Reunion of Scottish Rite. The 91st reunion of the Scottish Rite concluded on November 24, 1951, with the exemplification of the 30th degree of Knight Kadosh. The Scottish Rite choir performed musical rituals for the degrees. View of members of the Scottish Rite; those seated have on Masonic regalia. (TNT 11-23-51, p. 13)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Reunions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Thirty-eight Tri Delta sorority women fill one end of this living room wearing floor length formals in this photograph from October of 1951. According to the 1952 College of Puget Sound yearbook, the Tamanawas, the Betas affiliated with the Tri Delts. During fall term they held a barn dance, a banquet for founders' day and a formal with the Sigma Nu's. (Tamanawas, 1952)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Fourteen new pledges to the Pi Beta Phi sorority pose for a group portrait at the home of Mrs. Addison Forrester in September, 1951. The Pi Phi Mothers Club sponsored a reception honoring the new members. Pi Beta Phi was the first national sorority at the College of Puget Sound; it absorbed local sorority Kappa Sigma Theta in September, 1948. The C.P.S. chapter was the 94th in the nation and born the title of Washington Gamma. Pi Beta Phi was one of the oldest national women's social sororities and actively participated in a settlement school in Tennessee. Photograph commissioned by Pi Phi Mothers Club. (Tamanawas, 1950, p. 168)

Pi Beta Phi (Tacoma); Group portraits--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pi Phi Mothers Club (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Pi Phi Mothers Club hosted a reception for new pledges at the home of Mrs. Addison Forrester in September, 1951. View of large group of pledges and current sorority members in living room of the Forrester residence on North Washington. The College of Puget Sound welcomed Pi Beta Phi in September, 1948, as the campus' first national sorority. Pi Beta Phi had a long tradition as one of the oldest national women's social sororities and participated in many philanthropic deeds, including active participation in a settlement school in Tennessee. The Pi Phi chapter at C.P.S. is the 94th in the nation and bears the title Washington Gamma. Photograph commissioned by Pi Phi Mothers Club. (Tamanawas, 1950, p. 168)

Pi Beta Phi (Tacoma); Group portraits--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pi Phi Mothers Club (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Four retiring officers of the Delta Theta sorority are posed in an August, 1951, photograph. They had turned over their positions to new officers at the sorority installation banquet held at Crawford's Sea Grill restaurant on August 27, 1951. From L to R are Janie Wilhelmi (outgoing recording secretary), Junice Ates (outgoing president), Jean Trovani (outgoing vice president) and Myrna Scheckner (outgoing corresponding secretary). All four young ladies are college bound: Wilhelmi to Washington State College, Ates and Trovani to the University of Washington, and Scheckner to the Colorado Women's College. (TNT 9-3-51, p. 18)

Delta Theta Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Wilhelmi, Janie; Ates, Junice; Trovani, Jean; Scheckner, Myrna; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960;

For the second year in a row, the Royal Arch Masons of Washington met at the Tenino sandstone quarry to confer the Mark Masters degree to certain recipients in an outdoor ceremony. Royal Arch Masons from throughout Washington congregated in August, 1951; invitations were limited to Masons only and not the general public. Centralia Chapter #44 coordinated the gathering while officers of Sunset Chapter #23, Chehalis, opened the ceremonies. (TNT 8-9-51, B-5)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

A large gathering of Royal Arch Masons met for the second year in a row at the Tenino sandstone quarry to confer the degree of Mark Masters to qualified members in an outdoor ceremony. Royal Arch Masons from throughout the state attended the August, 1951, gathering which was sponsored by the Centralia Chapter #44. Ceremonies were opened by the officers of the Sunset chapter #23, Chehalis, with Donald C. Rogers, state head of the order, and his officials in attendance. The Mark Masters degree is built upon a legendary incident which took place during the quarrying of stone for the building of King Solomon's temple. (TNT 8-9-51, B-5)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Afifi Shrine members give big smiles to their young guests as they plan the annual Shrine picnic. The three little girls and young boy are all holding paper ice cream cones as are two of the committee men. The picnic in 1951 was held at the chateau of the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club near the Brookdale Golf Club. It featured contests, ball games, a concert by the Afifi Band, family dinner and closing dance. (TNT 8-8-51, B-3)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);

New officers were installed at the South Tacoma Eagles, Aerie No. 2933, on June 12, 1951. Shown in the front row, officers are, L-R, Lloyd Alton, inside guard; Michael Sterbick, chaplain; Ivan P. Borsky, trustee; Walter Grunert, outside guard. In the rear, Charles Booth, trustee; Jack Burr, secretary; E.M. Riggs, past president; Chester Booth, trustee; Charles D. McCoy, president; George Dalton; vice president; Ralph Bjornstad, conductor, and Jack Triplett, treasurer. Ordered by C.D. McCoy. (TNT, 6/14, 1951, p.12)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 2933 (Tacoma); Alton, Lloyd; Sterbick, Michael J.; Borsky, Ivan P.; Grunert, Walter; Booth, Charles; Burr, Jack; Riggs, E.M.; Booth, Chester; McCoy, Charles D.; Dalton, George;

Scottish Rite group of fourteen men in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Reunion class, Scottish Rite, at the Masonic Temple.

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reunions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

In honor of Flag Day 1951, the Tacoma Elks held special services at their Lodge at 565 Broadway. Preparing for the rites were, L-R, Erling O. Johnson, secretary and speaker for the occasion; Harold L Duncan, exalted ruler; and Burritt B. Anderson, Loyal Knight and Flag Day chairman. The centerpiece for the ceremony was a replica based on Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph of the flag raising on Iwo Jima during World War II. The observance of Flag Day originated with the Elks organization in 1907. In 1949, President Woodrow Wilson, himself a member of the Elks, made June 14th a day of national observance for that symbol of our country. Photograph ordered by the Elks. (TNT, 6/13/1951, p.9; www.elks.org)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Anderson, Burritt B.; Johnson, Erling O.; Duncan, Harold;

Dr. Wilmot D. Read is wearing a traditional Scottish Rite cap in this studio portrait. Dr. Read was born in Iowa in 1880 and came to Tacoma in 1889. He attended grade and high school in Tacoma. He graduated from Cooper- Medical College (Stanford University) in 1903 and returned to Tacoma to begin his medical practice. In 1904 he served as assistant superintendent of Western State Hospital. In 1922 he organized Tacoma's first Public Health League. He was also a leader in the prepaid medical service field. Dr. Read served overseas with the Medical Corps during World War I. He was married to Kathryn Mae Read and had two sons, Dr. Jess W. Read, surgeon, and Dr. Robert D. Read, dentist, both of Tacoma. Dr. Read died April 1958 at age 78. Ordered by Scottish Rite. (TNT, 4/3/1958)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Insignia--Tacoma; Portrait photographs; Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Read, Wilmot D., 1880-1958; Physicians--Tacoma;

Several members of Moose Lodge 435 pose together following the installation of the newly elected 1951-52 officers, headed by Robert C. Hague as governor. He is seated second from the left. Other officers were William L. Curtwright as junior governor, C. Stan Falk as prelate, Norman S. Sater as trustee, and Fred C. Kellsey for his 20th year as treasurer.They are wearing tuxedoes and boutonnieres. Other festivities for the weekend included the annual officers' ball on Saturday night and a breakfast Sunday morning honoring retiring governor C. Chet Stone. (TNT, 4/27/1951, p.B-5)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Men--Social life--1950-1960; Tuxedoes; Hauge, Robert C.;

James M. Ballard, of Seattle, left, and national supreme junior governor, hands the gavel to Robert C. Hauge as he was installed as the new governor of the Tacoma Moose Lodge on April 24, 1951. Mr. Hauge was a graduate of Lincoln High School and Pacific Lutheran College and was a teacher at Vaughn School on the Gig Harbor Peninsula. John H. Anderson, mayor of Tacoma, is standing second from the right, and S. Ralph Frazier, special representative of the supreme lodge enrollment department, stands on the right. (TNT, 4/27/1951, p.B-5)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Hauge, Robert C.; Anderson, John H.; Frazier, S. Ralph; Ballard, James M.; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Men--Social life--1950-1960;

Winners and officials of the yo-yo Contest sponsored by the youth guidance committee of the Tacoma Eagles Lodge in 1951. The tall boy in the center of the standing row is Alan Michener.

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Yo-yos; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two local-area boys smile broadly on April 16, 1951, after winning the Yo-yo contest sponsored by the youth guidance committee of the Tacoma Eagles Lodge and Duncan Yo-yos. The boy on the right is Alan Michener. In 1928, Donald F. Duncan, an entrepreneur who also introduced Good Humour Ice Cream, Eskimo Pies and the parking meter, bought the Flores Yo-yo factory and the rights to the name Yo-yo. During the thirties and forties, the wily businessman promoted his product through professional demonstrators, who could "Walk the Dog," "Shoot the Moon" and "Rock the Cradle." Generations of kids competed in Duncan-sponsored contests, showing off the latest tricks. The two young winners above, wearing embossed vests proclaiming them to be Duncan Yo-yo champions, may have used the the new plastic models of yo-yos first introduced in 1950. By the 1950's, the Baby Boomers promoted America's Favorite Toy to the position of Cultural Craze; every kid in the playground had to have one. (www.yo-yos.net) TPL-8832

Fraternal Order of Eagles (Tacoma); Yo-yos; Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Michener, Alan;

New officers were installed at the Tacoma Lodge of Elks for 1951-1952 May 5, 1951, at an impressive ceremony under the direction of the past exalted rulers. The new exalted ruler was Harold L. (Bud) Duncan. Other officers were John S. Roberts, leading knight; Arthur J. Emery, lecturing knight; E.O. Johnson, secretary; Walter E. Leggett, treasurer; Arthur Stolen, trustee; and Swan Johnson, tiler. (TNT, 4/6/1951, p.C-7)

Elks Temple (Tacoma); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Inaugurations--Tacoma;

Scottish Rite group in the Corinthian room of the Masonic Temple. A branch of the Freemasons, this group has its roots not in Scotland, but in France. Its title is in honor of Scottish Masons who fled to France after the Jacobite Rebellion failed in 1715. The group was organized in the U.S. in 1801 and membership is available to those obtaining the rank of Master Mason. The rite consists on 32 degrees plus an honorary 33rd degree & each degree costs about $150 (in 1978.) The Scottish Rite is one of the paths to becoming a Shriner. ("Fraternal Organizations" by Alvin J. Schmidt & "Handbook of Secret Organizations" by William J. Whalen)

Scottish Rite (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Exposure of Elks sponsored handball team. This Tacoma handball team competed in the Pacific Northwest AAU Championships in Spokane March 30-31, 1951. The team was sponsored by the Tacoma Elks Lodge, No. 174. Pictured on the front row, left to right, are George Baydo, Swan Johnson, and Bill Reel. The back row, left to right, is comprised of Pete Sabutis, Bill Faraone, Ernie Johnson, Jack Baty and Bob Holder. Faraone was the Tacoma city singles champion and he also held the doubles title with partner Ernie Johnson. Faraone, a Tacoma police officer, won the singles title in Spokane. (TNT 3/27/1951, pg. 21) TPL-10516

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Handball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Athletes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baydo, George; Johnson, Swan; Reel, Bill; Sabutis, Pete; Faraone, Bill; Johnson, Ernie; Baty, Jack; Holder, Bob;

Moose lodge officials at Temple

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Men--Social life--1950-1960; Moose Temple (Tacoma);

The Amity chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star held its 26th annual installation of officers March 21, 1951 in the Gothic room of the Masonic Temple. The installation was followed by a reception in the roof garden. (for a list of new officers, see TNT 3/18/1951, pg D-11)

Order of Eastern Star Amity Chapter No. 219 (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

Group of approximately 50 people for Zora Temple #5, Daughters of the Nile. Queens and officers of neighboring temples attended a ceremonial on March 1, 1951 at which Mrs. Merle Heitzman, of Salt Lake City, Supreme Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, made an official visit to Zora Temple #5. At the Masonic Temple, amid a setting of oriental rugs and palms, Mrs. Heitzman regaled the group with her adventures visiting the 100 Nile temples in the U.S., Canada and Hawaii. Entertainment was provided: an exhibition drill by the Egyptian Patrols, special music by the Egyptian chorus and a performance by the temple dancers. (TNT 2/25/1951, pg. D-9)

Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes--Egyptian; Costumes--Russian; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Headdresses; Masonic Temple (Tacoma);

In December of 1950, Mikel Ann Thomas was dressed as the New Year wearing a tall party hat and a ribbon across her chest. She was helping with the promotion of the Elks New Year's Eve dance. Mikel was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thomas. The Elks promised a festive evening with many favors and surprises. Ordered by the Elks. (TNT, 12/27/1950, p.23)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Thomas, Mikel Ann; Holidays--Tacoma;

Thirty one members of Delta Kapa Phi at the College of Puget Sound pose for their group portrait on their porch with Santa Claus. The fraternity held a Christmas Party for underpriviledged children in 1950. The fraternity had 58 active members this year. A sign hanging from the porch has the Greek letters painted on it . (1951 Tamanawas)

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Delta Kappa Phi (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma;

Program at Elks Club. Ordered by B. Anderson.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Moose Troop 435, Boy Scouts of America, was organized in September, 1950. It was sponsored by Tacoma Lodge 435, Loyal Order of Moose, as part of their civic affairs program. Scoutmaster J. F. (Lucky) Wahl shares the troop application form with Joseph Ryan, the first member of the troop. The young Scout with his hand across Scoutmaster Wahl's shoulders is believed to be Stanley Blattner. Wayne Ruoff, holding the sign identifying the troop, stands next to Douglas Ruoff. (TNT 9-17-50, p. A-9)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New officers of Order of Runeberg, Wedgewood Room. The western district Order of Runeberg held their biennial convention in Tacoma in August, 1950. Newly elected officers pose smilingly in the Hotel Winthrop's Wedgewood Room. There were 75 official delegates to the convention and 118 visitors, with over 60 from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Eureka. The Order of Runeberg is named for Johan Ludvig Runeberg, a noted Finnish poet. His poems and essays, based on Swedish culture, have been compared with Goethe and Shakespeare. (TNT 8-11-50, p. 5, 8-15-50, p. 14, TNT 8-16-50, p. 6)

Order of Runeberg (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a Tenino sandstone quarry for ceremonies conferring the Mark Master degree. Members are scrambling over rocks at the quarry. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26) TPL-6406

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;

Grand officers of the Royal Arch Masons of Washington and Oregon were among Masons gathered at the sandstone quarry in Tenino on August 5, 1950. They were present to confer the Mark Master degree. The ritualistic work of the Mark Master degree is built around a legendary incident which took place during the quarrying of stone for the building of King Solomon's temple. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

Royal Arch Masons; Fraternal organizations; Sandstone quarrying--Tenino;