Month: November 2023

It is our sad duty to report the recent passing of Illustrious Brother Robert E. “Bob” Hewell. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We will report details about funeral services as they become known to us.

Alas, my brother,

Born – March 11, 1931
Initiated – May 25, 1989 (Gulf Beach Lodge)
Passed – October 12, 1989
Raised – November 9, 1989

Gulf  Beach Masonic Lodge, located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. in Madeira Beach helped bring Holiday cheer to eight local families in need. Members of the Lodge prepared and delivered the Thanksgiving food baskets to less fortunate families in the area. The baskets included a large turkey, pies, and all the sides necessary for the most sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner. Gulf Beach Lodge is pleased to be able to assist in making this a great holiday season for those most in need. Gulf Beach Lodge has provided Holiday baskets for over 45 years and looks forward to continuing the tradition well into the future.

In 2021 the program was named the “Bengston Holiday Basket Program” in honor of Brother Nils Peter Bengston, long time member of the Lodge who ran the program for many years.

Doing our part in keeping our community clean. Members of Gulf Beach Lodge took to our designated Roadway this past weekend and picked up trash along the roadside. Thank you Keep Pinellas Beautiful for the opportunity to be a positive force in our community.

Gulf Beach Lodge performed a Masonic funeral service last night for departed Brother Edson Walter Murray, age 99 and a 71 year Mason. Brother Edson was a WWII Navy veteran who served on destroyers in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. Our funeral team did a magnificent job!

Brother Murray was Raised in Prairie Lodge No. 125 (Grand Lodge of Indiana) on May 5, 1952.

Alas, my brother!

Our Family Game Night was a great success. Everyone enjoyed sub sandwiches and then some fun games (and maybe a little competitive). The brothers donated $200 for Rainbow Assemble No. 86.

It’s time again for our Annual Angel Tree! We are slated to man the booth on Saturday December 2nd, 2023 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm at Tyrone Mall. This is always a wonderful Holiday Program which will warm your heart. Please contact the Secretary at gro.e1791275406gdolh1791275406caebf1791275406lug@y1791275406rater1791275406ces1791275406 and let him know what time slots you can volunteer for. 

An amazing breakfast yesterday at Gulf Beach Lodge! The kitchen crew out did themselves with a very savory breakfast for all to enjoy. We were even honored to have served Madeira Beach Fire Department. Mark your calendar brothers for the next breakfast on December 3rd (8:30 am – 10:30 am) and bring your family and friends as your guest.

Join us Thursday November 9th for a Family Game Night at Lodge – a light meal will be served at 6:30 pm and fun and games to follow. Bring the whole family for an evening of fellowship and fun!

Here are some highlights from our November 2nd business meeting.

• The brothers enjoyed a wonderful chili meal compliments of Tim Delaney, Tom Willmot and Buck Owens
• Cards were sent to our sick and distressed brothers
• Brother Stanley Silverstein was presented his Master Mason Certificate by the Master
• Brother Silverstein was presented a lambskin apron by Brother Tizzano
• Brother Brian Marshal was presented a certificate of appreciation for his work on the Masters Project
• It was announced that over $1,600 was raised for our Bikes For Books Program
• The craft donated $800 from the Charity Fund for the Thanksgiving Food Baskets
• The craft donated $100.00 from the Charity Fund for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospitals

It was a wonderful evening of fellowship and fraternalism.

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291 hosted a Firefighter’s Master Mason Degree on November 1, 2023, at their Masonic Temple located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. in Madeira Beach. The Firefighter Degree Team is in its 20th year and has conferred several degrees on Firefighters who are also Freemasons. The Degree Team for this event included the following firefighter Masons from the greater Tampa Bay area; Derryl O’Neal (Retired Chief from Madeira Beach Fire Rescue and member of Gulf Beach Lodge), Rick Wendling (Retired Firefighter from East Lake Fire Rescue and member of Sutherland Lodge), Rick Caravona (Retired Captain from Pasco County Fire Rescue and member of Dade City Lodge), Mark Goldfeder (Retired from Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue and member of Sutherland Lodge) , Howard Knapp (Retired Captain from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and member of Gulf Beach Lodge), Alan Shedler (Retired Lieutenant from Seminole Fire Rescue and member of Gulf Beach Lodge), Tim Delaney (Retired Lieutenant from Hope Jackson Fire Department Scituate, RI and member of Gulf Beach Lodge), Ray Hughes (Captain Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and member of Sutherland Lodge), Jim Tizzano (Retired Battalion Chief from East Brunswick Fire Department, NJ), Mike Manning (Retired Captain from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and member of Hillsborough Lodge No. 25), AJ Weldon (Captain Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and member of Windhorst Lodge, Tampa) and Dominic Bueller (Driver Engineer from Madeira Beach Fire Rescue and member of Gulf Beach Lodge). Others who took an active part in the evening’s event were Mark Niceley, Fernando Gonzalez, Richard Hoover, Bill Sundquist, David Neville and Glen Bishop. Following a wonderful Chili Meal prepared by Brother Tim Delaney, the Master Mason Degree was conferred upon Brother Chip Crain, Captain from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and member of Sutherland Lodge in presence of 56 Masons.

A number of notable dignitaries of the fraternity were present to view and take part in the evening’s degree. Most Worshipful Glen B. Bishop, Grand Master was in attendance and took an active roll in the Degree after which the Firefighter Degree Team conferred upon him an Honorary Fire Chief title and presented him his own personalized Fire Chief’s helmet. Others joining the Grand Master at the degree were Past Grand Masters, Richard G. Hoover and Robert J. Lambert along with Grand Sword Bearer, Rick Wendling, Grand Musician, Bryan Shuler, Grand Marshal, Paul Stellrecht and Junior Grand Steward John Drewett.