March/April 2010 SENIOR MomeNts Remember WhiteStone By Mark Kolada
Administrator WhiteStone
After a winter of worrying about snow and cold weather, it is re-
freshing to welcome the warmer temperatures, as spring is definitely in the air at WhiteStone! With spring comes the annual tradition of traveling with the grand master to the district meetings throughout this beautiful state. For those of you who may not get a chance to attend the district meeting in your area, below is a summary of my district meeting report. WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community, a con-
tinuing care retirement community located in Greensboro, was es- tablished in 1912 to meet the retirement and long term care needs of its fraternal brothers and sisters. Tis mission continues today, stronger than ever. WhiteStone consists of several housing options and levels of
care for seniors, including independent living, residential living, skilled nursing, dementia care, as well as a home care. Te commu- nity has approximately 275 residents currently, more than 80% fra- ternal. Amenities of the community include on site chapel, indoor pool, local transportation, gated security, on site medical clinic and pharmacy, full activity program, and a dining room that provides three meals a day. In 2009, I am happy to report that WhiteStone once again ful-
filled its charitable mission, providing more than $1.5 million in fi- nancial assistance to approximately 68 fraternal residents and col- lecting $1.4 million in contributions. Contributions from blue lodges totaled $327,449 in 2009 compared to $379,862 the previous year. In 2009, WhiteStone expanded its charity by introducing a new
outreach program that provides an information hotline for members to call if they need help accessing government benefits and programs such as veteran benefits or Medicaid and Medicare. In addition to the hotline, a medical equipment loan program was also introduced, whereby members who need a piece of medical equipment such as walker, motorized wheelchair, or scooter, may borrow the equipment from WhiteStone at no charge. To access the program, the number to call is (877) 784-9309. In the past month, two electric wheelchairs were loaned to a fraternal couple in need. We ask that, to keep our charity programs strong, that Brothers continue to give generously, as WhiteStone will continue to do as much charity as it brings in in donations. Te more we receive, the more fraternal brothers and sisters we can assist. Last year also saw the continued improvement in the communi-
ty’s finances. For the second straight year, the community was in the black and had positive cash flow thanks to continued high occupancy and emphasis on expense control. WhiteStone also continues to reinvest money to improve the ser-
vices and amenities for our residents. In 2009, WhiteStone enhanced security, installed a new chiller in its Linville Administration build- ing, replaced an elevator in one of its residential buildings, and made needed repairs to its historic chapel. WhiteStone, thanks to a gener- ous contribution from Cary 198, also introduced a state of the art Snoezelin room program, whereby a room in our skilled nursing unit was renovated and turned into a multi-sensory stimulation area to help those residents with severe cognitive impairment. Moving forward, plans to renovate and expand WhiteStone con-
tinue to progress. Renovation work has recently been completed on the Bennett residential building. It saw carpet, drywall, paint, and lights replaced to give it a more up-to-date appearance. Construction crews also recently completed the renovation of our old multipurpose room into a modern fitness center complete with weight machines and cardio stations for residents and staff to use. Besides the renova-
tion work, ground has broken on the addition of six new independent living houses on campus that have been pre-sold and are to be com- pleted later this year. Te next renovation phase, scheduled for later this year, is the substantial renovation of the Linville building into more of a clubhouse for residents, featuring a new library, game room, arts and crafts area, resident store, lounge area, and new office space for staff. Finally, the $30 million expansion plans continue to move forward with more than a third of the one and two-bedroom inde- pendent living units already sold. Once 70% of the units are pre-sold, permanent financing can take place and construction can begin. For more information on the project, pictures, and sample floor plans visit our website at . As you can see the spring season is bringing lots of changes to the community in Greensboro. On behalf of our 275 residents, 180 staff members, and many
more family and friends, we appreciate your continued support of WhiteStone and encourage you stop by to visit us when in Greens- boro. As always, if you have any questions or need more information about the community, feel free to call me at (336) 547-2992 or email me at .
WhiteStone questions and answers concluded from our previous issue: I hear that charitable dollars are going to non-fraternal mem-
bers. Is this true? Tis is simply not true. In 2009, WhiteStone received over $1.4M
in contributions and provided over $1.6M in financial assistance to 70 fraternally related residents (approximately two thirds are Ma- sonic affiliated and one third is Eastern Star affiliated). One hundred percent of fraternal dollars goes to fraternal members only. Fraternal financial assistance helps to pay for room and board, medical equip- ment, medical fees, pharmacy bills, and any other incidental expenses that the resident cannot afford to pay. In 2009, WhiteStone intro- duced a new medical equipment loan program as well as information hotline that is available to fraternal members through out the state, in the hopes of starting to expand its mission to those fraternal mem- bers living outside the community.
Now that WhiteStone is “in the black” and has improved its fi-
nances, does the charity really need my contributions? While it is true that WhiteStone has stabilized financially, con-
tributions and donations are just as important now as ever. WhiteS- tone is committed to expanding its charity and helping more fra- ternal members not fewer. However, the only way this can be done is through the continued financial support of both fraternities. Te more contributions our community receives, the more sisters and brothers it can help. WhiteStone has ambitious plans to expand its
Mileposts
charity to financially assist not only those at WhiteStone, but po- tentially to soon help those sisters and brothers in need in their own homes through out the state.
Why is WhiteStone going through with an expansion and reno-
vation project? Te reason for pursuing an expansion project is to replace cur-
rently empty, aging buildings that no longer have any use, improve services and amenities for current and future residents making the community more competitive, and to generate profits to help expand its charitable mission of providing financial assistance to its older fra- ternal members.
Are donations being used to fund the development expenses? Money to pay for development expenses is currently being paid
out of existing cash flow from WhiteStone and does not utilize any donation funds. A small seed capital loan from the Masonic founda- tion is available, and money has been used to pay for development expenses, but WhiteStone does pay any interest rate on the loan. It is a good investment for the foundation and assists WhiteStone in getting the project off the ground.
If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to call Execu-
tive Director Mark Kolada at (336) 547-2992 or email at mkolada@ liveatwhitestone.org.
The North Carolina Mason
Page 7
LOWELL — In November, two members of Lowell 590, W. W. “Jake”
Benfield and Robert A. Harrison, received their Veteran’s Emblems for 50 years Masonic membership. Past Grand Master Rick Moore made the presentations. Seen here, from left, are Moore, Benfield, Harrison, and Lowell Lodge Master Scott Weaver.
— Paul Waters Jr.
WALLACE — At their October Past Masters’ and
Awards Night, Wallace 595 presented a 50-year service award on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Maine. Richard H. Andrews, of Ralph J. Pollard Lodge 217, in Orrington, Maine was the proud recipient. He is seen here, left, with Wallace Lodge Master Raymond Turner. — Jeff Murray
VANCEBORO — On February 23, Vanceboro 433 made William A.
Haddock a life member. Haddock is a past master and past secretary. He was treasurer until recent health issues forced his resignation. He is cur- rently living in a retirement facility in New Bern. — Joseph E. Whitford
WALLACE — On October 5, at Wallace 595’s Past Masters’ and CLAYTON — On January 16, Granite 191 held an emergent com-
munication to raise Andrew Scott Hemphill. He is a third generation member of the lodge. He is seen here, center, with his father, Scott Hemphill (left), and grandfather Paul Hemphill (right). — Scott Hemphill
MAIDEN — At Maiden 592’s Annual Awards Banquet
in December, Frank Cloninger received his Diamond Ju- bilee award for 60 years Masonic membership. Bob and Charlotte Garbarino prepared the dinner. — Tom Barto
Awards night, Wilton Francis Townsend, second from left, received his Diamond Jubilee for sixty years Masonic membership. He is seen here with members of his family. Townsend’s wife of fifty-nine years, Ellis Henry, pinned the emblem on Brother Nort as he is called by many of his close friends. Several members of Townsend’s family were present, including his brother Thomas Townsend, himself a fifty-year member of Wallace Lodge. Townsend spoke of his desire to take the hardest job in the lodge — cleaning the kitchen. He still performs these duties at the age of 84.
— Jeff Murray
BAILEY — The Glover family is playing a strong hand in Bailey 411. SWANSBORO — Two members of Seaside 429 got a special
Prudhon, right, recently received his 60-year member- ship award. His award was presented by 23rd Deputy Grand Master Hugh McLaurin III.
GIBSONVILLE — Tabasco 271’s Robert George District
gift December 11 when the lodge held its Christmas Party and Widows’ Night. David Holland, left, and Richard Riggs, right, were made life members of the lodge. Each has been a Mason more than 60 years.
— Greg Padgett
There are three members of the family serving as lodge’s top three officers in 2010. Seen here from left, are Senior Warden Tyler Clayton Glover, Master Charlie Gerald Glover, and Junior Warden Randy Ger- ald Glover. Randy is father to Charlie and Tyler. All three were raised in Bailey Lodge by the late Gerald Glover, Randy’s father and Tyler’s and Charlie’s grandfather.
— Charlie Glover and Horace M. Meacomes
