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Someone You Should Know: Arthur Bradford, Bowling League Founder

(CBS) – Bowling is his passion and not just because of the game. He loves the people and companionship.

It may even be his special secret for living a long life.

Arthur Bradford is someone you should know, CBS 2's Harry Porterfield reports.

If you're a bowler and you're looking for a lane at the Olympia Lanes bowling alley in Hammond, Ind. on a Friday morning, you need to be on the waiting list. That's when members of the Mercer men's over-55 league are busy bowling on all 40 of the establishment's lanes.

No one is more enthusiastic about the activity than Bradford, who organized the league nearly 50 years ago.

"My thing about bowling, it's a family affair," he says. "You can take your wife, take your daughter. Everybody can go and have fun together."

Since it began, the league has grown from only four teams to what is reputed to be the largest men's senior bowling league in America.

Bradford lives in Chicago and drives to Hammond every Friday to be a part of the action as a spectator, not as a bowler. He gave that up not too long ago.

In November, Bradford will be 100. League member Jerry Williams says he's "sharp as a tack."

"When I grow up I want to be just like him," he says.

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