Month: December 2021

It was a great night of Freemasonry last night, and the last meeting for our 2021 Officers — here is what was accomplished:

-The craft enjoyed a southwestern casserole prepared by Br∴ Bobby Burkett.
-Br∴ Jim Wittstruck reported on the success of the Bengston Holiday Food Basket Program.
-Br∴ Joe Sosa reported on the success of the recent Master’s Roast and that $400 was raised for our Charity Fund.
-W∴ Oscar Salazar reported that the property clean-up at one of our elderly brother’s house was completed and that we will be going back to do some exterior painting in February.
-Two members were added to our Emeritus Member list.
-The craft donated $100 from our Charity Fund to Oakhurst Elementary School in honor of W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak.
-W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak gave his year end report which was met with a standing ovation.
-It was announced that the Lodge will be hosting the Suncoast Master Mason Association meeting on Jan 19th with a dinner at 6:30 pm.
-It was announced that this Saturday is our 2022 Lodge officer Open Installation at 11:00 am.

The lodge will hold a “Roast the Master” dinner at 6:30 pm. The Master thinks it will be a prime rib dinner and the suggested donation is $10.00 per person. This event is open to families. So, put together your best material and plan to come out and roast the Master!

What a banner day for Freemasonry at Gulf Beach Lodge. We started the morning with the delivery of Christmas food baskets to twelve families in need in our community. The Lodge provided groceries for a full ham dinner with all the trimmings, a true feast.

After the baskets were delivered, brothers from the Lodge met with Brother Pete Bengston and presented him a framed copy of the resolution passed by the craft on December 16th naming our annual holiday basket program the “Bengston Holiday Food Baskets” in honor of brother Pete’s many years of selfless service with this project. Brother Pete served as chairman of this program for over ten years.

Finally, this evening the Lodge presented Christmas gifts to W∴ Guy Wilson at the Masonic Home. W∴ Guy is an honorary member of Gulf Beach Lodge and was a frequent attendee at our meetings prior to Covid.

It was a busy day, but one filled with the very best of Freemasonry.

Our meeting on December 16th was filled with much fellowship, charity and brotherly love….here is what we accomplished.

• The brothers enjoyed a pizza dinner prior to the meeting.
• The craft approved providing a Christmas basket for one of our members in the Masonic Home.
• The craft donated $100 to one of our Masonic widows.
• The craft approved spending $800 on our Christmas Food Baskets for 12 families.
• The craft approved a resolution to name our annual holiday food basket program the “Bengston Holiday Food Baskets” in honor of Brother Pete Bengston who spent many years running the program.
• The craft approved funds to purchase an appropriate plaque for Brother Bengston.
• The craft approved a donation of $200 to support Lakewood High School’s wrestling team.

Announcements:

• The Bengston Food Basket Delivery for this Christmas has been moved to Wednesday December 22nd at 9:00 am
• Lodge is Dark next Thursday, Dec 23rd,  due to the close proximity to Christmas.
• There will be a dinner on Thursday Dec 30th at 6:30 pm, followed by a ‘Roasting of the Master’ – suggested donation $10.00

Thanks to all who came out on a beautiful Saturday evening to enjoy the holiday festivities at Raprager Family Farms.

Between the barn all decked out in decorations, including a little winter village; caroling on a hayride; the gingerbread-house village; the food; live entertainment, and dazzling lights after sunset, there was something for everyone of all ages!

Coming up on Thursday, December 16th at 6:30 pm, we’ll be holding refreshments with our last Stated Communication of 2021 starting at 7:30 pm.

Tonight is an informal closing of the time capsule. There will be chili dogs and snacks at 6:30 pm, and the closing of the capsule at 7:30 pm. This is a casual, non-tiled event and open to the family. If you have something that you would like placed in the capsule, please bring it along as this will be the last opportunity to do so.

First-time visitors: Please the Information for Visitors page on this website.

Saturday, December 4th:

Saturday was a rush of activity with Worshipful Master Mark Sawa-Szostak meeting a technician at the Lodge to have our Lowrey organ inspected, and then immediately leading the community cleanup!

At the same time, Worshipful Oscar Salazar was leading the cleanup at a very worthy Brother’s property, with a lot of progress being made in clearing out brush and branches.

Sunday, December 5th: We wrapped up the weekend with our monthly breakfast, led by our Junior Warden Joe Sosa, and all who attended enjoyed a hot meal with pancakes and more!