January 2020 Issue

LODGE OFFICERS 2020 (PENDING INSTALLATION)

Worshipful Master Patrick Lynch 409-2957

Senior Warden Mark Sawa-Szostak 631-8836

Junior Warden Stephen Johnson (603) 205-4158

Treasurer David Webster PM 709-9272

Secretary Mark Niceley PM 278-9880

Chaplain Don Harriott PM 393-7963

Marshall Howard Feldman 400-1014

Senior Deacon Joe Sosa 459-1461

Junior Deacon Bobby Burkett 204-5027

Senior Steward Craig Hunter 320-5859

Junior Steward Zach Zukowski 459-9701

Tyler Tim Delaney (401) 692-0041

“Gulf Beach Lodge No. 291 – Making A Difference in 2020”

ORDER OF EASTERN STAR GULF BEACH CHAPTER 241

Meetings on the 2nd & 4th Mondays

Dorothy Foltz, Secretary | (727) 430-5491 | dfoltz4@tampabay.rr.com

GULF BEACH LODGE Chartered by the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Florida in 1950 and has been an active force on the Gulf Beaches for over 70 years.

Gulf Beach Lodge meets each Thursday evening (except July and August) at 7:30 PM with a light buffet at 6:30 PM.

14020 Marguerite Dr. Madeira Beach, Fl 33708

(727) 278-9880 secretary@gulfbeachlodge.org www.gulfbeachlodge.org

PAST MASTERS OF GULF BEACH LODGE 1949 George F. Clark (UD) 1973 Rex Newman 1997 Clarence Kennedy

1950 Carl Schaefer 1974 Jeff Capps PDDGM 1998 Robert Calhoun

1951 John Palmer 1975 James Cairns 1999 Doug Ashcroft

1952 Kenneth Vaughn 1976 Donald Watson 2000 Wesley Stacknik

1953 James Knowles 1977 Thomas Cox PDDGM 2001 Joseph Engolia

1954 Robert Parker 1978 William Gamel 2002 John Denehan

1955 Elmer Shirey 1979 Thomas R Bingham 2003 David Webster

1956 Winfield Heiney 1980 Jack Brown 2004 Daniel Saltzman

1957 George Garrett 1981 John Bingham 2005 Craig Cramer

1958 Fred Lawrence PDDGM 1982 David Edwards 2006 David Brown

1959 George Lewis 1983 Archie Graham 2007 Derryl O’Neal PDDGM

1960 Elmer Shirey 1984 Ernest Freeman 2008 Dick Sansom

1961 William Voss Jr. 1985 James Tillinghast 2009 Shawn Rae

1962 Hugh Mullenix 1986 Fred Larges 2010 Tom Willmot

1963 Dennis Smith 1987 Henry Zelner 2011 Joe Finocchiaro

1964 James Robinson 1988 Mark Niceley 2012 Fernando Salazar

1965 Thurman Kinder 1989 Joe Gribbon 2013 John Anthony

1966 Paul King 1990 John Henry 2014 Mike Pagnotta

1967 Eugene Nungesser 1991 Bill O’Brien 2015 Travis Palladeno

1968 Gene Mumma 1992 Irven Albright 2016 Carl Moore

1969 John Cone III 1993 Thomas C Bingham 2017 Steve Fetherman

1970 Roy Saunders 1994 Ralph Vaughan 2018 Oscar Salazar

1971 Barney Walker 1995 David Jones PDDGM 2019 David Neville

1972 Walter Heil 1996 Howard Knapp PDDGM

(Bold denotes living Past Masters)

PAST MASTERS AFFILLIATED WITH GULF BEACH LODGE Jon Vonderau David Gregory Donald Harriott Gilbert Duley Gary Hennig Steven Nelson Steve McMahon William Garrett William Garrett Jr. PDDGM Frank Gaylor Remko Van de Voordt William Ritterbusch Jim Pickren

MEMBERSHIP STATUS

EA Catechism: Brs∴CharlesCahall,JohnPatterson

MM Catechisms: Br∴ Tasos Oureilidis

“Gulf Beach Lodge – Masonry at its best!”

MASTER’S MESSAGE

Brothers, Sisters, Gulf Beach Family All,

There is so much to be thankful and wishful for.

Thankful for the great brothers and sisters that comprise the Gulf Beach Lodge family, Past Master David Neville for whom I have great admiration and respect. W∴David has been my instructor throughout my Masonic career; from learning my catechisms, to following in the line to the East. W∴ David persevered the greatest

challenges and has shown me and our fellow Gulf Beach officers what real Masons are made of. Thank you, W∴ David.

Thankful for R∴W∴ Howard Knapp; another monumental influence as Secretary for 17 years. There are not enough good words in the dictionary to describe all the good this Mason has accomplished. Well done brothers!

Great thanks to all the Past Masters that sit as committeemen and in the GBL 2020 officer line. The always invariably courteous and soft-spoken W∴ David Webster will continue as Treasurer for 2020, marking his 14th year in the seat; we are so blessed with his devotion. Thank you, W∴ David.

W∴Mark Niceley will be moving from Tyler to Secretary to join me in the East. He is a giant of a Mason with a heart to match. Thank you, W∴ Mark.

W∴ Don Harriott will be graciously providing us with those inspiring words of spiritual guidance from the Chaplain’s place, continuing his years of dedication. Thank you, W∴ Don.

Thankful for all the officers stepping up a chair with me in 2020. You have all been there for me with support and encouragement, helping in the kitchen and lodge cleanups. You brothers are the best. New to the line this year we welcome brothers Bobby Burkett as Junior Deacon, Zachary Zukowski as Junior Steward, Howard Feldman as Marshall, Tim Delany as Tyler, and Jim Frobe as Musician. Thanks to these brothers for joining the line. They have already been helping very active in lodge meetings and activities and are always ready to lend a hand whatever the need may be.

Thank you to the ladies of Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241 Order of the Eastern Star for working side-by-side with the brothers of Gulf Beach Lodge. With your donations and hard work and efforts at our special events and meals they would not be possible. We are so fortunate to have you. Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241 will be providing the refreshments at our Officer Installation on January 4th at 1:00 PM.

Lodge Committees

Finance: Mark Sawa-Szostak, David Brown, Shawn Rae

Vigilance: Stephen Johnson, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Patrick Lynch

Petitions: All Master Masons

Masonic Education: Mark Sawa-Szostak, David Neville, Howard Knapp

Lodge Mentors: Howard Knapp, Stephen Johnson, David Neville

Board of Relief: Patrick Lynch, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Stephen Johnson

Investigations: All Master Masons

Charity: Don Harriott, Patrick Lynch, Mark Niceley

Lodge Property: Patrick Lynch, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Stephen Johnson

Public Relations: Joseph Sosa, Mark Niceley, Howard Knapp

Lodge Website: Robert Graziani, Jim Wittstruck, Howard Knapp, Stephen Johnson

Scholarship: David Neville, Patrick Lynch, Mark Sawa-Szostak, Stephen Johnson, Mark Niceley

The Greatest Thanks to wives, moms, kids, and families that support their dads, sons, brothers and friends in the amount of time that is invested with the Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge at the meetings, charity events, degree work, special events, family events, dinners, etc. It’s people like you and your families that are the cornerstone of society and inspire sanity in this chaotic world. Together We Are Gulf Beach Family Strong.

Wishful that all the pain and suffering that brothers and their families have experienced over 2019 with the passing of our dear Brothers will turn into memories of the Great Masonic work that they accomplished and their smiling faces as we

remember them in our hearts and minds and our prayers. Amen.

Wishful for the health of all the brothers and their families and that they will be strong, happy, and without problems and crisis so that we may focus all of our hearts and minds on helping those that are less fortunate and need us.

The Month of December was a busy time for W∴ David and the Brothers and Families. We all enjoyed Volunteering at the annual Angel Tree gift gathering, this event was started by W∴ Shawn Rae and in 2019 had 27 Brothers and Sisters Volunteering to receive donated gifts for less fortunate children, Way to go Gulf

Beach Family.

December also brought us the Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge Awards and Masonic Widows Dinner. We were honored by the presence of widows of passed Masonic brothers, Pinellas County Deputy Sheriffs, Madeira Beach Fire and Rescue, Admiral Farragut J.R.O.T.C. recipient of the Steven M. Fetherman Excellence Award, and the brothers and sisters of Gulf Beach Lodge families.

Brothers, Sisters, Gulf Beach Family All. There is so much more that could be included in this message. We are very fortunate to be such an active lodge, and it is not by accident that it is this way. I have had the best to follow behind and learn from and we are going to follow the same course that the lodge has charted. Communication with the families in advance with dates and times of upcoming events will help to reduce any scheduling conflicts between lodge and family events. Thank you all for your support of the lodge.

Upon the Square

Patrick Lynch, Worshipful Master Elect

SENIOR WARDEN’S MESSAGE

Brothers,

I want to thank you again for your vote of confidence by electing me to be your Senior Warden for 2020. I look forward to upholding the excellent standards set forth by all the Senior Wardens before me in lodge maintenance.

I would like to thank Worshipful Dave Neville for a fantastic year in 2019. It was an honor and a privilege to serve as your Junior Warden and I can’t thank you enough for your leadership and guidance this year. As you pass the torch of Masonic Light you held so brightly this year to Worshipful Elect Patrick, I hope you look back upon your year in the East with a smile on your face, as I will with my time in the South.

Moving into 2020 I am excited to assist Worshipful Elect Patrick in the discharge of his arduous labors of office I know we have a great year ahead of us and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Gulf Beach Lodge in the new year. To all the 2020 officers, I am here to assist you whenever you need, and I am proud to serve in the line with you.

On the Level,

Mark Sawa-Szostak, Senior Warden Elect

JUNIOR WARDEN’S MESSAGE

Greetings from the South,

I’d like to start my first article be extending a huge “Thank You” to the brethren for electing me into the South. I look back on my years so far in the line, and some of my most memorable times have been in the kitchen serving as Junior Steward to then Junior Warden David Neville. Many stories were told, we enjoyed lots of laughs, and I learned quickly that some of the strongest bonds in the lodge are formed through working together in the kitchen.

I’m honored to have been able to serve as Senior Deacon in 2019 with Worshipful Neville and all of the officers, and I congratulate everyone on a very successful year.

Looking ahead, we’re going to have a busy year in the kitchen, and I hope everyone can make it out. We will be continuing our breakfasts on the first Sunday of every month, which will continue to offer waffles! As always, if you’re able to lend a hand for a breakfast, we can always use the help. Meals for Thursday night meetings will still be at 6:30 PM and will be certainly be delicious.

There’s no better way to find out the latest news from the lodge than by coming out and joining us for dinner, so on behalf of the stewards and myself, we invite you to join us in the dining hall and come hungry!

By the Plumb,

Steve Johnson, Junior Warden Elect

Secretary’s Corner

My brothers,

Let me start by thanking each of you for the trust that you have placed in me by electing me the Secretary of Gulf Beach Lodge. R∴W∴ Howard Knapp informs me that there have only been 18 members that have sat as Secretary since 1950. That is an elite club indeed. I'll need all the help I can get over these next few months as I learn the ropes of this office. All I can promise is to do my very best!! Here's to a great year in 2020 at Gulf Beach Lodge!!!!

Mark F. Niceley P.M. Secretary Elect

Fred Giles Lawrence stood 5’9” and 150 lbs with brown hair and brown eyes, he was Master of Gulf Beach Lodge in 1958. Fred was born on March 16, 1916 in Laurel Mississippi. In 1937 Fred, at age 21, married Ms. Nevada O. Bryant, however the marriage didn’t last, and they were divorced after just a year of marriage. After the divorce Fred moved to St. Petersburg where he met Edith Vaughan, daughter of the St. Petersburg Chief of Police, whom he married in January of 1939. Edith Vaughn’s brother was Kenneth A. Vaughn, a charter member of Gulf Beach Lodge who served as the Lodge’s Master in 1952.

In 1940, at age 24, Fred was working as a motorman for the Trolley Line in St. Petersburg and was living at 334 14th St. North. In August of 1941 Fred was hired by the St. Petersburg Fire Department, however his employment was put on hold in December of 1941 when he enlisted in the Army following the bombing of Pearl

Harbor. Fred graduated gunnery school in Texas and then was trained as a B-29 Flight Engineer. Fred served in the War effort until his honorable discharge in 1945. When Fred returned to civilian life in St. Petersburg he took up where he left off with the St. Petersburg Fire Department and over the years worked his way up the ranks to Company Fire Captain. Fred also served as Deputy State Fire Marshal from 1961 – 1965.

Fred Lawrence was Raised in Gulf Beach Lodge on March 11, 1954 and served as Master in 1958. Fred was an active Mason in the District and was appointed District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM) in 1960, the first Past Master of Gulf Beach Lodge to

serve in this capacity. Fred and his wife were active in Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241 O.E.S. and he served as Associate Patron in 1959.After retirement Fred and his wife moved to Inverness for what he hoped would be a quiet, peaceful existence. Unfortunately, after WWII Fred had been treated at the VA for depression and anxiety related to his service and was on 100% disability. Little was understood or done during those years for veterans with PTSD and it was a sad day in August of 1974 when Fred Lawrence took his own life with a single gunshot. Fred received a full military, Fire Department and Masonic funeral and is buried at Royal Palm South Cemetery in St. Petersburg.

January 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

Dinner 6:30 PM

Stated Communication

7:30 PM

3

4

2020 Officer Installation

1:00 PM

5

Lodge Breakfast

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

6

7

Officer Meeting

7:00 PM

8

9

Dinner 6:30 PM

Called Communication

7:30 PM

10

11

12

13

OES Meeting

7:30 PM

14

15

16

Dinner 6:30 PM

Stated Communication

7:30 PM

17

18

East-West Shrine Bowl Tropicana Field

Kickoff at 3:00 PM www.shrinegame.com

19

Masonic Home Board Meeting 11:00 AM

20

21

22

Open Books at Gulf Beach Lodge

7:00 PM

23

Dinner 6:30 PM

Called Communication

7:30 PM

24

25

26

27

OES Meeting

7:30 PM

28

29

30

GBL/OES Game Night and Covered Dish

Dinner 6:30 PM

31

Sometimes events shown may be changed, postponed or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. For the most up-to-date information, kindly access the lodge’s online calendar at this address: http://localendar.com/public/GulfBeachLodge

LEWIS W. MOHN FUNERAL HOME

AND CREMATION SERVICE

9700 SEMINOLE BLVD. SEMINOLE, FLORIDA 33772

393-3481 FUNERAL DIRECTORS IN SEMINOLE

SINCE 1958

AUTOMOBILES OF DISTINCTION

Frank Suddarth Automotive Consultant

Office: (727) 578-4560 Mobile: (727) 560-4736 Fax: (727) 578-4562 Home: (727) 392-7123

6251 44th Street No. Suite #5 Pinellas Park, FL 33781

“Try R’s Before Theirs” ALL R’s PEST MANAGEMENT 334-59th Lane So. RICK HOOVER St. Petersburg, FL 33707 PRESIDENT (727) 381-pest (7378) Certified operator Residential * Commercial

Compliments Of

Gulf Beach Chapter No. 241 Order of Eastern Star

Compliments Of David and Di Brown

Lemon Tree Spa St. Pete Beach Tierra Verde 7395 Gulf Blvd. Suite 1 1110 Pinellas Bayway ST. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706 Suite 213 727-363-0772 Tierra Verde, FL 33715

Workshops/Warehouses/Showrooms

4 Mid County Locations 100+ Rental Units * Various Sizes

1200 SF * 1500 SF * 1800 SF * 3000 SF * 3600 SF Portobello Square Shopping Center A Retail Shopping Center in Seminole

Oakhurst Suburban Center Office Rentals

Lurie Properties Corporate Office

13055 PARK BOULEVARD SEMINOLE, FL 33776 Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 3335 SEMINOLE, FL 33775-3335 E-Mail:

EDLURIE@WORKSHOPWAREHOUSE.COM Fax:

(727) 397-6967

Office: (727) 393-3441 * Mobile (727) 204-9977 Visit us at: www.workshopwarehouse.com

Sheryl Lynn Webster Broker/Realtor Direct: 727-386-8066 or 407-293-0238 Toll Free: 1-866-473-3476 x 703

sheryllynnwebster@gmail.com www.VentureHomeRealty.com