Centennial Memory #71: FBC Temple of Doom

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.

Successful DeMolay programs usually involve a lot of creativity. Make the program that best suits the group of guys in your Chapter and their interests. One of the creative events that was popular in Friendship-Bray Chapter's history was the Temple of Doom event. The Temple of Doom was a haunted house, held in the basement of the Jenkintown Masonic Temple, the home of Friendship-Bray Chapter. It was just as much of a social activity as it was a fundraiser for the Chapter. DeMolay members dressed in their best Halloween makeup and costumes to scare customers as they came in to the Temple. The basement had a few different rooms to it, which allowed the planning of several stages to the haunted house. Each year was different, it was set up the way the guys designed it. I only had the chance to participate once, and I had a lot of fun with this. Participants also seemed impressed and very enthused with the detail that went into the event. Here are some photos from the various Temple of Doom events.

Centennial Memory #72: Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E.

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 2016, PA DeMolay was under the mentality of "Being Different." One thing that helped us in this adventure was the passion that the young men had for NERF guns and equipment. The state officers decided to capitalize on this momentum by creating the first ever all NERF weekend. The event was called Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Weekend (I still don't know what the letters stand for, please ask Jake Beers when you see him.)

The members of PA DeMolay were split into four teams, and a schedule of games was created for the members to know when their games were. Teams that did not have a game attended workshops, such as Decision Making, Lessons on Leadership, Importance of Teamwork, and even an obstacle course. In the end, the Green team won the tournament and became the recipient of the golden dart. Although the members were at war during parts of the day, brotherhood played a major role in the success of this weekend. Check out some of the photos of this great weekend.

Until next time - 

Centennial Memory #73: Volleyball Tournaments

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.

Sports activity can be an important part of a young man's workout routine. Competitive sports allow members to build teamwork, communication, and trust. PA DeMolay had four major sports tournaments throughout the years, but the one that will be the topic of today's post will be the tournament that traditionally took place during this weekend, the Volleyball Tournament.

The sports tournaments were double elimination style and Chapter's had the chance to form a team with the members of their own Chapter. Some Chapters reached out to other Chapters to form a team if they could not field one for themselves. Either way, brotherhood existed throughout friendly competition. Here are the first place teams during the run:

1989: Elizabethtown

1990: Somerton

1991: Somerton

1992: No Tournament

1993: Reading

1994: Reading

1995: Elizabethtown

1996: Elizabethtown

1997: No Tournament

1998: Reading

1999: Reading

2000: Reading

2001: Elizabethtown

2002: Elizabethtown

2003: Somerton

2004: Reading

2005: Reading

2006: Elizabethtown

2007: Elizabethtown

2008: Lorraine

2009: Elizabethtown

2010: Lorraine

2011: Pilgrim

2012: Lorraine

2013: Pilgrim

2014: Elizabethtown

2015: Carlisle

Check out some of the great photos from the years of the Volleyball Tournament.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #74: PA DeMolay Helping Form DeMolay in Austrailia

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.

I enjoy getting the opportunity to look into PA DeMolay's history, because you truly do learn something new each day. One of the interesting things I've learned is that PA DeMolay played a part in forming Australia DeMolay, although very much unintentionally.

Life Magazine did an article on Wilbur Chapter in Bethlehem, PA in 1938. The magazine circulated to Australia, allowing Masons in Australia to reach out looking for information to form DeMolay Chapters. 

Looking at a Convention program from the 50th Anniversary of PA DeMolay, I found information that proved this to be true. The following is the excerpt from that program.  

"Of special interest is the fact that a Pennsylvania chapter was inadvertently responsible for the Order of DeMolay being established in Australia. Wilbur Chapter at Bethlehem was visited in early 1938 by writers and photographers from Life Magazine. They published an article and photo lay-out entitled "Life Goes to a DeMolay Coronation Ball."

Since the pictures showed DeMolays in their robes and ritual positions, the chapter's charter was suspended. Life was circulated in Australia and Masons of that country saw the article and wrote to the chapter to learn how they could start DeMolay chapters. The inquiry was forwarded to "Dad" Land who carried out successful negotiations. Incidentally, Wilbur Chapter had its charter restored."

"Dad" Seth Anthony also covered this topic in a blog post from 2010, which is where I found more information about it, including the article that was used in Life Magazine. Below, you will find the Life Magazine Article that highlighted Wilbur Chapter. 

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #75: Traveling Gavel Presented to SMC Stephen Logan

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.

As we know from an earlier post, the Judge was created in 2005. Although the Judge may not have been around, DeMolay visitations existed well before that time, and other traveling gavels where around throughout the Jurisdiction. Below is a picture of the traveling gavel being presented to State Master Councilor, Stephen Logan. The gavel was presented to PA DeMolay by Fidelity Chapter at the annual Conclave, and used to bring Chapters together for meetings, the same way that the Judge does today.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin