Strikes and spares
This is the week for return appearances, recognitions and a little bit of complaining thrown in. Now that I have your attention, let’s get into the meat of the story.
It all started on a cool September afternoon when I was asked to consider writing this column. Up to that point I was just an average guy that had occasionally rolled a few balls down the lanes.
In the shadows of winter, I am still an average guy, but now I have become part of a community of sportsmen and women who have graciously shared their stories with me. On more than one occasion theses individuals have shared some of their hopes and dreams for the sport. So I feel a little bit a part of the club.
My point – and I will get to it now – is that I now feel offended by some of the put downs and negative jabs thrown towards the sport of bowling. Call it a heightened awareness, call it too sensitive. Three times this week I was exposed to what was someone’s misguided interpretation of the sport of bowling.
My columns are about men and women who take pride in the skills they are developing and cherish the memories of the teammates and experiences they gain in the local establishments. You get the picture. Enough said.
Familiar names return to our space this week. Names such as Glover and Guthrie, and Guthrie and Guthrie.
Rich Glover bowling over at Manor Lanes, and once more stepping in as a substitute, bowled a 290 game. This is the second time I have had the opportunity to report on Rich filling in as a sub.
Other noteworthy scores coming from Manor Lanes are from Kein Fasulkey, who bowled a 300 with a 737 series, Skip Bryner Jr., who served us a 278 game, and Ricky VanBuren Jr., who chalked up a 265 game. The lanes, I am told, were “rocking” with numerous 250-plus games during the Monday Majors play.
We cannot leave Manor with out mentioning Louise Stanislaw, who stepped into the ranks of the 600 with games of 222, 202 and 194.
On to the Guthries.
Mike Guthrie bowled his first 300 in the Wednesday night Men’s Leauge at Klondike Lanes. By day, Guthrie is a dedicated learning support teacher at Albert Gallatin High School, and by night, he’s a bowler of growing prominence in a family of bowlers.
If the Guthrie name sounds familiar, it is because it was not too long ago when we highlighted the scores of Mike’s father, Paul Guthrie Sr., and Mike’ brother, Paul Guthrie Jr. Mike credits both men with his bowling start and success; each for a little different reason.
In talking to Mike, he credits his father for getting him actively involved in the sport. Mike’s dad has a little over 30 years of bowling to bank on. So it was some of this experience that brought Mike in and set him on the right ball path.
Mike’s brother … now this is a different type of assistance. As a matter of fact, Mike wants to thank brother Paul in a special way for his help. Paul surrendered his ball to Mike because apparently it was not doing him any good. Mike said it was that ball that rolled the 300. I have a feeling we will be hearing more out of this bowling family.
Joe Pascia from Klondike Lanes has thrown us a few more names for the upcoming St. Jude’s benefit: former Pittsburgh Steeler Steve Courson, the Poverty Neck Hillbillies, Pickle radio, and for the first time on any bowling lane, the first appearance ever in our area, Madison Pascia.
Madison, the two-and-half-month old granddaughter of Joe Pascia Jr., will make her bowling debut on Feb. 27 at the Klondike Lanes St. Judes Benefit.
Another generation begins.
Proprietors do not forget you can call my number at any time to add names that you would like to see recognized, and the email is always on.
Brian Casey can be reached at brianwcasey@hotmail.com