Did you give thanks on Thursday for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon you? If you are like me, you probably did just that before settling down for a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that allows us to realize just how fortunate we are. If there is one negative to Thanksgiving, other than the copious amounts of turkey that we consume, it is that we only celebrate it one day each year. We should not need a holiday to remind us of how lucky we are to have friends and family that mean so much to us. Actually, we should give thanks every day of the year.
As you get ready to dive into those turkey leftovers for the third straight day, let me tell you what I am thankful for. As with most people, it starts with family. I have a wonderful wife and two great kids. Family ties on both my side, and my wife's side of the family are very strong. We are fortunate that my mother-in-law is still with us. It is always a joyous occasion when our families get together.
I managed to celebrate yet another birthday the day before Thanksgiving, and when you get to my age. it is always a good idea to be thankful for your health. Good friends are hard to come by and I have some of the best you can imagine, and for that I am very thankful. I think you get the idea.
As far as bowling goes, I have many things to be thankful for also. Just being able to bowl at my age is a blessing. I know of many people who have not reached my age that have had to give up the sport due to physical problems. Though my game is often problematic, the fact is I get to keep doing it week after week. For that I am grateful.
One of the things that I am most appreciative of is my bowling teammates. It is such fun to be around them, swapping stories and trading quips. I look forward to seeing them each week, even if I'm not so sure how the bowling is going to go.
Finally, I can say that I am thankful that I am not Rich Yates Jr. Yeah, yeah I know. It may not be the nicest thing I can say about someone, but hear me out. Just ten days ago, I was wishing that I was Richie. Now, I don't want to be. Here's why:
Last week in the Wednesday Morning League, Rich fired a perfect game. Every bowler wants to be able to say they have a 300 game on their resume. I am still waiting for mine. To the best of my calculations, I have bowled approximately 5,000 league games. Nary a perfecto for me though. Now you know why I wanted to be him, at least for a while.
Five days later in the Sportsman League, Richie again strung together 12 straight strikes for another perfect game. Two 300's in five days? You have got to be kidding me. I have none in 35 plus years and he gets two in less than a week. Now you know why I'm thankful that I'm not him. Or do you?
When you start having that much success, your teammates will start expecting it. My teammates, bless their hearts, would really let me have it if I had games like, well, like the 127 I shot this week. Two perfect games in less than a week? Who wants that kind of pressure?
In all seriousness, I would like to congratulate Rich Yates Jr. for his outstanding accomplishment. I think it's awesome. By the way Richie, if you want to share some of that perfection magic with others like me who seem to be a little less fortunate, at least bowling wise, I would really be thankful.
It's hard to start with anyone else but Rich Yates Jr. this week. His perfect game in the Sportsman League led to a 768 series. He was followed by Greg Tiell with 700, Phil Neikirk 679, Scott Hartsel 656, Harry Smith 647, Mike Kisabeth 630, Rustan Burks 606 and Ken Butturff Jr. 603. Wednesday Morning League scores included Steve Norman 717, Tyson Shope 662, Harry Smith 660, Paul Landers 615, Mark Huffman 568 and Cheryl Radin-Norman 406. Tim Sturgill shot 603, Tim Bollenbacher 588, Tom Tiell 577, Janice Young 532 and Marie Meyer 434 in the Sunday Night Rock N Roll League. In the Twilight League Ed Conrad shot 674, Steve Davis 644, Kevin Fitch 597, Rhonda Fitch 517, Robin Brownell 460 and Katie Young 321.
Steve Steinmetz Jr. fired a 762 series to lead the Imperial-Majorette League. Ben Hoyda shot 591, Steve Steinmetz, Sr. 548, Deb Nominee 545, Rhonda Fitch 543 and Linda Brookes 444. Robin Dickman shot 614, Kate Reser 502, Lorrie Williams 497, Janet Houk 491 and Diane Hoover 481 in the Alley Cats League. Scores from the Big 8 League included Rich Yates Jr. 691, Mark Baxter 684, Hank Jasso 662, Chris King 640, Jim Ross 640, Ben Hoyda 636, Mike Shock 617, Ken Bauman 608, Mike Carroll 605, Yazu Wilson 604 and Jack Book 600. In the Rocket League Dave Jones had 583, Dave Coppus 569, Paul Landers 560, Steve Norman 559, Beth Jones 556, Dottie Funk 501 and Virginia Vanover 459.
Action from the K of C Lanes included Rick Smith shooting 659 in the Tuesday Night League. Chris Johnson had 602, Jerry Coleman 563, Jim Rainey 561, Darl Elchert 556, Scott Ferguson 554, Jack Houck 552 and James Lord 550. In the Lady Knights League Deb Hoerig shot 493, Madonna Gase 438, Carol Burmeister 405, Marilyn Gangluff 399, Lela Gaietto 398 and Marge Wilhelm 392. Jim Ruess shot 597, Bob Reinhart 592, Jim Ferstler 509, Dick Gabel 506, Denny Scherger 506, Bob West 498, Bill Mizen 473, Paul Fey 471, John Ferstler 465, Harry Smith 460, Jim Donaldson 368 and Dave Everhart 331 in the 55 Plus League. In the Senior League Herb Sendelbach shot 590, Ken Ritzler 576, Steve Zirger 536, Jerry Schlick 524, Cliff Jeffrey 523, Larry Ritzler 502 and John Arend 501.
Al Stephenson is The A-T's bowling columnist.
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