Social - January 2003

Bowling keeps Kean Agers Young at Heart

League offers fun, fellowship and fitness for Lincoln County Seniors

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

January 10, 2003 - As the pins crash down, spectators clap, cheer and hold up their hands for high fives.

The Kean Agers, Pin Poppers and Young at Heart are at it again.

Dressed in sweaters and shiny bowling shoes — multicolored and glittered balls in toe — league members take to the lanes.

The senior citizen teams compete each Monday and Thursday morning at George Pappas Liberty Lanes in Gastonia.

“I like the exercise,” says Doris Bowlin of Denver. “If I don’t bowl, I’m mean.”

Bowlin is the 72-year-old president of the Golden Oldies Bowling League that meets every Monday.

Bowlin says her last name only lacks a “G” to describe one of her favorite activities. She’s been knocking down pins for about 40 years.

“I like bowling so well I work in a bowling alley in Huntersville,” she says.

The Senior Citizens League bowls on Thursdays.

While the two leagues meet on different days, many of the seniors participate in both leagues on both days — most traveling from Lincoln County.

“We do carpool even though most of us come from different areas,” says 79-year-old Ted Paige of Cherryville.

Paige says he’s been bowling with the league for about 10 years.

He says the exercise and fellowship is irreplaceable.

Both the Monday and Thursday leagues are part of the Gaston/Lincoln Bowling Association. Ten teams of three to four players compete. There’s only one requirement to play — be age 55 or older.

Age does nothing to affect the atmosphere at the bowling alley during the games. Players sip sodas, talk about their game and catch up on the week’s activities. Some concentrate heavily on the game while others seem more interested in having fun.

Wilma Browne, 90, of Cherryville takes a cautious approach before releasing her ball down the lane. The former state champion won a title in 1995.

“I went to the internationals in Tucson, Ariz,” she recalls.

Harland Payne has served as secretary for the organization for about 20 years. He enjoys the competition weekly and annually. Payne competes in the national senior tournament each year.

“This is good exercise, and I love the people,” says Gla Hoyle of Alexis. “I never touched a bowling ball till about 10 years ago.”

Hoyle’s sunny disposition shows with each turn on the alley. She doesn’t claim to be an expert bowler, but she is there for a high five when the occasion arises.

“I’m not old. I’m just 90,” she says. “You’re just as old as you let yourself get.”

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Anyone interested in joining the Golden Oldies or Senior Citizens League may come to Liberty Lanes on York Road in Gastonia Monday or Thursday at 9 a.m. or call Harland Payne, 704-483-3461.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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