Encinitas Elks member turns 100 year old
Local Encinitas Elks member Fred Schneider turns 100 years old Feb. 28.
Born before World War I, in Detroit, Kansas in 1915, Fred has lived through the dust bowl of 1936, seen the invention of the radio, and survived two wives.
After losing his 71 acres of corn in 1936, Fred dropped out of high school and moved to California in search of a better life. He landed a job at Farmers Brother Coffee, as loading dockworker, eventually becoming the plant manager.
In 1971 Fred became a member of the Redondo Beach Elks Lodge. After relocating to Encinitas in 1979 he transferred his membership to the Encinitas Elks Lodge #2243. He has been awarded a lifetime membership with the Elks.
At age 92, Fred felt he had done most everything he wanted in life, except receiving his High School Diploma. So he returned to school, completing his education and received his diploma from San Dieguito Adult School.
Fred is very active in the community, you might even run in to him at the local home improvement store, where he buys supplies for his tractor-building hobby.
He lives on his own and still drives. When ask what his secret is to a long and healthy life, Fred says, “Lots of coffee and beautiful women!”
On Thursday, Feb. 26 at 6:30pm the Encinitas Elks lodge will be hosting a birthday bash for Fred, complete with full dinner prepared and served by Marines from Camp Pendleton and of course birthday cake!
The Elks organization is a charitable, nonprofit organization, donating hundreds of thousand of dollars to charities, schools and veterans each year. As their major state charity project, California-Hawaii Elks provide therapy to disabled children who would otherwise go without.
Weekly community events include Wednesday night bingo, Thursday dinners and Friday night dances, with free dance instruction prior to start of dance. The Encinitas Elks is currently accepting new member applications. To find out more about the Elks National Organization go to www.elks.org.
For information on your local Encinitas Lodge visit their web site at www.encinitaselks.org or call 480-430-4760.