Eric L. Gross has been hired as executive director for the Masonic Village at Sewickley, responsible for all facets of operation for the retirement community. As part of the executive team, he will implement the strategic plan for the Masonic Village at Sewickley and provide leadership to staff in service enhancement, quality improvement and regulatory compliance.

Gross brings 14 years of experience in long term care to his new position. He held various leadership positions for Erickson Retirement Communities, lastly serving as senior vice president, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-West Regional, where he was responsible for operations at eight retirement communities.

Gross earned bachelor's degrees in both management and psychology from the University of California at San Diego. He is a continuing care retirement community surveyor for the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission/Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CCAC/CARF). He was president of the board of directors for The Arc of Baltimore before relocating to Pittsburgh, and has served as a board member since 2004.

It was an evening fit for a queen, or rather queens, residing in the Star Points Building and the Valley Care Masonic Center at the Masonic Village at Sewickley. The second annual "Enchanted Evening" held in January 2009 treated the ladies to pampering, fine dining and delightful entertainment. Male residents also received special treatment. While not receiving make overs, they were lavished with pizza, beer and games.

Special thanks to the William Slater II Master Mason's Club at the Masonic Village at Sewickley, Advisory Committee of the Order of Eastern Star, Masonic Village staff and retirement living residents, Masonic youth groups and friends for shining light on these ladies. This was all made possible through the financial support of 22 Masonic lodges (see list to the right) and Eastern Star Chapters, Masonic Village retirement living residents, friends and family members.

On January 27, 2010, the ladies, many of whom are wives or widows of Masons or members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and the men will once again receive royal treatment at the third annual "Enchanted Evening."

For lodges interested in supporting this event, full table sponsorship is $300 and half table sponsorship is $150. Sponsorship of a single lady is $50. All contributors will be named in the evening's program and any monies in excess of that required for this event will be placed in a fund for future events benefiting the village's widows.

If your lodge would like to contribute to the enchantment, please send checks made payable "Enchanted Evening" to co-chairman Bro. David P. Rihl, 2431 Masonic Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143-2419. For additional information, contact Bro. Rihl at (412) 741-7914 or co-chairman Bro. Tracy H. Miller, P.M., at (412) 749-9086.