Month: September 2021

Come out to help clean up Madeira Beach. We’ll meet at the lodge at 10:00 am.

Gulf Beach Lodge held an Empty Chair Ceremony this evening to recognize and celebrate those who have served in the armed forces or as first responders; especially those who were Freemasons.

The Empty Chair Ceremony was first performed in the United States to honor Corporal John Holt Beever, a member of the U.S. Cavalry, and a Freemason under the Grand Lodge of England. He was killed in action on the northern plains; being the first known Mason to give his life in uniform in the region then known as the Dakota Territory.

The Ceremony comes to us from the Grand Lodge of North Dakota.

The Dakota Territory in the 1860s extended westward to the Rocky Mountains from Minnesota and Iowa. It bordered north of Nebraska and included significant portions of the future states of Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

This solemn ceremony was very well received by all in attendance.

Gulf Beach Lodge was proud to be host Lodge for the Firefighter Degree Team last night.

Brother Charles William Russell III, Firefighter at Safety Harbor Fire Rescue, and member of Tampa Bay Lodge No. 252, was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason.

Sixty-eight members and visitors were present, including the Grand Master, M∴W∴ Jeffrey Foster (who was made an Honorary Fire Chief); Deputy Grand Master, R∴W∴ Robert Lambert; Senior Grand Warden, R∴W∴ Glenn Bishop; Junior Grand Warden, R∴W∴ Donald Cowart; District Deputy Grand Master, R∴W∴ James Charrette, and District Instructor, R∴W∴ Rick Wendling. Also in attendance were Past Grand Master’s M∴W∴ Louis King and M∴W∴ Richard Hoover.

The Firefighter Degree Team represented nine Fire Departments including, Madeira Beach Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Pasco County Fire Rescue, East Lake Fire Rescue, Hope Jackson Fire Rescue (Scituate, RI), East Brunswick Fire Rescue (East Brunswick NJ), Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue, Safety Harbor Fire Rescue, and Woodward Township Fire Rescue, Pa.

The Team for the 1st Section was:
WM – Howard Knapp – Hillsborough Co. Fire Rescue
SW – Rick Wendling – Eastlake Fire Rescue
JW – Rick Caravona – Pasco Co. Fire Rescue
SD – Derryl O’Neal – Madeira Beach Fire Rescue
JD – Ray Hughes – Hillsborough Co. Fire Rescue
SS – Tim Delaney – Hope Jackson Fire Dept, Scituate RI
JS – Jim Tizzano – East Brunswick Fire Dept. E. Brunswick NJ
Tyler – Mark Goldfeder – Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue
Marshall – Mike Manning – Hillsborough Co. Fire Rescue
Treasurer – Dom Bueller – Madeira Beach Fire Rescue
Chaplain – Joe Backes – Pasco Co. Fire Rescue

The Team for the 2nd Section was:
KS – Howard Knapp
SGW – Rick Hoover
SGD – Mike Rhoades
JGD – Buck Owens
GS – Mike Manning
GC – Tom Farkas
JA – Rick Wendling
JO – Ray Hughes
JU – Ron McMillan
10 – David Neville
11 – Dom Bueller
12 – Derryl O’Neal
Sea Capt/Wayfaring Man- Lou Ange

The Lecture was delivered by R∴W∴ Howard Knapp
The Charge was delivered by Br∴ Tom Farkas

$550.00 was collected as a donation for Lt. Ashley White of Palm Harbor Fire Rescue who was seriously injured this week on an emergency call when she was struck by a car.

Meet at Seminole Lanes at 11:00 am. 8668 Park Blvd, Seminole, FL 33777.

Much was accomplished by the brothers in attendance at tonight’s meeting.

• A first time visitor from San Francisco CA. was welcomed and presented a Lodge coin
• Cards were sent to our sick and distressed brothers
• The Master was presented the US flag from W∴ William B. Garrett Sr.’s funeral on behalf of the Garrett family (photo).
• The brothers donated $600 to support the city of Treasure Island and Madeira Beach Youth Programs
• The brothers donated $250 for Oakhurst Elementary School’s students book program
• The brothers approved splitting the cost with Tampa Bay Lodge for an ‘honorary fire chief’ helmet for the Grand Master to be presented at the Firefighter MM Degree at our Lodge next week.
• Masonic Education was presented by the Master on Petitioning Procedures for candidates and he shared an eloquent piece entitled, ‘Why do men love Masonry’.

Please join us next Thursday at 7:15 PM for the Firefighters Master Mason Degree.

Please join us this Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 8:45 AM at the Madeira Beach 911 Memorial, located on 150th Avenue, just west of the Tom Stuart Causeway, for the 20th anniversary memorial service of the 911 terror attacks. Wear your Lodge shirt if you have one. The monthly lodge cleanup follows at 10:00 am.

Members of Gulf Beach Lodge enjoyed the official visit of the District Deputy Grand Master and his Committeemen last night. Brother Steve Johnson, Senior Warden, did a fantastic job sitting as Worshipful Master in the absence of W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak who had cable tow issues at work. Also, R∴W∴ Rick Wendling (District Instructor) did a fabulous job representing the DDGM (James Charrette) who was home under the weather. The members enjoyed the information provided by the District Committeemen and the Grand Master’s message presented by R∴W∴ Rick Wendling.

Please join us tomorrow (Saturday) morning 9-11-21 at 8:45AM at the Madeira Beach 9-11 Memorial on Tom Stuart Causeway for the 20th annual 911 memorial service.

Members of Gulf Beach Lodge hit the streets and by-ways today to take part in the Madeira Beach Trash Pirates Clean-up. Not only did we do a great service for our community but we shared great fellowship.

Join us next Thursday for the official visit of our District Deputy Grand Master, Jim Charrette. The meeting begins at 7:30 PM (no meal) and masks are required inside the building.