Residents' Memories
1. Nancy Halliwell
Stately buildings in the golden glow of sunrise, spring flowers at the main entrance. The Farm Market with the bountiful harvest of pumpkins, apples and chrysanthemums, the Formal Gardens in any season of the year and the beautiful campus under a blanket of snow.
2. Walter J. Weidner
Giving is better than receiving: I enjoyed every minute of building early work benches in the wood shop in 1991, designing and helping build the outdoor pavillion at the watertower and being one of the founders (and last remaining) of the Model Railroad Club.
3. Pauline G. Garman
On June 15, 1945, my husband Jay and I were married in the Sell Chapel.
4. Michael G. Greenawalt
I moved from Lancaster to the Masonic Village in September 2008, with the help of my brothers and sisters. I enjoy living here. My Mother is also a resident here. There are lots of things to do here, like bus trips to diners.
5. Jane W. Peters
My late, George H. Peters, Jr. "Pete", came to Masonic Village in March 2002. He claimed he saw me from his window when he moved in. We met when he was seated at my dining table several weeks later. To make a long story short, we were married six months later. Romance at the "old folks home." He died in 2009, but he is always in my heart.
6. Jean Reese, Ethel Miller, Sandra Sturm
Making friends.
7. D. Richard Zell
Sixty-two years ago I was a high School student working in the landscape department. I particulary enjoyed mowing the grass around the Eisenlohr building which was the girl's home at that time! A lot has changed since then! I never expected to be living in the strawberry bed.
8. Ruth M. Rissmiller
The day I arrived (Dec. 2003) I thought, "Finally I'm retired!" Five minutes later, Anne Norment (Volunteer Coordinator, retired) arrived at my room in the Allegheny building saying, "Grab your hymnbook, you're playing Vespers tonight." What a joyous job for me! Amen!
9. Louise Mahaffey
The memories here at the Village are just great. You serve everyone. We ask and you give. The games and programs are just great and I don't pay one penny! There is not one thing I can complain about. I call this place the first step to Heaven.....
10. Marjorie Learn (retiree and resident)
My memory is the wonderful place to raise my daughter. She said the six years here were her happiest years. My other memory is of the beautiful decorated trees at Christmas time.
11. Olga Oatman
I came in 2002 and was amazed at the Grand Lodge Hall. It just seemed like a palace to me. I live across from the Formal Gardens. The colors you see, the many weddings, graduation services; it is just wonderful. I am so glad to be here. Thank you very much.
12. Esther Enck (retiree and resident)
My memory is working in the Grand Lodge kitchen making all kinds of ice cream for the residents and serving it in the ice cream parlor from 1980 - 1997.
13. Rhoda S. Miller
In 1989, my husband, Sherman Miller was an admissions counselor who helped applicants fill out their applications and return them to the Admissions Office. Being included was an unforgettable experience. We moved to Masonic Village in 2009. After Sherman's passing in January 2009, my family moved me into Allegheny North. I consider it to be the best place this side of Heaven. The care and love are the best anyone can receive. I am humbled to tears when I think about it. Sherman's name is on the "Tree of Life," another honor he earned through his lodge.
14. Shirely Montross
Our dad, a dedicated Mason, entered the Grand Lodge at age 91. After residing there a few months he met a very nice lady who sat at his dining table. During the course of conversation, he learned that she had resided in the area he came from. Love bloomed, they married a year later. A well-known newscaster announced their wedding on the noon radio station, nationwide!
15. William T. Staman
I remember admiring the beautiful electric generator that originally supplied the Homes. White pin striping and glass and brass oil cups that rode the bearings. A machine that was a true work of art.
16. David and Juanita Keesey
1930 I was first introduce to this HEAVEN on Earth. I was 3 years and four months old and in the company of my parents and my Uncle who proudly guided us. As an adult, I served in the Masonic Fraternity as a Charity Committee Chairman, of which a principle responsibiltiy was assisting applicants to the Masonic Homes. We were invited to join the new admissions for their first meal in the dining room, a satisfying experience. Upon future visits, we dropped in to say hello and found them pleased and happy with their new surroundings. September 2008, we became residents and are involved as happy volunteers.
17. Bonnie J. Kenderdine
As a teacher, I had Joseph Murphy in my classroom. He was definitely a leader then and continues to be a great leader now.
18. Sheppard Markle, Jr.
A couple of years ago I underwent an operation and was assigned to Washington 2 to recuperate. One of the employess that took great care of me was Donna Wilson. Donna talked to her daughter and we discovered that while Donna was doing so much for me, her daughter in Elizabeth, Pa. (near Pittsburgh), was nurisng my sister, Leah, who was in a nursing facility. I met Donna's daughter a number of times on visits to my sister, but had no idea they were related.
19. Betty Murray
When Ed Allen became president of the Resident Association, I asked June how it felt to be wife of the president. Her immediate reply, "I'll let you know as soon as I receive my CLOTHING ALLOWANCE!"
20. William Letcher
My parents, Ola and Oscar, lived happily in the Levis building in the 1980s. When our time came to become residents in 2005, we moved into 452 Ford Drive. On touring the Grand Lodge, I spotted my parent's old room. Uncanny!! It is 452!
19. Betty S. LeRoy
About 50 years ago, I would come to the Farm Market to get peaches. I got the the "drops" of Elbertas for $.75 a half bushel!
20. Elizabeth Murray Wilkinson
I remember coming to the Masonic Village with my father when he would visit his lodge members and seeing the Ben Franklin statue. We would also go to the Farm Market. Twenty years later, I met and married my husband in the Sell Chapel on April 5, 2008.
21. Faye (Koser) Weidman
My most memorable day happened 75 years ago, when I was eight years old and I lived in Elizabethtown. It was July 4 and I was watching an air show. An airplane suddenly went into a tailspin and all the spectators thought it would hit the houses. We all started to run toward the train station when we heard it crash. It crashed at the entrance of Masonic Homes right in front of the train station. I remember this as though it just happened yesterday.
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