Centennial Memory #91: DeMolay Hats and Fezzes

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.

Instead of a lengthy post about something from our past, lets just share some photos of cool DeMolay hats and fezzes. Here are a few, all of which can be found in the display cases at the Masonic Conference Center.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #92: Tri-State Convention in 1999

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.

In 1999, Pennsylvania DeMolay teamed up with New Jersey and Delaware DeMolay for a Tri-State Convention. The Convention was held at the Beach Terrace Hotel in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the 1999 Convention

• Brother Rakesh Kumar of Allentown Chapter presided for Pennsylvania as the current State Master Councilor.
• The newly elected State Master Councilor at Convention was Brother, and "Dad", Louis E. GrowMiller of Somerton Chapter. The rest of his officers were Deputy State Master Councilor, Walt Pietrowski; State Senior Councilor, Greg Deal; State Junior Councilor, William Wichterman; State Scribe, Ravi Shah; and State Treasurer, Brett Fisher. The State Sweetheart was Miss Meg Perla, representing Friendship-Bray Chapter.
• "Dad" Dave Glattly, who is currently the Sovereign Grand Commander for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, was appointed as the Executive Officer of New Jersey DeMolay.
• The 1999 Convention Yearbook was divided into 3 sections to accommodate all three Jurisdictions represented at Convention.

For other takeaways from the 1999 Convention, refer to the photos below.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #93: Multimedia Center and Atrium Dedication Ceremony

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.

On December 12, 1998, the Masonic Conference Center in Elizabethtown saw some renovations made to enhance the quality of the facility. The front part of the building, including 6 breakout classrooms, the atrium and the multimedia center were established.

A dedication ceremony took place to officially open this part of the facility. Members of Pennsylvania DeMolay and several distinguished guests, including the Right Worshipful Grand Master, James Ernette, and the rest of his Grand Officers were present for this dedication. A date stone was placed in the middle of the atrium dedicated to Freemasonry and Youth, presented by all of the Grand Lodge Officers of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.

Along with this, the Multimedia Center had a special dedication of its own, as the Multimedia Center was named after "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson, whose hard-work and dedication helped make this, as well as all of the other renovations of the building, possible. A portrait of "Dad" Williamson was placed outside of the Multimedia Center. Take your photo with it the next time you are in at Patton Campus.

Below, you will find photos from this special occasion.

Happy Birthday "Dad" Williamson

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

Centennial Memory #95: Chester Chapter Named Chapter of the Year

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.

In January of 1968, Chester Chapter was named the DeMolay International Chapter of the Year for 1967. One would wonder what was involved in order to earn Chapter of the Year. The judging was done on a 5 category base: administration, membership, ritual work, special activities or awards, and chapter activities. Although several PA DeMolay Chapters have placed in the top for consideration, the first, and only, to achieve this accomplishment was Chester Chapter. For a full review of what earned them the Chapter of the Year, below you will find pages explaining their accomplishment of each phase of the judging, found in the January issue of the DeMolay International Cordon Magazine. It is important to note that Chester Chapter would go on to win the title again the next year as well.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin