Centennial Memory #62: Brotherhood Weekends with Knights of Pythagoras

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 a previous post, I mentioned about PA DeMolay's relationship with the Knights of Pythagoras, a male youth organization sponsored by the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Even though a mutual respect agreement was signed in 2005, the brotherhood between our two organizations existed well before then.

PA DeMolay and Knights of Pythagoras were known to have joint weekends called Brotherhood Retreat Weekends. The weekends consisted of workshops and activities that brought the youth together. Some of the workshops were taught by Advisors, others by members of both organizations. In the end, the bond is what mattered most. Most weekends included a large fun activity, such as a dance or some other event that allowed the members to socialize and have a good time.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #63: SMC Shillady Officiates Clinton Wedding

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.

One of the questions that is asked a lot is "Do we have any famous or well known Senior DeMolays in Pennsylvania." Although there are not many that fit into that description, there is one story that may impress.

Once again, this is an article that I give credit to "Dad" Seth Anthony, who wrote a post on this in May of 2013. Past State Master Councilor of Pennsylvania DeMolay, Bro. William Shillady, from Reading Chapter and served as SMC from 1975 to 1976, went on to become known as Rev. William Shillady. For a biography that tells you more about Rev. and Bro. Shillady, I will let you follow a link provided here to his biography. Information provided their is courtesy of the United Methodist City Society web page.

There is a part of that biography that I am providing here in this blog that explains why this post is being written. Rev. Shillady served as an officiant for the wedding of Chelsea Clinton. 

"Shillady also co-officiated with Rabbi James Ponet at the Chelsea Clinton-Marc Mesvinsky wedding in July of 2010.  He led the memorial service for Dorothy Rodham, the mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton. He maintains a pastoral relationship with the Clinton family."

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #64: Presidential Inauguration Trips

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 Presidency of the United States of America is a four year term. Every four years, there is an inauguration ceremony for the President, even when serving a second term of office. Pennsylvania DeMolay has been known to send a delegation to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. to watch the President get sworn into office and to explore the city.

The buses would leave from Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. While going on these trips, PA DeMolay would stop at the George Washington Memorial, found in Alexandria, Virginia, which is only a train ride from Washington. The train would take us in to Washington, in which the rest of the day is ours to watch the parade and see the museums of the city.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin 

Centennial Memory #65: al-Aksa Chapter Members Serve as City Officials

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 1937, the Altoona city government was lead by members of al-Aksa Chapter, Order of DeMolay. Twenty three members of the Chapter served in various roles as city officials. The terms may have only been for a day, but this served as a great learning experience for the DeMolay youth. A formal inauguration was performed and Brother Robert Faulkender was sworn in as mayor. Below, you will find the article from the Altoona Mirror that explains all of the workings of this arrangements and a biography of the young men from al-Aksa Chapter who served in various city positions.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin

Centennial Memory #66: Evolution of the Convention Yearbook

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.

At the annual Convention, every member and Advisor of DeMolay is accustomed to receiving a PA DeMolay Yearbook. The Yearbook has had many forms over the years. It started as a Convention program, providing information of the Convention location and activities, messages from the Executive Officer and State Master Councilor, and providing a few ads from sponsoring bodies. The book turned into more of an ad-book, in which Chapters sold ads to local businesses and lodges to send a message that they'd like to have featured in the book. Some Chapters took it upon themselves to start sending photos to add to their message. The concept advanced to focus more on DeMolay photos rather than just ads in the early 2000's. In 2007, the Convention book turned into a Yearbook. The cover was given a colorful makeover, while the inside pages remained black and white print. By this point, more photos were added to make it more of a Yearbook than a program or ad-book. In 2012, the Yearbook had turned into a full color production. Chapters are encouraged to buy photo pages of their best memories throughout the year. Advertisements are still welcome, but encouraged to place photos within the pages. Below you will see photos from the Convention books to see the progression that has been made over the years.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin