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.

Top Ten: PA DeMolay in 2016

The new year has been upon us for roughly two weeks now, but this weekend is the official start of the new year for PA DeMolay with Cowboys VS. Aliens Weekend. Although 2016 is behind us, the year brought us some great moments. If you weren't around for 2016, then here is a top ten list of what you missed out on:

10. Jacques DeMolay himself joined us for this years Jacquestoberfest. In October, the members of PA DeMolay participated in an "Oktoberfest" style festival. The members ate German inspired food, drank plenty of Birch Beer, and competed in a DeMolay Decathlon. Jacques DeMolay arrived to enjoy the ceremonial festivities with the members of PA DeMolay.

9. Friendship-Bray Chapter hosts a meeting with over 150 Master Masons in attendance. This was also the first meeting that FBC returned home to their original location in Jenkintown, after several years in Hatboro. Its always great to see such great support coming from the Masonic Family.

8. Dodgeball for Dyslexia grows into a spectacular annual event. This year was the second event, and plans are already in motion for a successful 2017 tournament. Chapters and Masonic groups gathered to help raise money for a great cause. Nearly $1,000 was raised and donated to the Learning Centers in Lancaster, Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. 

7. PA DeMolay accepted the mission to become secret agents at 007: Secret Agent Weekend. The weekend included a Sky Fall mission (a trip to Sky Zone,) and a Casino Royal event hosted by the Elected State Officers. Members enjoyed fancy drinks, played casino games, and enjoyed refreshments served by their favorite DeMolay Advisors (including the Executive Officer.)

6. The Judge is back on the road. For a short while, the traveling gavel, known as the Judge, was stuck in one location. Thanks to the help of Mitchell Holmes and the Elected State Officers, the judge is back on the road. Chapters that have already held it since September are Lorraine, Templar, Westmoreland and Northeast. 

5. PA DeMolay is still being different... by taking the show to Hollywood. Before Convention 2016 (If you weren't there, I'm sorry) SMC Adam Pritchard was encouraging PA DeMolay to "Be Different." During the 2016 Convention, in-going SMC Eric Dye introduced his theme for the year: Lights, Camera, Action: PA DeMolay Goes Hollywood. The year has been exciting with new events still to come.

4. NERF or Nothing! In January, PA DeMolay hosted the first ever all NERF weekend with Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend (Please ask Jake Beers what it stands for if you really want to know.) The function room was set up into a War Zone with games going on all day long. Congratulations to all of the winners.

3. PA DeMolay beats the Right Worshipful Grand Master in a game of Basketball. At Grand Master's Class, the RWGM of Masons in Pennsylvania, Raymond T. Dietz, challenged the members of DeMolay to a game of PIG, a basketball game in which a letter is given to a participant who misses a basket. Brothers Mitch Holmes and Kody Anderson won the game, $5 for every member, and bragging rights for all of PA DeMolay. 

2. "Dad" Samuel C. Williamson was inducted into the DeMolay International Hall of Fame. "Dad" Williamson has been a staple in the activities that are PA DeMolay for over 30 years. Since his resume is so detailed, I will save the length of this section, just know that PA DeMolay would not operate without his overwhelming support.

1. We brought in 100 new members this year. We had a really great year in membership this year, keeping the brotherhood going for several new young brothers. 

Wow! That's a lot to take in. 2016 really was an exciting year. So, how does PA DeMolay plan to make 2017 just as exciting? You'll have to wait and find out, but I can promise you that you will not be disappointed.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin         

Honor Roll Challenge in Philadelphia

Are you a member of DeMolay that gets honor roll on their report cards? If so, then your chapter or region may want to consider this idea. Several years ago, the Philadelphia region put together an Honor Roll Challenge for all of the members from Friendship-Bray, Northeast and Chester Pike Chapters who receive A's and B's on their final report cards. A copy of the report card is sent to Deputy Executive Officer Rick Freedman before a specific deadline. The program is back by popular demand, with the challenge being held on August 20, 2016. This year's deadline for report cards is July 8th, 2016.

You're probably wondering what happens at this Honor Roll Challenge that makes it so special. The members are taken to an awesome restaurant, as well as a fun activity afterward such as Dave and Busters, bowling or laser tag. Although I never personally had a chance to attend, several members of my chapter expressed excitement about the great time they had. This also motivated to continue working hard so they could attend the following year. The whole concept of the Honor Roll Challenge is to prove to the young men that hard work really does pay off. This program gives a great incentive to the members of DeMolay, pushing them to work hard for good grades.

One of the main teachings that makes DeMolay great is the appreciation for our educational system. This is a perfect opportunity to show that we value the future of our members. Take some time to appreciate the knowledge of the members in your chapter or region.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin  

Be Different Spotlight: Friendship-Bray Chapter

The following post is part of a series entitled the “Be Different Spotlight.” This post will display a chapter’s effort to grasp the concept of the theme for this year. Each chapter was challenged by the State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard, to “Be Different.” 

Challenge Accepted! This is the story of how Friendship-Bray Chapter embraced that challenge...

On Tuesday, December 8^th, 2015 members and advisors of Friendship-Bray Chapter visited Baldi Middle School in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia. The event, which was organized by FBC advisor and Fox Chase Elementary School Principal “Dad” Rob Caroselli, was a first look at DeMolay for many young men in Northeast Philadelphia and the surrounding communities.

Young men and parents were invited to a question and answer session about what the organization has to offer. While the young men were excited to hear about events like Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend and Laser Tag, the parents were thrilled to hear that DeMolay and its advisors strive to help make its members better sons and good upstanding citizens. The Chapter was prepared with brochures provided by PA DeMolay and personalized for our specific Chapter and events.

Four of the seven young men present received their obligations January 3^rd and will receive their complete degrees at Patriots Class on February 13^th. Two other young men who have attended a few of the recent Chapter activates will also receive their degrees at Patriots Class.

The new members have already talked about bringing their friends into the Chapter after the amazing time they had at Operation N.A.S.H.V.I.L.L.E. Training Weekend. We expect the size of FBC to double in the coming months.


Friendship-Bray continues to stand out and BE DIFFERENT. On March 6^th at the stated meeting of Friendship-Bray Chapter, the members will kick off DeMolay Month by hosting dozens of visiting Masons including several District Deputy Grand Masters. This exposure and excitement will undoubtedly continue the resurgence of the once again Mighty FBC! Here we grow again!

This blog post was written by Friendship-Bray's Chapter Advisor, "Dad" Dennis Hunter.. Thank you "Dad" Hunter for your contribution.

Friendship-Bray Chapter has completed the challenge to “Be Different.” What has your chapter done in order to change things up a bit? Send in program details or write a post for your chapter and send it to me at JAPullin@pademolay.net.

Five Fun Years of FBC

The PA DeMolay Offices are in overdrive as we continue to gear up for Key Man University and Convention 2014. So, today, we thought we'd share something special. This is a scan of a fifth anniversary publication from Friendship - Bray Chapter, one of the oldest Chapters in PA. This scan details the early history of the Chapter and has some neat call backs to what DeMolays did more than 75 years ago. Check it out! (Click the image to make it larger.)



Make sure you stop back on Thursday for another round of Department information from KMU! Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony