Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge, located at 14020 Marguerite Dr. Madeira Beach, began a program in 2017 called “Bikes For Books” which is designed to encourage students at local Elementary schools to increase the number of books (approved by their teacher) that they read during the school year. A boy and girl from each grade level (K-5) who read the most books during the year will win a new bicycle purchased by the Masonic Lodge. This year we are working with Seminole Elementary School, and the students have already begun reading books to win the bicycle. Gulf Beach Lodge delivered a sample bicycle and a sign to the school to be placed in a conspicuous place to help motivate the students in their quest.
Gulf Beach Masonic Lodge No. 291 was chartered in 1950 and has been an active force on the Gulf Beaches for over 75 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 three hundred years. Some notable Freemasons were George Washington (and 15 other US Presidents), Ben Franklin, Henry Ford, Red Skelton, and General Douglas MacArthur. Those interested in more information about Freemasonry can visit the Lodge website at www.gulfbeachlodge.org
Photo: By Howard Knapp
(L-R Al Yoder; Kathia Cruz)