The Masonic Home Board with the help of the Shawano Masons
purchased Camp Tivoli December 21, 1990 for $415,000.00
as the Shawano Masons raised $160,000.00

February 15, 1991

TO:      Lodges in Proximity of Northeastern Wisconsin
SUBJECT:    Northeast Wisconsin Independent Living Center
FROM:                Ron Campbell,   District #4 Lecturer
Dear Brethren:
You  may have heard that  a 150-acre parcel  of land on the Northeastern shore  of  Shawano Lake has been  acquired for the  purpose  of building an  Independent Living Center,   similar to the one now under construc­tion at  Dousman,  Wisconsin.
Through the untiring efforts of three or four devoted Masonic  Brothers over $125,000 was raised in pledges in late November and early  December as a  show, of    good  faith",   that Northeastern Wisconsin Masons were in   support  of this  acquisition.     That,   plus  a loan  of $250,000 by  the Grand Lodge Trustees in early December,   enabled the Wisconsin Masonic Home  to  acquire  this property on December 30,   1990.
The borrowed  money  must  be  paid back by  June 1,   1991,   which  is the challenge before us.     Because the time was  so  short  in  December to get this property before  our option expired,   most of the  early pledges were  generated from only four lodges.     We  are asking for the  support of  ALL lodges In Northeastern Wisconsin to  achieve the  final  goal  of raising this additional  money.
To accomplish this, we need your lodge  to select  a Chairman   (or Co-Chairmen)  who  is well  known,  well liked,   and willing to help  solicit those lodge  members who  can  make  a TAX DEDUCTIBLE,   3-year pledge,   of $1,500,  §1,000, ,or $500  — or more than $1500.00 if he wishes.
Once you have  made your selection(s),   fill in the  form below and send it to Ron Campbell by April 1,  1991.
All lodge chairmen will  be notified of a meeting  scheduled  for  Saturday, April  |3,   1991  at   Shawano Lodge where  they will be  given much Infor­mation  about  the history  of this property;     the  events that  led to our Grand Lodge   acquiring it;   the long-range  building plan;     and, how to  achieve the necessary pledges,   and of course,   a  supply of pledge  forms.     The  meeting will   start  at 10:00  A.M.   and conclude with  a free lunch.     After lunch,   a tour of the  property will be  made so  they  can   see  it  first-hand,   after which,   they  may  depart  for home.
Fraternally,

LODGE NO.
Chairman(s)  Name
Address                                              _________ .___ Phone No.
Mail  To:     Ron  Campbell,  N2931  Balsam Row Rd.,   Shawano,  WI 54166 By  April  1,   1991

Masonic retirement village seen as strong economic boost

    The development of a multi-million dollar retirement village on the former Camp Tivoli property will have a large economic impact on the Shawano area, local Masons say.
    “ I think the economic impact will be very significant “ said Carl Carmichael one of several Shawano Masons who are playing a key role in the project.
    “When you have people moving into a 50 to 75 unit retirement community, the impact for goods and services will be (great)” Carmichael stated.
    Located in the Town of Washington along the northern shore of Shawano Lake, the camp Tivoli property has stood vacant for the past ten years. The near 150 acre site was formerly operated as a Catholic “boys” camp by the Norbertine Fathers of DePere.
    A desire by the state’s Masonic organization to “branch out” led to the selection of the Shawano area as “an ideal site” to build a retirement center, says local Lawyer Galen Winter.
    Local Mason officials led fundraising efforts in northeastern Wisconsin that helped raise financing toward the $415,000.00 purchase price. The deal was completed in late December.
    A member of the Shawano Lodge, Winter said that the facility will be similar to a Masonic retirement village built at Dousman near Milwaukee.
Wisconsin Masonic officials first looked for suitable property in the Chippewa Falls and Ashwaubenon areas before settling on the Shawano site, he explained.   
   “ This piece of property in Shawano (eventually) attracted interest,” Winter said. “The quality of (the property) and surrounding communities were reviewed very thoroughly.”
    Calling the Camp Tivoli property “absolutely ideal” for a retirement center, Winter said that Wisconsin Masonic officials were impressed with medical, recreational, and transportation facilities already in place here.
    “You can see how this piece of property is a dream,” he stated. Recreational opportunities include the Golden Sands18 hole golf course located “next door” to the grounds and Shawano Lake, a prime fishing area, Winter said.
    Among the other local recreational facilities that will be attractive to potential residents include the city’s recreation center, swimming pool, snowmobiling and skiing areas, he noted.
    Proposed housing development at the retirement village would include individual cottages, duplexes and four plexes.
    A Marketing survey will be conducted before final building plans are developed, Winter said.
    The Village will be open to Masons and others, he stated.
    Hopefully, within a year, the marketing survey will be completed, said Shawano’s Jim Zimmermzn another local Mason playing a large role in the project.
    About 90 percent of Shawano Masons contributed to the fundraising for the land purchase Zimmerman said.
    “I never saw such enthusiasm” he stated. So there is a genuine interest, everyone looked at it with a very positive attitude.
    Zimmerman said no final dates have been set, but he estimated that residents would be able to move into the Village about two years after the survey is finished.
     “The general concept is when you come into the complex, you deposit a fund”, winter outlined. “When you leave the village—for any reason—you are guaranteed portions of your money back”.
    In addition, residents will most likely be charged a monthly rate, he added.
    Shawano Masons emphasized that the project will not disturb the natural beauty of the camp Tivoli area—called the last undeveloped area along Shawano Lake.
    “We will make sure that the shoreline and adjoining wetlands remain undisturbed and in their present state,” Carmichael stressed.
“We will maintain the very thing that drew us here in the first place,” Zimmerman said.
    The rustic setting is seen as what will be most attractive to residents. The balance of the acreage along Duchess creek and it’s outlet into the lake includes about sixty acres of wetlands. The property also offers nearly 2,600 feet of shoreline frontage and 70 acres of wooded lands.
    “How many environments like this can be created?” Zimmerman said. “The air is cleaner, the environment is quieter.
    “How many people in an independent living center can look out their window and see deer or flocks of geese?” he added. “We hope to have a sanctuary with nature trails.”
    Officials are also looking into the possibility “of people being able to take a golf cart from the front door to the (Golden Sands) course Winter said.
    The cost of the project, once completed, “will run in the millions,” Zimmerman said. We anticipate it will draw a lot of people back home who went to Florida, Texas and other Southern states to retire.
    “It is my dream that someday this (retirement village) will develop into an independent living center, nursing home and some type of (medical facility).” Zimmerman added.
    Carmichael echoed those sentiments.
    “We eventually intend for that to be an intermediate care operation and a full time health care center,” Carmichael stated.
    The land was rezoned last month by the Shawano County Board from open forest to multi-family planned development to make way for the project.
By Michael Boucher Shawano Leader Reporter.