Month: November 2024

Thirteen members, and family, of Gulf Beach Lodge gathered today to deliver the “Bengston Holiday food baskets” for Thanksgiving. Eight families in need were provided a basket of food, including a turkey and all the trimmings for an excellent Thanksgiving dinner. Brother Al Yoder did an excellent job in running the program this year.

We are continuing to hold our meetings at Northside Lodge No. 283 while our Lodge is undergoing hurricane recovery.

Here is what we accomplished last night:

• Everyone enjoyed a delicious “Cowboy Casserole” meal provided by Br∴ Jim Tizzano.
• Br∴ David Marrs, as project manager of our Hurricane Recovery efforts, gave a detailed report of where we stand.
• There was lengthy discussion about the hurricane recovery of our lodge, the logistics and financing needed – brothers are encouraged to attend our stated meetings to keep abreast of the situation.
• Br∴ Al Yoder spoke on the upcoming Thanksgiving food baskets which will be delivered this Saturday November 23rd.
• Br∴ David Marrs spoke on the Bikes for Books program we are sponsoring at Seminole and Orange Grove Elementary Schools.
• The craft donated $150 to the Knight’s Templar Eye Foundation in memory of W∴ Donald T. Harriott
• Br∴ Jim Tizzano gave Masonic Education on the various proficiency cards a brother can earn.

Announcements:
Funeral Service for Brother Ron Denny will be Monday November 25th at 1pm at Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home (2201 9th St No)
There will be no Lodge meeting on November 28th in observance of Thanksgiving
The December Lodge Breakfast has been cancelled due to the hurricane damage.
Saturday December 7th at 10am will be a Roadway Cleanup – meet at Gulf Beach Lodge.

The leaning Norfolk Island Pine was removed at Lodge today – Milton started to uproot it and it had to be removed for safety reasons and to get our water main repaired (which was broken with the uprooting.

Gulf Beach Lodge supports the Suncoast Master Mason Assn. by volunteering at the Pelican Golf Tournament Fundraiser. Brothers Tim Delaney and David Marrs feeling relatively small in this photo. It was beautiful weather for such a great cause.

Gulf Beach Lodge members, friends and family enjoyed a great day of bowling today at Seminole Lanes. Beautiful weather today and great fellowship!

Gulf Beach Lodge brothers David Marrs, Dago Cruz, Jim Charrette and Greg Warr (EA) paid a visit to Tarpon Lodge last night for DDGM Michael St-Laurent’s (an honorary member of Gulf Beach Lodge) official visit. A great time was had by all in attendance.

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge recently presented our firefighters at Madeira Beach Fire Department a $300.00 gift card to Publix. This simple gesture was to show our grateful appreciation for the hard work these local heroes have been performing since hurricane Helene and Milton devastated the beaches. We salute the brave men and women who serve and protect us every day. Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge was not spared the effects of the storms and is currently in the process of rebuilding the ground floor of the Lodge. We, as so many of our neighbors on the beaches, hope to return to some sense of normalcy in the near future.

Donations to assist the Lodge in its rebuilding can be made via Zelle to gro.e1791276553gdolh1791276553caebf1791276553lug@y1791276553rater1791276553ces1791276553 (put hurricane relief in the memo).

We are continuing to hold our meetings at Northside Lodge No. 283 while our Lodge is undergoing hurricane recovery. A huge thank you to Northside for allowing us use of their Temple.

Here is what we accomplished last night:

• Everyone enjoyed a delicious baked ziti meal provided by Brother Jim Tizzano.
• A moment of silence was offered, and the altar draped, in memory of W∴ Donald Harriott who passed away today.
• Br∴ David Marrs received his silver proficiency card from R∴H∴ Joe Griffith, District Instructor
• There was lengthy discussion about the hurricane recovery of our lodge, the logistics and financing needed – brothers are encouraged to attend our stated meetings to keep abreast of the situation).
• Nominations for the elected officers for 2025 were read.
• Br∴ Al Yoder spoke on the upcoming Thanksgiving food baskets which will be delivered on Saturday November 23rd.
• The craft donated $150 to Corky’s Cupboard at the Masonic Home.
• Br∴ Davis Marrs gave Masonic Education which was very well received by the craft.

Hurricane Recovery Update:

It has been almost 6 weeks since Hurricane Helene flooded our downstairs with 4 feet of water, destroying everything in our fellowship hall, kitchen, library, secretary’s office and bathrooms.

We have had our remediation completed and everything gutted back to the studs and flooring removed to the concrete.

We lost all our AC units, tables and chairs, all kitchen appliances (fridge, steam table, oven/stove, griddle, freezer, dish washer, all cabinets, all our electronics in the secretary’s office, our elevator/lift is a total loss, our breaker boxes were submerged, and our water main is broken.

We are confident that we will be able to get enough help aid and assistance to rebuild and come back stronger than ever. We have been a driving force on the Gulf Beaches for 75 years and have been in this building (2 story concrete block) since our members built it in 1952.

Those wishing to help us, donations can be made via Zelle to gro.e1791276553gdolh1791276553caebf1791276553lug@y1791276553rater1791276553ces1791276553 – put Hurricane Recovery in the Memo.

Gulf Beach 291 Strong!!