The Grit City Podcast - Episodes Tagged with “Pythian Temple”

GCP: St. Paddy's Sermon

GCP Media — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 07:30:00 -0700

This time the crew discusses top travel plans, Point Defiance AAZK Pet Pageant - Silly Edition, past episodes that have stood out over the years, and being a part of the gym rat family.

00:00 – This episode kicks off discussing if they would take DNA tests, Jeff opens a beer to cheer St. Patrick’s Day, and Justin talks about his past vendetta against Oregon. Jeff expresses his want to visit Ireland, his tropical preference over cold areas, and Justin talks about his family lineage in Ireland. He talks about the cheese exchange with his Irish friend and Scott ponders on American Chinese dishes not having cheese in them.

17:45 – Justin talks about the different pets you can vote for with the Point Defiance AAZK Pet Pageant - Silly Edition, the other people in their crew that have also added their pets to the pageant, and the top pet that’s currently in the lead. Jeff shares that Lemmy is also an amazing pet up for votes, Justin talks about the new owners of Off Day, and seeing Craig Ferguson at the Tacoma Comedy Club.

36:31 – Jeff reflects on taking a box full of pennies to concerts, past concert incidents, and Justin expresses his frustrations with getting yelled at during a Snoop Dog concert. Scott talks about rappers tossing out joints at concerts, Justin talks about Girl Trouble tossing out toys during theirs, and Scott expresses his love of artist and GCP friend Ken Carlson.

53:04 – They reflect on their tour back in the day of the Pythian Temple, the great night GCP attended the screening of Penny Palabras, and GCP's future plans. Justin talks about attending a red-carpet event at Organically Grown Muscle. He talks about him and Michelle going as Barbie and Ken, Jeff congrats Justin for officially being a part of the gym rat family, and Justin promotes Michelle to official defender of the house.

Dunkelberger Returns with More Tacoma History

GCP Media — Mon, 17 May 2021 04:00:00 -0700

GCP is back recording in person!! Their first live guest is the great friend of the podcast, Steve Dunkelberger. Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around the Puget Sound. In addition to being a journalist, he is also a judge for the Society of Professional Journalists National Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Awards. He has also has given lectures in the area on issues facing journalists, is a member of the Knights of the Pythias, and offers Drunken History tours of Tacoma. Steve has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and has just published his newest book on McNeil Island, and is currently working on two more. He has also had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine. His past GCP episodes are Episode 10, a Best Of on Jake Bird, Episode 17 where the guys get to tour The Knights of Pythias’s Commencement Lodge #7, Episode 44 where they discuss The Maury Island Incident, Episode 61 where they talk Drunk History, Episode 73: JBLM, Episode 88, and Episode 109.

00:00 – Robo Brogan kicks off the show, Steve shares how what he’s been doing during Covid, and his plans for returning to do Steve’s Drunken History Tacoma in person. Scott expresses his appreciation for Steve’s moccasins, they discuss reasons for US to return to the moon, and Justin gives an update on the haps at the Union Club. Steve talks about what’s been going on at the Pythian temple, projects that they’re working on there, and what his favorite artifact is.

20:53 – Steve tells the George Janovich story including George’s involvement in The Enterprise, how they got caught for burning down The Top of Ocean restaurant, and the books he’s working on, one around Fort Steilacoom, the other on the History of Medical Care in Pierce County. He talks other pandemics throughout history, plans for publishing the books, and the different things he does around the community.

45:30 – They question why there isn’t a beer in a box like wine, Scott reflects on the importance of a tap when throwing a party, and Justin tlks about plans for a kegerator for the home bar. Justin gives an update on the home studio, shifts to coaster question, and Steve talks about his go to drink during the pandemic. They jump into Is It Tacoma, Steve, Jeff, and Scott break out their pocketknives, and Scott shares things he considers before he buys a knife.

60:03 – Steve talks about his trip to Ohio, the food culture that’s missing in Toledo, and shares the three things about Ohio that he doesn’t understand. Justin talks about the fireworks in Tacoma, how the cops in Tacoma feel about people shooting off fireworks, and Steve dives into an article around the Unsolved Mysteries in Tacoma. He talks about the native American legend stories behind Bigfoot, the number of sightings of Bigfoot in Washington, and they close out sharing with listeners how they can find more information about Steve online.

Thanks Steve for joining GCP for another great conversation!!!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.

The Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge # 7 with Steve Dunkelberger

GCP Media — Mon, 28 May 2018 09:00:00 -0700

Steve Dunkelberger joins the GCP team this week to talk Pythians and the Pythian Temple. Steve has been a working journalist for more than 20 years at various publications around Washington's Puget Sound, and is currently the news writer/online editor at Pierce County Community Newspaper Group. He also does freelance writing and photography projects for websites in Pierce County. He is a member of the Knights of the Pythias and has written two history books on the city of Lakewood and is working on one about McNeil Island as well as had several of his historical articles published on Historylink.org and in Columbia magazine.

The show kicks off with Steve discussing Tacoma’s Pythian Temple being established in 1881, before Washington even became a state. He talks about how he got involved with The Knights of Pythias, presentations he gives on Tacoma history, and Tacoma’s corruption in as late as the 70’s and 80’s with its beautification process in the 90’s.

17:20 – Conversation goes to The Tacoma Speedway and it operation from 1913 to 1923, it’s popularity during the first world war when the Indianapolis 500 was shut down, and other events that were held there. He brings up how knowing the history of an area explains the present of an area, giving the example of Pierce county being the most unchurched county in WA and how that came to be.

30:25 – Steve gives the guys a tour of the Pythias Temple, starting at the front of the building where he explains additional history of Tacoma, including the way Tacoma was laid out in superblocks and the story of George Francis Train’s trip around the world trip in 67 days that began at the front of their building. They then explore the inside of the temple, first stop at the club room followed by the sister’s hall and the Pythians’ collection of shields.

43:36 – Steve shows the guys the amazing dining area of the temple, talks about renting a portion of their building to Tacoma Youth Theater, the cost of becoming a Pythian, and the Pyth Pole. They discuss the secret password people have to give if late for the meeting and then explore the WOW, Castle Hall, room. Steve explains that it was designed by Frederick Heath, the paintings in the hall and the pipe organ on the second stage in the room that goes up to the ceiling.

This episode comes to and end with discussion on magical lanterns, Tacoma construction, and how each of their chairs have hat holders. Steve let the guys know how people can find him or Pythians online. Thanks Steve for an awesome conversation on the Pythian History of Tacoma!!! We look forward to chatting with you again soon!

Pick up Steve's Books at Amazon!

Special Guest: Steve Dunkelberger.