Month: January 2019

Please join us for our Stated Meeting at 7:30 pm. There will be a light buffet served at 6:30. First-time visitors: Kindly read the Information for Visitors article here.

What a great night of Freemasonry last night at Gulf Beach Lodge. Here is what we accomplished: Wonderful fellowship prior to the meeting with Chili prepared by the Junior Warden.

Flowers and/or cards were sent to our sick and distressed brothers.

W:. Wes Stacknik received his 25-year certificate and pin.

Brothers Garry Buzzell and Howard Knapp receive Master Mason Exam certificates from D18 Chairman W:. John Gunter.

The Senior Warden reported that the audit committee found the 2018 Lodge financial books to be accurate and complete.

The Junior Warden reported that the Masters Project Dinner, Empty Chair Ceremony Dinner and the Lodge of Sorrow dinner as well as the February breakfast were all a great success.

The Grand Master approved the Bylaws Change for a $15.00 dues increase.

The craft voted to place a deserving brother on Emeritus Status.

The craft voted to provide our local on duty Madeira Beach Fire Department with free meals at our events in 2019.

The craft voted to donated $100 to the Tampa Fire Museum.

The craft voted to donate $40 to the Amaranth for their Annual Communication Ad Booklet.

The craft voted to donate $100 to the Special Olympics of Pinellas County.

Brother Sawa-Szostak gave Masonic Education on the Public Education and Citizenship Program.

Reminder that Lodge will be dark next Thursday for you to take your lady out on Valentine’s Day.

Gulf  Beach Masonic Lodge, located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. in Madeira Beach held its annual Lodge of Sorrow on Thursday January 31^st to honor and remember those members of the Lodge who passed away during 2018. Prior to the ceremony the brothers and guests enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by the Junior Warden, Mark Sawa-Szostak, after which they retired to the Lodge room for this special ceremony of remembrance. This ceremony, over 150 years old, was open to the public and attended by Masons and non-Masons alike. Unlike the solemn funeral services rendered by a Masonic Lodge at the death of a brother, this ceremony is designed to honor their memory and to pay respect to the many things they accomplished during their lives. The Worshipful Master and officers of the Lodge are dressed in black with white gloves and Masonic aprons. After introductory remarks by the principal officers a procession is formed and symbolic emblems are placed on the altar in remembrance of our departed brothers.  Gulf Beach Lodge remembered five departed brothers from 2018, Steven Fetherman (Past Master), John Denehan (Past Master), Craig Cramer (Past Master), Ed Villiaume III (Past Master/Past District Instructor) and Steven Goodman (Master Mason).
 
(Photo: L-R Howard Knapp, Buck Owens, Steve Johnson,Patrick Lynch, David Neville, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Joe Sosa, Craig Hunter, Don Harriott, Howard Feldman)

Everyone enjoyed a great night at Lodge last night. Here is what went on.

• The members of Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241, O.E.S. prepared a dinner of white beans and ham soup with corn bread, which was well enjoyed.
• Cards went out to our sick and distressed members.
• The altar was draped in honor and memory of departed brother Lloyd Lance.
• Br:. Brian Ellis received his certificate for completing the Masonic Leadership Training (photo).
• The craft donated $150.00 to Gulf Beach Chapter 241, O.E.S.
• The craft donated $100 to the Remember, Honor and Support Organization.
• R:.W:. Howard Knapp gave Masonic Education on the three first Masters of Gulf Beach Lodge.

It was a wonderful evening! We hope you will plan on attending next Thursday for our ‘Empty Chair’ Ceremony.