfield County, Connecticut. Rufus would start his young life during the American Revolution. He was just a
few months old when the First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on September 5, and was only two years old when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. He would come of age in a new country, getting an education locally, until he went to study law in the office of Hon. Ephrain Kirby in Litchfield, Connecticut. Masonic Outreach
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LEGACY
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ufus was admitted to the New York Bar, and started his career in Rome, New York. It was in Rome where he met and married Alby Abial Smith in 1798. Abial was the daughter of a well-established, educated colonial family. On January 24, 1800, Rufus and Abial welcomed their first child into the world, a little girl named Mary Smith Easton. Over the next 24 years, the two would welcome ten additional children into their family. Well established in Rome by 1801, Rufus helped host a banquet, along with 13 other prominent men, to celebrate the election of Thomas Jefferson. It was during his time in Rome that Rufus became a Mason. In 1802, Rufus attempted unsuccessfully to secure an appointment as a federal judge in New York. By 1803, rumors were spreading that the United States Government was interested in purchasing New Orleans. Rufus knew there would be new opportunities out west if the rumors were true. Rufus secured an introduction letter from Vice President Aaron Burr, went to Washington, D.C., and made a personal request to President Thomas Jefferson for
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a position in the District of New Orleans. It is quite probable that President Jefferson did not look kindly upon a letter of introduction from Burr. Burr had tied the electoral vote in the election, and the President was suspicious of the Vice President’s motives in passing him so many recommendations for
appointments. Rufus would leave Washington, D.C., again with no appointments. In 1804, Rufus decided to move his family to New Orleans without securing a position in advance. On March 11, 1804, Rufus secured another letter from Vice President Burr, still hoping that a judgeship or
postmaster position would become available following the Louisiana Purchase. Following the birth of their third child, Rufus, age 30, left New England to head west with Abial and their three daughters. The Easton family stopped in Vincennes, the capital of the Indiana Territory. Rufus was able to meet with the territorial governor, William Henry Harrison. It was during this stop that Rufus learned his former law professor, Ephraim Kirby, had passed away. While the news was sad, it also provided the opportunity Rufus had been seeking. President Jefferson had appointed Kirby Attorney General of the District of Louisiana. Rufus would be asked by President Jefferson to fill the vacancy. Rufus agreed and immediately applied to practice law in the Indiana Territory, which was then the governing body of the District of Louisiana “Upper Louisiana.” Instead of heading to New Orleans, the Easton family was going to St. Louis. By September 1804, the Easton family arrived in Ste. Genevieve. While this would be a short stay, Rufus would meet fellow Mason Moses Austin, who had a successful mining business in Mine a Breton. Rufus and
Easton LEGACY
Moses attended a meeting where concern was raised over a paper Auguste Chouteau sent out in April. The Chouteau family, along with the other French founders of St. Louis, were concerned about the Louisiana Purchase and the transfer of power to the United States. They did not want to lose control over the city and businesses they had built. When the Easton family arrived in St. Louis later that month, they found a very busy French town. Pierre de Laclede de Liguest had designed the town similarly to New Orleans in layout. He named it for Louis IX, the patron saint of the reigning King of France. Upon his arrival in St. Louis, Rufus continued to worry about the control and motives of members of the Chouteau family, specifically Pierre Chouteau. Chouteau had been appointed Agent of Indian Affairs for the District of Upper Louisiana by President Jefferson. On October 1, 1804, the law establishing the District of Louisiana went into effect. On January 17, 1805 Rufus wrote to the President, warning him of the Frenchmen in St. Louis who had befriended Governor Harrison. Easton was particularly concerned the land claims trying to be secured were fraudulent. On March 3, 1805, Congress passed another bill to make the District of Louisiana the Territory of Louisiana, which would make it independent of the Indiana Territory. St. Louis became the capital of the new territory, and it would have its own governor, secretary and three judges. General James Wilkinson was appointed first Governor of the Territory of Louisiana. On March 13, 1805,
Rufus was appointed Judge of the Upper Louisiana Territory. On March 9, a petition was presented to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania of Ancient York Masons, for a dispensation to open a lodge at Kaskaskia, Indiana Territory. Rufus was a signing member. Western Star Lodge No. 107 was the first Masonic Lodge in the upper portion of Louisiana. There were two lodges already established in the city of New Orleans. In April, Rufus was appointed to establish the first post office in St. Louis. He built a residence on Third Street where the first floor would house the newly incorporated post office and his law office. By July, the new Governor Wilkinson arrived in St. Louis. Rufus was immediately distrustful. Later that fall, Governor Wilkinson was settling into his position as the new Governor when he received a visitor – Aaron Burr. Rufus had been concerned about the Governor’s close relationship to the Frenchmen, but the visit by Burr caused further concern. Rufus remained wary of their plans after Burr payed him a visit to discuss his interest in an important venture. When Rufus did not provide Burr with the information he was seeking or partake in what would become known as “Burr’s Conspiracy,” tensions between Rufus and the Governor increased. In September 1806, Lewis and Clark returned from their two-year Voyage of Discovery. This caused a great deal of excitement in St. Louis, and marked the beginning of changes for the territory. William Clark replaced Chouteau as Indian Agent for the
Family Timeline
1774 Rufus Easton is Born
1798
Rufus Easton Marries Alby Abial Smith
1800
Mary Smith Easton is Born
1801
Joanna Alby Easton is Born
1804
Louisa Baker Easton is Born
1807 Alton Easton is Born Masonic Outreach
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LEGACY
Territory. President Jefferson also appointed Meriwether Lewis the new Governor of the Louisiana Territory. The position of Governor had been in flux after the departure of Wilkinson. Frederick Bates, another prominent Mason, was acting Governor until Lewis could arrive. On March 3, 1807, Lewis became Governor of the Louisiana Territory. Governor Lewis had a difficult task after much political upheaval in local politics, but he set to work. He organized the militia, naming Auguste Chouteau Colonel of the St. Louis Regiment. Rufus was Postmaster of the established post office. Frederick Bates compiled the first book published in St. Louis called Laws 16
Masonic Outreach
of the Territory of Louisiana. In addition, on September 15, 1808, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania granted a Charter to St. Louis Lodge No. 111, Louisiana Territory. The first lodge in St. Louis was established by the Governor of the Territory, Meriwether Lewis, who served as its first Worshipful Master. Thomas Riddick served as Senior Warden and Rufus Easton as Junior Warden. The Easton family would welcome their fifth child, Russella, on November 27, 1809. Rufus had settled in as Postmaster and established his reputation as a reputable attorney. He began to earnestly look into land investments, but the winter of 1811 into 1812 was a time of
great uncertainty. There was growing concern that there would be war with England. Then the unimaginable occurred on December 16, 1811 – the great New Madrid earthquakes began. In June of 1812, Congress created the Missouri Territory to distinguish it from the new State of Louisiana, with William Clark being named the new Governor. Once Missouri became a secondclass territory, it was able to hold elections for legislative and judicial branches, as well as send a nonvoting representative to Congress. That same month, the US declared war on Britain. The Easton family, as well as the rest of the residents in St. Louis, were spared direct attacks on the city during the war.
In 1814, Edward Bates, the brother of Frederick Bates, would come to St. Louis and live with the Easton’s while he studied law under Rufus. Edward Bates would go on to help establish Missouri Lodge No. 12 and, ultimately, the Grand Lodge of Missouri. Politically, his career was long with his final service being Attorney General in President Abraham Lincoln’s Cabinet of Rivals. On September 17, 1814, Rufus defeated Brother Masons Alexander McNair (who would go on to be the State of Missouri’s First Governor) and Thomas Riddick (who would become Missouri’s first Grand Master) for the position of delegate to Congress for the Missouri
Territory. The War of 1812 ended in December of that year with the Treaty of Ghent. Despite a delegate’s inability to vote, he could still propose bills. Rufus proposed, unsuccessfully, a bill to grant Missouri statehood. This particular bill would take several more years and complicated negotiations to pass. However, Rufus was successful in proposing and having passed what was possibly the first federal relief bill. Rufus asked Congress to pass a bill for “Relief of the Inhabitants of the late county of New Madrid, who suffered by earthquakes.” The government owned millions of acres of land in the Missouri Territory. Rufus asked that the displaced residents from the earthquakes be granted new land along the Missouri River in the Boone’s Lick country, now known as the counties of Howard, Boone and Callaway. Rufus also introduced a bill to give veterans of the War of 1812 land grants and pensions. In 1815, Rufus was still looking to increase his fortune through land speculation. He purchased land east of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. He named the town in honor of his first-born son – Alton. While the land venture actually caused great financial strain for Rufus, the town of Alton, Illinois, still stands today, and many of the streets bare the names of the Easton family. This same year, the oldest of the Easton children, Mary, married George Sibley in the family home on August 19. Rufus ran for reelection in 1816, losing to fellow Mason John Scott. However, Rufus protested the election, and Scott was not able to take his seat in
1809
Russella Easton is Born
1812
Joseph George Easton is Born
1814
Landon Cheevis Easton is Born
1815
Mary Smith Easton Marries George Sibley
1818 Alby Abial is Born
1818
Joanna Alby Easton Marries Dr. Quarles
1820 Sarah Easton is Born Masonic Outreach
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Missouri Masonry and the Masonic Home of Missouri owe
a great debt for helping to lay the foundations for the great institutions that came after him. 18
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Congress. Eventually, the matter was resolved with a loss to Rufus and John Scott’s election in August 1817. Tensions between the two men were so high at one point that John Scott challenged Rufus to fight a duel. Rufus was admittedly opposed to dueling, and he responded, “I don’t want to kill you, and if you were to kill me, I would die as a fool dieth.” Around 1818, Rufus moved his family to St. Charles. They lived at 201 South Main Street, on the southwest corner of Main and Madison, in a large two-story brick home. Rufus maintained his office on the first floor and their residence on the second floor. Rufus also became a Director of the Bank of St. Louis. In 1821, Louisa, the third Easton child, married Archibald Gamble. Archibald Gamble was brother to Hamilton Gamble, who became Governor of Missouri during the Civil War. Both men were Masons, with Archibald Gamble serving as Treasurer for the Grand Lodge of Missouri when it was created in 1821 and holding the office until 1825. On August 18, 1821, Missouri was admitted to the Union. Missouri’s first Governor, Alexander McNair, a Mason, appointed Rufus Missouri’s second Attorney General in 1821, succeeding Edward Bates. St. Charles had been chosen as the temporary site for the Capital, while the permanent location and new city named Jefferson was built. Rufus served as Attorney General until 1826 when the Capital moved to Jefferson City. Having created a name for himself as one of the leading lawyers in St. Charles, Rufus left politics to return to private practice.
Mary Easton Sibley and her husband George returned to St. Charles and began clearing the land they had purchased, which they called Linden Wood. While they were building their cabin, Mary began providing education out of her home to her siblings and other children. She had long been an educator, but had no children of her own. In 1827 Mary and George would create Linden Wood College in St. Charles, the first college for women west of the Mississippi. Rufus became sick in 1833 during the cholera epidemic, but he recovered. Cholera would strike St. Charles again in 1834. This time, Rufus would not recover, passing away on July 5, 1834. He was buried on Mary and George’s property in a family plot. The school started by Mary and George would go on to become Lindenwood University. The family burial is still on the Lindenwood campus. Alton Easton went into a military career commanding the local military company, the St. Louis Grays. He served as Colonel Easton at the outset of the Mexican War, with the St. Louis Legion under his command. He later served as Assistant Treasurer of the United States at St. Louis, a member of the county court, Inspector General of the State during the Civil War, and assessor of internal revenue and pension agent. Landon Easton also had a military career serving in the Florida and Mexican Wars. During the Civil War, he served with distinction under Major General Sherman. It was noted that the daughters of Rufus and Abial Easton formed
1821
Louisa Baker Easton Marries Archibald Gamble
1823
Medora Easton is Born
1826 Henry Clay is Born
1830
Mary’s sister Alby is the First Student at Linden Wood College
1831
Joanna Easton Marries Henry Geyer
1832
Russella Easton Marries Thomas Anderson
1833 Rufus Easton Anderson is Born Masonic Outreach
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LEGACY one of the most notable groups of young women during the time that St. Louis grew from a small village to a city. After the passing of her first husband, Joanna married Hon. Henry S. Geyer, who became a U.S. Senator from Missouri. Louisa married Archibald Gamble, who became Postmaster at St. Louis. Alby married James S. Watson, president of the Third National Bank of St. Louis. Russella married Col. Thomas L. Anderson, who served two terms in Congress. Sarah became the wife of Col. Samuel South, cashier of the Palmyra branch of the State Bank of Missouri. Alby Abial Smith Easton passed away on February 21, 1849. She was laid to rest at Linden Wood next to her husband Rufus. George and Mary would later be buried next to them.
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Edward Bates said of Rufus Easton:
Easton was a wiser man than he passed for, and a better man than his adversaries chose to admit. All acknowledged his professional ability as compared with his associates, but many failed to give him the credit he deserved for his personal virtues. He was certainly the best-read lawyer of the Missouri bar in his day, the regular training of his youth and the indefatigable industry of his riper years, made him always, a formidable adversary and generally a case – gaining advocate he still lives in my memory with respect and gratitude.
In a history written of St. Louis by J. Thomas Scharf, it was said of Rufus:
The man whose advent in St. Louis in 1804 was probably of the greatest importance to the community and State, was Rufus Easton, one of the most profound lawyers of that brilliant era, when such luminaries as Geyer, the Bartons, Gamble, Spaulding, Allen, Lawless, Bates and Leonard, were leaving their impress upon the laws, statutes and institution of Missouri.
Rufus helped create the first lodges in the territory. He helped build and establish St. Louis and the State of Missouri. His legacy continued through his children as well. Rufus and Abial Easton could not know that the foundation they laid would eventually lead to the creation of a great charity called the Masonic Home of Missouri.
Russella Easton was 23 when she married Thomas Lilborne Anderson, Sr., a St. Charles lawyer. The following year she gave birth to Rufus Easton Anderson. They had two other sons together, before Russella passed away on December 1, 1840. Rufus E. Anderson would grow up to become a brilliant lawyer and an eloquent speaker. Anderson was educated at the Masonic College and at the Illinois College at Jacksonville, where he graduated in 1850. After graduation, he began reading law with his father, and he was admitted to the bar in 1852. He practiced law in Palmyra until 1877 when he moved to Hannibal. He was known as a leading lawyer in Northeast Missouri. Anderson became a Missouri Master Mason in Palmyra Lodge No. 8 in 1859. He was Grand Orator of the Grand Lodge of Missouri 1863 and 1864. He became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri 1873-1874. As Grand Master, he laid the cornerstone of the Merchants Exchange in St. Louis. He was active in the Masonic Appendant bodies, holding offices and multiple roles of leadership. He succeeded Grand Secretary Vincil as Fraternal Correspondent of the Grand
Lodge and wrote the reports of 1905 through 1908. MWB Anderson served on the Board of Directors for the Masonic Home of Missouri from its incorporation in 1886 until his passing in Palmyra July 27, 1909.
Historical Rufus Easton portraits provided by Missouri Historical Society, Pgs. 1 & 14.
of Its Townships, Towns, and Villages, Together with a Condensed History of Missouri, the City of St. Louis, a Reliable and Detailed History of Marion County, Its Pioneer Record, War History, Resources, Biographical Sketches and Portraits of Prominent Citizens : General and Local Statistics of Great Value, and a Large Amount of Legal and Miscellaneous Matter, Incidents and Reminiscences, Grave, Tragic and Humorous. (1884). United States: Brookhaven Press.
Adamson, B. C. (1993). For which We Stand: The Life and Papers of Rufus Easton 1774-1834. United States: The Author. Boggess, A. C. (1908). The Settlement of Illinois, 1778-1830. United States: The Society. Stevens, W. B. (1909). St. Louis, the Fourth City, 1764-1909. United States: S. J. Clarke Publishing Company. History of Marion County, Missouri: Written and Compiled from the Most Authentic Official and Private Sources : Including a History
Grand Master Robert R. Kreeger memorialized PGM Anderson stating: As one of our most brilliant writers and forceful orators in the Masonic bodies, Brother Anderson ever hewed to the line of his own inherent conviction of Right, no matter on which side he stood his confreres. Alas, such courageous and dauntless spirits are to few! The Masonic Home of Missouri has lost in him a devoted friend; since its organization he has served on the Board of Directors, and took special pride in his record of having attended every meeting of the Board and of the Executive Committee until the last few months of his illness.
While Rufus Easton might be a lesser-known founder of Missouri, his impact is profound. The impact of his children is profound. Missouri Masonry and the Masonic Home of Missouri owe him a great debt for helping to lay the foundations for the great institutions that came after him.
Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors Minutes, Archives. Rufus E. Anderson In Memoriam. Wolferman, K. C. (2008). The Indomitable Mary Easton Sibley: Pioneer of Women's Education in Missouri. United States: University of Missouri Press.
1834 Rufus Easton Passes Away
1837
Joanna Easton Geyer Passes Away
1840
Russella Easton Anderson Passes Away
1840
Alby Easton Marries James S. Watson
1842
Sarah Easton Marries Col. Samuel South
1844
Medora Easton Marries Abner Bartlett
1849
Alby Abial Smith Easton Passes Away Masonic Outreach
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FINANCIAL EDUCATION
Building a Strong Financial Foundation Knowing more about your money can help create stable ground for your finances. By Carly Dibben
B
uilding a strong financial foundation is crucial if you do not want to live paycheck to paycheck or drown in debt. Establishing a solid financial base will lead to the building of wealth, which will increase the number of options available to you – ultimately providing you the freedom to make choices, instead placing you in a position where choices are made for you. So, how does one go about building a strong financial foundation?
1
KNOW WHAT YOU OWN AND WHAT YOU OWE:
The first step into building a strong financial foundation is having a comprehensive knowledge of the value of the assets you own and how they are counterbalanced with the amount of debt you carry. This is easily determined by creating a balance sheet. First, list all of your assets and find the sum of their value. Assets include available cash in bank accounts, investment and retirement account balances, and value of real and personal 22
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property (such as your home, car, jewelry, art, etc.). Next, identify your liabilities by listing all of your debt and find the sum of what you owe. Your liabilities include your mortgage, loans, credit cards, and outstanding medical bills. Subtract your liabilities from your assets to find your net worth. Knowing your net worth will give you a general idea of your current financial health. It is also an indicator of the goals you need to set while planning for big purchases or retirement.
2
KNOW WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING:
For some people it feels like their paycheck is spent before it even hits their checking account. Most people have a good idea of where the bulk of their money is going – mortgage, utilities, groceries, and gas. It is the smaller purchases that are harder to track. The best way to know how your money is working for you on a day-to-day basis is through a spending analysis. This can feel like a tedious
process if you are not using one payment source when making purchases. To get started, take your bank and credit card statements and list out each purchase into categories – household expenses, groceries, car/travel expenses, healthcare expenses, debt payments, entertainment, miscellaneous, etc. – for a 31-day period. Add each of those categories up to see where the bulk of your disposable income is
going. You might learn that you are spending way more than you thought in surprising areas, such as the morning specialty coffee. Now that you know where your money is going, you can use this information to create a budget and prioritize your spending. When creating a budget, your first priority should be necessities – rent or mortgage, groceries, utilities, healthcare. The next to be paid should be your debt – loans, student loans, and credit cards. Third priority is to pay yourself. Start a savings account for anticipated expenses and emergencies – tax payments, repairs and maintenance, and medical bills. Whatever is left, you can use for discretionary spending. It is important to make sure all priority expenses are taken care of before you buy that specialty coffee or plan that vacation to the beach.
3
ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY CREDIT:
Credit is a tricky subject that most people have a love/hate relationship with, and many consider a necessary evil. Most large purchases require credit. So how does one establish credit without it getting out of hand? It is definitely a balancing act. Start by making sure you pay all your bills on time. This shows that you are reliable in managing your responsibilities, making you a good candidate for credit. A record of late or
missed payments will cause your credit score to drop. You will also want to ensure you stay well below your credit limit. Keeping your credit utilization ratio below 30% of your available credit is ideal. Maxing out your lines of credit will not only negatively impact your credit score, but will cost you in interest. It is also important to maintain your oldest lines of credit. The most influential credit card you have is the one you have had the longest. Establishing favorable credit history is a major factor in your credit score. With that said, it is important to limit your lines of credit, regardless of how long you have had them. Having excessive open lines of credit, even if you are not utilizing them, will drag down your credit score. In this situation, more is not better. Finally, pay attention to your credit use. Make sure you review your monthly statements to ensure all purchases made were authorized by you. Also, check your credit report at least once a year for errors. The three main credit reporting agencies, TransUnion®, Experian®, and Equifax, will provide you a free copy of your report each year upon request. Ideally, it is best to start setting these building blocks when you are younger, but it is never too late to start. Once you have set this foundation, you will be able to build a life of financial security. However, like all foundations, it will need your attention and periodic maintenance. You must routinely reevaluate your assets and debts, adjust your budget, and review your credit in order to ensure your foundation does not crumble.
Calculate Net Worth ASSETS Home/ Real Estate Car 401 K Jewelry
MINUS LIABILITIES Mortgage Car Loan Student Loan Credit Card
EQUA L S TOTAL NET WORTH
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AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
City of Refuge Listening, Advocating, and Connecting By Dan Szy
R
ebecca arrived in the United States as a refugee a decade ago. She settled in Columbia, Missouri, and later married. In the years since, she has successfully overcome a variety of obstacles newcomers face in the United States, like language barriers and culture shock. She has also started to plan for the future. She works now as a trained and licensed cosmetologist, and she has big dreams of owning her own business someday, along with taking care of her family. Jolly arrived in the United States as a refugee from Africa several years ago. Over time, she gained practical skills through cleaning commercial and residential properties in Columbia, and now she too aspires to own and operate her own business. Chery was a Karenni refugee from the country of Burma. She moved to upstate New York from a refugee camp in Thailand 12 years ago. In 2019 she moved to Columbia with her two children, ages 10 and 14, to start a new life with friends and family who already lived in Mid-Missouri. She is working hard as a custodian at Veterans United Home Loans and is saving money with the goal of owning her own home. What do all these stories have in common? Through City of Refuge, they have found a
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welcoming community of volunteers and staff in Columbia, Missouri, committed to seeing them flourish in a new country, surrounded by a new culture. City of Refuge helps refugees navigate a new way of life here in Mid-Missouri by developing relationships, meeting basic needs, listening and advocating, and connecting them to resources in the community. It is a privately funded organization that walks with refugees for as long as it takes for them to have what they need to become and live as thriving members of the community. City of Refuge walked with Rebecca through a variety of challenges, as she survived car accidents and bought and refinanced a house. And it connected her with the perfect job in a nail salon that sparked her imagination for a future of entrepreneurship. The organization operates a cleaning business called Safi Sana (Swahili for “very clean”) that employed Jolly and equipped her for her own professional future. Likewise, City of Refuge assisted Chery with all the paperwork and challenges of moving to a new state and continues to work with her as she prepares financially for home ownership. Refugees are people who have fled war, violence, conflict, or
Missouri Office of Refugee Administration Resources
LOCAL RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES: KANSAS CITY Jewish Vocational Service (816) 471-2808 jvskc.org Della Lamb Community Services (816) 842-8040 dellalamb.org
COLUMBIA Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, Refugee Services (573) 442-7568 cccnmo.diojeffcity.org
SPRINGFIELD International Institute – Southwest Missouri Branch (417) 720-1552 iistl.org/iismo
ST. LOUIS International Institute of Saint Louis (314) 773-9090 iistl.org
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT persecution and have crossed an international border to find safety in another country. They often flee with little more than the clothes on their back. They leave behind homes, possessions, jobs, and loved ones. Refugees are legal immigrants who go through a lengthy and thorough process of vetting before entering the United States. Although they have faced traumatic circumstances, they are grateful to arrive in a place where they can put down roots to provide for their families and be good neighbors. There are about 26 million refugees around the world. Approximately 11,000 refugees came to the United States last year. Around 8,000 current or former refugees live in the Columbia area, and City of Refuge serves hundreds of them every year. Throughout a decade of service in the Columbia area, the organization has found that relationships of trust change everything for refugees, making the crucial difference for them as they learn to thrive in a new environment. Its goal is to equip resettled refugees, not only with the materials they need, but also with deeper friendships they can count on as they navigate a new life here in the United States. For example, since summer 2021, nearly 300 Afghan refugees have resettled in the Columbia area. City of Refuge is forming friendships, coaching them through practical aspects of daily life and supporting them with access to supplies for a new household like furniture, medicines, clothing, and hygiene products. The organization's services for refugee children and youth are meeting specific, significant gaps
Above (top to bottom): Chery, Jolly, Rebecca in care. Many refugee families are large, with 5 children or more. Two of these programs are already in place but need continuing support: a school liaison works with local schools, helping them to know the needs of refugees, and helping refugee parents to understand how to help their children succeed. Additionally, in 2021, City of Refuge implemented a birth care program to walk alongside refugees who are expectant mothers. A trained and experienced doula serves as a birth care specialist to accompany mothers to prenatal checkups,
ensure doctors and nurses in the delivery room are responsive to their needs, and makes sure their homes are ready for an infant. The organization relies on contributions from generous donors who want to take a meaningful, practical step to welcome refugees to Missouri, to recognize them as neighbors, and to do what they can, where they are, to right the wrongs they have experienced from the world’s warlords and tyrants. City of Refuge welcomes financial contributions of any amount, but especially needs partners who commit to give on a monthly basis. As worldwide turmoil continues so does the need for refugee support. Refugees benefit Missouri’s communities with the diverse culture they bring. They are crucial in providing labor to local economies at a time when employers are employers are eager to hire, and their stories remind everyone that each individual is on a journey and faces obstacles to overcome. City of Refuge’s staff and volunteers have, for instance, observed that one English phrase most male Afghan refugees seem to know is, “Thank you, brother.” This short phrase of solidarity tells a significant story: our new neighbors are grateful for the assistance they receive in navigating a new way of life. But more than that, they are eager to know native-born Americans and to be known by them as more alike than they are different. To find out more about sharing City of Refuge’s vision to serve refugees, see the giving and volunteer information at its website: cityofrefugecolumbia.org. Masonic Outreach
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HEALTH
Back to the Basics A refresh on those tried-and-true fundamentals — and a recipe!
By Fran Patrick Recipe Courtesy of Jennifer Tveitnes, RD, LD • Boone Hospital
I
n the busyness of our lives, it is easy to ignore the necessity to build, maintain and prioritize our health. There is always a reason why we cannot make our own “foundation” a priority. “I have too much to do.” “I feel fine.” “It can wait until another time.” Sound familiar? Put another way, we would not build a home for our family on a shaky foundation. Why not actively work on building our own foundations, so that we can be the best version of ourselves? And what can we do to support being the best version of ourselves? There are some oldies but goodies on this list of how we can keep ourselves in tip-top shape and thriving in our ever changing environment.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! How many times as a child growing up did we all hear this? There’s a good reason; there’s a lot of truth in it! Food fuels our bodies, and finding the right balance is key. One of the leading causes of death in the USA in 2021 according to the CDC was heart disease with 696,962 deaths. While other factors can contribute 26
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to heart disease, the food we eat has a large role to play in keeping the beat going.
H2O — LET’S RAISE A GLASS Eight glasses a day — that’s what they say. But is that enough for the biggest component of our dietary needs? Individual needs vary, but generally the Mayo Clinic recommends that the “average healthy adult living in a temperate climate needs about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluid per day for men and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids per day for women.” Those in the Show Me State and places with similar climates should watch out for humidity. Other factors can influence this intake; exercise increases water loss through sweat, as well humidity and illness can increase the need for more fluids. In this case listen to your body - if you need to drink, drink! And remember, according to Mayo Clinic other fluids can help you reach your daily goal: milk, juice, herbal teas and even soda – just watch out for that sugar intake!
LET’S MOVE IT, MOVE IT The dreaded E-word. Exercise. It might not be everybody's thing,
but the plain fact is we need exercise like we need air. Our bodies crave movement. Before we get ahead of ourselves and build a new home gym, though, let's talk about realistic expectations. Reading this and signing up for a marathon is not the answer. But reading this and going for a brisk walk, raising your heart rate and clearing your mind? Now we are talking. Take it outside and get connected to nature. Be creative and have fun!
WE ARE FAMILY Over the past 2 years, COVID-19 has taken from us one of our fundamental healthy activities: Socialization. We are by nature social creatures, and interaction with friends, family and loved ones keeps us connected and healthy both physically and mentally. Try combining the above ideas and be an overachiever - invite people over, cook dinner together, raise a toast and finish your night off with a walk. No ideas of what to cook? Check out our healthy dinner recipe! From us to you - keep building your own strong foundation.
HEALTH
R E C I PE
HAMBURGER SOUP (adapted from thepioneerwoman.com)
A heart-healthy recipe should be low in saturated fat and sodium, and high in fiber. Lean protein, lower sodium items and lots of veggies make this recipe perfect for a healthy lifestyle diet!
INGREDIENTS
• 1 pound ground turkey: 93% lean / 7% fat • 2 stalks celery, diced • 1 clove garlic, minced • 1 (14.5oz) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes • 3 c no-salt-added beef broth • 1 each: yellow, red, and green bell pepper, seeded and diced
• 3 large carrots, peeled and sliced • 5 baby red potatoes, cut into quarters • ½ tsp each kosher salt, black pepper • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning • 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce • Mozzarella cheese, shredded
INSTRUCTIONS
1. In a large pan over medium-high heat, brown the meat with the celery and garlic. Drain. 2. Add the meat mixture into a large slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or until potatoes are softened. Serve with cheese. 3. Enjoy! Masonic Outreach
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IN THE NEWS
The Road Not (Previously) Taken The importance of non-traditional routes to workforce development. By Hannah Robertson
F
or generations, young adults have been told that the path to a successful career after high school leads directly to college. While this route is still viable and offers students a wide range of opportunities, today there are alternative postsecondary education options that can still lead to a satisfying professional life – and at half the cost. One of the most popular of these options is trade schools, which offer students 28
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hands-on training in the skilled trade career of their choice. There are many benefits to attending trade school over traditional college outside of cost, though that may be one of the most important deciding factors. According to CollegeBoard figures, the average cost of tuition and fees of a public, four year school for in-state students during the 2021-22 school year is $10,740. Trade school, on the other hand,
can cost as little as $5,000 a year. Trade school also requires less time in school than obtaining a bachelor’s degree at a traditional college - 18 to 24 months versus four years or longer - which leads to an even larger difference in the final costs of graduating from the respective institutions. While college graduates earn significantly more in their first year out of college compared to the salaries of non-college graduates
IN THE NEWS (an average of around $50,000 a year), they tend to have larger debts to pay off from school than their trade-school counterparts. Those who attend trade school are also able to join the workforce and begin earning money sooner thanks to their shorter program lengths. Additionally, some trade school programs lead into high-paying jobs. For example, the median pay for construction managers in 2019 was $95,260 per year according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. One of the largest misconceptions, which traditional colleges and universities have benefitted from, is the belief that a college degree guarantees job security. The reality is, many of the industries that college degrees cater to are either oversaturated or can be outsourced. Alternatively, many trade careers, such as plumbing, offer more job security. There is a higher demand for the work, and they require manual labor that cannot be outsourced overseas. In fact, The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center reports that in February and over the course of the past year, state employment primarily increased in service-providing and goodsproducing industries. Goods-producing industries added 2,200 jobs in February 2022. Within the industry, mining, logging, and construction saw a substantial increase of 1,400 new jobs; while manufacturing gained 800. Service-providing industries grew even more, adding 8,300 jobs in the month of February. 3,600 of these occupations were focused in trade, transportation, and utilities. Categories within these industries have had some of the greatest employment gains in Missouri over the past year with trade, transportation, and utilities gaining 20,500 jobs and mining, logging, and construction gaining 16,400 jobs. These employment opportunities have contributed to Missouri’s unemployment rate as of February 2022 being 3.7%, slightly below the national unemployment rate. These statistics prove that there is an increasing demand for occupations that may require short-term training or industry-recognized credentials instead of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Encouraging job seekers and young people to consider all the options available to them as they enter their professional lives is beneficial not only for the individual, but also for Missouri’s workforce development as a whole.
There are many benefits to attending trade school over traditional college outside of cost, though that may be one of the most important deciding factors.
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BY THE NUMBERS
$100,000
FELLOWSHIP LODGE NO. 345 MUSEUM GALLERY SPONSORSHIP
Masonic Museum
Monday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm
182 1
187 5
18 86 - 1906
The State of Missouri and Grand Lodge of Missouri are formed.
The idea of a Masonic Home is presented by John C. Ralls.
Rufus Easton Anderson’s tenure on the Masonic Home Board.
19.7 Million
Students enrolled in a college program in 2022. (educationdata.org)
6200
Rural students served by rootEd Alliance in Missouri, Texas, Idaho and Tennessee supporting post-secondary education. (forbes.com)
153,300
Unaccompanied refugee children in the U.S. by the end of 2019 who fled violence around the world. 30
HOURS
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3.6%
Missouri unemployment rate as of March 2022.
24,371
Refugees sponsored by the International Institute of St. Louis from 1971-2019.
SAVE THE DATE
Masonic Home of Missouri ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
20 A iversary Event
Monday, June 13, 2022 COLUMBIA COUNTRY CLUB, COLUMBIA, MO 2210 Country Club Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
PL AY. VOLUNTEER . DONATE. Funds raised benefit the Masonic Home's matching gift programs: Creating-A-Partnership and Partnering To Honor Over 10,000 children and veterans were impacted during the Fiscal year 2021 through these programs.
The tournament theme is Summer Fun! Team & individual registration is now open. Deadline to register is May 31, 2022. Please contact Julie Kirchhoff at 800-434-9804 or jkirchhoff@mohome.org to register or visit mohome.org for more information! SPONSORED BY
Hey Siri, what's the Masonic Home's new website look like
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mohome.org