The Masonic Homes marked its 10th anniversary of retirement living services on Dec. 15 with a candlelight holiday celebration in the Clubhouse Dining Room.

The dream of developing retirement living options at the Masonic Homes in Elizabethtown, which would provide the opportunity for members of the Masonic Fraternity and their eligible family members to enjoy an enriched lifestyle while securing their future, became a reality on Oct. 8, 1990. That was the date when the Masonic Homes opened the retirement living area, which included the Clubhouse that provided a full array of recreational and service areas.

The plans for development of retirement living as part of the Masonic Homes' operations began in 1988 during the administration of Arthur J. Kurtz, R.W.P.G.M., who saw the new service area as an integral part of the Masonic Homes' mission to serve the changing needs and interests of the Fraternity. The first residents to occupy a living unit in this new service area in 1990 were Tom and Mildred English. Bro. and Mrs. English actually moved into their cottage on Tall Cedar Lane in August 1990, prior to the opening of the Clubhouse, because their home had been sold and they were anxious to move to Elizabethtown. Bro. and Mrs. Raymond Barley, Bro. and Mrs. Nevin Cooley and Bro. and Mrs. Robert Hotchkiss also chose to occupy their cottages prior to the opening of the Clubhouse.

Those residents served as pioneers for this new type of living arrangement and service plan, in preparation for the grand opening and date stone ceremonies.

Since 1990, the program has continued to evolve through the development of additional and enhanced programs and facilities that have allowed the Masonic Homes to serve the changing needs and preferences of the Family of Freemasonry. During the past year, the term "independent living" was changed to "retirement living" in response to a recent review of the Fair Housing Act. It has been determined that the term "independent living" implies that admission is restricted to those who are able to live independently and without any disability.