Month: January 2026

Gulf Beach Lodge Firefighters and EMTs visited the new South Pasadena Fire Station today.

We had a great time last night at our Gulf Beach Lodge Family Game Night. Pizza, snacks, games and great fellowship! Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Family, Friends, Fraternity!

It turned out to be a beautiful day for our Lodge Bike Ride. Starting on the bike trail near Tyrone Mall, the group traveled down the trail to Doc Ford’s in St. Pete for lunch. A great time was had by all. Here is a picture of a few of the brothers ready for lunch. Keep posted for the next ride.

Gulf Beach Lodge hosted a Masonic Leadership Training (MLT) program tonight, led by Worshipful Allen Norwich. It was a wonderful program and well attended.

Hurricane Recovery Update

We continue to make steady progress toward full recovery, though a few items remain. Below is an overview of what is still to be completed:

• Electrical work in the kitchen is being finalized.
• The elevator is expected to be completed this week; we have been awaiting two switches from Canada.
• The ladies’ restroom vanity will be installed this week.
• Two previously blocked windows will be drywalled and finished this week.
• New kitchen sink faucets are being purchased, and the sinks will be reinstalled soon.
• Kitchen appliances and worktops/racks still need to be installed.
• A plumber will need to be scheduled to connect all sinks.
• Door trim and base molding will be installed in the near future.
• The Secretary’s office door needs to be purchased and installed.
• Ceiling tiles need to be replaced.
• Library doors need to be purchased and installed.
• Final inspections will need to be scheduled.
• Flooring finishing will be the final step.

The downstairs remains a work in progress, but we are moving closer to completion each week. Thank you for your continued patience, and sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed time, effort, and financial support to our recovery.

Our Worshipful Master, Tim Delaney and Junior Warden, Brian Marshall, attended the 2026 Installation of Officers at Tampa Bay Lodge this morning bringing them greetings and congratulations from the officers and members of Gulf Beach Lodge.

Pictured in the top photo (L-R) are sitting Worshipful Masters, Dorian Latorre, Clearwater Lodge, Helvey Johnson, Tarpon Lodge, Duane Mertz Tampa Bay Lodge, and Mike Epes, Shining Light 401 PHA St Petersburg. — The picture on the bottom (L-R) Gulf Beach Lodge Junior Warden, Brian Marshall, Worshipful Duane Mertz, Tampa Bay Lodge and Worshipful Tim Delaney, Gulf Beach Lodge.

It was a great first meeting with the 2026 officers at the helm! Here is what was accomplished.

• Everyone enjoyed a chicken and yellow rice dinner prepared by Dee Marshall
• Three first time visitors (Brothers Stamberger, Reeves and Chamberland) were welcomed and presented a Lodge coin.
• R∴W∴ Howard Knapp received his 40 year certificate and pin.
• Brother Steven Stamberger from St. Pete Lodge gave a wonderful presentation on the importance of ritual.
• R∴W∴ Howard Knapp reported that repairs on the elevator should be finished next week.
• R∴W∴ Howard Knapp reported that Hurricane Recovery efforts are moving forward nicely.
• W∴ Bobby Burkett gave a 2025 year end Treasurer’s report.
• R∴W∴ Howard Knapp read the audit committees report which found the 2025 financial books in good order.

R∴W∴ Howard Knapp gave a short presentation on the History of Prince Hall Masonry

• The craft donated $140 from the Charity Fund to the American Lung Assn. in memory of R∴W∴ Tom Cox
• The craft approved the printing of 1000 Gulf Beach Lodge specific brochures for PR & Publicity.
• The craft approved renting a table at Pilgrimage Day March 21st

There were 58 in attendance today at Gulf Beach Lodge’s 76th Annual Installation of Lodge Officers, some from as far as Rhode Island. The installation was lead by W∴ Mark Sawa-Szostak (Installing Officer), W∴ David Neville (Installing Marshal), W∴ Steve Johnson (Installing Chaplain) and Brother Jared Ezzard (Installing musician). Those installed for 2026 were Brother Tim Delaney (Worshipful Master) R∴W∴ Howard Knapp (Senior Warden), Brother Brian Marshall (Junior Warden), W∴ David Neville (Marshal), Brother Dago Cruz (Junior Deacon), Brother Al Yoder (Senior Steward), Brother Aron Zions (Junior Steward). Those previously installed were W∴ Steve Johnson (Secretary), W∴ Bobby Burkett (Treasurer), Brother Russ Wood (Chaplain), W∴ Mark Niceley (Tyler).

W∴ Tim Delaney presented his lady Traceylee a Grand Lodge Perpetual Friend certificate to Gulf Beach Lodge.

W∴ Delaney also presented gifts to the installing officers and 2026 officers.

Michaila Surita, Worthy Advisor of Rainbow Girls of Largo Assembly #86, gave the Gavel Talk and presentation to W∴ Delaney.

Following the installation members and guests met at Coco’s Crush Grille on Redington Beach for fellowship.

We started 2026 out in great style! We held our first meeting of the year on January 1st and enjoyed some great fellowship. Here is what was accomplished.

• Prior to the meeting Worshipful Elect Tim Delaney record a short video greeting that will are on social media January 10th
• The brothers in attendance enjoyed pizza and fellowship prior to the meeting.
• Worshipful Elect Tim Delaney sat in the East in the absence of the Master.
• R∴W∴ Knapp gave a report on the Hurricane Recovery and announced that four doors are now installed downstairs.
• R∴W∴ Knapp reported for the PR team that we now have social media presence on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Slack, YouTube, and our website.
• Br∴ Yoder reported on the holiday baskets for November and December and that the cost was paid by the basket program team, saving the Lodge the expense.
• Br∴ Yoder presented the Lodge a new heavy duty US flag to be flown out front.
• Two members were placed on Emeritus Status.
• Through a donation of a brother of the Lodge another members 2026 dues were paid from the Charity Fund.
• Br∴ Cruz gave Masonic Education on the purpose and procedure of opening an annual funeral lodge.

Please join us on Saturday January 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM for the open installation of officers. Coffee and Donuts at 10:00 AM. Following the installation folks are invited to Coco’s Crush Bar & Grill (2405 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785) for a meet and greet.