Bro. and Mrs. Price (right) visit with Bro. and Mrs. Norman Murdock.

Residents and staff welcomed the Admissions Counselors of the Masonic Homes for their annual training session on Oct. 14 and 15, 1999.

Forty dedicated Admission Counselors participated in a two-day training program Oct. 14 and 15 at the Elizabethtown campus. They attended sessions presented by various departments that discussed changes in policies and procedures, as well as updates of activities at Elizabethtown, Pittsburgh, Sewickley, and Warminster campuses. They also toured the newly renovated John S. Sell Memorial Chapel and the Independent Living Clubhouse.

The Admissions Counselors are responsible for assisting potential residents through the application process for the residential living, assisted living, and health care services at all Masonic Homes' locations. The annual training sessions enable the counselors to provide potential residents with the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Masonic Homes.

Admissions Counselors have been assisting potential residents in Pennsylvania, Florida, and other states since 1988. Because of their desire to help others, many counselors, like J. Walter and Elaine Price, have been dedicated to aiding residents for the Masonic Homes since the inception of the Admissions Counselors program 11 years ago.

"People need our help," Bro. Price said, "and we're trained to extend our hands and hearts to help them."

Mrs. Price added, "It's satisfying knowing that you're taking care of someone who needs help."

Each December, the Prices go the extra mile, extending their hands and their hearts at the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown not to bring residents into the community, but to bring love and laughter into the hearts of residents who reside there already.

Guised as "Mr. and Mrs. Claus," as many of the residents know them, Bro. and Mrs. Price spend a week at the Masonic Homes delivering candy and hugs to the young and the young at heart. They keep a very busy schedule, attempting to visit every adult and child on the campus.

Masonic Homes Admissions Counselors are (l-r): front row - Jane M. Newcomer; Nelson Polite; Charles Hornickell; George Boyer, P.P.D.G.M.. Second row - Jane M. Bleam, Margaret C. Knaub, Lorene C. Sinclair, Norma Spriggle. Third row - Marjorie Johnstone; Shirley Wood; Lorraine Shrive; Robert E. Spriggle, P.D.D.G.M.; Mim Rickard; Marjorie Timchak; Mabel Hornickell. Fourth row - David K. Johnstone, P.D.D.G.M.; Richard S. Wood, P.D.D.G.M.; Debbie Nale; Clinton E. Shrive, P.D.D.G.M.; Stella Henry; Margaret E. Nies; Elaine Price. Fifth row - Bonnee Wetlauffer; Donald L. Nock; Nancy Nock; Jeff Nale, D.D.G.M.; John P. Henry, Jr., P.D.D.G.M.; Robert H. Mason, P.D.D.G.M.; Ralph C. Rickard; Margaret E. Nies; Nelson Baird, Jr., P.D.D.G.M.; and J. Walter Price, P.D.D.G.M..

Not pictured are: Wayne Adamson; William Corlett, P.D.D.G.M.; Rudolph Culberson; John H. Grant; Allen J. Henninger, P.D.D.G.M.; John G. Johnson, P.D.D.G.M.; Clarence R. Klopp; William J. Moore; Robert K. Parrish, P.D.D.G.M.; Clifford E. Reed, P.D.D.G.M.; and Robert S. Swoyer, P.D.D.G.M..