Salado Masonic Lodge #296 will celebrate 290 years of Freemasonry when it gathers to present service pins of 65 years, 60 years and 50 years at 11 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Lodge Hall, 95 South Church St.

The ceremony is open and friends and family of the recipients are invited to attend the special presentations which will be made by Thomas R. Dees, Jr., District Deputy Grand Master for District 48 on behalf of the Grand Lodge of Texas Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.

Ralph Powell will be presented with a 65-year pin. He was raised as a Master Mason on March 20, 1948 at Blazing Star #413 in Marble Falls. He affiliated with Salado Lodge in 1992 and received his 50 year and 60 year pins in Salado.

Robert Dewhurst will receive his 60 year service pin. Dewhurst was raised as a Master Master on May 15, 1953 in California. He associated with Salado Lodge in 2000. He has served as Chaplain for the Lodge for several years and was Junior Warden in 2004-05. He was awarded the Golden Trowel by the Salado Lodge in 2010. The Golden Trowel recognizes the work of brothers who day in and day out do the “little things” for Masonry and for his lodge and those things without expectation of reward or recognition.

Billy Leonard will return to Salado from Tyler to receive his 50-year service award. Leonard was raised as a Master Mason on May 9, 1964 at Knob Creek Lodge 401 in Temple. He is an Endowed Member of Salado Masonic Lodge, of which he became affiliated in 1982. He is a Past Master of Salado Lodge #296 and was District Deputy Grand Master of District 48 in 1992-93.

J. Brooks Bradley will also receive his 50 year pin. He was raised as a Master Mason in East Dallas Lodge #1200 on Sept. 21, 1961. He affiliated with Salado Lodge #296 in 2011.

Following the ceremony, those attending are invited to gather at Johnny’s Steaks & Bar-Be-Que for a Dutch treat lunch with friends and family of  the Salado Lodge.

Brothers were planning to travel to Austin following lunch for one more special presentation, a 65-year pin to William W. Scales, who was raised as a Master Master on March 8 1947 at Jackson Lodge #464 in Indiana. He affiliated with Salado Lodge #296 in 1993 and received his 50 and 60-year service pins here. However, due to health reasons for Brother Scales, the ceremony at his residence in Austin has been postponed until a later date.