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Elks welcome fourth generation of family

Submitted Photo Bob Kaufman at age 21, when he joined the Elks in 1939. Kaufman is celebrating his 70th anniversary as a member of the organization.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Bob Kaufman, 92, is celebrating his 70th anniversary as member of the Elks Lodge in Lebanon. Kaufman's father, son, and grandson are also Elks.

Submitted Bob Kaufman, 92, is celebrating his 70th anniversary as member of the Elks Lodge in Lebanon. Kaufman's father, son, and grandson are also Elks.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 2:54 PM Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Much of the good things in George Kaufman’s life he credits to his years as an Elk. A picture from 1957 shows Kaufman, his father A.B., and his son William at The Lebanon Elks, Lodge 422, smiling. He even met his wife, Jan, at an Elks event. Now, Kaufman is celebrating his 70th anniversary as an Elk by welcoming in a member of the fourth generation of the Kaufman family — his grandson, Rob, will join in November.

“We do a lot of good things and have a lot of fun,” Kaufman said. “I’ve met life-long friends here and I don’t think I’m alone in that.”

The Lebanon Elks, Lodge 422, was started in 1898. Meetings and social gatherings are still conducted in a building on East Mechanic Street, near the center of downtown.

Kaufman said that aspects of the club have changed over the years, but the key tenant of camaraderie remains.

“It used to be about getting away from family. Now the club is more about incorporating the family into it,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman said he is proud of the Elks’ philanthropic services, which include monthly visits to veterans, taking part in Meals on Wheels and sponsoring drug awareness programs. The Lebanon Elks Lodge also sponsors the Lebanon High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

One thing that hasn’t changed, Kaufman said, is the friendliness of one club to another. He and Jan have visited a plethora of Elks lodges — Jan estimates they’ve visited 250 to 300 — throughout the country.

“They are always happy to greet you and welcome you in,” Kaufman said. “No matter where you go, you have a place.”

How to join

The Lebanon Elks are hosting a new membership drive through Sept. 30. Interested parties can contact the lodge at (513) 932-1951 or call Jan Kaufman at (513)932-5671. An initiation ceremony will be Nov. 5, followed by an dinner and dance Nov. 7 that is open to the public.

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