The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-21
NOTABLE METH INC
 BY ELkS LODGE
Life Membership Cards Are Presented To Pioneer
 Members

One of the most pleasant and happy occasions in the history of Birmingham Lodge, No. 79, Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, took place last Tuesday night at the Elks home, when 21 veterans who had held continuous membership in the lodge for 20 years were presented with life membership cards as a token of appreciation of their long and faith ful service.
 The spacious upper lodge room, suitably decorated for the occasion, was filled to capacity by the mem bers of the order, their ladies and friends, when Thomas w. Morgan, exalted ruler, called the lodge to or der,2 announced the purpose of the gathering, and presented the several numbers Ln the program, which in- cluded musical selections, vocal and instrumental, speaking. dancing, vaudeville and other features appro- priate to the occasion.
 That the affair was thoroughly en- ioyed by the large audience was at tested by the frequent and generous applause, given the speakers and the others that contributed to the pro- gram. There was not a dull mo- ment from the start to the finish of the happy affair.
 The program was opened by selec-' tions by the Elks' orchestra under the direction of Prof. Frank David son. Introduction of the members entitled to the life membership cards followeds Owing to absence from the city several were not present and the cards were forwarded to them by the secretary.
 Thomas J. Crittenden was intro duced by the exalted ruler and made the presentation address. He paid glowing tribute to the recipients of the life membership cards, extolling their faithful service and comm end ing their unswerving fidelity to the principles of Elkdom. His address was marked by patriotic fervor and drew frequent applause.
 After a selection by the orchestra, Past Grand Exalted Ruler B. NJ. AL len, who was the first presiding of ficer of the lodge, was introduced and made an address on What It Means to Be a Member of 79 for Judge Allen recounted the early his tory ef the lodge paying heartfelt tribute to the pioneer members who had passed to the great beyond. He told of the many things for, the as slstance of the poor and needy, and the betterment of the community that the Elks had done and of the great progress the lodge had made since it's organization 35 years age. Himself a life member of the lodge, he complim ented the veterans on their loyalty to the order and ex- pressed the hope that they would all live to see another 25 years of service.
 Vocal selections by Miss Annie Tromcaln, with Miss Katherine Col gan accompanist, were well received an encore being called fer.
 Capt. E. J. McCrossin, district dep uty grand exalted ruler, and past ex oP uya upon to introduce the several past exalted rulers, which he did in happy manner. Captain McCrossin lis also life member. Capt. C.. E: Meglemery, past exalted ruler, and one of the charter members Of the lodge, made short talk and showed some interesting documents that dealt with the early history of the ledge. He Is also one of the life mem- bers.
 A saxophone duo by Masters Ed ward and Charles Ford, accompanied by their mother on the piano, proved one of the big hits on the program, the youngsters having to respond to two encCres.
 Following the completion of the program in the lodge room the gath ering, adjourned to the lower floors for dancing until the midnight hour, with Louis Sterne as floor manager.
  vaudeville numbers were rendered by artists from Loew's Bijou, through the courtesy of manager Harry Port man, which were much enjoyed.
 At II o'clock, following the univer- sal custom at all Elks' gatherings John F. Antwine recited the Eleven O'Clock Toast" following the ringing of the chimes.
 Those receiving the life member ship cards included Senator oscar w. Underwood, Ben S. Theiss, Gus D. past exalted ruler; c. w. Boyer, pr. J. D. s. Davis. Sam Blach, Felix M. Drennen, Dr. B. A. Fox, past exalted ruler; Jack G. Greener, J. c. Hous- man, past exalted ruler; Ferd Marx, Fergus W. Mccarthy, John w. O'Neill, past exalted ruler; Charles M Martin. William Reckling, J. B. Schuster, F, J. Smyly, George L. An dArson, H. w. English. .-.