Beacon_Win03

Winter 2003 VOLUME 10, ISSUE 1

BEACONWhen most people hear the name

Bob Evans, they usually think about afamiliar restaurant.

However, the real Bob Evans has setaside his sausage business and thecompany that bears his name. Instead,he is currently working on easing theload of cattle farmers all across thenation with innovative farmingtechniques.

Not only is Bob Evans a householdname, he is also very proud to be aMaster Mason. Bob was raised in 1940in Morning Dawn #7 in Gallipolis,Ohio. He received his 32nd Degree inthe Valley of Columbus.

The values and lessons learned in

Lodge have had ahuge influence on hisdealings in business.“I highly recommenda young personbecome a Mason,” hesaid. “You will neverfind a Mason youcan’t trust.”

At age 84, BobEvans is still veryhealthy and active.His face lights up ashe talks to customersand staff at theoriginal Bob EvansRestaurant in RioGrande, Ohio. Hegets a twinkle in hiseye when he talksabout his son, Bobby,the youngest of sixchildren.

“He just joined aMasonic Lodge inBozeman, Montana,”he said. “I just visited him, and I gavehim my Masonic ring. He’s very proudto be a Mason, and I’m proud of him.”

In 1948, Bob Evans started makingsausage in his small restaurant inGallipolis. In 1953, along with a fewfriends, he started the company that isnow Bob Evans Farms. The companyhas grown from a “down on the farm”restaurant in southeast Ohio to a chainof 480 restaurants across 22 states. Thisyear, the company’s sales will top the $1billion mark.

Bob Evans retired from Bob EvansFarms in 1986. Since then, he has beenworking with 4-H as the only lifetimemember in Ohio, and he is developingand promoting new ways to run alivestock business. He believes that

profits will come from spending less,rather than producing more.

One way to do this, he says, is togrow heartier grasses. In so doing, cattlecan graze all year long. Traditionally,farms would put cattle in the pasture inthe warm months and feed them corn,soybeans, and hay in the winter.Yearlong grazing would eliminate theneed to plant corn and soybeans, as wellas harvesting and storing the crop. Itwould also reduce the need forexpensive farm equipment, he believes.These savings would translate intohigher profits for the cattle farms.

The man behind these innovations,Brother Robert Evans, had humblebeginnings. He was born in 1918, and

Brother Bob Evans, now 84,continues to help others,display Masonic beliefs

continued on page 3

Momentum grows for One-Day Class

Momentum is building for a2003 encore of Ohio’s successfulGrand Master’s One-Day Classfrom last year.

Candidates will receive all threedegrees in Symbolic Masonry inone day at 25 district locations onvarious Saturdays during themonth of March.

In 2002, more than 7,700 menbecame Master Masons during theevent, a success that astoundedMasons throughout the world.The timing of this issue of theBEACON falls around thedeadline for becoming part of theclass this year.

Full details are available fromyour Lodge Secretary or on theGrand Lodge Web pagewww.freemason.com.

A JOINT PUBLICATION OF THE GRAND LODGE OF OHIO AND THE OHIO MASONIC HOME

Beacon / Winter 20032

Here we are at the end ofFebruary and it has been more thanfour months since I was installed asGrand Master of the Grand Lodge ofOhio.

It has been a busy and enjoyablefour months as I have traveledaround Ohio and the countrypromoting Freemasonry.

I had the pleasure of visiting andaddressing nearly 300 Ohio Masons and their ladies at twospecial receptions on January 13 and 15 in Sarasota andTavares, Florida. Ohio Masons living full-time in Florida andthose just spending the winter there were part of theattendance.

I thank all of you for your support of the Grand Master’sOne-Day Classes being held in March. It takes thousands ofour brethren to make events like this happen. This is a realteam effort to help grow our membership in Ohio.

The Special Olympics Oath is:Let me win.But if I cannot win,Let me be brave in the attempt.In the past years, the Grand Lodge of Ohio has

contributed from $60,000 to more than $125,000 for theOhio Special Olympics. During most of that time, it required

$30 to “Sponsor an Athlete.” Now, it costs $50 to bring eachathlete to the games in Columbus.

Last year, we supported 2,500 of the 3,000 athletes. Let usbe BRAVE, like our athletes, and reach the goal of raising$150,000 so that we may support all 3,000 athletes on June20, 2003. We ask that you put that date on your calendar sothat you may join in presenting the check and parading beforethe athletes in Columbus.

While there are lots of ways to make a positive difference inour communities, this year I have asked our Lodges across thestate to promote the OhioReads Program.

My Brethren, reading is a key to success in life, if a childcan read, he has a chance to succeed. If a child cannot read, heis doomed to failure, and our society will have to pay theconsequences of that failure.

By volunteering to be a tutor through OhioReads, an adultcan help a child along the path to success. It doesn’t takemoney, and it really isn’t a lot of time — just one hour a week.But if a Fraternity like ours supports this program, we canmake a difference in its success.

I invite you to join with me in achieving our objectives formembership, charity, and service. By so doing, you willstrengthen our Fraternity, and you will help us show that,through Freemasonry, we are “Building a BrighterTomorrow.”

Again, I thank you for all your support.

A MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND MASTERby William P. Mayberry, Sr., Grand Master

Psychotherapist MiraKirshenbaum once said, “Bottomline: Be afraid of being stupid, beafraid of missing out on greatexperiences, but don’t be afraid offailure.”

Planning prevents failure. Don’tlet fear of failure prevent planning. Iused to be concerned that whenmaking a presentation to a group

that all the information being shared had to be new. Evenwhen the group was totally new, last month’s data was nolonger relative. In my nine years at The Ohio Masonic Home,I have learned that failure to repeat and emphasize importantpoints leaves most with a vague understanding at best of themessage being conveyed.

In January 1995, asset surrender was eliminated as themeans of paying for your residency at The Ohio MasonicHome. Although this article is reaching more than 175,000readers, I will continue to relay this fact and the many waysavailable to pay for services at one of our four retirement andhealthcare campuses. I now understand it has nothing to dowith hearing or reading the message and all to do with theaudience’s interest and applicability of the words.

In August of 1997, we unveiled our Springfield campusconstruction master plan, the first step toward strategic masterplanning. The plan has since been updated in January 2000and again following the mergers with the Masonic Eastern StarCommunity and the Browning Masonic Community. With theacquisition of WRMC and dramatic changes on the horizon infunding and consumer expectations, it seemed that it was timeto give you some insight into where we are heading in thenext decade.

Again, we have embarked on a strategic planning process.But this one has a twist. It’s not only about bricks and mortarand geography, but affordability, personal choice, anddiversification. The new plan, to be unveiled in late 2003, willprovide a blueprint for our future that can be implementedand modified on a continuous basis while providing asensitivity to changes in our consumers as well as our funders.Many of the building plans for the future will remain viableoptions, options that can be implemented when strategicinitiatives intersect with societal and fraternal support andacceptance.

Yes, asset surrender is gone, but strategic planning is hereto stay. Writer M. Scott Peck once said, “All humaninteractions are opportunities either to learn or teach.” Weintend to make the most out of both opportunities.

STRATEGIC PLANNING OR “WHATEVERHAPPENED TO ASSET SURRENDER?”

by Joseph (Jerry) B. Kuyoth, Jr., C.N.H.A. CEO, The Ohio Masonic Home

Beacon / Winter 2003 3

has lived his whole life aroundGallipolis. His father, Stanley, wasone of nine children of a coal miner.Stanley attended four years of schoolhis entire life, and was self-educated.At 16, he passed the teacher’s examand he was teaching at age 17.Stanley joined Wood County Lodge#112 in Bowling Green, and he wascertain to instill the values ofMasonry on Bob at a young age.

Stanley also taught his son theimportance of a good work ethic.This is very evident in his ability toturn a 12-seat restaurant into a

billion-dollar corporation. Stanleyalso stressed the importance ofhelping others without expectationof anything in return.

Bob Evans has selflessly dedicatedall of his time and abilities to teachoften-struggling farmers how toincrease profits without increasingcosts.

In his desire to help those aroundhim, and with living according to hisethics and integrity, Brother BobEvans is truly following the Masonictenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, andTruth.

Bob Evans (continued from page 1)

CD to benefit Ohio Special Olympics

Grand Master sets Special Olympics goal of $150,000

Do you want to be part of history?The Grand Lodge Special

Olympics Committee is looking for anew design for the 2003 SpecialOlympics pin. The pin design mustcontain a square and compasses andthe Special Olympics logo. The SpecialOlympics logo is available on

www.freemason.com.To enter, put your full-color design

on a plain 3" x 5" note card and sendto: Mike Cecil, 169 Huron Street,Bellville, OH 44813-1208. Entriesmust be postmarked by April 1, 2003.There will be awards for the winner.

The Rhythematics are releasing a newCD, called “The Widow’s Son,” withproceeds going to Ohio Special Olympics.

The Rhythematics, a world beatacoustic trio composed of Columbus-areaMasons, is dedicating the CD in memoryof Jerry Rasor, Grand Master of Ohio in1978 and the Mason who began therelationship with Ohio Special Olympics.

Thom Williams, a Past Master ofBlendon Lodge #339, and former leadguitar player for Sonny and Cher, leads thegroup in such songs as “First Light” and

“Flights of Winding Stairs”. Thom isjoined by Brothers Mike Cox, a pastmember of Jimmy Buffett’s band, andMike Mogan, who has played with JDBlackfoot and Peter Frampton.

The CDs are $15, and are available atwww.astring.com/widowsson, as well asselect central Ohio merchants. The profitson the six-song CD will go to sponsorOhio Special Olympics athletes at the 2003Summer Games. For more information,and to listen to samples of the songs,please visit www.freemason.com.

Grand Master William P. Mayberry,Sr., has set this year’s fundraising goalfor Special Olympics at $150,000.

“I know that we can reach this goalif we all work together,” Michael Cecil,chairman of the Special OlympicsCommittee, said.

The Grand Master has alsoannounced the Special Olympics awardslevels, and has introduced a new level ofaward to recognize those Lodges that

donate $1,500 or more to the program.Those Lodges will receive a special goldmedal plaque from the Grand Master tobe presented at Grand Lodge 2003.

At the $1,000 level, Lodges willreceive a gold medal plaque presentedat Grand Lodge, and Lodges that attainthe $500 level will receive a specialcertificate. All Lodges in thesecategories also will be recognized in theBEACON.

The impressive memorialbuilding in Alexandria, Virginia.,dedicated to the Masonic life ofour first president, BrotherGeorge Washington, is a jointeffort of all the Grand Lodges inthe United States.

The cornerstone ceremony in1923 included such dignitaries asformer President and OhioBrother William Howard Taft.The building was dedicated in1932.

In statistics kept by the GeorgeWashington Masonic NationalMemorial since 1982, the GrandLodge of Ohio has contributedmore than $534,000 to itsoperation — more than any otherGrand Lodge during that period.

Every Ohio Mason hasparticipated because each newMaster Mason in the BuckeyeState pays $5, as part of hisinitiation fees, to support theMemorial. In addition, an amountequal to 25 cents for each OhioMason is paid annually to theMemorial.

With this investment, all OhioMasons are encouraged to visitthe Memorial whenever they arein the Washington, D.C. area.

The company has grown to 480 restaurantsacross 22 states.

Ohio Masons leadcontributions to GeorgeWashington MasonicNational Memorial

Design the 2003 Grand Lodge Special Olympics Pin

4 Beacon / Winter 2003

Master Masons, their families andfriends are increasingly taking advantageof the Grand Lodge Utilitiesprogram and the benefits itoffers to them and the GrandLodge Charitable Foundation.

Though natural gas priceshave continued to rise, reflectingthe uncertain economic andworld political environment, TimBerry continues to receive callsat MetroMedia Energy fromOhio Masons who want to signup for the Natural Gas Programand support the Grand LodgeCharitable Foundation as they keeptheir homes warm.

Berry suggests that unlike mostnatural gas suppliers, who traditionally

fix rates in the winter when prices arethe highest, he encourages MetroMedia

customers to maintain a variablerate until April, May or June,when natural gas prices are attheir lowest.

“This way every year ourcustomers lock in a fixed rate ata time that is most financiallybeneficial to them,” said Berry.For more information or toenroll in the Natural GasProgram call Tim Berry at800/490-4427, ext. 105.

The long distance phoneportion of the Grand Lodge UtilitiesProgram also has proven to beespecially popular. Ohio residentscontinue to enjoy a rate of 5.9 cents per

minute in state and 4.9 cents perminute out-of-state long distance rates.

These rates are good 24 hours a dayand seven days a week, while lowinternational rates are also available.There are no monthly fees associatedwith this program, nor are there anyfees for switching from your currentlong distance provider. For moreinformation or to enroll in the longdistance program, please call 1/866-833-4530 and mention the “Masons ofOhio Program”.

As long as Ohio Masons need to usenatural gas and long distance phoneservices, why not use those companiesthat give a portion of their profits tosupport the programs of the GrandLodge Charitable Foundation?

Grand Lodge Utilities Program is growing

Ohio makes history with HighTwelve at Grand Lodge

A total of 52 Ohio Masons made history onJanuary 3, when they became the charter members ofthe Worthington High Twelve Club — the onlyHigh Twelve Club in the world to meet in a GrandLodge headquarters.

George O. Braatz, Past Grand Master and GrandSecretary, was installed as the Charter President byIke Hoshauer, the Secretary of High TwelveInternational.

Worthington High Twelve meets on the firstFriday of the month, from noon to 1 p.m.Reservations are required. High Twelve is a luncheonclub of Masons.

Grand Master William P. Mayberry, Sr, (left) helps incharter presentation with Ike Houshauer and George O. Braatz.

The Grand Lodge ofOhio will host the1st Annual GrandMasters Cup GolfTournament onTuesday, September 9th,2003, at the prestigious LittleTurtle Country Club in Westerville, Ohio. All of theproceeds for this tournament will go to the CharitableFoundation of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, F.&A.M.

The tournament will consist of 144 golfers in a“Scramble”. Registration begins at 11a.m., with anoon shotgun start. This will be an excellentopportunity for golfers to play one of the mostexclusive courses in the state. Little Turtle’s peaceful,wooded setting will provide an excellent location forthis event.

The Charitable Foundation assists ourcommunities with projects like the Masonic ModelStudent Assistance Program, as well as providing relieffor our Brethren, their widows and orphans.

Entry fees for the Grand Masters Cup are $90 pergolfer, or $360 per team of four. This includes 18holes of golf, use of a cart, lunch and dinner. A non-golfer’s “Dinner Only” package is available for $35per person.

For more information on the tournament, alongwith registration information, please visitwww.freemason.com and click on “Grand Masters Cup”.

Grand Masters Cup GolfTournament

5Beacon / Winter 2003

Ohio Lodges and OES Chapters areembracing the OhioReads program andits efforts to ensure that all Ohio’schildren learn to read.

Grand Master William P. MayberrySr., Worthy Grand Matron Betty DawnHardman, and Worthy Grand PatronLarry E. Groves are promoting theimportance of Ohio Masons andEastern Stars volunteering in their localelementary schools for one hour a weekas reading tutors.

Every Lodge must have at least fivevolunteers to qualify for this year’sGrand Master’s Award.

Please ask yourself these questions: • Would you like to be remembered

20 or 30 years from now as that specialperson?

• Are you retired and looking for away to keep yourself busy and beimportant in someone’s life?

• Can you and your spouse spareone hour a week?

• Do you like the thought ofmaking a difference in a child’s life?

If you have answered yes to any ofthe questions above, then you mightmake the perfect OhioReads volunteertutor.

To make a lasting difference in achild’s life and the life of yourcommunity, call 888-OhioReads. TheOhioReads staff will be able to provideyou with a name and contact numberfor a Volunteer Coordinator in yourlocal area. The local school provides allnecessary training.

Please remember to identify yourselfas a Mason or an Eastern Star member.They are waiting for your call.

Information can also be obtained bycalling the Grand Lodge office at800/292-6092.

OhioReads Literacy programneeds help from Lodge members,Eastern Stars statewide

Harry “Bud” Pitman washonored by Enterprise Lodge #579,in Sycamore, Ohio, for his 50 yearsof serving the Lodge as Secretary.He continues in the position.

He was also presented his 60-year membership pin by GrandMaster William P. Mayberry, Sr.More than 100 brethren and guestsattended the reception in theSycamore Community Center andnews of the event was carried inseveral area newspapers.

Brother Pitman, now 86, and hiswife Imogene, have been marriedfor more than 50 years. He receiveda new Lodge Officer apron,identifying his 50 years as Secretary.

Others in attendance includedThomas E. Reynolds, Past GrandMaster, George O. Braatz, PastGrand Master and Grand Secretary;Dwayne C. Jones, Grand Chaplain;Terry W. Posey, Junior GrandDeacon; Tobe N. Riedel, Associate

Grand Chaplain; and numerousdistinguished Masons from thedistrict.

Pitman honored for serving 50 years as lodge secretary in Sycamore

Grand Masterpresents awards

At the Annual Grand LodgeCommunication in October,2002, Grand Master Thomas E.Reynolds presented severalspecial awards to the followingrecipients:

• Hiram Lodge #18, for itscommunity service and this yearits sponsorship of a MasonicModel Student AssistanceProgram workshop on April 16-18, 2002, presented toWorshipful Master C.Christopher Adams.

• University Lodge, #631,for its overwhelming support ofthe Grand Master’s One-DayClass, presented to WorshipfulMaster Michael A. Mahaffey.This Lodge received 82members in the class.

• Glen E. Opp, Past DistrictDeputy Grand Master in 10thMasonic District, for his long-time service for Ohio’s Masoniceducation, and leadership in theMid West EducationConference, High Twelve,Scottish Rite and York Riteorganizations.

• Russell Herner, PastDistrict Deputy Grand Masterand current District Advisor inthe 16th Masonic District, forhis hard work, extra effort,scholarship and leadership innumerous areas of Freemasonryin Ohio.

Brother Herner justpublished a new book,“Antique Ice Skates for theCollector”. His previous book,“Stonehenge: An AncientMasonic Temple”, has beenwidely read by Masons.


Rodney W. Skinner manages a unique MasonicRetirement Village (MRV) test program that may be afuture model for the long-term care industry. Instead ofsending someone to a nursing home, he helps them exploreoptions to remain at home.

Worshipful Brother Skinner, twice past master ofCedarville Lodge #622, assumed his position as director ofthe Masonic Senior Services Program in December 2002.

“My mission is to visit brethren in their home, reviewtheir long-term care choices, help them plan their long-termcare options, and identify possible links to community-basedservices and benefits that would allow them to remain athome,” said Skinner. “I also try to help them navigatethrough health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid issues aswell,” he added.

A native of Indiana, Skinner is an Ohio licensed socialworker with more than 27 years of healthcare experience. “Istarted working in healthcare as a certified nursing assistant.I worked my way through college to earn a Bachelor of ArtsDegree in Psychology from Purdue University,” saidSkinner.

“I frequently visit Masonic Lodges and givepresentations about the MRV Test Program. The brethrenare amazed I will visit them in their home rather than justtalk to them on the telephone. Many brothers don’t realizethere are usually a variety of community-based supportservices available to them or that they may qualify forvarious state or federal assistance programs to help themremain at home,” he added.

“The number of telephone calls and referrals I receive isgrowing daily,” said Skinner. Currently, the limited test datagathered shows a projected program cost savings. Instead ofspending funds to admit and provide care for a Mason atone of four Ohio campuses, the associated costs of keepinga Mason in his home are absorbed by other community,state or federal programs. This frees The Ohio MasonicHome’s Endowment Funds to be used for other charitableneeds, and allows the Mason to continue living at home.

“This is the most exciting program I’ve been associatedwith. We are being proactive,” said Skinner. “I predictwithin five to 10 years this program could be available to all

Ohio Masons and affiliated with other similar programs as ajoint venture to make it more effective,” he said.

The Home’s Chief Operations Officer, Greg Holm,anticipated the value the program could add to The Home’scomplement of services. He researched, wrote and proposedcreating a Masonic Senior Services Program. The Home’sBoard of Trustees approved the program that would beimplemented in several phases.

“The healthcare industry is on the leading edge of arevolution that will dramatically change the way we operateand manage senior healthcare programs,” said Holm. “Wemust prepare to meet those challenges by creating costeffective, innovative ways to deliver quality services to OhioMasons,” he added.

Masons who live in southwestern Ohio and who wouldlike to receive more information about the Masonic SeniorServices Program should telephone Skinner at 888/290-2664 or in the Springfield area at 937/525-4951.

Innovative MRV test program garners positive reaction

UNDECIDED ON WHAT TO DO OR WHO TO CALL NEXT ? —MRV’s Director of Masonic Senior Services, Rodney W. Skinner,can help you plan long-term care options and find community-based services that may allow you to remain at home instead ofmoving into a long-term care facility.

During the past year, the federal andstate government and many health careassociations made a major effort to givethe public meaningful, comparativehealth care data.

“Our internal Quality ImprovementProgram already encompasses many ofthese quality measures,” said TheHome’s Director of QualityImprovement Linda Heaton.

“However, the basic principle ofquality improvement is that there arealways opportunities to enhance the

care and services we provide to ourresidents and their families. Thecomparative data will also facilitatedevelopment of best practices,” saidHeaton.

In March, The Centers for Medicareand Medicaid Services (CMS) launcheda Nursing Home Quality Initiative pilotprogram in six states, including Ohio.The program, which is now national,was created to give consumersinformation that would help them toselect a nursing home for themselves or

a loved one, and to provide Medicareand Medicaid certified nursing homeswith information and technicalassistance in measuring and improvingthe care they provide. These nursinghome measures are available toconsumers on the CMS Nursing HomeCompare Web site, www.medicare.gov.

“Working together, we can ensurethat nursing home consumers receive

Industry, government partner to improve healthcare quality — regain public trust

continued on page 7


TheEndowmentFoundation ispleased toannounce theaddition oftwo fundraisingprofessionalsto its staff.

Brother Ronald L. Molen, a member ofHarmony Lodge #49 in Missoula,Montana, and Brother Kenneth E.Hershberger, a member of Unity Lodge#130 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, haveassumed the positions of Director,Development and Director, PlannedGiving, respectively.

“We were quite fortunate to attracttwo such experienced professionals toour staff”, said Foundation PresidentRight Worshipful Brother Tim Strawn.“And the fact that they are both Masonsis a very special added bonus.”

Brother Molen, a CertifiedAssociation Executive, (CAE) and aCertified Fund Raising Executive(CFRE), previously served as ExecutiveDirector of the Cincinnati Parks

Foundation and Director ofDevelopment at Wesley Hall, a longterm care facility in Cincinnati. “I’mvery excited about the opportunitiesbefore us at The Home and verypleased to be able to serve Freemasonry,which has played an important role inmy life.” Ron is also a Legionnaire ofthe Order of DeMolay, an HonoraryMember of its Supreme Council and aformer Executive Director of DeMolayInternational.

Brother Hershberger, who bringsmore than twenty-five years of fundraising experience to the job, comes tous from the Putnam Museum of NaturalHistory in Davenport, Iowa, where heserved as Director of Development. Hisprevious fund raising experienceincludes positions in social serviceagencies and health care facilities. “I’mlooking forward to working with thebrethren and their loved ones to helpthem better understand, utilize andbenefit from the various planned givinginstruments available to them forinclusion in their financial and estateplanning,” said Brother Hershberger.Ken is also a Legionnaire of the Order

of DeMolay.Both Ron and Ken may be reached

at the Foundation’s office in Springfield.

Note: With the recent initiation ofLinda Gast and Staci Maine of theFoundation staff into Neal Chapter#522, Order of the Eastern Star, theFoundation staff is now 100 percentMasonic-affiliated!

FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTUREby Timothy B. Strawn CAE, President, The Ohio Masonic Home Benevolent Endowment Foundation, Inc.

Brother Ken Hershberger, director,Planned Giving (left) and Brother RonMolen, director, Development, review themost recent Annual Report of The Home.

the information they need to makeinformed health care decisions, whilepromoting quality improvement inour health care system,” said CMSAdministrator Thomas A. Scully.

The federal ratings complementthe Ohio Department of Agingdatabase at www.ltcohio.org. ThisOhio Long-Term Care ConsumerGuide provides information to helpconsumers select a long-term careservice provider. It has searchableprofiles of Ohio nursing homes,including customer satisfaction surveyresults, accepted payment methodsand services available.

Last July, the AmericanAssociation of Homes and Servicesfor the Aging (AAHSA), whichrepresents most of the nation’s17,000 nursing homes, assisted livingand community service providers,also launched a quality initiative.

AAHSA’s long-term care memberswill make a voluntary organization-

wide commitment to qualityimprovement. The initiative is called“Quality First: A Covenant forHealthy, Affordable and EthicalLong-Term Care”.

“Quality First is about achievingexcellence in aging services andearning public trust,” said TheHome’s Chief Executive Officer JerryKuyoth. “That process will beongoing and permanent on ourcampuses,” he added.

Providers who endorse theprogram adopt the Quality FirstPrinciples, agree to implementpolicies and procedures such ascontinuous quality assurance andquality improvements, public inputand disclosure of quality data to thepublic.

“The overall mission of thisinitiative is to achieve excellence inlong-term care and to earn publictrust for what we do,” said WilliamL. Minnix, Jr., AAHSA’s president

and CEO. “By endorsing theseprinciples and this covenant, wepledge to work in partnership withconsumers and government to createan environment in which consumerscan feel confident that they arereceiving the high quality care andservice they deserve.”

Quality First consists of sevenprinciples that have been jointlyendorsed by AAHSA, the Alliance forQuality Nursing Home Care, and theAmerican Health Care Association(AHCA). The seven core principlesare:• Continuous quality assurance and

quality improvement• Public disclosure and accountability• Patient/Resident and family rights• Workforce excellence• Public input and community

involvement• Ethical practices• Financial stewardship

Healthcare continued from page 6


The following are excerpts from aspeech given by Ms. Brenda Miller, ateacher at Garfield Alternative School inMiddletown, Ohio with over 15 yearsexperience in teaching and four yearsexperience working with the MasonicModel program at Garfield.

Before a large crowd of Ohio Masons,including the Grand Lodge Officers, Ms.Miller explained that as an alternativeschool, Garfield’s mission is “to assist,support, and guide at-risk students as theyearn a high school diploma and empowerthem as positive contributors to society.The Masonic Model Student Assistanceprogram seems to Ms. Miller to have beendesigned with Garfield’s mission in mind.

We typically have between 180 and200 students enrolled with an age rangeof 14-21 and all of them have come tous on referral either from their homehigh school or junior high, their parentsseeking help, or most commonlythrough the courts and juvenile

probation system. Thestudents we deal with on adaily basis define the word“dysfunction.”

Garfield’s 28 memberfaculty and staff arecommitted to helpingstudents escape lives oflimited opportunity. Whenone of our teachers broughtin some information thather father, a Mason, hadpassed along to her about amodel for student assistancewe were excited.

The school spent severalyears trying to find an effective “plan ofattack” for the development of aneffective intervention plan. Because theschool is small, the staff was in tune toidentify children in pain, but figuringout where to start and what to do aboutit has always been a struggle. Throughthe implementation of the studentassistance model we have been moreeffective at serving as mentors andmaking every effort to reach theindividual student.

The past four years have proven theMasonic Model to be a success atGarfield. It has done wonders toimprove the communication betweenteachers and administration. The kidsfeel the change and it has made thingsinfinitely more effective since we arenow promoting a unified front.

Our parent involvement hasincreased and attendance at parent-teacher conferences has doubled. Weeven have parents now making referralsto our team when they have exhaustedtheir options at home. There is a

heightened sense of awareness amongthe students that we are listening tothem and genuinely care what happens.We have noticed a considerable rise inconfidence levels and self esteem, whichin turn has resulted in improved gradesand higher proficiency test scores.

Since the implementation of theMasonic Model at Garfield, we haveroutinely had close to 20 percent of ourstudent body earning honor roll statuseach quarter and from a group thatcame to us with a 15 percent attendancerate we have been operating, as a school,at 83 percent!

I hope these remarks shed some lighton this wonderful program for those ofyou who were unfamiliar, and toillustrate how useful this model is in theschool setting. I would like to thank theOhio Masons for supporting andsponsoring the Student AssistanceProgram. And, I speak for the entireteam from Garfield when I say howmuch we truly appreciate yourcommitment to providing direction totoday’s young people.

Masonic Model School’s success story told by ateacher who knows results first-hand

Captain Eric Coombs,of the U.S. Army SpecialForces, received his MasterMason Degree inNovember, after returningfrom multiple deploymentsto Afghanistan, Bosnia,Senegal and Kuwait.

His father, Dr. RogerCoombs, WorshipfulMaster of Center StarLodge, #11, assisted Heath Lodge,

#771, in conferring thedegree, as courtesy forMorning Dawn Lodge, #8.Captain Coombs hadreceived his first twodegrees a few years earlierwhile in college.

The new MasterMason and his wife, Paula,have returned to FortBragg for future possible

Green Beret mission assignments.

Special forces officer receives Final Degree

Ms. Brenda Miller addresses Grand Lodge officers.

Charles A. “Tad” Claypool, anOhio Mason, is currently servingas Imperial Potentate of the Shrineof North America. A resident ofDayton, he is a member of FarHills Lodge, #784, and is active innumerous Masonic organizationsin the Dayton area, as well asbeing Past Potentate of AntiochShrine Temple. His father alsoserved as Antioch’s Potentate andas Imperial Potentate

Claypool serves asImperial Potentate


More Light About MasonryMore Light About Masonry

As Freemasons, we areadmonished to keep cowans andeavesdroppers out of the Lodge.After close scrutiny of the GrandLodge of Ohio membershiprecords, it appears that ourLodges have done less than abang-up job.

Since 1808, there have been116 Cowan and 1 Cowans onour membership rolls. David H.Cowan was even a CharterMember of Potter Lodge #540(now Southgate Potter Lodge,#782).

On the other hand, however,our records show that not one“Eavesdropper” has ever beenadmitted to membership in anOhio Lodge.

Beware of Cowan(s)and Eavesdroppers One of the major problems the

Masonic Information Center (MIC) hasencountered in dealing with the newsmedia and the general public about anti-Masonic rhetoric, is the issue of“Masonic authority.”

According to Richard E. Fletcher,executive secretary of the MIC, it isdifficult for people to understand thatFreemasonry is structured in such a waythat its highest “Masonic authority” restswithin the Grand Lodge of each state orprovince.

“Because many writers have expressedtheir opinions and associated themselveswith related Masonic organizations,” heexplained, “the perception is that theseMasonic organizations, which are notGrand Lodge, have authority over allFreemasons. They do not.”

“Also, however prominent or wellknown they may be, writers onFreemasonry only speak for themselves.Their opinions are not authoritative for

all Freemasonry.”The MIC is associated with the

Masonic Service Association, withheadquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland.Past Grand Master and Grand SecretaryGeorge O. Braatz represents Ohio onthe MIC Board of Advisors.

The following statement is approvedby the MIC and recommended for usethroughout North America:

Who Speaks for Freemasonry?There is no national or internationalMasonic authority. Freemasonry inNorth America is governed byindependent legislative bodies knownas Grand Lodges who exerciseabsolute Masonic authority within astate or province.Writers may express their opinions

about the Fraternity, but their statementsare not authoritative. Only the GrandLodge can make authoritativestatements, and these apply only to theirmembers.

‘Masonic Authority’ defined

Brother William Howard Taft wasmade a Master Mason at sight byGrand Master Charles. S. Hoskinsonon February 18, 1909. At the time,Taft was President-elect of the UnitedStates.

The ceremony was performed in thepresence of a great gathering ofBrethren assembled in the Scottish RiteCathedral in Cincinnati.

Numerous high ranking Masonsfrom around the country and the worldwere present, including 18 visitingGrand Masters; 12 Past Grand Mastersof Ohio; the General Grand HighPriest of the General Grand Chapter,three officers of the GrandEncampment, Knights Templar, sevenPast Grand Commanders; 11 visiting33rd Degree Masons and a largenumber of 33rd Degree members ofOhio. The Grand Chapter, GrandCouncil and Grand Commandery, all ofOhio, were also represented. Of the500 Worshipful Masters of OhioLodges, 302 were present, as were 20

of the 25 district lecturers.The actual ceremony was simple and

brief, lasting only one hour. GrandMaster Hoskinson opened anoccasional communication of the GrandLodge for the purpose of conferringupon Mr. Taft the degrees of EnteredApprentice, Fellow Craft and MasterMason. After propounding thecustomary questions and receiving therequired answers, Hoskinson obligatedthe candidate in the EnteredApprentice degree and instructed himin the unwritten work of the degree.The same was done for the FellowCraft and Master Mason degrees. Afterthe reading of the Master Masoncharge, the Grand Master proclaimedthat Brother William Howard Taft,having received the degrees of EnteredApprentice, Fellow Craft and MasterMason, to be a Master Mason in goodand regular standing.

Following the ceremony, GrandMaster Hoskinson presented him witha new morocco leather Bible, which

Brother Taft inscribed: “To GrandMaster Hoskinson, with gratitude andfraternal good wishes of William H.Taft, made a Master Mason February18, 1909.” This Bible with severalother Taft artifacts is now displayed atthe Grand Lodge Museum inWorthington.

At 7:30 p.m. that evening, BrotherTaft, seated with the visiting Grandofficers on the stage, watched theofficers and craftsmen of KilwinningLodge #356 confer the sublime degreeof Master Mason on Brother Frank H.Heitman. At this time, the members ofKilwinning Lodge presented BrotherTaft with a lambskin apron.

Brother Taft was considered aMason at large, paying his dues to theGrand Lodge until April 14, 1909,when he affiliated with KilwinningLodge. Both his father and brother hadbeen members of Kilwinning Lodge,and he maintained his membershipthere until his death on March 8, 1930.

William Howard Taft President, Chief Justice, made Mason at sight


Tell her it can’t be done, and she will do it! That’s thepositive attitude of The Home’s new Director of OrganizationalIntegrity and Risk Management Nancy L. Archiable.

“If people challenge me, that’s when I have to do it,” saidArchiable.

“When my children were one, three and five-years-old, mysister and her six-month-old baby and our mother jumped intomy car and we went on vacation. Just because the husbands saidwe’d never go on vacation without them,” she said.

“In 1991, I was a Director of Nursing when managementchanged my job and told me, ‘You’re now the systems manager.’I said I don’t even know what a system is, how can I manage it?And they told me to research it. That’s when it became clear tome that if I wanted to have an impact, I would have to learn toevaluate and fix systems, because the problem was usually thesystem, not the people,” she said.

A Cincinnati native, Archiable has been tasked to build acorporate organizational integrity program that will ensureemployees institutionalize The Home’s corporate values andprinciples.

“Wearing my risk management hat, I will review ourcorporate systems to ensure they are designed to prevent risks,”said Archiable. “For example, one big risk management issue inthe health care environment is resident falls. If this is an issue,then we will enhance the existing program to reverse thattrend,” she added.

Risk management issues can appear anywhere. From vehicleoperational safety and maintenance programs to knowing how toproperly assist a resident in and out of vehicles. Archiable willreview programs, analyze trends, and identify where The Homeis at greatest risk and then take corrective action to eliminate thatrisk.

“If you have a good quality improvement program, which wedo, and a good, complimentary risk management program, youwill not have to worry about organizational integrity,” saidArchiable.

A Registered Nurse, Archiable earned a three-year diplomafrom Mercy Hospital in Hamilton, a Bachelor of Science Degreein Nursing from Mount St. Joseph, Cincinnati, and a Master ofScience Degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Healthfrom Wright State University. She also recently earned an OhioNursing Home Administrator’s License.

So what does a risk management expert do to relax? “I read. When I go on vacation I will take six to 12 books

and read them all. It drives my husband nuts. I also do sometype of aerobic exercise like walking at least six days a week. Butmy problem is I love all kinds of snacks and my favorite food isanything someone else fixes because I hate to cook,” she said.

“My job is to ensure the work environment on all fourcampuses is a safe, positive one for employees, so they maycontinue giving quality care to our residents,” she said.

New director prepared to meet all challenges

The Ohio Masonic Home Director of Integrity and RiskManagement Nancy Archiable

Brother Stan Tatol, a member of DaytonLodge # 147, recently received a 60-yearMasonic Pin presented by District DeputyGrand Master, Right Worshipful BrotherNelson Pelfrey at the Dayton Masonic Center.Bro. Tatol is also a member of the Scottish RiteValley of Dayton, Antioch Shrine, and OrientalBand. Vicki Slaughter, his granddaughter andan employee at The Masonic Home,congratulates her grandfather. Mrs. Stan Tatol,Mrs. Slaughter’s husband Steve, and their twochildren also attended the ceremony.


Thank You For Your GenerosityWe offer our grateful appreciation to the estates, individuals, groups, orother Masonic bodies who have supported The Ohio Masonic Home withdonations given between October 1, 2002 and December 31, 2002.

$10,000+Edith M. BargerDonald R. and Mildred

F. BarthGertrude Bell

C.E. BristerContance L. CalawayLyle and Myrna CastleGail B. CoonGrand Lodge Of OhioFrank L. Lavely

Harlan G. MooreEdward & Shirley QuirkVivian H. SchulzeWebster SturdivantMyrtle T. Thomas

$2,000+AASR - Valley of DaytonHazel M. DykerGift Shop Cook Book

ProceedsGeorge K. Moss Toledo Ft. Industry

Lodge #144

Community ChapterNo. 488, OES

Lyndhurst Lodge #508York Lodge #563Theodore Breck Lodge

#714Betty H. OberleMary Olethia Petersen

Pauline McBethRaibourne

Otto K. SchweikertHoward M. SheelerHarold G. ShriveWarren Watson By

Charlotte Holland

$1,000+Richard J. Browning By

Helen M. BrowningMaxine E. BunkeOrlando DavisBessie V. HoslerVelma Z. LeibyBertha Ludwig

Star Lodge #187West Gate Lodge #623University Lodge #631Oakley Lodge #668Lincoln Lodge #693Cornerstone Lodge

#699

Rocky River Lodge#703

Solar Lodge #730Akron Lodge #83Caroline & R.A. Vernon

By Carl & JoyceVernon

Frank R. Williams

The Clark County Ohio BicentennialBell was recently on display for MasonicHealth Care residents, visitors andemployees at the Springfield campus.

As part of Ohio’s Bicentennialcelebration, all 88 counties will cast alarge commemorative Bicentennial bell.Each bell is molded in the “American”style of the Liberty Bell and ispersonalized with a county name,forging date, the Great Seal of Ohioand the Bicentennial Logo.

The Ohio Bicentennial Commissionenlisted the world’s largest bellcompany, the Cincinnati-based VerdinCompany, in business since 1842, toproduce each bell. All material involvedin the bell casting is produced in Ohio.The project also reflects Ohio’s role asthe leading manufacturer and numberone state for metal foundry work.

“This project, while re-establishingthe tradition of early bell-founders,guarantees a lasting Bicentennial legacyfor the generations to follow,” saidStephen C. George, executive directorof the Bicentennial Commission.

Ohio plans five “signature” events toobserve the official March 1, 2003Bicentennial date:

Inventing Flight: The CentennialCelebration, July 3-20 in Dayton.

Celebration of Lake Erie Heritage:Ohio Bicentennial Tall Ships, July 9-20in Lake Erie ports along the NorthCoast from Cleveland to Toledo.

The Path to Statehood: BicentennialWagon Train, June - July. This eventwill be held along U.S. 40 from theOhio River to Worthington to theIndiana line and will pay tribute tosettlement of Ohio about the time of itsstatehood.

Columbus Celebrates Ohio’sBicentennial: Plans are being developedfor a significant July Bicentennialcelebration that will include fireworks, astreet festival, parades and live music inOhio’s capital city.

Tall Stacks on the Ohio River:October 15-19. Two riverboats from 15cities and 11 states will participate infive-days of riverboat cruises and races.

For more information about Ohio’sBicentennial plans call the toll-freetelephone number, 888/OHIO200.

Ohio plans five “signature” events tocommemorate 200th anniversary

A BICENTENNIAL ALARM — Carol Cooper, postal clerk supervisor, and Dr. Rev. KeithRhoden, director of Pastoral Care, tested the clarity of Clark County’s Bicentennial Bell.Numerous Masonic Health Care residents, visitors and employees could not resist thetemptation to ring in Ohio’s Bicentennial.

Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 2609Columbus, OH

The Ohio Masonic Home2655 W.National RoadSpringfield, Ohio 45504-3698Web site: www.ohiomasonichome.orgWeb site: www.freemason.com

The Beacon isPublished QuarterlyPlease report all changes of address toyour Lodge Secretary, who, in turn, willnotify the Grand Secretary, who maintainsthe database that produces The Beaconmailing labels.

The Ohio Masonic Home includes MasonicHealth Care, Inc.; Masonic RetirementVillage, Inc.; and the Benevolent EndowmentFoundation, Inc., at the Springfield campus;the Browning Masonic Community, Inc., inWaterville; the Masonic Eastern StarCommunity, Inc., in Cincinnati; and theWestern Reserve Masonic Community, Inc.,in Medina.

Jerry Guess, APR The Ohio Masonic Home, Director of Public Relations2655 W. National RoadSpringfield, OH 45504-3698937/[email protected]

George Braatz, P.G.M., Grand Secretary at The Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of OhioP.O. Box 629Worthington, OH 43085614/[email protected]

Ohio Past Grand Master Thomas E. Reynolds is shown with a group of other GrandMasters during the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Provinceof Ontario last July. The Grand Masters, from left, are Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr., ofPennsylvania; George Cull, of Newfoundland & Labrador; Robert H. Starr, of the Districtof Columbia; Ohio’s Grand Master Reynolds; Carl J. Fitje, of New York; Bennie G. Owens,of Maryland; and Robert Allen, of Rhode Island.

Reynolds confers with other Grand Masters

The DeMolay ScholarshipFoundation of Ohio, Inc., has granted18 scholarships of $1,900 each toyoung men who are members of theOrder of DeMolay.

The scholarships are paid frominvestment income in the Foundation,which is tax exempt and acceptsdonations to improve its work.

The recipients this year are: AaronBlankenhorn, of Delaware; David

Eldridge, of Dayton; Noah Hampton,of Lakewood; Derek Johnson, ofMiddleport; Edward Klepaz, of NorthRoyalton; Ross Langendorfer, ofWhitehouse; Kevin Lofton, II, ofTiffin; William Lovas, of Burton; AlanMcKinney, of Cincinnati; MatthewMundwiler, of Maumee; Todd Pfeifer,of Euclid; Adam Ralston, ofGeorgetown; Joseph Rehnert ofFairview Park; Gregory Rider, of

Strongsville; Donald Shupert, of WestUnion; David Sinowetski, ofStrongsville; Richard Umbach, ofCincinnati, and Matthew Vitaris, ofWesterville.

For more information, or to make acontribution, contact the DeMolayScholarship Foundation, c/o 10244Tottenham Dr., Cincinnati, OH45231-1851.

DeMolay scholarships granted to 18 young men

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