The state of the game is changing. The pool of bowlers has reduced from more than 8 million in 1972 to just a tick over one million during the 2021-22 campaign. That’s a 77% loss.
I started the bowling column in 1989 and the coverage area at that time included Bar-Don, Bel-Pike, Blue Valley, Colonial, Frenchtown, Heritage, Nazareth Jacksonian, Holy Family, Oakwood, Olympian, Fleas and Warren. Anyone that’s been around since those days knows the list has been shrunk to only five.
The latest shock wave came when Bill Reese had the rug pulled out from under him as Nationwide Bowling Inc. announced the Warren Lanes property was sold to QuickChek and is awaiting demolition. The last day of operation was July 31, leaving the Easton Association with just Bar-Don and Holy Family.
The column’s coverage area increased when the Bethlehem Globe newspaper was purchased by The Easton Express during the 1991-92 season. I added Town & Country, National Sokols, Panthers, Silver Creek, USA-CIO, Hungarian Catholic and Bath to the mix. Four of those names have disappeared from the landscape.
Allentown area centers have faced a similar fate. A quick look at reported scores in 1989 saw 35 commercial centers and clubs. That long list has been reduced to only a dozen or so today.
Despite those dismal numbers, there is a ray of hope for the passionate bowlers that still visit their local hangouts.
Last season, Hampton Lanes reopened after its roof collapsed in February 2021. It’s a spectacular, modern-looking structure and has raised the bar for style.
Lee and Krista Sandt continue to upgrade their latest purchase: Steel City looks nothing like its former self. Town & Country was a cookie-cutter bowling center. Steel City now welcomes bowlers with the latest and greatest amenities while incorporating a Bethlehem Steel vibe. The transformation is incredible, and the bowlers agree.
Bill Reese and Blue Valley have a new look as well as some upgrades you don’t see. New air conditioning units, carpeting and approaches are just a few advancements to keep bowlers coming through the door.
Bel-Pike escaped the record flood waters in July and only saw some wet floors. Bowlers will see new flooring and other upgrades that make the family-owned center more inviting.
Bar-Don has been in the hands of five individuals since opening in 1958. But that’s about to change as father and son, Tom and Mike Meischeid, are poised to take the reins and bring a new infusion to the Palmer Township center.
In East Stroudsburg, Skylanes has gone through growing pains. The recent hire of Joe Fiume as manager should help right the ship. The center has a rabid corps of bowlers, and Fiume’s knowledge of the game will steer Skylanes throughout the season.
Bowlers hope they’ve seen the last of lanes falling silent. Those that have survived the ever-changing scene and COVID have owners willing to spend money to get league and open bowlers through their doors.
Ross Winiarz tossed his 22nd perfect game recently.Courtesy photo
Off and running
Scores are starting to trickle in, and the area has seen eight perfect games.
Zach Smolin struck for a dozen in his first game of the season and Steve Hagy followed a short time later in the Friday Scratch Trio league at Blue Valley. Scott Keeler connected for his 50th career perfect game with his latest at Earl Bowl in Earlington.
The latest batch of perfect games include a trio at Oakwood. New father Anthony Johnston padded his career 300 total in the Bi-County circuit. Tim Emery found the groove in the same league, and Ernie Lukacs treated the Wednesday Double League with a perfecto from the righty.
Ross Winiarz tossed his 22nd career 300 game when he rolled 12 straight in the Gary Piripavel Memorial League at Steel City. This past Tuesday, Aaron Heckman took down Steel City with 300-742.
Colleen Bruder holds the hottest hand in the area. She followed an opening week 709 at Earl Bowl in Earlington with 755 on games of 257-268-230 in the Astro League. Rob Laubach picked a good time to sub in the Friday Trios League at Blue Valley and wound up with the lone reported 800 of the season with 811.
Weekly bowling scores
300 games
Ernie Lukacs Jr., Oakwood
Tim Emery, Oakwood
Anthony Johnston, Oakwood
Aaron Heckman, Steel City
Ross Winiarz, Steel City
Season total: 8
Allentown Clubmen’s Traveling
Men – Mike Klocek 708, Henry Kern 698, Shawn Werley 683, Scott Delong 676, Tim Roman 673, Charlie Stout 644, Jacob Kerstetter 640, Brent Frisch 638, Bobby Cowttch 626, Kevin Vincent 622, Rich Salobecke 619, Kyle Morgan 618, Dom Farole 618, Mike Meischeid 617, Andrew Armellino 612, John Schuster 608, Jeff Herman 606, Chris Benner 600
Allentown Fraternal Traveling
Men - Augie Quattrini 731, Jacob Snyder 700, Chirs Kitchen 697, John Daneker 689, Shawn Schwoyer 685, Eric Rosenberg 684, Richard Haas 681, Ross Winiarz 673, Robert Seier 672, Rob Moyer 652, Tucker Kuhlmann 651, Kevin Vincent 640
Bar-Don Lanes (Palmer Township)
Women – Raquel Salobecke 664, Alyssa Shaner-Getz 635, Charity Cruz 628, Ellen Patten 587, Kelly Reibman 560, Jen Scott 526, Janice King 525, Roxanne Brown 523, Tammy Hill 516, Missy Torok 507, Ronnie Pavelko 507, Gail King 506, LeeAnn Bowen 506, Darcy Szabo 504
Men – Nick Terleski 760, Gary Hill 757, Dylan Patten 747, Jim Patten 720, Gene Lattig 710-668, Joel Toth 696, Steve Miller 696, Chris McKiniry 686, Ryan Correll 664, Josh Kunsman 653, Ossie Paraiso 651, Rob Laubach 651
Seniors - Gene Lattig 680, Jack Corrigan 634, Don Giamarino 620, Bob Kendra 576, Roger Porter 574, Bill Bachman 573, Paul Arnold 569, Bob Weppel 561, Bob Peters 559, Art Flegler 557, Harry Claus 552, Butch Fogel 549, Doug Correll 537, Joe Banis 534, Frank Fogel 531, Dan Sabetti 531, Mac McGrath 527, Rick Wistreich 527, Nancy Johnson 524, Bob Romig 522
Bath Legion
Women - Kelly Kunigus 588, Trina Weinberg 540, Charlie Amore 528
Men - Chris Benner 746, Brian Dilley 732, Raymond Zellner 703, Mike Klement Sr. 685, Ed Taylor 682, Noah Durnin 677, Butch Post Jr. 673, Scott Weinberg 669, Brandon Zellner 650, Terry Heckman 649, Matt Paulus 648, Dave Betz 612, Paul Duda 612
Coplay Saengerbund
Women - Shannon Quick 572
Men - Josh Cougle 727, Steve Kirkpatrick 662, Marc Beichey 651, Mike Snyder 630, Scott Ringer 620, Bob Davidson,Jr. 610, Bob Davidson III 610, Gerard Whipple 608, Jeff Kerbacher 607, Henry Kern 606, Al Davidson 601
Earl Bowl (Earlington)
Women - Colleen Bruder 755, Jennifer Lehman 721, Liz Hunsicker 717, Trish Snyder 610, Deb Nelson 597, Margie Gaasche 581, Jessica Teufel 575, Christi Schatz 570, Aileen Quell 555, Mary Ann Huebner 551, Jolyn Adam 545, Margie Gaasche 545, Johanna Falkner 543, Angela Reckner 538, Arlene Wolfinger 537, Jodie Hunsicker 534
Men - Jared Kelley 785, Scott Keeler782, Eric Kochersperger 764, Dustin Brandis 763, Ken Snyder 759, Steve Gerhart 739, Ryan Pellow 738, Kyle Transue 725, Shaun Barnes 722, Doug Hoch 714, Bob Pryz 714, Robert Harger 711, Mannie Santos 711, Sean Marlin 706, Joe Stiles 702, Martin Grace 700, Dave Kratz 697, Dean Paul 696, Brian Cassey 693, Mike Pine 691, Randy Waite 688
Earl Bowl (Quakertown)
Women - Ellie Funk 567, Maggie Lorah 560, Diane Clemens 549, Alice Leach 542, Kathy Campion 536, Lynn Lentz 523, Kelsey Trautman 521, Mary Kaiser 515, Carol Slifer 504
Men - Chris Kramer 731, Jon Oxenford 724, Chris Roehner 674, Tony Saldutti 665, Tim Belloff 664, Mike Ewasko 652, Jacob Cressman 646, Steve Santarlas Jr. 634, Glenn Rickert 633, Bill Cronmiller 627, John Waterstradt 625, Timothy Conlon 623, George Fadil 613
Seniors - Lamont Christman 706, Dave Sickles 614, Jerry Fulmer 613, Lale Byers 599, Ken Quire 594, Kim Ziegler 589, Randy Smith 570
Haja Rose Bowl (Allentown)
Women - Sarah Doyle 677, Lisa Campbell 625, Rachael Confer 560, Stephanie Ashlin 560, Lori Smith 556, Tammy Stout 546, Marian Shup 515, Linda Rubino 503
Men - Dan Petruno 688, Richard Sloyer 677, Sam Wolf 644, Joe Altieri Jr. 642, Scott Burkhous 640, James Leaser 639, Mark Rapchak 638, Josiah Floyd 637, Jason Fuhrman 634, Mike Murray 633, Paul Viola 628, George Shattah 627, Mike Sansone 624, Todd Fahringer 622, Tyler Thomas 621
Seniors - Walt Christoff 611, Will Shoemaker 607, Carol Dignazio 583, Frank Williams 578, Guy Schneider 575, Bill Hichar 572, Bob Klotz 554, Bob Fehnel 552, Randy Delillo 542, Lucy Schimenek 533
Hampton (Northampton)
Men - Tyler Heckman 758, Mike Hartkorn 736, Eric Wilmot 723, Bruce Clark 701
Lehigh Valley Clubmens
Women - Krista Sandt 652, Shannon Quick 616
Men - Joshua Samuelson 791, Timothy Roof 704, Jeff Bosak 653, TJ Clark 643, James Patten 642, Kyle Morgan 625, Matthew Pritchard 624, William Phillips 623, Andrew Edelman 621, Peter Bresnak 617, Owen Darby 610, Brent Frisch 605, Aaron Smith 603, Wayne Fleming Jr. 601
National Sokols (Bethlehem)
Men – Tim Stuart Jr. 775, Jeff Bosak 698, Rusty Fink 668, Lovell Bivens 655, Jared Bosak 646, Joe Ragazino 632, Jed Ballinger 628, Zach Assad 617, Brett Bosak 606, Dan Holecz 602, Jacob Christman 602
Lehigh Valley Ladies Club
Tami Christ 578, Jaclyn Stine 573, Paulette Wright 556, Tammy Oswald 523, Sheli Polash 519
Nazareth Holy Family
Women - Judy Cappelli 543, Charlene McNally 528, MaryAnn Thomas 522, Cindy Haydt 504, Ashley LaBar 502, Sue Bain 502
Men - Nick Terleski Jr. 706, Mike Balogh 705, Jess Cyphers 653, James Knecht 641, Matt Paulus 633, Chris Manini 627, John Miller 619, Ray Fenstermaker 607, Mike Hawk 601, Mike Fox 601
Oakwood (Washington, N.J.)
Women – Jenna Henderson 659-657-653, Laraine Brands 588, Jan Henderson 587-575-565, Nicole Knittle 549, Jenna Robaey 548, Mary Pearson 545, Maggie Baker 543, Katie Lopez 531, Laurie Bry Nildsen 530, Melissa Torok 530, Glo Todisco 529, Melinda McSween 526
Men – Tim Emery 748, Bobby Collins Jr. 741, Mikey Pearson 737, Anthony Johnston 739-725, Ed Maxwell 711, Justin Stanley 709, Paul Manozzi 706, Pat Romanello 697-680, Bill Henderson 690, Harry Rieger 690, Wayne Fleming 689, Stefan Eskesen 689-675, Tim Belese 685, Gary Tunison 682, Brian Duke 679, Kevin Serridge 679, TJ Heinrich 675, Doug Ackerman 675
Seniors - Bruce Stepnowski 697, Joe Ilg 617, Doug Paternoster 563, Russ Parsell 561, Bruce Eskesen 548, Joe Finis 547, Leroy Pope 540, Fred Higgins 539, Joanne Hockenbury 562
Steel City (Bethlehem)
Women - Krista Sandt 643-551, Barbie Harris 642, Jenna Garman 640, Nicole Walker 633, Jessica Bendekovitz 619, Olivia Cicero 608, Kris Polster 592, Jess Garzio 575, Ashley Nedley 568-505, Jenna Henderson 562, Heather Jacobs 543, Karen Darby 528, Darcy Szabo 514, Jacquelyn Torres 510, Shelby Rutkowski 509, Diane Wittmer 507, Michele Tassilo 505
Men – Rich Salobecke 760, Lee Sandt 754-722, Michael Bermudez 744, Aaron Heckman 742, Jake Voorhees 733, Brent Frish 732, Larry Fricker Jr. 724, Tim Roof 721, Spencer Metzger 715, Nick Cassium 709, Ted Long 707, Tom Anthony 705, Ron Wynkoop 697, Barry Gangwer 690, Chris Slater 690-671, Bryan Ramsey 688, Owen Darby 684, Jimmy Huynh 684, Keith Haverstock 683, Mark Moyer 681, Brian Dilley 681, Rusty Fink 679, Jeff Degroff 676, Ross Winiarz 674, Cincere Holmes 674
Seniors - Tommy Tatum 678, Bill Henderson 643, Al Webb 636, Tim Katkowski 611, Tony Facchiano 603, Thomas Stefanik 600
Junior scores
Preps
Bar-Don - Logan Brinker 53, Hossein Farhat 119, Ian Polizzi 75, Logan Deemer 125, Will Bowen 90
Juniors
Bar-Don - Aiden Brennan 103, Eli Polizzi 113, Joshua Clark 149, Chase Laubach 217, Matthew Bill 129, Jonah Bell 108
Classics
Bar-Don - Francis Reinhart 122, Dylan Bartholomew 112, Kenny Getz 187, Aden Pysher 168, Elisa McFarland 135, Kayla Patten 205
Girls 500 and over
Bar-Don – Kayla Patten 571
Earl Bowl Earlington – Julia Skarbowski 554, Breanna Gardner 505
Boys 550 and over
Bar-Don - Chase Laubach 565
Earl Bowl Earlington – Jonah Helms 615, Jacob Siegfried 600, Brayden Ristine 555
Earl Bowl Quakertown - Joey Barnes 590
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Dave Goodman can be reached at badgood2@aol.com.