Ms. Susan Dale, the cottage's first resident, enjoys a summer cook-out with Brian Luzier, Program Specialist, on the back porch of the cottage.

For a year and a half, the Masonic Homes' Respite Cottage has provided quality respite services for care-givers, providing a temporary home for adults with mild to moderate mental retardation and similar developmental disabilities. The cottage staff provides care-givers peace of mind with the assurance that their loved ones will enjoy a vacation of their own at the cottage, while they themselves enjoy personal time from their care giving responsibilities. Within the safe, nurturing environment of the Masonic Homes, the cottage offers 24-hour personalized care in a comfortable, beautiful home-away-from home.

This program has been so successful, having already served many repeat customers, that the Masonic Homes has expanded upon its respite services to include residential accommodations. By mid-summer, the cottage had four full-time residents. The four remaining beds at the cottage continue to be made available for those receiving short-term respite services.

Anyone interested in adding his or her name to the waiting list for residential service, or interested in respite care, call Brian Luzier, Program Specialist: (717) 367-1121, ext. 33751.