The North Carolina Mason

January/February 2011 SENIOR MomeNts Christmas a special time at WhiteStone By Mark Kolada Administrator WhiteStone You are never too old to embrace the spirit of Christmas. Te residents of WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Commu- nity are no exception. Te holidays are a time for our staff and residents to celebrate, to reflect, and to help others in need. Here is a sampling of some of the events that made our residents proud to call WhiteStone their “Home for the Holidays.” Before the holiday festivities began at WhiteStone, more than a dozen volunteers from staff, residents, Masonic Broth- ers, and Eastern Star members, worked tirelessly to decorate our beautiful campus and ensure that it sparkled for residents, staff and visitors. Tis year, 20 trees were decorated; the historic chapel was beautifully adorned with candles, poinsettias, and a Chrismon tree; and many lights and decorations were hung out- side and inside. If you have never visited WhiteStone during the holidays, it truly is a sight to see. As a result, WhiteStone staff decorates a tree with angels with the name of those who have departed WhiteStone throughout the year so that they may be remembered. A service is conducted by Chaplain and former Administrator Tommy Jones. Family and friends are invited to attend. Te touching program consists of prayer, reading of the names of the angels by Community Life Services Director Gina Prevost, a poem read by CWC Adminis- trator Dianne Armstrong, and a song sung by Director of Human Resources Tracy Armwood. In addition to the memorial tree, another angel tree is put up with the Christmas requests of each of the 100 residents in the Care and Wellness Center. Several years ago, WhiteStone staff started a program; whereby they wanted to ensure that each nursing home resident had something to open on Christmas morning. Each angel has a short list of modest items that a corresponding resident wish- es for, everything from soap, to candy to gift certificates to Hooters! Volunteers, residents, and staff each adopt an angel, purchase items. Ten the Community Life Services department wraps up the gifts and distributes to the residents around Christmas time. As the staff that hands out the gifts will tell you, the smiles on a 90-year-old are just as precious and heart warming as those of a 9-year-old. Besides making sure the nursing home residents receive a gift, Te Christmas season officially kicked off, as it has for so many years, with a program put on by the Grand Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star members on Saturday, December 4. With snow falling on the ground, creating an idyllic winter setting, Grand Chapter officers and volunteers sang Christmas carols for our residents, provided delicious snacks, and even had Santa take time out of his busy schedule to hand out gifts to all those in atten- dance. Later that afternoon, the Care and Wellness Center held its annual holiday party for residents and family. Holiday treats were served, and sounds of grandchildren filled the air. On December 7, another WhiteStone tradition was held in the CWC lobby — the annual memorial tree service. Anyone who has lost a loved one knows how difficult the holidays can be. Bert and Lin Radford, Independent Living residents of White- Stone, ensure that residents living in the residential buildings also receive something special during the holidays. For the past two years, this couple has brought the items necessary to stuff 56 stockings to hand out to their fellow residents, all in the spirit of the season. During mid-December, both the residents and staff held their traditional holiday parties in the main dining room. Te residents were treated to a prime rib dinner while listening to the soothing sounds of a harpist. Festive cheer filled the air, and a good time was had by all. Te next day, WhiteStone staff and their family members enjoyed appetizers, ka- raoke, fancy desserts, and won door prizes as they too shared fellowship and reflected on the events of the year. After the partying was done, residents and staff got back to work collecting donations for their annual holiday food and toy drive to help WhiteStone families in need. Tis year, 12 White- Stone employees and their families received gift cards and need- ed food supplies and toys to help them have a better Christmas thanks to the generosity of those at WhiteStone. Helping those less fortunate are fundamental tenets of both Masonic and East- ern Star fraternities, and we are proud to uphold these values for Caudle honored OXFORD — Senior Grand Deacon Doug Caudle, right, recently closed his last meeting as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ma- sonic Home for Children. It ends a six-year reign as chairman and 11 on the Board. The Home honored Caudle with the title Board Member Emeritus. He is only the third person to have the honor. He joins Past Grand Master Dan C. Rice and Thomas O. Eller. Caudle was cited for “un- precedented positively changing the course of the future for the Home and its residents.” Ad- ministrator Allen Hughes presented the honor. Mileposts the third year in a row with this important program. Finally, perhaps the best gift all of the residents and staff of WhiteStone could have received came on December 23, which was the day the development team received its temporary certifi- The North Carolina Mason Page 7 cate of occupancy for the newly renovated Linville building. Since beginning in early July, the goal had always been to get residents moved back to their third floor apartments in time for Christmas. Earlier in the year, seven residents had been relocated due to the construction work being done. Tanks to the hard work of the general contractor R. P. Murray, and the development team, three residents were able to spend Christmas in their Linville home, and another three moved back before the end of the year. For the rest of the residents on campus, they enjoyed spending Christmas getting to walk through their new Linville clubhouse, complete with a new library, new game room, activity area, resident store, and centennial lounge. Te lounge features an updated Masonic and Eastern Star display as well as historic pho- tos of the community prominently displayed. While the building won’t be fully functional and moved in by staff until mid-January, it was a nice way for the residents end the year. As you can see WhiteStone enjoyed another memorable holiday season filled with good deeds, great fellowship and warm memories. 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 . As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call me at (336) 547-2992 or email me at . Home cemetery improved OXFORD — In October, alumni and friends of the Home for Children assembled at God’s Half Acre, the cem- etery at the Home. Descendants of Rueben McGee were there to celebrate McGee’s memorial fund which provides perpetual care for the burial ground. Attendees saw newly planted shrubs, trees, and flowers. There is a new granite bench from Donnie Payne. Corinthian 230 member Ward Sutton donated a new memorial marker to replace the older, damaged one. The old marker will be moved to the Cobb Center as part of the history displayed there. The Masonic memorial obelisk has been moved to the cem- etery from main campus. DURHAM — November 9 was Awards Night at Durham 352. They had a banquet served by the Eastern Star and gave out three Vet- eran’s Emblems recognizing 50 years membership in the lodge. Seen here, from left, are Master Claude M. Jones who presented the awards to Clyde Ray Pope, William Allen Ferrell, and William Estes Cole. — Cecil Lee CLIFFSIDE — On November 22, Homer Howard Wall, seated, received his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years membership in Cliffside 460. Seen here with Wall are, from left, 460 Master Tim Mills, Wall’s daughter Debbie Womick, and then Grand Master William L. Dill who made the presentation. — Firpo Epley RALEIGH — Cris Vurnakes, left, of William G. Hill 218, was presented his Diamond Jubilee Award for 60 years lodge membership November 8. He is seen here with presenter Mike Cashion, then master of Hill Lodge. — Mike Cashion CLEVELAND — Michael Lee Tutherow received the Master NEWTON GROVE — Mill Creek 125 recently presented Edward Harris, right, his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years lodge membership. He is seen here with then Master Dwayne Weaver. — Earl Daughtry Mason Degree at Scotch Ireland 154 on October 12. His father, Paul Tutherow of Jefferson Penn 384 in Reidsville, was there to raise him. Three other members of Lodge 384 were there also. The younger Tutherow was presented with a Masonic wristwatch from his parents, a Masonic ring that had belonged to his grand- father, Paul H. Tutherow (Lovelady 670), and a Masonic stickpin that had belonged to his great-grandfather, William J. Davis, past master of Lee 253 in Taylorsville. His great-great-grandfather, James Leander Davis, was also a past master of Lee Lodge. — Paul Tutherow RALEIGH — James B. Green 735’s Roger Morgan, right, re- cently received his Diamond Jubilee for 60 years Masonic mem- bership. He was secretary at the lodge for several years. Perry Rumble, last year’s master, is seen here presenting the award. David Glass photo Ric Car ter photos Greg Coats photo

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