January
The Resource and Computer Center opened in the Smith North Building, where residents use their expertise to teach others.
February
Masonic Homes representatives joined Grand Lodge officers to present information about the Masonic Homes at the three Masonic Reunions held in Florida.
March
The Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown celebrated its registration as an Eden Alternative™ site by unveiling its Eden Tree.
Masonic Homes' Second Annual Flower Show brought more than 800 residents, employees, volunteers, and community members to view the beautiful floral creations by the Landscape/Greenhouse departments and outside vendors.
The Masonic Eastern Star Home-East held its Eastern Star Festival on March 18.
The Masonic Homes' Orchard Store expanded in size and began to offer additional merchandise.
April
All Masonic Homes' locations celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Week, honoring those residents, youth, and members of the community.
May
On May 23, five senior volunteers from Elizabethtown Area High School each received a $2,500 scholarship from the Masonic Homes at the school's senior awards program.
Thirty-six children residing at the Masonic Children's Home were recognized for their various activities and accomplishments at the 77th Annual Youth Appreciation Day on May 26.
The Committee on Masonic Homes passed a motion to name the camp donated by Jack and Geraldine Harding to the Masonic Children's Home the "Masonic Youth Camp at Sugar Run." Contributions for the camp were given by various lodge groups, resident groups, and others.
June
On June 8, at the 32nd Annual Pennsylvania Therapeutic Recreation Institute 2000 Awards Program, the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown won the Agency Award, Outstanding Program Award, and the Outstanding Programming Award Honorable Mention. Residents Betty Howe, Jackie Hollinger, and June Scott won the Volunteer Award.
Members of the Committee on Masonic Homes; Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania, The Order of The Eastern Star; Masonic Homes' staff; and residents broke ground on the Star Points Building on June 25.
Two seniors graduated from the Masonic Children's Home: Becky Horn and Brandon Smith. (Pictured under May)
An array of beautiful flowers, shrubbery and trees were planted in the front gardens of the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East.
July
As part of the Eden Alternative™ process, the Masonic Homes' first companion dog, Dubie, moved into the Freemasons Building on July 31. Daisy moved into the Masonic Health Care Center the next day, and Cheyenne moved in on November 24. Various finches, love birds and cockatiels also made themselves at home in residents' rooms and in common areas within the Masonic Health Care Center and the Freemasons Building.
August
The Adult Daily Living Center celebrated its 5th Anniversary of service to the community.
September
On September 11, the last skilled nursing resident transferred from the Masonic Eastern Star Home-West to the Valley Care Masonic Center. Twelve of the Masonic Eastern Star Home-West's nursing rooms were converted to assisted living accommodations and marketed for occupancy.
The Masonic Eastern Star Home-West held its Eastern Star Festival on September 20.
The Masonic Village at Sewickley was one of ten food establishments to win an award at the Allegheny County's 9th Annual Excellence in Food Protection Awards for outstanding performance in food safety and sanitation.
On September 22, the Committee on Masonic Homes authorized the Masonic Homes to begin the marketing process for the proposed retirement living accommodations at the Masonic Village at Sewickley.
On September 23, more than 6,000 people attended Autumn Day at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown. The highlights of the day were the Flag Raising and Date Stone ceremonies for the Freemasons Cultural Center, part of the Village Green Area construction/renovation project. The therapy pool in the Masonic Health Care Center was named in honor of Bro. Carl R. Flohr.
The Masonic Eastern Star Home-East's Advisory Board held its first Penny Party on September 30, raising more than $2,100 to benefit residents.
The Landscape and Greenhouse departments represented the Masonic Homes at the Philadelphia Harvest Show.
October
Representatives from the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East, the Masonic Eastern Star Home-West, and the Masonic Village at Sewickley attended Eden Alternative™ Associate training.
The first of seven health fairs sponsored by the Outreach Program to be held in each of the seven regions throughout the Commonwealth was held at the Masonic Eastern Star Home-East on October 28.
In conjunction with Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown Area School District, and Communities that Care, the Masonic Homes began a tutor/mentor program in the Masonic Health Care Center. Twelve residents committed to meeting with 11 children from the local elementary schools during after-school hours four days a week to help them with homework and to enjoy socialization time.
The annual Admissions Counselors training session was held at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown.
Several Girl Scouts troops began conducting their meetings on the Masonic Homes' campus; some of the troops interact with the residents on a regular basis, and one troop is led by a group of residents.
November
Terrace and ground levels of the Star Points Building began to take shape.
Marketing began for the Retirement Living apartments and villas at the Masonic Village at Sewickley.
Independent Living at the Masonic Homes was changed to Retirement Living.
The Retirement Living Community Residents' Association and the Retirement Living Residents' Association merged to form the Retirement Living Residents' Association.
Masonic Homes' Orchard Store changed its name to Masonic Homes' Farm Market.
December
On December 22, the Outreach Program expanded its hours to become a 24-hour on-call service, offering callers an option of leaving a message or asking for customer service.
A training session for new Admissions Counselors was held at the Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown.
Offerings from Masonic Homes' residents for the Sell Chapel Service Project were given to two families: to the family of an L.P.N. whose home was damaged in a fire, and to the family of a nursing assistant who passed away unexpectedly in 1999.
Mission Statement of the Masonic Homes
To provide caring communities where individuals, families, and children have the opportunity to enjoy a full and enriched life through the benevolence of Freemasonry.
Our Vision is to be a Center of Excellence.
Our "Mission of Love" Values
Quality of Life
Respect for the Individual
Quality Service
Committee on Masonic Homes
Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Grand Master
Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., R.W. Deputy Grand Master
William Slater II, R.W. Senior Grand Warden
Ronald A. Aungst, Sr., R.W. Junior Grand Warden
Marvin G. Speicher, R.W. Grand Treasurer
Donald L. Albert, R.W. Grand Secretary
Robert L. Engel
Guy T. Matthews
Edwin P. Cover
Richard J. Stemmler
C. DeForrest Trexler
Kim W. Jeffreys
Ivor F. Lewis
Financial information and other interesting facts about the Masonic Homes' year.
Grand Master's Message / Masonic Homes / Pennsylvania Youth Foundation / Masonic Foundation for Children
Pennsylvania Library and Museum / Masonic Charities Fund / Freemason Home