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History lives on the oldest lanes in quaint tavern

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published September 30, 2005

MILWAUKEE - Sitting in her nightgown with just the glow of an old television to illuminate her knitting, Marcy Skowronski said it would be no problem to turn on the lights in the other rooms of her house on Lincoln Avenue and take a look around.

Behind a few doors in the nostalgic midwestern tavern known as the Holler House lies bowling history and, as Skowronski said, "a few lanes." Two to be exact.

Built in 1908, the crackling lanes in the basement of the Holler House in Greenfield Village are the oldest ABC- or USBC-certified lanes in America.

Teams of three sit under the stairwell, with scores recorded on sheets that hang from the walls. Balls and shoes are kept in bags on a few shelves, and patrons can sign their name on the concrete-block wall to the side (accessible only by walking on the lane).

Pin-boys are on call for Skowronski. They, usually teenage boys, sit on a shelf behind the pins, cramped for space worse than those who are bowling, and actually set the pins and clear the lanes themselves.

"A $5 bill in one of the finger holes pretty much gets you a strike," Skowronski said.

Up the stairs at street level is a small bar with bowling memorabilia hanging from every inch of space. It is the kind of place that instills the spirit of the sport into people.

The tavern reminds those there that bowling has had a longer history than most sports and its spirit comes from the camaraderie and fun of participating - not necessarily from the scores or accommodations.

PREPS: After six weeks of Pinellas County high school competition, Osceola's Matt Corsetti maintains the boys high average (216.13).

He is followed by Boca Ciega's David Segler (212.9) and Osceola's Travis Reichert (209.68).

Continuing to own the girls high average is Ashly Galante . The Tarpon Springs player has a 202.67 mark.

Trailing are Northeast's Jessica Kiger (180.21), Seminole's Heather Janson (179.96) and Palm Harbor's Stephanie Scanlon (179.63).

Alex Watkins , who has a 154 average for the Seminole junior varsity squad, shot at Sunrise Lanes last week a 265 game that was 111 pins over average.

For the boys handicap team lead, Largo and Dixie Hollins are tied with 78 points. In scratch play, Northeast (94.5) is in front of Osceola (92).

Joe Gili of Clearwater rolled 11 consecutive strikes en route to a 290 game at Ten Pin Lanes. Segler recorded 11 straight in a 279 performance at Dunedin Lanes.

Lakewood tops the girls handicapped standings with 85.5 points, just ahead of East Lake (84) and Pinellas Park (83). In scratch competition, Seminole's 103 mark leads by three over Tarpon Springs and Northeast, which are tied for second place.

On Thursday, the league will be at Seminole Lanes.

All 54 teams will be bowling together for the first time this season at 3:30 p.m.

HIGH SCORERS: At Ten Pin Lanes, Glenn Jeffers bowled a 300 game and series-high 740.

Other strong showings were made by Bo O'keefe (296/725), Tony Agostine (697), John Hill (686), Don Avery (678) and Mike Vitel Jr. (672).

Leading the women were Robin Hintz (258/702), Jen Layton (617), Ester Motzne (579), Pam Keene (564), Chris Cummings (561) and Veronica Wise (540).

Dave DeLorenzo (566), Jim Callus (538) and Mike Barile (521) topped the senior men. In the youth league, the top players were Chris Ellis (598), Alex Penrod (582), Evan Walker (557) and David Segler (546).

At Dunedin Lanes, Errol Weaver rolled his first 300 of the fall season. Tom Palmer (743), John Moss (738), Tom Campbell (727) and Ted Banderman (716) had the high series.

For the women, Dianna Mooneyhan posted 671.

At Sunrise Lanes in Florida Women's Senior Stars competition, Clara Rousseau (150 average) led with a 193 game and 547 series.

At Seminole Lanes, Jim Higdon recorded a 300 and 735 series in Florida Mixed Senior Stars action.

In the Karen Wornicki Senior Invitational League, Dick Correa logged 279-202-279-760. He was followed by John Martino (258/753), Phil Houpt (255/712), Jack Stewart (279/701) and Pete Naimo (279/680).

In the Thursday Night Mixer, Dennis Slininger was tops with 268/714. In the Florida Men Senior Stars' four-game format, Ray Hickox (256/903) received honors. Lou Traci enjoyed a perfect game.

Other strong performances were turned in by Cindy Hall (279/780), Steve Ellerman (738), Tricia McKee (663), Matt Markley (727), Chris Green (701), Jeff Priselac (299 game), Clyde Mitchell (747), Joe Krug (289), Chris Rivera (277), Scott Baird (746), Patrick Prill (279-722), Len Schroeder (704), Rich Cheskiewicz (297), Pablo Lakilak (279), Ron Demillion (277/703), Ziggy Podlas (279/742), Russell Welch (701), David Broughton (289/792 in youth league), Smokey Clark (736), James Gordon (748), Lynn Gray (225/615) and Dennis Slininger (268-714).

At Tarpon Lanes in the Highland Lakes League, Bill Mattingly paced the competition with 233/556. He was followed by Bob Linn (199/523).

In the Monday Mixer, Jim Stanford (242/687) and Tom Lange (244/675) received honors.

For the Lake Tarpon League, Ed Grabau led with 180/508. Bob Fusco topped the senior men in a 603 series. Gene Sparks rolled a 224 high game.

Other high scores included, Sean Bailey (265/685), Ray Peloquin (221/658), Gary Adamek (224/647), Ron Averbeck (243/646), Rhodes Carr (227/601), Gary Campbell (230/574), Don Henty (202/564) and Luann Johanning (196/540).

In the Senior Birds League, George Noorts posted 203/540 and was followed by Mary Lou Noorts (188/505).

At Countryside Lanes, making the honors sheet were Walt Coddington (826), Pat Klotchko (816), Chris Samuels (779), Dave Hamm (754), Ron Vassallo (753), Charles Ross (738), Karl Behnken (735), Vince Ciletti (734), Richard Peak (733), Mark Every (727), Jason Lumpkin (725), Darlene Krah (678), Carly Rettman (653), Jessica Hodges (625), Kate Heil (607) and Tammy Hodges (600).

For the youths, Kaylee Magazine led with 644. Trailing were Michael Wiszowaty (602) and Amanda Tassillo (588).

--Eric Muskatevc can be reached at emuskatevc@aol.com

[Last modified September 30, 2005, 01:35:17]