Centennial memory #69: DeMolay Hodegos Recipients

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

The Hodegos Award is a unique award that is given out by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania through the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation. The award recognizes no more than two adult leaders per year for each of the three Masonic Youth Groups in Pennsylvania; DeMolay, Rainbow, and Job's Daughters. Letters of recommendation are accompanied with an application and submitted to the Masonic Youth Foundation Office. A committee votes and determines who has earned the award for the year.

Many well deserving adult leaders have earned the Hodegos Award since it was founded in 2005. Here is a list of all of the DeMolay recipients:

Italics - Inaugural Class

* - Deceased

2005: David W. Berry

2005: * Robert L. Engel

2005: William M. Glose, III

2005: Joseph C. Preletz

2005: Thomas R. Labagh

2005: Samuel C. Williamson

2006: * H. Wesley Baker

2006: Richard N. Fitzsimmons

2007: Rodney E. Boyce

2007: Rick S. Freedman

2008: John J. Colaianne

2008: Curtis R. Rauschenberger

2009: Christopher H. Tecklenberg

2009: * Robert A. Weinberger

2010: J. Michael Larkin

2010: Debra J. (Setnar) Vanek

2011: Douglas R. Harms

2011: Jeanine M. Larkin

2012: Jay W. Smith

2013: * Patricia M. Palo

2013: Gregory M. Schaeffer

2014: Eric B. Blew

2015: Donnie G. Boyer

2015: Dennis J. Morse

2016: Jean M. Richards

2017: Raymond W. Gottschall, III

2018: Seth C. Anthony

2018: Linda J. Pullin

For a complete list of all recipients from each of the youth groups, visit www.pmyf.org.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #94: Founding of the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation

To celebrate the DeMolay Centennial, PA DeMolay will be counting down 100 memories worth celebrating that took place within the DeMolay Chapters and Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania.

This specific memory is a lot bigger than just Pennsylvania DeMolay. The founding of the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation has benefited DeMolay, Rainbow, and Job's Daughters within Pennsylvania, as well as other youth of the Masonic Fraternity. It has given all three organizations a statewide home to coordinate activities at the Masonic Conference Center - Patton Campus, as well as provide other programs to benefit all Masonic Youth.

In December of 1981, the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Samuel C. Williamson, established the foundation to help provide programming for the youth.

“The soundest investment we can make is an investment in the youth of our land, for they are the leaders of the future. From their ranks will come the statesmen, educators, politicians, ministers, scientists, and future presidents of this great country, and Freemasonry must make quite sure that it provides a generous portion of that leadership.”

Since the establishment. Several scholarships have been provided for students in need. Anti-bullying programs have been put together to help administrators discourage bullying. Young adults are invited to programs that enhance life lessons and awareness. DeMolay specifically has been able to host many programs at the Masonic Conference Center, including a topic that be will discussed more in depth in a later post, the Key Man Conference.

For the record, this will not be the last post that involves "Dad" Sam Williamson, who has proven to be a major influence in DeMolay, especially in Pennsylvania. In the meantime, here are some photos from the early reconstruction of the Masonic Conference Center.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Sam Williamson: The Godfather of Pennsylvania DeMolay

Today is the birthday of a very special person in the hearts of the members and advisors of Pennsylvania DeMolay, "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson. Today "Dad" Williamson celebrates his 90th birthday. In a way, this post is a Throwback Thursday post mainly because you will see some of the best pictures we have of "Dad" Williamson throughout his time with DeMolay. 

"Dad" Williamson served as the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania from 1982 to 1983. In that time, he founded the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation, which dedicates its existence to the support of the Masonic Youth Groups in Pennsylvania. "Dad" Williamson served as Executive Officer from 1987 to 2000. This past year, "Dad" Williamson was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame.

To this day, "Dad" Williamson shows overwhelming support to the Pennsylvania DeMolay program. I had the privilege of being at the surprise party thrown for "Dad" Williamson last week (Sam, I still take no responsibility for throwing that party.) In that room, it was great to see how many people were affected in a positive way by the teachings of Sam Williamson. Thank you "Dad" Williamson for all that you do for Pennsylvania DeMolay. Happy Birthday! Enjoy your special day!

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

From Master Councilor to Worshipful Master

Last night, I had the privilege of watching a longtime friend and DeMolay brother become the Worshipful Master of his lodge. Brother and "Dad" Seth C. Anthony was installed into the office of Worshipful Master for Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682 of the Free and Accepted Masons. The official title changes hands on December 28th, while an open Installation was held at the Elizabethtown Masonic Lodge within the Masonic Villages.

"Dad" Seth Anthony has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since he turned 21. He started as a member of Erie Chapter Order of DeMolay, where he became Master Councilor after a brief time as a member. Seth also served as State Junior Councilor and State Senior Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay, as well as becoming a respected advisor for the organization. He previously worked as the Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation and currently works for the Masonic Villages. In fact, this very blog site was once written by "Dad" Anthony.

It takes a true Mason to have the same level of dedication for the entire Masonic Family. It's not everyday that a former Master Councilor becomes the Worshipful Master of his lodge. Of members who were active in DeMolay while I was, Seth is the first of my peers to reach this goal.

On behalf of Pennsylvania DeMolay I'd like to congratulate Brother Anthony! Good luck in your term; I know that you will do a fantastic job!

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin    

Thank you, "Dad" Seth Anthony!

Even though "Dad" Seth Anthony will no longer be working at the PA Masonic Youth Foundation office and handling all of our public communications, he certainly isn't going far from DeMolay.  He will continue as our Convention Director, and will engage in other activities as his time permits.

I am excited to see how "Dad" Anthony can create a positive internet presence for the Masonic Villages and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. If he attacks that problem with the creativity and genius he brought to the PMYF over the past 6 years, they are going to be very pleased with his work!

"Dad" Anthony is just one more outstanding success story who grew his leadership and public speaking skills through his time as an
Active DeMolay, and then immediately began to give back to the fraternity as an adult leader.  While we will miss him around the PMYF office, we'll be seeing a lot of him at local fraternal events.

Thanks for 6 great years, Seth, and congratulations on the new position!  I think I can speak for ALL of Pennsylvania DeMolay when I say, "We wish you success in everything you do!"


"Dad" Thomas R. Labagh
Executive Officer

New Youth Exhibit at GWMM

I apologize for posting so late in the day today. It has been a really exciting day for the Masonic Youth Groups, so that accounts for the delayed post.

Before you read any further, go check out what happened today at the George Washington Masonic Memorial - http://pmyf.org/2013/08/26/pmyf-assists-with-masonic-youth-exhibit/.

Now that you've read that, I can post a few more pictures from the event that are specific to DeMolay. We were very pleased to have with us Bro. Chris Labaw, International Congress Secretary, who did an outstanding job representing the young men of DeMolay. We hope that everyone will get a chance to see this display in the near future, as it really is a testament to what the Masonic Youth Groups are all about. In the mean time, here are some more pictures for you - remember, you can click to make the bigger!

This Legion of Honor Cordon belonged to Bro. Roy Rogers, a famous Hollywood actor!

"Dad" Thomas R. Labagh, Executive Officer in Pennsylvania, poses with Bro. Chris Labaw, ICS, and "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson, Grand Treasurer Emeritus.

A large crowd was in attendance!

Everyone cuts the ribbon!

A quick shout out to my home Chapter, Erie, who are credited with donating the regalia displayed on the mannequin.

 

Even more publications!

Hot on the heals of my post on Monday, I direct you to another website that is chock full of resources for any Masonic Youth Group, but especially DeMolay.

Over on the PMYF website, under the Programs > Publications section, there are a bunch of quality publications that could be of great use to your Chapter. More especially, they could be of use to your Chapter Advisory Council. Many of the documents relate to working with Masonic Sponsors for your Chapter and how to keep them involved. Who doesn't want help with that?

That's not all that's available on PMYF either! If you're interested in the Masonic Youth Group Grant Program, the HODEGOS Award for Adult Leaders, the LifeSkills Conference, or even the Masonic Scholarship Resource Guide - it's all there!

As you learn and grow in DeMolay, it's important to keep in mind all the resources that are available to you and your Chapter. Take some time to review the websites for the organization and you'll often find important pieces of information that you didn't even know were there!

Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

PA Masonic Blood Club's INCREDIBLE Support for DeMolay

MEMBERSHIP HAS ITS PRIVILEGES! (O.K., somebody already uses that slogan, but it is true for DeMolay, and for Masonic Blood Club Members as well!)

Since 2005, members of PA DeMolay (and PA Rainbow and PA Job's Daughters, too!) have been eligible for membership in the PA Masonic Blood Club. The best time to develop lifelong blood donors is to start them donating and taking an interest at the earliest age possible. Giving blood is a gift of life for those in need. It is a selfless act of service to the general good of the community and the world. We need to develop the habit of giving blood in MORE donors, for the benefit of us all.

AS A BENEFIT TO DeMOLAYS WHO DONATE BLOOD, the PA Masonic Blood Donors Club has offered BLOOD CLUB MEMBERSHIP and the BENEFITS that come with it. DeMolay Members need to be of the proper age (17) and weight (110 lbs. min.) before they donate, but they can still become members if someone donates FOR them. That means another family member or an advisor or a fellow DeMolay could donate in their behalf, providing them the benefits of membership in the blood club. We want them to make additional donations-- at least one a year, and more, if they can do it, because they see that the need is so great -- but their membership is good until they reach majority.

What are those benefits? Members of the blood club are protected when charged for blood or required to replace blood by the hospital. Their membership will also protect their parents(guardians) and siblings (for the family unit in which they are claimed as as an eligible dependent for IRS tax purposes.) THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE BENEFIT that most of us will never have to use, but for those who do, it can save hundreds, and in rare cases, even thousands, of dollars.

WHEN YOU ARE SELLING MEMBERSHIP IN DeMOLAY that is a benefit that most teenagers won't really understand or care about, unless a family member has ever desperately needed blood. But parents will probably be impressed!

The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation keeps the record of all youth blood club members, and you can join by submitting the youth donor form. Membership cards will be mailed once a year to all the youth members, who remain members until they reach majority. (If they become Masons before that time, their membership is converted to Masonic membership in the club.)

The PA Masonic Blood Club does so much more for DeMolay, as well. Did you know that the Club will support blood drives your Chapters sponsor, by advertising in the local newspaper, and providing a banner to be used outside the donation location? They will notify all Masonic Lodges in the area and ask that they place the information into their lodge meeting notice to support your Chapter's blood drive. They will do this if Chapters run blood drives on their own or participate with their local church, school, business or local Masonic group.

The PA Masonic Blood club will also support chapters by purchasing advertising in anniversary books and other chapter publications that allow advertising and are approved by the Masonic Blood Donor Club.

They will also provid speakers for your chapter meetings, either from the club or from a local blood collecting organization. (Red Cross, etc.)

The Blood Club also allows a Lodge to designate Masonic Youth Groups as the recipient of their $10/pint reward for blood donations collected at Lodge-sponsored blood drives.

SO, WITH ALL THIS SUPPORT OFFERED, why are there only 14 Masonic Youth Members of the PA Masonic Blood Club?

Every Chapter ought to have an Advisor and a committee chairman who are assigned to promote membership in the PA Masonic Blood Club. The simple duty of this Advisor and chairman is to reach out to members and to their families, and encourage them to join the club by making a blood donation and then filing the form. Help your Chapters. Help your members! HELP YOUR COMMUNITY IN NEED! Make it happen!

"Dad" Tom Labagh, Executive Officer in PA