The North Carolina Mason

July/August 2010 SENIOR MOMENTS A mid-year report By Mark Kolada Administrator WhiteStone It doesn’t seem that long ago at the start of the New Year that we were all abuzz on campus about the snow falling on the front lawn. As we make the mid-year turn into the hot summer season, 2010 is shaping up to be one of the busiest, most exciting, and successful years in recent history. First, we continue to be very blessed at WhiteStone to have consistently high occupancy through the first six months of 2010. The key to any successful retirement community starts with maintaining high occupancy. Despite the economic recession and a less than ideal real estate market, WhiteStone has continued to maintain a high census so far this year: 97% in the Care and Wellness Center (CWC), 100% in Independent Living, and 90% in Residential Living. By September, WhiteStone will be wel- coming over 12 new residents to our campus in both the Inde- pendent and Residential areas. These new residents are a strong sign that after 97 years, WhiteStone continues to be the “hot spot” to retire in North Carolina. In addition to our consistent occupancy, WhiteStone’s staff continues to find ways to main- tain expense control and be prudent with our funds. Compared to this time last year, we have improved our bottom line by over $280,000 (and by over $600,000 the similar period in 2008). Our charity also continues to be very productive. Trough mid- year, over $700,000 in financial assistance was provided to over 65 individuals at WhiteStone. Tis assistance helped pay for the cost of room and board and medical expenses that these residents could otherwise not afford to pay on their own. In addition to support provided on campus, 14 fraternal members were loaned 15 pieces of medical equipment through WhiteStone’s new program as well as 22 fraternal members received more than 21 hours of staff support through our information hotline program. Finally, thanks to Grand Master William Dills project of “adopt a resident” in 2010, over 40 residents were adopted by lodges and districts throughout the state and are now receiving cards, gifts, and money directly to help make their daily lives a little brighter. In addition to our charitable program, WhiteStone’s staff is work- ing hard to improve the services and amenities we offer our resi- dents. In April, a new state of the art fitness center was completed in the Care and Wellness Center and is being well utilized by residents and staff. In late May, the Bennett Building received a fresh look, with new carpet and paint in its common areas, as well as several rooms being combined to create one bedroom suites. In June, White- Stone’s main dining room began offering a full restaurant style service whereby residents order off the menu rather than “going through the line” and being served buffet style. Looking forward, by summer’s end six new Independent Living houses and duplexes will be completed on campus. In early July, extensive renovation work will begin on the Linville Administration building to create an exciting new clubhouse for our residents and up-to-date office space for WhiteStone staff. By the end of the year, residents will be enjoying a new library, new game room, lounge, arts and crafts area, as well as resident store. Join us Saturday August 14 for the ground breaking ceremony of the Linville renovation at WhiteStone. Finally, the development plans continue to make steady progress. WhiteStone has 27 apartments currently presold of the 46 available and needs only six more in the coming months in order to line up financing. If all goes according to plan, we will reach our sales goal by fall and secure financing by the end of the year for an early 2011 construction start. As you can see, the remainder of 2010 will be an extremely busy but an exciting time in WhiteStone’s ongoing commitment to progress and innovation. As always, if you have questions, con- cerns, or comments, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at (336) 547-2992 or email me at mkolada@liveatwhitestone.org. Enjoy the rest of 2010! The North Carolina Mason Page 7 J. H. Anderson Lodge holds Masonic Car Show Tarheel is Tennessee By R. Eric Frazee FAYETTEVILLE — John Huske Anderson 731 hosted the 2010 Masonic Lodge Car Show here on May 22. With the help of their local Eastern Star Chapter, they provided a day of great music, good food, and family fun to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project on Ft. Bragg. Te Wounded Warrior Project provides unique, direct programs and ser- vices to meet the needs of severely injured service members. Tey offered several raffles, including a gun raffle, and lots of activities for the kids, including face painting and a castle jumping house. Five ce- lebrities judged the car show, Col. Johnny Johnston (Ft. Bragg), Col. Wil- lie Cooper (Pope AFB), Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons (Cumberland County), former NWA wrestler Te Barbarian (Sione Vahaili), and former NWA World Wrestling Champion “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin. Te event had several side effects besides helping a great cause. Mem- bers that normally don’t attend the stated meetings came to have some fun and fellowship. Information on joining Masonry was given to curi- ous men, and Masonic awareness was raised locally. Te lodge hopes to repeat the event in the future. R. Eric Frazee is master of John Huske Anderson 731. MILEPOSTS grand marshal NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — Tennessee Grand Master Tom Boduch has appointed a North Carolina Mason as his grand marshal. Nathan R. James is a member of Junaluskee 145 in Frank- lin, NC as well as Corinthian 414 in his current home state of Tennessee. Nathan is seen here, left, with GM Boduch. They plan to visit North Caro- lina during Boduch’s term as grand master. STEDMAN — On June 24, Jesse W. Hall, seated, received his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership from Grand Master William L. Dill. Hall was Stedman 730’s first secretary when the lodge was formed in 1964. Seen here, from left are Hall’s sister-in-law Barbara Layton, his niece Sylvia Gilmore, wife Ellen, son Jesse Jr., Dill, and daughter Nina Margaret. — Thomas Pope SEABOARD — Several members of Seaboard 378 recently received service awards during the lodge awards banquet. Robert Gray Bowers and Henry Russel Ricks got their Veteran’s Awards for 50 years membership. Fifth District Deputy Grand Master John Wood made the presentations. Seen here, from left, are Wood, Bowers, and Ricks. — Al Wentzy MOREHEAD CITY — At Ocean Lodge 405’s May 22 Awards Banquet, Harry Hardy was honored with a special award for his 70 years as a member of the lodge. Hardy is seen here, seated, receiving the rec- ognition from Grand Master William L. Dill. Ed Judd got his Veteran’s Emblem the same night for his 50 years membership. — Mike Pargeter TRENTON — Joseph Ray Nobles, seated, a member of Heartland 576 in El Cajon, California, received his 50- year award from the Grand Lodge of California May 6. Grand Master William Dill is seen here presenting the award at a stated meeting of Zion 81. — Ricky L. Hawkins PENDELTON — Clay Martin only became a Mason in 2008. But, he jumped right in and excelled. Pendleton 418 chose him as their Mason of the Year for 2009. — Johnny Reynolds MOUNT HOLLY — On June 7, the 36th hosted a visit from neighboring Prince Hall Masons. The meeting was held at Mount Holly 544. Masonic District — Allan Mann CHERRYVILLE — Several members DUNN — Palmyra 147 recently presented service awards. William Stockton “Tittle” Tart, left, received his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years membership. He is also known as Slim, the last original Sudan Clown still active. William P. “Abe” Elmore, right, got his Veteran’s Emblem for 50 years membership. Elmore is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Greenville Shriners Children’s Hospital. Past Grand Master Gene Jernigan, center, pre- sented the awards. — W. P. Barfield of Horse Creek 719 received service awards when Grand Master Dill held his district meeting here earlier this year. Seen here are, from left, Paul Zeese (Diamond Jubilee 60-year award), John Hubbs (Service Award), Grand Master Dill, Bob Vance (Veteran’s Emblem 50- year award), and Jim Joiner (Veteran’s Emblem 50-year award). — Marty Fischer CULLOWHEE — When Western Carolina University students dropped by to find out about fraternities during Rush Week, one of the groups they found was the Shrine. Oasis Shrine Potentate Wayne King said, “We were absolutely thrilled to be allowed to participate. There is no more natural a fit than the world’s greatest fraternity joining with other fraternal organizations to showcase our at- tributes, our charities, and our firm belief in the fraternal bond we get from being Masons and Shriners.” The students didn’t just find older men at the booth. At least two WCU students are members of Oasis Shrine and were there to talk about their appreciation of the organization. Several fraternities and so- rorities had Shriners back for later presentations on the Children’s Hospitials. — Harvey Burgess H. C. Meador Photography photo

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