The North Carolina Mason

November/December 2009 The North Carolina Mason Page 7 Mileposts Senior MomeNts Outreach programs introduced By Mark Kolada Administrator WhiteStone Apologies to all the Brothers who attended Grand Lodge in September and have heard this annual report already. For those of you who were not able to attend Annual Communication or will not have a chance to read the Proceedings, below is a copy WhiteStone's annual report to Grand Lodge: Most Worshipful Grand Master, Distinguished members of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, fellow Brothers: I am pleased to report that our 97-year-old community in Greensboro is steadily improving on all fronts. In 2008, after years of financial challenges, WhiteStone achieved its goal of getting into the black and reported a small profit of $82,000, primarily due to consistently high occupancy, qualifying more of our subsi- dized nursing home residents on Medicaid, and continuing to be diligent about expense control. As a result of our efforts, despite the economy, we have also successfully increased our cash flow by $1.3 million. It feels good to be putting money back in the bank rather than always taking it out. So far in 2009, our positive fis- cal trends have continued with our net operating income ahead of budget by approximately $200,000 and in the black by over $500,000. Looking forward to 2010, our fiscal goal is to be sub- stantially in the black to the point where we will not have to rely on donations as part of our ongoing revenue and to have WhiteS- tone self-sustaining on its own operating revenue. As our financial situation improves, it has allowed our chari- table mission at WhiteStone to remain strong and generous. WhiteStone currently serves over 270 residents, of which about 25% require some sort of financial subsidy. Of these 68 current residents, 41 were Masonic affiliated and 27 are sponsored by an Eastern Star Chapter. In 2008, the cost of our charity remained stable and was approximately $1.8 million. WhiteStone collected close to $1.4 million in contributions, of which Masons gave more than $537,000. We are extremely grateful for your continued fi- nancial support. Please know that 100% of your contributions directly go to support our Brothers and their family, assisting with their expenses such as room and board, medical supplies, medica- tions, and other medical bills. I do want to recognize several lodges which continue to con- tribute more than $25 per member to WhiteStone. ese distin- guished lodges are: William T. Bain 231, Temple 676, Raleigh 500, Clemmons 755, Bula 409, Semper Fidelis 680, Pilot 493, Selma 320, Kilwinning 64, Fellowship 687, Mill Creek 125, Cary 198, Vandora 745, Casar 579, Garner 701, Green Level 277, Je- rusalem 95, Henry F. Grainger 412, Millbrook 97, Mingo 206, Ararat 558, Archer 165, Long Creek 205, James B. Green 735, Wilson 712, Creedmoor 499, Statesville 27, Person 113, Hiram 40, John H. Mills 624, and Andrew Jackson 576. We congratulate these lodges on their leadership, hard work, and dedication toward the WhiteStone charity. In addition to the financial contributions, we are also very fortunate to have lodges which volunteer at the community, whether its putting on the Sun- day afternoon service to entertain our residents or in the instance of members of Gate City Lodge in Greensboro, who every Friday continue to have several members stop by and perform odd jobs for our residents such as fixing computers or moving furniture among other things. We are extremely grateful for this support as well. Going forward, the level of charity the Home continues to pro- vide, will be dependent on the amount of donations it receives. In other words, the more donations we receive, the more charity we can provide. Know that every day, your dollars make a profound impact the lives of our Brothers and their family at WhiteStone. But it's not only about dollars and cents at WhiteStone. We are working hard to continue to make improvements in the services and amenities offered. We make investments in needed capital improvements to our Home. Over the past year we have reno- vated the historic Latham building, replaced carpet in our nursing home, and made necessary repairs to our historic chapel. At WhiteStone, we also continue to focus on resident satis- faction or, as I like to call it, "keeping our residents happy." It's a tough job. Some days we do a better job than others, but our com- mitment is unwavering. I am pleased to report that earlier this year we received the results of the bi-annual resident satisfaction survey with overall satisfaction increasing from 67% in 2006 to 88% in 2008. Areas showing substantial improvement included food, resident communication, care and wellness center, and resi- DEEP RUN — Pleasant Hill 304 presented two Veteran's Emblems for 50 years membership on October 3. Lodge Master Raymond Turner, left, is sen here congratulating Lynwood Earl Smith, center, and Johnnie Sheppard Jr., right. — Rick Stroud DEEP RUN — Four Dia- mond Jubilee Awards were handed out October 3 at Pleasant Hill 304. Lodge Mas- ter Raymond L. Turner Jr. pre- sented the awards. Seen here, from left, presenter Turner, Vance Leslie Harper, Robert Leo Harper, Ethro Dail Hill, and Rupert Shelton Rhodes. — Rick Stroud RALEIGH — The DeMolays held an induction ceremony in Raleigh on October 10. Pictured above are the seven new DeMolays who joined along with those participating on the induction team. One of the boys who joined was the son of Sean Hughes, a member of St. John's 1, who is leading efforts to start a new DeMolay Chapter in Wilmington. After the ceremony, the DeMolays finished off the day with a disc golf tournament. — Frank Silber, NC DeMolay Executive Officer FAYETTEVILLE — Ft. Bragg 667 Master Mart Lewis, right, recently visited the home of Charles A. Norris, left, to present his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years membership. — John Franklin ELIZABETHTOWN — Red Springs 501's John H. Creech was recently presented his Veteran's Emblem saluting his 50 years Ma- sonic membership. An active Mason, the retired North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper described his life in Masonry as "a long and adventure-filled journey… filled with many happy and fulfill- ing moments." Creech is seen here, center, receiving the award from 18 th District Deputy Grand Master Gary C. Bass, left, and Red Springs 501 Master Norman White. — Ken Pervine FARMINGTON — William L. Brock, left, recently received his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years of Masonic membership. Master J. Yoman Smith (right) presented the award to the Farmington 265 member. — Craig P. Steelman WASHINGTON — Washington 675 celebrated its Past Mas- ters' and Ladies' Night October 30. They enjoyed bluegrass music from Crossroads and a slide show about the history of Masonry in North Carolina. Two members were on hand to get their ser- vice awards. Left is Dallas Jackson, who got his Veterans' Emblem for 50 years membership. John Morgan, right, (retired register of deeds for Beaufort County) was honored with his Diamond Ju- bilee Award for 60 years membership. Washington Lodge Master Jack Smiley, center, presented the awards. HERTORD — Cecil Winslow spent more than 35 years as secretary of Perquimans 106. At the lodge's October 13 Ladies' Night Banquet, his lodge saluted Winslow, naming him a Secre- tary of Distinction, a special honor from lodges to accomplished secretaries. Winslow is a past master of the lodge as well as a past district deputy grand master. A lodge member said, "Cecil Winslow is and lives what Masonry is all about; he is and has been a Guiding Light in Masonry for many." Seen here are, from left, are Secretary Paul Gregory, Winslow, and Master Jeff Perry. — Paul Gregory MOUNT OLIVE — Mount Olive 208 welcomed another member of the Daniels family to its lodge September 1 when they initiated Tim Daniels, center. He is seen here with his father Craig Daniels while being congratulated by Mount Olive Master Willie Ray Starling. — Trestle Board see OUTREACH, page 5 Ric Car ter photo

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