What an amazing night at Gulf Beach Lodge last night! This was our first meeting back in our Temple after Hurricane Helene brought 4′ of water and destruction inside our walls.
Here is what we accomplished:
- 47 members and visitors enjoyed a meal prepared by our Junior Warden (David Marrs) and Stewards (Brian Marshall and Al Yoder).
- Prior to the meeting, Barbara Salazar gave a talk on the preservation and rehanging of her mural on our East wall including much of the symbolism within the painting.
- W∴ Buck Owens greeted everyone with a heartfelt and poignant statement about returning to our own Temple.
- 9 Lodges from District 18 were in attendance to help us celebrate our return.
- M∴W∴ Rick Hoover and M∴W∴ Glen Bishop were introduced as Past Grand Masters in attendance.
- R∴W∴ Rusty Valle, D∴D∴G∴M was introduced and offered a seat in the East.
- R∴H∴ Joe Griffith, District Instructor, was welcomed.
- Six first time visitors from far away as Alaska were welcomed and presented a Lodge coin.
- A brother was elected to be reinstated to membership.
- The Treasurer, W∴ Bobby Burkett, gave a financial report on our Hurricane Relief Fund.
- R∴W∴ Knapp reported that our flood barrier systems are 99% installed.
- R∴W∴ Knapp reported that our elevator is being looked at and may be repairable for under $10,000.
- The brothers voted to prioritize the remaining repairs in this order, elevator, kitchen, floors.
- We will be doing Bikes For Books at Seminole Elementary School this year.
- Br∴ Tim Delaney thanked everyone who helped paint the upstairs last week.
- R∴W∴ Knapp read a Times article from August 31, 1952, reporting on Gulf Beach Lodge’s first meeting in the ‘new’ Temple.
- A Resolution was adopted to present St. Pete Lodge No. 139 a Certificate of Grateful Appreciation for housing us this past year.
- The brothers voted to Adopt Ms. Heather McShane’s Elementary Classroom for $150.
- The brothers voted to donate $150 to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida language disorder program.
- Many heartfelt and moving comments were made from brothers on the sidelines congratulating Gulf Beach Lodge and all the brothers from around the District, who have helped get us back in our building.