""For the last 61 years the Elks Lodge has been providing food baskets for needy families," said Dick McConnell, the project's coordinator. "We provide them with a full turkey dinner. We bought 140-some turkeys.""

"A boxing tournament featuring 60 fighters from three states and Canada will be held at the Kalispell Elks Lodge on Saturday, Dec. 19. The "junior session" is scheduled for 2-5 p.m., followed by the more experienced boxers at 7-10 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m."

"More than 400 children with disabilities got to perform holiday songs, pick up presents and meet Santa Friday as part of the Vista Elks Lodge's annual Christmas party."

"WATSONVILLE -- Santa paid an early visit to a special group of children in Watsonville Friday during a Christmas dinner put on by Elks Lodge members."

"We at the Marysville Elks Lodge, along with the help of 168 volunteers, the companies and individuals that donated were able to serve 660 meals to the needy and homebound of the Yuba-Sutter area. This number includes 180-plus meals delivered by the Marysville Kiwanis Club. Space does not permit us to list all the volunteers, so once again thank you so very much."

"Myron Hawkins knew the Bellingham Elks lodge had become a second home when he looked into the eyes of a grateful mother who was leaving the annual Christmas party. "Years ago, a woman at our party expressed thanks when she told me, 'That's the only Christmas my kids will get,'' Hawkins recalled. "Now I know I'll never stop working with the Elks because of that one grateful comment.""

"The Elks Club has put on the party for more than 25 years, Brunelli said. What makes the event even more special is that people who came to it when they were children now can bring their children to it years late"

"Horseheads, N.Y. - Christmas came a little early to members of the Army's 827 Engineer Company. The company, along with their family, got together Sunday to celebrate Christmas together before shipping out to Afghanistan."

"For the eighth year local police officers and the Cops for Kids organization are making Christmas a little brighter for underprivileged youths in Iroquois County."

"wanted to share with you the generosity, compassion and support we found in the Lake Sammamish Elks Lodge No. 1843. Our coworker's wife was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. Because of her inability t"

"In its early years, the all-male membership of the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge held court inside a brick building that sat in the shadow of the famed Hotel Redondo. "

"Sacramento's legendary Top of the Town lounge could be returning to the penthouse of the downtown Elks Building after an absence of more than 40 years."

"An Arizona Republic investigation found that since January, police have been called more than 50 times to the William H. Patterson Improved and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World at 1007 S. Seventh Ave. That includes a Nov. 7 incident in which police officers found after-hours drinking violations, according to state records. "

"In what is likely one of the toughest economic climates in most people's lifetime, many families are struggling to put food on the table. And that could make it difficult for some folks to give thanks this year around their holiday table."

"BERGEN -- An annual tradition of giving continues at Byron-Bergen Elementary School, thanks to the generosity of members of the Brockport Elks Lodge 2110. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has donated a number of dictionaries to the third-graders in Byron Bergen through The Dictionary Project."

"PRESCOTT - Fortunately for the Elks Opera House, the workmen of days-gone-by usually took the most expedient route in their renovations."

The 469 roomy seats, original wood floors, large screen, good acoustics and balcony create a vision for Stefan Klosowski. Perhaps the historic Elks Theatre in Middletown could be something like the Allen Theatre in Annville or the Midtown Cinema in Harrisburg, holding plays and musical recitals, said Klosowski, director of the Greater Middletown Economic Development Corp. Maybe some smaller screens could show independent films upstairs? What about an art gallery and an attached coffee shop?

"The Grand Haven City Beach was filled with swimmers Friday afternoon - at least temporarily - despite air temperatures being in the upper 30s and water temperatures in the 40s. "

"A Swedish man who was arrested for allegedly murdering his wife has been cleared after police decided the culprit was most likely an elk. According to reports, Ingemar Westlund found the dead body of his wife Agneta by a lake in September last year. He was immediately arrested and held in police custody for 10 days. However, the case has now finally been dropped after forensic analysis found elk hair and saliva on his wife's clothing."

"As the buses filled with veterans pulled up to the Braintree Elks Lodge Tuesday evening, Georgia Pratt and her 30-plus volunteers were more than ready for them."