At the stated meeting this evening Brother Travis Palladeno (R) passed his master mason proficiency. Bro:. Joe Finocchiaro presented him with his white lambskin apron. Bro:. Stephen Morris was elected to plural membership

(Photo - 100 attendees enjoy dinner at 60th Anniversary Celebration)

Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291, located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. in Madeira Beach, held a 60 Year Anniversary Celebration Dinner at the Masonic Temple on April 29th. More than 100 members, family and friends were on hand for this special event and enjoyed a wonderful dinner prepared by Brother John Anthony and his wife Vickie. After dinner the Lodge Secretary, Howard Knapp, gave a talk on the history of Gulf Beach Lodge. Everyone present had a wonderful time. Also attending as were Ed Street, District Deputy Grand Master and James Clouser, District Instructor.

Gulf Beach Lodge was chartered in 1950 and began meeting at the Church By The Sea on Gulf Boulevard in Madeira Beach. Soon after it received it's charter the Lodge broke ground for a new Masonic Temple on a lot donated by Brother Julius McCrocklin, a member of the Lodge. The Masonic Temple was constructed completely by members of the Lodge and was completed in 1952, it has met in the very same building ever since.

For years the Masonic Lodge has been a part of the Adopt-a-Highway program and takes care of the periodic clean up of portions of Gulf Blvd. and the Tom Stewart Causeway. The Lodge is a strong supporter of many charitable organizations such as the American Heart Association, PARC, the American Lung Association, the St. Petersburg Free clinic, and many others.

Freemasonry is a fraternal order for men 18 years of age and older who desire to be serviceable to their community as well as to society in general.  Meetings are held weekly on Thursday evenings at 7:30 PM, all Masons are invited to attend.

 On Thursday April 22nd, Gulf Beach Lodge put on a Fellow Craft Degree in the presence of 61 brothers. Those passed to the Degree of Fellow Craft were Brothers Mike Castleman, John J. McGettrick, John P. McGettrick, Buck Owens and Russel Wood. At the same meeting brothers from Clearwater Lodge took the traveling gavel.

Bro:. Brian Book (L) presented Gulf Beach Lodge's donation to Bryn Warner of Suncoast Hospice at the 25th Annual Morgan Invasion yacht race held at Johns Pass, Madeira Beach, Florida. The race was a fundraising event to benefit Suncoast Hospice. Morgans are sailboats designed by Charley Morgan. The race was hosted by the Treasure Island Yacht & Tennis Club.

Members of Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291 took part in the 10th Annual Suncoast Masters and Wardens Association Trap shoot held at the Silver Dollar Shooters Club in Odessa on Saturday April 17th. Proceeds from this annual event go toward the William S. "Bill" O'Brien Scholarship fund which provides an annual scholarship to deserving college bound students. The Association's Scholarship is named after William S. "Bill" O'Brien who founded the Scholarship Committee and fund to help local students. W:. Bill was a Past Master of Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge in Madeira Beach (1991) and was devoted to supporting students throughout the Tampa Bay area, and championed the Association's Scholarship Committee for a number of years. Regrettably, Bill passed away in December 2003.

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 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 above 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.

On Thursday,April 15th, W:. Thomas Willmot, Master of Gulf Beach Lodge, presented Bro:. Robert Walker his 25-year service award.Also, at tonight's meeting Br:. Joe Galluccio was elected for reinstatement and the petition of Mr. Roger W. Smith Sr. for the Three Symbolic Degree was read and accepted and will now go into investigation.

(Notice the recently-retrieved traveling gavel being brandished in the back row!)