North Carolina Mason
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/21179
November/December 2010 SENIOR MomeNts A mid-year report By Mark Kolada
Administrator WhiteStone
One of the challenges I have when speaking to lodges and
chapters throughout the state is truly conveying what it is like to live at WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community. I am always surprised when I give presentations to find out how many Masonic and Eastern Star members have never been to the retirement community or say how “it has been years” since they set foot on the grounds in Greensboro. As much as I try and de- scribe the services and amenities available, invariably it is difficult to describe the feeling of living at our community. Recently, the Greensboro News and Record ran an supplement on WhiteStone that featured a couple, John (member of Gate City 694) and Peg- gy Griffin, who described their feelings about why they moved to this retirement community and what their experience has been like. Here is a shortened version of the article: “You’d be hard pressed to find two happier residents. Peggy
and John Griffin have called WhiteStone home since mov- ing to the community from Charlotte five years ago. White- Stone, Peggy Griffin says “had all the things we were look- ing for.” The Griffins like the active retirement community so much that Peggy is often asked to speak with potential residents. While the Griffins primary goal was to be closer to their daughter and her family in nearby High Rock Lake, the couple made a list of pros and cons when deciding whether to move to a senior living community. They found that White- Stone answered all their concerns. The community offers resi- dents alternatives to fit their lifestyles, with options for inde- pendent living, assisted living, home care services, and skilled on-site care. “WhiteStone will be 100 years old in 2012. But the future, not the past is the focus of a series of improvements, upgrades, and redevelopment that will be completed as the anniversary
approaches. In July, a $2.5 million renovation began on the ad- ministrative building, which is being gutted and rebuilt as the community’s clubhouse. In addition, work will soon begin on Phase I expansion project adding 46 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartment homes. Each apartment will have a full kitchen, one or two baths, and a laundry area, plus front door access to all of the new amenities and extra living space in the new clubhouse. “Te Griffins live in a two-bedroom house in the independent
living area. ‘We’re really excited about the things that are going on here,’ Peggy Griffin says. ‘We have the most fantastic fit- ness center, beautiful pool, and there are so many things to do. You have so many choices and have all the facilities we could ever ask for here.’ Te couple is extremely active both on and off campus as they help coor- dinate
residential volunteers
at WhiteStone, and are very active in leadership roles with the state AARP association. Te couple likes the fact that at WhiteStone they will be taken care of no matter what happens in their lives. ‘Age is certainly a state of mind.’ Peggy Griffin says. ‘We have made so many friends here. It’s a great place. We love it here. Our life has been so busy the last five years. We don’t know where the time has gone.” Written by Susan Shinn, October 22 Greensboro News and Record.
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Mail to Te Grand Lodge of North Carolina, PO Box 6506, Raleigh, NC 27628.
Te Griffins’ experience at WhiteStone is very similar to those of so many of our other fraternal residents on campus who are now enjoying the golden years of their retirement alongside other fraternal members. If you would like more information or would like to schedule a tour of WhiteStone, please call at (336) 547- 2947 or visit us online at