Dec2011 Messenger - Holiday Celebrations Messenger - Masonic Homes of California

8/3/2019 Dec2011 Messenger - Holiday Celebrations Messenger - Masonic Homes of California

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December 2011

Masonic Outreach ServicesWritten by Christina DrislaneAssociate Director of MOS

As of November 1, 2011, Masonic Outreach Services is helping 244 people to securehousing, medical care, medications, food, and other necessities. Of those 244 people, 175

receive financial support and 69 receive assistance by way of case management and resourcenavigation.

Masonic Outreach Services is comprised of three different areas, Masonic Assistance/Central Intake, Masonic Senior Outreach Services and Masonic Family Outreach Services.These services were developed to provide assistance to Masons, wives and widows of Masonsand mothers of Masons who do not live in one of the Masonic Homes. While the lodges remainthe first resource for assistance, many lodges do not have either the financial resources or thesocial services experience to navigate the changing landscape of programs and servicesavailable in the community. Masonic Outreach Services provide case management, andfinancial assistance to help those experiencing situational or lifelong challenges to explore their

options create a plan.

Everything begins with a call to Masonic Assistance / Central Intake. There, the staffwill listen to the callers concerns and provide information on Masonic Outreach Services andthe Masonic Homes, as well as any other resources or referrals that they can locate quickly inthe area. If more assistance is needed, they will be put in contact with a Care manager fromMasonic Outreach Services to assist them with their concerns. The Central Intake / MasonicAssistance staff also initiates the process for all applications for either of the Masonic Homes orMasonic Senior and Family Outreach Services.

Masonic Senior Outreach Services serves those in the community who are over the age

of sixty. Case management can be provided immediately, while there is an application processfor those who request financial assistance. In order to qualify for financial assistance, theapplicant must be a Mason, or widow of a Mason, or a mother of a Mason. The associatedMason must be in good standing with his lodge for the preceding five year period, or was ingood standing with his lodge for at least five years prior to his death. A staff member meetswith all applicants to discuss expenses and income, and works with the applicant to create aplan to move forward after all of the application documents have been submitted. The final stepin this process is for staff to present the request for assistance to a committee made up of

Continues on page 11


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MessengerDecember 2011Page 2

Message from the

Executive DirectorDixie Reeve

Somehow, not only for the holiday season, but all year through, thejoy we give to others is the joy that returns to us. The more we allspend in blessing and gratitude, the more our hearts possesshappiness.

Happy Holidays!

Dixie

Holiday Events

December 5th Tree Lighting with Cookie

Sampling / Auditorium / 2:00 pm

December 8th Resident Holiday Dinner

Main Dining Room / 5:00 pm

December 13th Annual Tree Lighting

5:00 pm

December 19th East Bay PM & PP

Christmas Party / Auditorium / 1:30

pm

December 31st New Years Eve Party

Auditorium / 11:00 pm


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The Chaplains Cornerby Chaplain Joel Ingram

Its December and time for so many Holiday Celebrations! So this months Chaplains Corneris dedicated to all thats going on in connection to Pastoral Care this year.

First is our Christmas Eve Service. Our planning meeting for this event will be on Thursday,December 8th at 10:00 a.m. In the past, our program has included special readings by residentsand staff, a Christmas Hymn sing-a-long, a retelling of the Story of the Nativity and light

refreshments. No matter what our program entails this year one thing is for sure, wed like tohave you join us! The Service will be on December 24th (a Saturday night) at 6:30 pm in theAuditorium. Mark your calendars and join us. Wont you?

Next, is our Annual Adopt-A-Family Program. This year, we will again be providing aspecial Christmas for six families in our immediate community. We make every effort to makesure were choosing families that would not have much of a Christmas, but for our assistance.We typically purchase 1 or 2 practical gifts per person (including mom and dad) along with 1 or2 gifts of choice. For example: a pair of shoes, a pair of jeans and a scooter. There are manythings residents can do to be a part of this worthwhile project. These include:

Santas Helpers: Signing up to be a Santas Helper. Helpers work in teams of at least twoand purchase gifts for one of our families. Resident helpers should have their owntransportation and be physically up to the hussle and tussle of holiday shopping. If youdlike to be one of Santas Helpers (we need at least 12 helpers), please sign up on thesignup sheets by the mailroom or contact me by phone directly at extension 26424.

Gift Wrapping: Join us for our Gift Wrapping Party. On December 21st at 6:30 pm well bewrapping up all the gifts for our families. Well be meeting in the Auditorium and have lightrefreshments. Bring your own scissor/tape if you can. Come join us its lots of fun!

Financial Support: As you can imagine, it takes money to make this program successful

each year. But for special cases, we spend less than $100 per person/per family. This means,we spend approximately $30 per family for food, and for a family of four we will spend nomore than $370 for all the rest. Many times, the requests we receive include a family giftas well, such as dishes or a blanket for the sofa. Six families of four make a budget of $2400plus wrapping paper, decorative bags and such. We will be tracking our donations for theyear on Channel 15. You should have received a donation letter in your mailboxes alreadybut if not, just wait its coming. Donations can be dropped off at:

Whats Cooking...

Continues on page 11


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The411 on Resident Servicesby Sandra Mirasol, Director of Resident Services

There is more to life than just increasing its speed. Ghandi

One of my most memorable Christmas days was when I was an On Call Communication Clerkworking at the Front Desk about 9 years ago. I was working the night shift and I received a call from aresident wanting to make a long distance call to her husband. I took down the information she gave meand called the nurse on the floor because I knew that this resident was a widow. The nurse confirmedthis and said that the resident wasnt remembering that her husband had passed away a long time ago.The nurse said shed speak to the resident and I left it at that. After 10 minutes, the phone rings and

its the same resident asking again for assistance to place a long distance call to her husband but thistime she hung up after giving me the information. I called the nurse again to let her know and thenurse told me that the resident might call me even if she speaks to her because shes forgetful. I didntthink too much about it and continued to work. After about 20 30 minutes the resident calls and doesthe same thing but this time sounded teary. After she hung up, I thought What should I do? Then Ithought, What could I do?

I called the resident back and this time I said I placed the call to your husband but hesunavailable at this time. He apologizes but hes busy at work and would like me to let you know thathe misses you and wishes you a very Merry Christmas! The resident thanked me for the message,wishes me a Merry Christmas and says that shes sorry I had to work on Christmas day. We chatted

for a while and I wished her a Merry Christmas again. To be honest, I was worried and wondered if Ihad done the right thing or if Id get in trouble for this. I was wondering what to do if she called back.Luckily for me she didnt and when I checked in with the nurse later, she told me that the resident wasdoing well and asleep. I told my supervisor what Id done, just in case. This resident called me fromtime to time during my shifts and wed chat for a while (sometimes shed forget my name, that wedtalked before and Id have to reintroduce myself). I found that her husband had been in the militaryand after the military he had a job wherein he traveled a lot.

I learned that night that if we take the time to truly listen, think and care enough to dosomething different to help another we gain experiences and lessons that last a lifetime. We also meetsome amazing people along the way.

Merry Christmas!


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Jacqueline Miranda

Sponsoring Lodge: Pittsburg #429City: PittsburgMoved in on November 28, 2011

We turn not older with years, but newer

every day. ~Emily Dickinson

Quotables

Marilyn Wellman

Sponsoring Lodge: Island #215City: AlamedaMoved in on November 30, 2011


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I began searching for a Christmas Closed Door column late in October. I had evenasked a couple of people I thought could illustrate the holiday spirit, only to decide they

would be better subjects for another, less symbolic month. So I took to praying about it. Iguess I shouldn't have been surprised when those prayers were answered.

On Veterans Day, I took two guests over to show them the Cartoon Corner in ourHomes Family Room. There, in case you didn't see them, were John Dahle's 16 "BahHumbug Christmas cartoons." You wouldn't have to be a psychiatrist to see the little boy,who hated Christmas controlling the pen of this cartoonist.

I had avoided Big John since July of 2010 when I first moved into the Home havingmade a snap judgment about something he said when I introduced my daughter to the men atthe table he was sitting at back then.

But those 16 Cartoons spoke loud and clear. John had had a broken childhood. Backin the 20th Century Masons cared about the children of broken families. It was time I wrote

about it.So first I got up the courage to ask John at the salad bar if I could interview him.

Then on Sunday, November 13th, I went knocking at N401, notebook in hand.The room I entered was dark, sparsely furnished, more like a monk's cell than what I

had expected. There were only 4 pictures on the wall I faced, as John pulled up the 2ndrecliner for me. One of them was the drawing of his 2 sons that I had already seen displayedin our Family Room a month or two earlier.

It was in stark contrast to the lovingly furnished rooms I'd written about for the pastfew months. It prepared me for the story Big John began sharing with me: the story of hislife.

Born July 20, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan, to children of Swedish immigrants, John

was moved back to Erie, Pennsylvania, when the Depression devastated his parents who hadno resources. In those days, there was no government system to fall back on. Impoverishedparents had to separate and put the children they couldn't care for into county run homes.Johns face may be calm, but the pain was in Bah Humbug cartoons as he tells me that from8 to 16 years of age he resided in "The Home for the Friendless." He later mentioned amemory of his grandfather telling his mother to Take your bastards and go.

Hard words for a child to hear. Hard words for a wife and mother. Hard words for anunemployed father when there is no work for Johns mother, only temporary jobs for hisfather in and around Erie, Pennsylvania. Who are we to judge what went on within thatmarriage?

John in his cold room says, I hated every moment of it.

His father sent money when he could provide it so there was no chance for adoption.We didnt talk about it but Ive known a few children like him who became adoptee/indentured servants to farmers and business owners needing cheap help. The Masonic Homesfor children were built for children like John. He just wasnt lucky enough to get into one.In Homes for the Friendless, impoverished mothers and fathers came and offered, took andleft, came and went, promised to come and didnt appear. Through it all, John had one giftthat no one could take away. The gift of a sharp cartooning eye. He still uses it, ruthlesslysometimes.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORSBy Rose Monroe

Knock, Knock, Whos There?

Continues on page 9


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November Guess Who Answer:

Can you guess who this

cutie is?

If you

thought

Count Basie

you

wereright!


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Residents Larry and Dorthy Hollomon

Performers from the Livermore YouthOrchestra

Resident Harry MitchellResident Bill Bergdahl

We Honor our Veterans

November 11, 2011


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Behind Closed

At 15 years of age, his father finally had enough money to rescue his only son. At 16years of age John grew 7 inches in one year to a height of 6 ft. 5 1/2 inches. At his fathersurging he went to summer school to escape being drafted at 18 only to graduate in June, turn 18in July and have his father enroll him in the Navy the following day in 1944. He was actuallyon Guam when the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

But see how the pattern repeats itself . After the war John is back living in Erie,Pennsylvania; married, working at Louis Marx, the world's largest toy manufacturer. Now it isJohn and his wife's turn to endure a divorce with 3 children. The wife takes the daughter, Johngets the 2 boys, but cant afford to keep them. He places his sons in a Catholic orphanage toprotect them from this wife. She comes and takes the eldest boy. John had to hide behind a treeto kidnap and promise Disneyland to this 11 year old to entice him away from the ex-wife whoalready had his daughter. John by this time has moved to California and is working as acommercial artist at Hughes Aeronautics.

He says they were doing well for a while: avoiding women, living the male life ofpizzas and no baths when unexpected fortune smiles on him.

At the Tip Toppers Club in L.A., he meets 6 ft. 2 in. tall Beverly. In a few short weeksthey marry, and he has 40 years of "living with an angel." He took early retirement fromHughes at 55 and they retired to Nevada City.

But before I get to the sad part, let me tell you that John told me that he wakes up everymorning with a song in his heart. A song that runs through his life all day. John Edgar Dahlewill have son John Robert Edgar Dahle and his wife Trish moving into our Masonic Homeeither before or shortly after Christmas. The little boy who suffered the devastating childhoodof a "Depression/Orphanage Child" for 8 years will be ending his life with a family that heloves and that loves him. How's that for a Christmas story?

To top it off, both John Dahles have been Past Masters of Lodge #13 in Nevada City,California and they are the only father/son team in the Lodge to have been so honored.

They have another gift in common: Both father and son are talented artists. For 10years they earned thousands of dollars working as a two-some painting colorful huge Christmasscenes on businesses windows in and around Nevada City, Roseville and nearby towns to helpmerchants attract customers and celebrate the Christmas season.

But back to the story; unable to have children, Beverly and John adopted adevelopmentally handicapped child, raised him along with his boys until at 40 years of age hedied in a swimming accident due to an epileptic seizure. Thirty days later, his Beverly dies ofan aneurism. "That was about 10 years ago," John answered, concluding his story. On April 13,2010, John Dahle moved into our family here at the Home.

Christmas brings us many gifts, not all wrapped in sparkly packages. This year Ilearned again not to judge a person by one incident that I take personally. Forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.So, I wish you a Christmas when your prayers are answered. Whatever they may be;

containing inside their wrappings the only gift the season promises: the gift of peace.

Continued from page 6


10/16


Steve Gassett...

Steve Gassett, PM, HA, LOH

MAINSTREAM OF AMERICA SERIES

It is with great regret that we announce that Steve Gassett haspassed away this month. He was a wonderful contributor to theMessenger and his monthly articles will be missed. Staff andresidents have to commend him for his monthly commitmentand dedication to the Messenger.


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Masonic Outreach

Board Members who will review the request.

Masonic Family Outreach Services serves those under the age of sixty, and generally providesassistance for a short period of time, with a focus on self-sufficiency and case management.

Much the same as the Masonic Senior Outreach Services, case management can be providedimmediately. The focus in this program is to assist as much as possible through resourcereferrals in order to help the Mason get to a place of self-sufficiency.

The Masonic Outreach Service and Masonic Assistance / Central Intake office is located on the3rd floor of the Head Building in Union City, and in the Family Resource Center in Covina. Thecontact number is 1-888-466-3642 to the Central Intake Line. If you have a concern aboutsomeone who lives outside of the Masonic Homes and may need help, please urge that personto call our office to see if we can be of assistance, or ask them if they would welcome a callfrom staff. We would love to hear from you.

Chaplains Corner

the special collection box at church on Sundays in the Dining Room waiting area drop box at PBX (until Dec. 24th)

Finally, on December 27th at 8:00 pm, there will be a special Hanukah Presentation by Irwin

Fershleiser. Want to know what Hanukah is all about? Why not come join in, its sure to be afun, informative and blessed time.

If you have questions about any of our programs, give me a call at extension 26424.

I wish a most wonderful holiday season to each of you (be that Hanukah, Kwanza or Christmas)

and to your extended families as well. We have much to be thankful for this year dont you

think? Until next month,

Chaplain Joel




12/16


Residents Helping Keep Veterans WarmBy Carolee Rodrigo

Assistant Director of Active Living

Throughout the year of 2011 Betty Ehly and Maxine Silverman have been working

with the ladies who knit in 2

nd

Adams Craft room on Wednesday mornings. In the years past,the ladies have knitted or crocheted lap blankets for the Veterans.

This year the mission was to knit or crochet as many blankets as they could for theVeterans who live in the Skilled Nursing at the Menlo Park VA by November. The ladies sawBetty and Maxines challenge and knitted and crocheted away. By the time of the trip on Nov10th they had completed 69 afghans! This number stunned them all!

The ladies of the knitting group also put together 60 snack packs to give them as well.Not only were there afghans and snack packs, but the group took over 3 boxes of donated booksfor the Veterans who are in the Homeless program and those who live in skilled nursing.

The trip was a gratifying one wherein the group was able to spend time with the

Veterans who live there and really show their gratitude for all they have sacrificed for our

freedom.

From Left to Right: Residents Helen Reneau, Betty Ehly and NadineWoods assemble goody bags for the veterans


13/16


Active Aging Monthly NewsBy Penny Vittoria

Lifestyle Coordinator

The importance of strength and resistance training for adults should not beunderestimated. Research has shown that strengthening exercises are both safe and effectivefor women and men of all ages, including those who are not in perfect health, according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Strength training is an essential part a fitnessregimen, along with activities that focus on cardiovascular endurance and stretching. At theGrider Gym, strength and resistance training are incorporated into the various exercise classes.You can also take advantage of the gym equipment and pool to get your strength training.

As we age, poor balance and flexibility contribute to falls and broken bones. Thesefractures can result in significant disability, loss of independence and, in some cases, fatalcomplications. Strengthening exercises, when done properly, can increase a person's flexibilityand balance, which decreases the likelihood and severity of falls. Strength training can alsoincrease bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

When we participate in regular exercise programs, our self-confidence and self-esteemcan improve, which has a strong impact on our overall quality of life and sense of well-being.Also, people who exercise regularly enjoy improved sleep quality. They fall asleep morequickly, sleep more deeply, awaken less often and sleep longer.

Please remember, it is important to get approval from your physician before starting anyexercise regime and always listen to your body. If an exercise makes a joint or preexistingcondition worse, do not do it. If you participate in an exercise program you are not obligated todo every exercise. Modifications should be made if you have limitations which prevent youfrom doing specific exercises.

Any exercise done safely and properly can enhance our quality of life, as it enables us tobetter perform daily activities. When we become stronger, we feel more confident in everythingwe do. Are you getting sufficient exercise as well as strength and resistance training? Stop bythe Grider Health Center and positively affect your health and well-being. Are you alreadydoing it? Be a good friend and bring someone with you!


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Weekly or Semi-Weekly

Sunday Worship

Sundays, 10:00 a.m., Siminoff

Ceramics GroupWednesdays, 1:30 p.m.

2nd Adams Ceramics Room

Bible StudyMondays, 10:30 a.m., 4th LorberTuesdays, 6:30 p.m., 2nd Adams

Crafts room.

Womens Forum

1st & 3rd Mondays, 1:30 p.m.2nd Adams Living Room

Mens Open ForumMonday, 10:30 a.m.

3rd Lorber Dining Room

Choir Practice

Sundays, 9:00 a.m., Siminoff ChapelWednesday, 3:10 p.m., Siminoff Chapel

Song & PrayerTuesdays, 10:00 a.m., 3rd LorberTuesdays, 10:30 a.m., 4th Lorber

Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m., Traditions

Emergency TeamLast Tuesday of the month

2:00 pm, Board Room

For

ARTS & CRAFTSPROGRAMMING

Consult your

ACTIVE LIVING EVENT

CALENDAR.

FYI

The official Lost and Found for theHome is located at PBX in the Headbuilding. If youve lost somethingcheck there first. If youve foundsomethingtake it there first. If youhave further questions, you can findanswers at . . . PBX. Please report lossesas soon as possible.

Monthly

Thursday, December 1

3:00 p.m. Active Living Planning Meeting2ndAdams Dining Room

Monday, December 5

9:00 a.m. Tour Guide - Host & Hostess Meeting /

2nd Adams Crafts RoomTuesday, December 6

9:30 a.m.-Low Vision Support Group2nd AdamsLiving Room.

No Fireside Chatin the month of December

Wednesday, December 21

10:00 a.m.Resident Food Advisory Committee2nd Adams Living Room

Wednesday, December 21

3:00 p.m.Welcoming Committee 3rdWollenberg

Monday, December 19

9:45 a.m. Chapel Committee MeditationChapel

No Special Friends Meeting until January 16, 2012

No Emergency & Disaster TeamMeeting in the

month of December

No Town Hall Meeting in the month of December

No Womens Forum until February 5, 2012


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Residents Ann. Date Yrs

Bill & Eileen Bergdahl 12/5 66

Mort & Lila Collis 12/12 63

Marvin & Betty Scriber 12/17 51

Resident BirthdaysPeggy McCain 12/2

Bob Huntington 12/3

Sarah Brewer 12/4

Homer HarlanAileen HoffJo Scott

12/5

Mike Kilbury 12/7

Dorothy Cox 12/12

John Bull 12/13

Artie BeechGeorge FisherAlma SmithLuz Strassburger

12/15

Ralph Siegel 12/18

Bess Harrison

Betty Newman

12/20

Charlene HarrisRose Monroe

12/22

Bessie Moyer 12/23

Noelle Hudson 12/25

Jeanne Ivey 12/27

Willa Rae Gordon 12/28

Tom DeBenning 12/30

In Memoriam

Lilly BirchenallNovember 2, 2011

Sponsoring Lodge: Santa Cruz-San Lorenzo

Valley #38 Valley

Eugene PriddyNovember 1, 2011

Sponsoring Lodge: Corinthian-Hammonton #9

Arthur VogtNovember 3, 2011

Sponsoring Lodge: Fort Crook #250

Rosser Doc AdamsonNovember 4, 2011

Sponsoring Lodge: Sunset #369

Stephen Steve GassettNovember 15, 2011

Sponsoring Lodge: Anaheim #207


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Table of Contents December 2011

Masonic Outreach Services..........1Executive Directors Message..2Chaplains Corner3The 411 on Resident Services......4New Residents.........5Behind Closed Doors.......6John Dahle Cartoon/ Guess Who.7Previous Months Activities.8Behind Closed Cont.........9Steve Gassett..10Masonic Outreach Cont/ Chaplain Cont........11Keeping Veterans Warm...12Active Aging Monthly News.13Meetings.14Birthdays, Anniversaries, In Memoriam....15Youre Lookin At It..16

The Messenger is published monthly as a vehicle ofcommunication and entertainment for the residents

and staff of the Masonic Home at Union City with afocus on sharing information about residents, Homeactivities, and items of interest to the MasonicFamily.

Proofreaders: Residents: Carol Yowell & Rose MonroeEmployees: Ola Afolabi, Lovedeep Jhamat and SandyWorley

Distribution: Residents: Virgil Land, Pat Olson, WoodyHibbs, Bess Harrison & Evelyn Mull

Photography: George Wilkerson & FriendsEditor: Merryn Oliveira, Director of Active Living

Messenger Online: http://www.masonichome.org selectNews, select Union City Resident Newsletter.To view photos of resident and staff activities:http://photos.mhcuc.org


NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT No. 100

Address Service Requested

Dec2011 Messenger - Holiday Celebrations Messenger - Masonic Homes of California

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