DeMolay members beautify downtown VW

VW independent/submitted information

Members of the Van Wert Chapter of DeMolay got their hands dirty this past weekend while helping beautify downtown Van Wert. Eighteen planters line the sidewalks along Main Street, needing planting and maintenance every spring and summer. This year, Van Wert DeMolay volunteered to plant them and will be assisting with fertilizing and watering throughout the summer months.

With help from Laurie’s Naturescapes, DeMolay members moved planters to the nursery, mixed soil, placed lush flowering annuals in each planter and then returned them to Main Street.

MSVW Program Manager Adam Ries said he and his organization are thankful to Van Wert DeMolay members, along with Laurie’s Naturescapes, Open Minded, Rehab Fab, and local residents Cory Linser, Martha and Louis Balyeat, and Larry Webb for volunteering time and/or vehicles on planting day.

Van Wert DeMolay currently has 20 active members and is one of the most influential chapters in Ohio. DeMolay is a youth fraternity for young men between the ages of 12 and 21. It is a program for young adults to learn leadership skills while receiving opportunities and making connections that the average teen may not have exposure to.

The Van Wert Chapter, Order of DeMolay, is always accepting new members, and any eligible young man interested in joining may contact them. Young women looking for the same opportunities may be interested in learning more about the Rainbow Assembly.

A public DeMolay ceremony is also being planned to recognize current International Master Councilor Bob Laing, who will soon be leaving DeMolay. Van Wert DeMolay invites anyone Laing has ever touched throughout his DeMolay career to attend. The service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Masonic Temple in downtown Van Wert.

Any students interested in DeMolay or Rainbow Assembly may contact Joe Linser at 567.242.9507.