The North Carolina Mason

March/April 2012 is once again in full swing. As executive direc- tor of WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community, I truly enjoy the opportunity to inform the brethren of what is going on at their retirement community in Greensboro, and more importantly, discuss our beloved charity. If you get the chance to attend your local district meeting you won't be disappointed, however, for those of you who may not get a chance to participate, below is a summary of my district meeting report: The annual Masonic district meeting tour By Mark Kolada Stone is about to turn 99 years old. For almost a century we have prided ourselves as Masons for running a retirement community that is known for three things: 1) excellence in nursing care, 2) providing quality retirement living, 3) our gen- erous and benevolent charity. Here's a quick update on how we are doing on all three. One, ongoing operations at the community I am pleased to inform you that White- The North Carolina Mason Preview of WhiteStone's district meeting report received a five-star rating from the Center of Medicare/Medicaid services, based on quality of care measures, staffing, and survey results. As a result of the designation and our stellar reputa- tion within the Triad area, it ranks the Care and Wellness center in the top 15% of all nursing homes in the nation. Two, we have been in the midst of renovat- ing and expanding several areas of our campus over the past few years. Last year, we completed work on renovating our administration build- ing into a beautiful clubhouse for our residents including new game room, library, activity area, and resident store. The project has already won two national design awards, from Long Term Living Magazine for renovation design, and a silver award at the National Association of Home Builders convention in the category of repositioning. Because of this ongoing commitment to im- continue to stabilize and perform very well. We currently serve approximately 250 residents. Our independent living area currently is about 95% occupied, and our nursing center above 97%. For the second straight year, our nursing center has proving our community, we continue to have high levels of resident satisfaction, as they en- joy getting the most out of their golden years. In the next few months we will finish expand- ing our services and amenities even further by adding 46 independent living one- and two- bedroom units (which are about 80% presold), adding a fellowship hall, beauty salon, bistro, MILEPOSTS arts and crafts area, as well as completely reno- vating our kitchen and dining facilities. We are all very excited about the additions, and there is no doubt that once completed, WhiteStone will be recognized as one of the best and most comprehensive retirement communities in the state. We as a fraternity can continue to be ex- tremely proud of to support and live up to our high ideals and standards. Three, an update on our beloved charity. Ev- ery day we help more than 62 fraternally related residents. That's about $1.3 million worth of fi- nancial assistance each year. Your lodge contri- butions (which in 2011 totaled almost $250,000) help provide room and board, medical expenses, doctor fees, anything that those fraternally relat- ed residents couldn't afford to pay for by them- selves. We continue to need your help. Sadly, the amount of charity we can continue to provide is declining because of the decline in annual donations. It costs our Masonic char- ity $57 per day, $1700 a month, and $21,000 a year on average to provide just one resident with the financial assistance they need. In 2011 we had 35 lodges give enough to pay for at least one month's worth of charity for a single resident. Another 100 lodges gave enough for at least week. Disappointingly, more than 160 lodges across this state gave nothing last year. These charity patients are all distressed brother Master Masons, their widows, and family mem- bers who rely on your help to make ends meet. These people are so proud of where they live and are appreciative of what the fraternity provides. The disturbing reality is that there are so many more who could use our help, and whose needs are going unmet. So please consider returning to your lodge and discussing contributing enough to support one of these residents for at least a day, maybe a week, or preferably a month. On behalf of our 250 residents, 180 staff members, and many more family and friends, we appreciate your continued support of WhiteS- tone over the past 99 years and encourage you stop by for lunch and a tour when in Greens- boro, or make plans to attend our annual Family Day celebration on Saturday, May 12. As always, if you have any questions or need more informa- tion about the community, feel free to call me at (336) 547-2992 or email me at . Correction In an earlier article, we misnumbered the lodge of new Grand Tyler Joseph L. Hester Jr. He is a member of Neill S. Stewart 556 in Erwin. Page 7 ADVANCE — Norman Larry Carlton, left, recently received his Vet- eran's Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership. Acting master Ron Vogler is seen here presenting the award. —Ron Vogler GRAHAM — Carl Wade Clapp, left, of Thomas M. Holt 492 recently received his Diamond Jubilee honoring 60 years of Mason- ic membership. He is seen here receiving the award from John Isley. — Gene Hunter ZEBULON — On December 18, William Thurston Debnam, left, was presented his Dia- mond Jubilee Award for 60 years Masonic mem- bership. Andy Adams, then master of Zebulon 609, is seen here presenting the award. — Barna Wilder WILSON — Late last year, a large contingent visited T. Bruce Boyette, right, to present him his Diamond Jubilee and thank him for his 60 years as a Mason. Members of Wilson 712 were joined by members of Boyette's various appendant bodies were on hand. Dean Hawley presented the certificate. The retired Wilson city manager was a Montfort Medalist and active in many facets of Masonry. He received many high honors in several Masonic bod- ies including serving as potentate of Sudan Shrine. Wilson 712's high school scholarship program which has helped send more than 30 students to college is named for him. Boyette passed away February 16. — Dean Hawley GRAHAM — Thomas M. Holt 492 recently presented the Veteran's Em- blem for 50 years Masonic member- ship to Rockwell Alton Webster, right. He is seen receiving the certificate from Master Glenn Hogan. — Gene Hunter SWANNANOA — Marvin Robert Schwartz, center, was recently presented his Grand Lodge of Florida 60 year award. Members of Swannanoa 561 and the 39th the award for the Florida Masons. Masonic District presented — John Burchfield HENDERSON — John H. Mills 624 recently presented Dia- SEA LEVEL — Members of Warsaw 677 made a road trip recently to present Jerry Nelson's Veteran's Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership. They were near their old friend and 48- year treasurer Jimmy Strickland, so they scooped Jerry up and carried him over to visit Jimmy. Seen here are, front from left, 677 Master Johnny McGee and Jimmy Strickland. Standing: Jerry Nelson, Raymond Turner, and Sterling Gillikin. — Luther Jones DENVER — In late 2010, we had an article and picture of the seven members of the Sawyer family who had joined Den- ver 757. They thought they might hold the record for members of the same family. Last summer, more members of the family became Masons. The grand total now stands at ten. Carrol Saw- yer Sr. says there are no more. — Kenneth Carnley mond Jubilees to two members honoring their 60 years Masonic membership. Waylon Bowen, left, and Carlton Eaves, right, were the honorees. Randy Kearney, center, made the presentations. — Bill Riggan ADVANCE — Charles Travis "Scrip" Rob- ertson, seated, was recently honored for his 60 years as a Mason. He is seen here receiving his Diamond Jubile from Ron Vogler and Past Grand Master Lester Martin. — Mark Howell GRAHAM — Thomas M. Holt 492's John Franklin Fricks Jr., left, recently received his Vet- eran's Emblem for 50 years lodge membership. The award is presented here by John Isley. — Gene Hunter EPSOM — Ronald Renn, right, of John H. Mills 624, recently received his Veteran's Emblem for 50 years Masonic membership. Randy Kearney made the presentation. — Bill Riggan NORWOOD — A few weeks ago, then Grand Master elect Robert Gresham presented Luther Laton, right, his Diamond Jubilee honor- ing his 60 years as a Mason. Laton, a member of Pee Dee 150, was raised at the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford. — Joel Allen Mark Howell photo

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