What a great night last night at lodge…fifty Masons were in attendance!
· The Junior Warden, Ismael Montes, prepared a wonderful steak dinner for our District Deputy Grand Master, Chas Jordan.
· Some of our new EAs and FCs helped serve.
· Brothers Ryan Kornacki and Mike Borland returned their EA catechism in fine fashion.
· R:.W:. Chas Jordan and his party were formally received into the lodge.
· R:.W:. Donald Gruchy was received as the Grand Representative to the State of Florida from New Brunswick, Canada.
· The following brothers were presented Masonic Education certificates from the DDGM: Fernando Salazar, Bob Kaniss, Travis Palladeno, Jonathan Ferguson, Ismael Montes, and David Webster.

Photos: Left: W:. Fernando Salazar, R:.W:. Don Gruchy, R:.W:. Chas Jordan; Right: Award recipients.

Fifty-four of our Masons, including three EA's and three FC's attended the Entered Apprentice Degree tonight at Gulf Beach Lodge. Brothers Maclin R. Milner Jr. and John D. Ekizian were Initiated as Entered Apprentices. The lecture was delivered by W:. Matt Ness, the Charge by Junior Warden, Ismael Montes, and the lambskin apron poem by R:.W:. Howard Knapp. Also this evening W:. Warwick Taylor received a plaque honoring him for his donation of 100 gallons of blood to the blood bank! Our next event is the Lodge cleanup day this Saturday at 9:00 AM, come out and join in the great things going on!

Last night was W:. Fernando Salazar's first business meeting as Master, he and all the officers did a great job! If you weren't able to make it, here is what you missed out on….
· Br:. Mitch Kiger returned his FC catechism in fine fashion, led by Sr. Warden John Anthony
· R:.W:. Don Gruchy was received as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick to the Grand Lodge of Florida
· Cards were sent out to our sick and distress brothers, and or their family members
· W:. Salazar recognized all Past Masters present for their leadership in the lodge
· R:.W:. Ed Street, Zone 6 Committee on work, presented W:. Joe Finocchiaro his Blue Card indicating that he is able to confer all parts of the three degrees
· Audit Committee Reported that the Lodge books for 2011 were in good order
· The Chaplain is forming a visitation committee to call on our homebound brothers
· The Lodge advanced the Junior Warden money for the February breakfast and DDGM dinner
· W:. Matt Ness gave Masonic Education on Politics and Religion in Freemasonry
· A petition was read for Affiliation
· A Petition for the Three Degrees was balloted upon and accepted (EA Degree next Thursday)

Many of our northern brothers are back down and we are pleased to see them out at Lodge ! If you haven't been to Lodge in awhile, come on out and take part in the fellowship and brotherly love...it is contagious!

Photos: Above: R:.W:. Ed Street with W:. Finocchiaro. Below: Presentation that W:. Salazar made to the past masters of Gulf Beach Lodge and present affiliated past masters for the hard work and contribution that they made to the lodge after their year in the East. The clipboards symbolize their attention to detail in helping carry out lodge projects.

Fifty-four Masons attended the Entered Apprentice Degree on Thursday for Brothers Oscar A. Salazar and Christopher T. Pagan (Brother Pagan was a courtesy for Elmer O. Smith Lodge). Prior to the degree W:. Fernando Salazar presented W:. Finocchiaro a gavel from the 2011 Officers of the Lodge. Everyone had a wonderful evening, there will be another EA Degree on January 26th.

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291, located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. Madeira Beach, held its 62nd annual Installation of Lodge Officers on January 7th at the Masonic Temple. The Grand Master of Masons for the State of Florida, Most Worshipful Jim J. Harris, officiated the Installation with the assistance of Right Worshipful Chas Jordan, District Deputy Grand Master of the 21st Masonic District as Installing Marshal, Worshipful Donald Harriott as Installing Chaplain and Worshipful Bob Davidson as Installing Organist. The Installation of the 2012 Lodge Officers was open to the members and public alike. The new Lodge Officers for 2012 are: M. Fernando Salazar, Worshipful Master; John Anthony, Senior Warden; Ismael Montes, Junior Warden; Howard Knapp, Secretary; David Webster, Treasurer; Michael Pagnotta, Senior Deacon; Travis Palladeno, Junior Deacon; Steve Nelson, Senior Steward; Carl Moore, Junior Steward; Allen Godfrey, Chaplain; Pete Bengston, Marshal; Jonathan Ferguson, Tyler; Matt Ness and Steve Fetherman, Conductors and Ed Pinkham, Musician.

Assisting in the Installation was Worshipful Ed Smoak on bagpipes, and the Honor Guard from Sunshine Commandery No. 20 in St. Petersburg.

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291 was chartered in 1950 and has been an active force on the Gulf Beaches for 60 years. Its members have included surgeons, bankers, contractors, teachers, Congressmen, soldiers, pharmacists, police, firefighters, and a myriad of men from all walks of life. Freemasonry is open to men ages 18 and older and offers an opportunity to be proactive in the community as well as to be a part of a fraternity that dates back hundreds of years. Some notable Freemasons were George Washington (and 15 other US Presidents), Ben Franklin, Henry Ford, Red Skelton, and General Douglas MacArthur.

Last night was the last business meeting for the 2011 Officers of Gulf Beach Lodge. They ended the year with great things…here are some..
· W:. Chris Webb, District 21 Chairman for Wills and Gifts gave a talk on supporting the lodge
· We are keeping five members and/or their family in our thoughts and prayers
· Dr. Maclin R. Milner Jr. was elected to receive the Three Degrees of Freemasonry
· Br:. Pete Bengston spoke of the success of the Holiday Food Baskets
· Treasurer gave his annual report, we are in good shape financially
· Secretary gave his annual report, we have a net gain in membership and Raised 12 Masons in 2011
· The Junior Warden reported that we have been very successful with our meals this year.
· The Master gave his year end report, and shook everyone's hand in the Lodge room
· There is new signage on Gulf Blvd. with the square and compasses
· Brother Steven Fetherman received his Perpetual membership card, certificate and pin from the Master
· The Lodge donated $100.00 from the Charity fund to a brother in need.