They live in different cities, yet they share the same home. They are not related, yet they belong to the same family. Sounds like a riddle, but the answer is easy: residents of the Masonic Villages!

"All our residents are a part of one big Masonic Villages family, whether they live in Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill, Sewickley or Warminster," said Liz Grosh, Recreation Coordinator at the Elizabethtown campus. "We want to build relationships among residents living at the different locations."

Thanks to the efforts of Liz; Josh Barol, Director of Recreation at Lafayette Hill; and Rhonda Conaway, Recreation Coordinator in Elizabethtown, residents from Elizabethtown and Lafayette Hill have been building relationships through joint programs. In April, the Lafayette Senior Bowlers hosted a bowling party for residential living residents who bowl in Elizabethtown. In July, the bowling group from Elizabethtown, as well as residential living and retirement living residents who participate in an open swim class, hosted a joint Picnic/Pool Party for the Lafayette Senior Bowlers at the Patton Pool.

"We enjoyed when they (Elizabethtown residents) came to bowl with us," said Lafayette Hill resident Perry Blum. "I'm sure they enjoyed their visit with us, too."

At the bowling party in Lafayette Hill, residents enjoyed pizza together before participating in some friendly competition. The Lafayette Senior Bowlers were the winners.

Liz offered her explanation as to why the Elizabethtown group lost. "The Lafayette Hill bowlers know their lanes inside and out," she said. "They had the home advantage!"

The residents were happy to be reunited at the Picnic/Pool Party in Elizabethtown, with the addition of some new faces from both Elizabethtown and Lafayette Hill.

"It's nice for us to socialize," said Lafayette Hill resident Chris Reynolds. "This is something that should be on-going. It's a very nice idea." Bro. Reynolds and his wife, Joan, are familiar with the Elizabethtown campus. They both have attended Autumn Day and visited Mrs. Reynolds's late aunt, who lived on the Elizabethtown campus for more than ten years.

Josh hopes the groups can continue extending their friendships beyond the city limits. "It's a chance for us to interact with our new sister facility," he said.

In addition to building relationships, the party in Elizabethtown gave several Lafayette Hill residents a chance to see how the campus has changed. Lafayette Hill resident Dick Henderson hasn't been to the Elizabethtown campus for 40 years. He is looking forward to attending this year's Autumn Day and touring the growing community.

"I want to see more of the campus because it's been so many years," Bro. Henderson said. "I think the last time I was here, I came in a horse and buggy!"

All the residents agreed that the joint program was a success, including Elizabethtown retirement living resident George Roberts. "I'm thrilled to be included today," he said.