Utica is about 250-300 miles from NYC, not much for some, but quite some Distance for others. To give the many new and (old) Brothers of the District a chance to visit the Masonic Care Community, our District Deputy Larry Wund organized this Trip together with Robert Lauducci from MCC.

The Weather forecast for Oct 17th 2009 wasn't exactly favorable, some snow for Utica was predicted. Unfortunately, some Brothers canceled their reservation for the Trip for that reason... as it turned out, it was the most beautiful day we could have wished for.

The Bus left the Whitestone Temple just before 8 AM. With little traffic on the way, we made great time and arrived at the Masonic Care Community Campus at 11.30 AM. Linda, one of MCC's Tour Guides, greeted us at Acacia Village, The Independent Retirement Community. The amenities here are outstanding, Library, Cafeteria, Pool Table, Pool, Gym, High speed internet, Private Dining Room for about 20 People, Mini Shop, Hair Salon... you really have no need to ever go outside. There is also a Large Dining Room were the Residents can enjoy their evening meal in company with their Neighbors and friends at Acacia Village. The Dinner menu has lots of variety and dietary needs are fully accommodated. The apartments come as one or two bedrooms with many variations and a more than reasonable price range for singles or couples. Here at Acacia the MCC Staff also invited us to Lunch, so we would have the strength for the rest of the Tour.

Next Stop was the Health Pavilion. This Unit of MCC is by far the most impressive. When it comes to decide on a place for Skilled Nursing Care, the Health Pavilion sets new standards. Residents are here organized in "Neighborhoods", which are sections of a Floor with 8 or 16 Bedrooms. The common area is right in the middle of the Floor, with a Lounging/TV area, a Dining area and Kitchen. We were most impressed at the warm atmosphere and Holiday decorations. The room of course are functional but resident can still bring their own furniture. It feels a lot more like home here than in other facilities I have seen. The Auditorium is a wide open space were residents take part in many activities, Holiday Parties, Cocktail Hour (!), Presentations and Shows. People don’t have to sit lonely in their rooms and wait for their next scheduled therapy or doctors visit. Here, they have a chance to be active and still enjoy life and socialize. The State of the Art Dialysis Center and Physical Therapy Centers on Premises are used by residents as well as patients referred from local Hospitals alike. 

Residential Adult Care at Wiley Hall is a important step between Acacia Village and the Health Pavilion. Residents here are still active and are encouraged to do things on their own, if they can. Yet if required, the Staff is there to take care of the needs of the residents. As we arrive at Wiley Hall, "Showtime AL" was just about to start an afternoon movie for his fellow residents. For those who dont know Al, he is also known as Al Vortex from Wieland Lodge.

Tompinks Chapel is just plain gorgeous. With seats for well over one hundred people it is not surprising that many couples like to get married here. I am a bit at a loss of words to describe it, perhaps the pictures in the slideshow already tell it all. Two of those stained glass windows shown in the slideshow are real Tiffany Glass Windows, quite impressive.

The Livingston Library of the Grand Lodge of New York has two facilities. One at 23rd Street in Manhattan and one here at the Masonic Care Community Campus in Utica. Items related to masonry can find a new home here, So don’t through out your Grandfathers Trinket or Apron. The History and Story behind many of these items make good research and reading material.

Speaking of research, the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory (www.mmrl.edu) also call the MCC Campus home. We had the rare chance to meet Ronald P. Kemp, Director of Development and Communications to give us a tour of the Laboratory. We were mighty impressed with Mr. Kemps presentation and explanation of how the Laboratory does research and their accomplishments over the 50 years of it's existence. The Lab has been specialized since the 1990's in Cardio Vascular research and is not moving into the 21st Century by using Stem cell research to "fix" genetic problems of the hard right at the source, the damaged Cell itself. But don’t worry, they are not cloning Dolly, or any other sheep. The Stem Cell's are grown from the Human skin, or rather cells under the skin. It is really fascinating. The Lab itself  was pretty much like any other Lab, they don’t lend themselves to be eye catching. Mr. Kemp however easily explained how different machines at the Lab relate to the processes he explained to us earlier. One really needs to have seen it all. 

The Research Laboratory was our last stop at the Masonic Care Community Campus. We said good bye to our Tour Guides and boarded the Bus for the Trip home. It got quiet on the Bus really fast. The excited chatter after leaving the MMRL turned into deep thoughts and impressions from the Visit at the Masonic Care Community. Soon to be followed by loud snoring from the seats towards the back of the bus. A few miles out from NYC we stopped for a well deserved Dinner at the Black Forrest Mill Restaurant. The Meal was delicious. We finally made it back to Whitestone around 10.30 PM. Impressed and tired with a story to tell about the Masonic Care Community.

I am sure on our next Trip, no one will listen to weather reports, and instead join the Brothers and Sisters on a great Trip.