Forrest M. LaSuer, secretary of the Tacoma Moose Lodge, won a membership drive contest in June 1949. Harold Jordan, secretary of the Kelso-Longview Moose Lodge, lost the contest and was required to push LaSuer in a wheelbarrow, wearing a feed-sack dress with bonnet. LaSuer enjoyed the ride - he is wearing his own bonnet and night shirt, is holding a baby bottle and smoking a cigar. Jordan pushed the triumphant LaSuer past the Moose Lodge quarters at 737 Commerce St. (7/5/1949, p.2)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Wheelbarrows; Bottle feeding--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigars; Bonnets; Dresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; LaSuer, Forrest M.; Jordan, Harold;

Layout on Junior League activities, Tribune, Mrs. Franklin Deltastation. A woman is standing at a sand table with a young girl while a young boy grips ski poles affixed to toy skis. The room is furnished with a low table and shelves with other toys and books.

Junior League (Tacoma); Children playing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sand; Children skiing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Elks Band was playing and majorette Gloria Ellexson was performing while club members waited on July 7, 1949 at Union Station for the train taking them to the national convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tacoma Elks ritual team, which held the state championship, together with coach Russ Barlow, would also compete in Cleveland. It was reported during the convention that Gloria Ellexson, a student at the College of Puget Sound, had been named national champion drum majorette. Ordered by Harry Lynch, Elks Club. (TNT, 7/6/1l949, p.10; TNT, 7/13/1949, p.1)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Marching bands; Bands--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ellexson, Gloria; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Annual meeting of the American Red Cross at the Chapter House in Tacoma in July 1949. . The Pierce County chapter was offering free home nursing courses. The program had awarded 274 home nursing certificates to students, housewives and Army wives during the previous year. It was also the first year that classes were held for Army wives at Fort Lewis. (photo taken for Mrs. Thomson) TNT, 7/7/1949, p.6)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Nurses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950;

115 Boy Scout executives met at the College of Puget Sound in September, 1950, for a week long training session on administration and finance. Although the Boy Scout leaders meet annually, this was the first time they had ever met in Tacoma. Seven national leaders and Governor Arthur B. Langlie were also in attendance. (TNT 9-3-50, p. A-6)

Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--Buildings; Group portraits;

Tacoma Master Builders Association meeting. J. Howard Kane, executive vice president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association, points to a location on a Tacoma city map. He is seated before a group of association members, possibly preparing for the National Home Week to be held the week of September 10th. Third from the left in glasses is Mel Pedersen, president of the association. (TNT 9-10-50, p. B-2)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Kane, J. Howard; Pedersen, Mel;

ca. 1950. Mel Pedersen holds on to a Tacoma Master Builders Association desktop sign and jointly grips a warranty deed with probably Edward Miller in 1950. Pedersen is the president of the association which prided itself on quality workmanship. Each year the Master Builders sponsored the National Home Week, generally held in September.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Pedersen, Mel;

The Vera T. Davis Orthopedic Guild presented their annual puppet show on October 14, 1950, at the Jason Lee auditorium. Practicing before an appreciative audience of four wide-eyed youngsters is show chairman Mrs. Robert E. Meyer and her large marionette, Paul Bunyan, lumberjack renowned. Standing are Donald Urban (6) and Danny Barclay (7) with Anitra Vadheim (3) and John Ogren (2 1/2) at their feet. "Paul Bunyan and the Adventure of the Wooden Hotcakes" was performed twice that Saturday. Children of this era were already familiar with marionettes such as the very popular Howdy Doody, who was broadcast by NBC starting in 1947, and Disney's Pinocchio, which was released in 1940. (TNT 10-10-50, p. 8)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Vera T. Davis Guild (Tacoma); Puppets; Meyer, Robert E.--Family; Urban, Donald; Barclay, Danny; Vadheim, Anitra; Ogren, John;

Several ladies admire a garden of chrysanthemums which is still blooming in mid-September, 1950. Elsie (Mrs. Henry J.) Walters, president of the Tacoma and District Chrysanthemum Society holds up a bouquet of mums for the approval of Neva (Mrs. William) Lyness, president of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. The Tacoma Orthopedic Association has been invited to share in the proceeds of the annual chrysanthemum show in exchange for assisting in ticket sales. From left to right in the photograph are Mrs. Harley Gower, Mrs. Oscar Olson, Mrs. Elvin Elliott, Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Lyness. Photograph commissioned by Mrs. Elliott of the Tacoma and District Chrysanthemum Society. (TNT 9-22-50, p. 10, TNT 10-6-50, p. 14))

Tacoma & District Chrysanthemum Society (Tacoma); Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysanthemums--Tacoma;

Tacoma Philharmonic Association. Sitting left to right are Constance (Mrs. David T.) Hellyer and Muriel (Mrs. Everett P.) Nelson of the Tacoma Philharmonic Association. Mrs. Hellyer had called on Mrs. Nelson, who is the general chairman for the Tacoma Philharmonic membership drive, to discuss campaign plans. Mrs. Hellyer is co-chairman. The membership drive starts on October 1 and attention is focused on the "Spring Music Festival" which replaces the customary fall performances. (TNT 9-1-50, p. C-6)

Tacoma Philharmonic Association (Tacoma); Hellyer, Constance H.; Nelson, Muriel; Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma);

The Lincoln Lions Club sponsored athletic events for kids at Lincoln Park on August 11, 1950. Here three Lions have their hands full of baseball bats, water floaters and rings as they stand in front of several youngsters. These appear to have been some of the prizes for events won. The young boy on the far right has a first place certificate leaning against the wooden tennis racket he holds in his hands.

Lions Club (Tacoma); Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sporting goods;

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;

A large contingent of Royal Arch Masons gathered at the sandstone quarry in Tenino for Masonic ceremonies on August 5, 1950. The men are posed in front of the massive quarry walls. Masonic chapters from Washington and Oregon attended the members-only event which was sponsored by the Centralia Chapter #44. A block of Tenino stone can be found in the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

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

ca. 1950. Interior photograph of club. It is five minutes to one and the dance floor is empty. The piano, drums and jukebox are silent at the Tacoma Aerie No. 3 chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The grand opening of new club rooms at 13th and Fawcett Avenue was on October 4, 1940. Barely a year later, the Eagles celebrated the opening of the club's completely remodeled lounge and basement quarters. It was necessary to have additional space due to the large increase of members who would be able to enjoy the new furnishings and modernistic furniture. (TNT 10-4-40, Tacoma Progress edition, p. 15-20; TNT 12-20-41, p.11)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 3 (Tacoma); Jukeboxes;

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;

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a sandstone quarry in Tenino. The men in overalls kneeling are officers of the Centralia Chapter #44, Royal Arch Masons, sponsors of the gathering which conferred the Mark Master degree that day. Third from the left is Francis J. Paulus, high priest. In the back row standing are officers of the Sunset Chapter #23, Royal Arch Masons, who opened the Lodge of Mark Masters. Third from the right in top hat is Ted Miller, high priest. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

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

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a Tenino sandstone quarry for ceremonies conferring the Mark Master degree. Members from Washington and Oregon gathered for the event sponsored by the Centralia Chapter #44 of the Royal Arch Masons. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26) TPL-6407

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

Masonic ceremony in quarry. Members of the Royal Arch Masons with regalia pose in the sandstone quarry at Tenino in August, 1950. Various chapters met to confer the Mark Master degree to more than one hundred candidates. This ceremony was for members only; the general public was not admitted. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

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

Two members of the Royal Arch Masons help a third member register outside the sandstone quarry in Tenino on August 5, 1950. Masons from Washington and Oregon gathered to confer the Mark Masters degree.

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

Various Masonic chapters met on August 5, 1950, in a Tenino sandstone quarry for ceremonies conferring the Mark Master degree. Members from Washington and Oregon gathered for the event sponsored by the Centralia Chapter #44 of the Royal Arch Masons. This view taken from the rear shows the massiveness of the quarry walls contrasted with the size of the men before them. Sandstone from this Tenino quarry was used in construction of the old state capitol in Olympia. (TNT 8-1-50, p. 26)

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

On June 28, 1950, three unidentified members of the Alice Franklin Junior Orthopedic Guild pose with nautical equipment supplied by Steven Marine Supply. By 1954, there were 20 JOG's in the Tacoma area, each sponsored by a senior orthopedic guild of the same name. The junior guilds drew members from various local high schools with the purpose of raising money to help the Tacoma Orthopedic Association's humanitarian efforts. They promoted bake sales, dances, skating parties and other similar activities. In 1954 the JOG's were accused of opening the door for the establishment of sororities in the Tacoma high schools.(TNT 2-21-54, p. A-2)

Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Alice Franklin Junior Guild (Tacoma); Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Steven Marine Supply (Tacoma); Steering wheels; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Seven well-dressed women pose at the Top of the Ocean on July 15, 1950. This group of ladies belonged to the women's auxiliary of the Order of AHEPA, a fraternal organization which met at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Order of AHEPA (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--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;

The interior of Normanna Hall was decorated as an outdoor setting for the Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting and Grand Council Fire. The ceremonies included a Fire Lighting dance by the Tacoho girls in Indian costume. The awarding of ranks and honors was given by Janice Stenson, executive director. The Blue Birds, junior organization of the Camp Fire Girls, "Flew-up" into Camp Fire with the Camp Fire Girls removing the blue ties and replacing them with Camp Fire ties. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Normanna Hall (Tacoma);

Winners and officials of Yo-yo Contest sponsored by the youth guidance committee of the Tacoma Eagles Lodge. More than 50 contestants took part in the contest. Terry Wadsworth and Raymond Whitson were the champions for 1950. Robert S. Temme, Frank M. Kellogg, Art Hefty and Rtuh Bethel were a few of the judges. (TNT, 6/2/1950, p.D-6)

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

Tacoma's delegates to Alpha Iota's Silver Jubilee convention are seen at Union Station with their luggage reviewing time tables from Union Pacific Railroad as they head for San Francisco. Alpha Iota was the business women's sorority. They are, L-R, Sophie Forslund, Mrs. Keith Melendy, Frances Carmichael, May Meyer, Anna Pursley and Mary Frian. Lela Young is seated on the suitcase. (TNT, 7/9/1950, p.D-9) TPL-8403

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alpha Iota (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Luggage; Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Five of the adult leaders who attended the Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting at Normanna Hall pose in front of a tipi. The three candles in the foreground represent the watchwords of Camp Fire Girls: Work, Love and Health. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Tipis--Tacoma;

Camp Fire Girls' General Council Meeting at Normanna Hall. Four Camp Fire girls are performing in front of a tipi during the opening ceremonies of the Grand Council Fire. Janice Poage is playing clarinet and another girl is playing an Indian-style drum. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.19)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Tipis--Tacoma; Poage, Janice; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musical instruments--Tacoma;

American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps from the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2. The twenty-two members of the marching band pose with their musical instruments. The drum major stands on the right and the majorette is seen with her battons on the left. Ordered by Tom Hibben.

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drums; Bugles; Marching bands; Band uniforms--Tacoma;