Here & There Column 3-25-08

David Stone

The Johnny Cash Experience At The Paramount

Johnny Cash fans will have the opportunity on April 12 to experience an accurate, note-for-note, authentic representation of the Johnny Cash Show without cheap impersonation.
David Stone......"The Johnny Cash Experience" will make an appearance at 8 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre at 17 South Street, Middletown.
Stone brings to the stage the music and history of the legend.....all which is conveyed with dignity.
Stone is a Philadelphia born singer/songwriter who has been singing the songs of Johnny Cash nearly all his life.
Inspired by the Man In Black's ABC television show as a young boy, Stone soon learned to play guitar and sing in Cash's unique style.
He started the show some years ago to an enthusiastic response from fans all over the Philadelphia area.
Stone is not a look-alike or an impersonator, but his rendition of Johnny Cash observes a strict authenticity and dignity in conveying the rich, thought provoking music that made Johnny Cash an icon of American Country Music
Those who see David Stone's performance will know what it must have been like to see the real Johnny Cash in concert. His voice, mannerisms, and the sound of his band are wholly true to the legend.
Stone also writes songs in the same style of the late Johnny Cash.
As a decorated veteran who served with distinction in the Army's Second Armored Division, Stone, both in person and through his music displays an integrity that appeals to audiences and fellow performers alike.
In his show Stone does not try to impersonate Cash, but rather walks the audience Cash's life and music, while at the same time sounding, looking and playing exactly like the real man in black.
The show will run from 8 to 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now and run from $80 to $30.
Contact the Paramount Theatre office at 845-346-4195. Ticket office hours are 12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

Bowling Highlights Column 3-21-08

Monticello's "Little Lefty" John Hoffmann, center, is congratulated by Tri-County NY USBC Association Tournament Director Linda Drew, left, and Association Manager Michele Bensley for Hoffmann's 300 game bowled on March 16 in the Association tournament held at Pin Street Lanes in Warwick. Hoffmann's perfest game was the fourth 300 scored in this year's tournament.


Daniel VanAken

James Durland

"Little Lefty" Scores 4th Tournament 300 Game

The 66-year-old "Little Lefty" from Monticello is just like good wine........they both seem to get better with age.
John Hoffmann, bowling last Sunday with his doubles partner Ed Townsend, in the noon Doubles & Singles event of the Tri-County NY United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Association tournament at Pin Street Lanes in Warwick recorded the tournaments fourth 300 game and his personal 22ed career perfect game..
The 300 came in game 2 of the doubles event and along with a 226 in the first game Hoffmann finished the series with a 707 series
The four perfect games recorded in this year's Tri-County tournament include Hoffmann, Joseph Powell, Antonio Rivera and Monticello's Vinnie Collura.
Hoffmann's 300 was recorded on lanes 11 and 12 using a new Roto Grip Quest bowling ball recently drilled for him by Mike Luongo who noted to this columnist when fitting and drilling out the new ball for Hoffmann that "John has a real nice game."
Hoffmann is a well-known technical bowler and on March 4 recorded his 21st career 300 in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league at Kiamesha Lanes and in doing so recorded his highest ever series of 817.
In Sunday's match all 12 strikes were in the 1-2 pocket.
John won the high average bowler honors with a 229 in the Tri-County NY USBC Association for the 2006-2007 season. He bowled professionally from 1990 through 1993 in the Northeast Regional Bowlers Professional Bowlers Association where he got his "Little Lefty" nickname from PBA Tour Bowler Tommy Delutz Jr.
Hoffmann is also the 2007 Tri-County NY USBC Men's Senior Champion and a New Jersey State Senior champion.
He presently maintains a 220 average and bowls in the Monday Men's, Tuesday Mixed Firefighters, SundayThunder 102 Mixed leagues all at Kiamesha Lanes and in the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen's league at Callicoon Lanes.
Last fall he also becamse a certified USBC coach and is considered an excellent teacher of ths game.
Hoffmann has been bowling for some 51 years, is single and retired and lived in the South Woods Road area of the Town of Thompson.
Hoffmann along with Townsend, who averaged 194 for the three game match, scored a 1482 total which put them into fifth place at the end of their squad.

The Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

Bowlers: This week the tip is for all bowlers to truly assist you on how to best use the dots and arrows on the approach as target aids.
When preparing to execute a bowling shot, whether it is a strike or spare, you must be prepared to unerstand the path down the lane you intend your bowling ball to take. With this in mind, when stepping on the approach you should have a focal point, simply the point from which the ball will roll off your hand in the direction you intend it to go, picked out.
If you throw a hook ball, you will be rolling the ball toward the intended break point--the spot on the lane you expect your ball to change direction. If you are rolling the ball straight, the pocket or the pin/pins will be your intended target.
The tip: Look at your intended target and bring your eyes back to the spot on the lane that you are most comfortable looking at, whether it be the dots or an arrow.
To play the modern game, the sooner the ball comes off your lhand the better. If you are looking at an arrow and tend to throw or hit up on the ball instead of rolling it off your hand, bring your eyes more toward the dots.
If you are a bowler that tends to play more across the boards with a lot of rotation, your focal point should be as far right (or left) as in between the lanes to get the ball to the correct break point.
If you play a straighter game with a small hook, your correct focal point may be toward the 3-pin.
Remember, there is no substitute for making a good shot. If you combine good shots with good thinking, your scores will increase.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Teacher. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is also the Northeast Technical Advisor for the Morich Bowling Ball Company (Morich Enterprises, Inc.) Mike is a member of the Brunswick Pro Shop Staff. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

Youth League Bowlers
Record High Scores

Two Saturday Morning Youth league bowlers at Kiamesha Lanes recently recorded high scores.
Sixteen-year-old James Durland, a Sophmore at Monticello Central High School, scored a nice 265 game on lanes 1 & 2 using a Morich Ravage III bowling ball.
James is the son of Debbie and Paul Durland, has been boweling in the youth league for 11 years..
Daniel VanAken, 17, at student at Fallsburg High School who has been bowling in the youthleague for 2 years, scored game opf 178, 236, 265 using a Brunswick Fury bowling ball.
Daniel bowls with the A. J. Pro Shop team and is the son of Shirley and George Van Aken.

PBA News

The Denny's PBA Tour, following a one week hiatus, returned to action this week with the GEICO Classic March 19-23 at AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, NY. The live ESPN televises finals gtake place Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. ET.

Local Scores

Callicoon Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Hortonville Ladies league include a 188 by Joyce Brooks, Pat Peters 191, Amber Benson 201, 518, Rebecca Rhodes 181, Judy Mohn 180, Sue Naughton 192, Donna DuBois 506 and Lil Zieres 501.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Kris Rasmussen scored a 203, Joel Turner 203, Jon Wayne 204, Karl Adams 234, 198, Mark Schriber 222, 204, 606, Roger Miller 225, Tom Schultz 201, Mark Garro 222, 246, 632, Mark Hawley 214, 212, Dick Pomes 204, Brian Starr 202, 212, 607, Joseph Gager 201, Damien VanLeuven 219, 210, 618, Brian Kitson 226, 209, 603, Jon Duffy 199 and Scott Herbert 225.
In the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen's league Don Hill scored a 237, Phil Jacobi 235, 603, Brian Marino 210, Damien VanLeuven 215, Mark Rutledge 195, Mike Beseth 235, Kory Kessler 204, 214, Bruce Rutledge 216, 267, 661, Roger Widmann 200, Justin Lopez 202, 201, Bob Cady 206, Ed Townsend 200, 197, Tom Skiff Jr. 214, John Hoffmann 202, 201 and Shirley Townsend 199, 501.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Ladies Early Birds league include a 187, 190, 186, 563 by Sally BallardKathleen Stanton 191, 209, 535, Linda Ferris 224, 525, Sherry Persbacker 181, 509, Tammy Kane 203, 506, Kathleen Maltese 185, 500, Lori Walker 202 and Melinda Ferris 190.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Tony Wright scored a 241-248, 679, Jeff Curtis 247, 224, 664, Shane Merwin 264, 213, 657, Andrew Bullis 215, 196, 232, 645, Al Bullis Sr. 211. 226, 200, 637, Robert Johnson 248, 628, Rod Pudney 221, 205, 199, 625, Steve Aitken 220, 223, 620, Al Bullis Jr. 223, 204, 620, Paul Ignatovich 202, 229, 616, Brad Tracy 227, 211, 610, Bill Gleim 223, 215, Lee Stanton 221, Steve Hopkins 205, 215, Gino Jones 223, John Lanner 224 and Carl Davis 236.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Carl Davis scored a 224, 222, 238, 684, James Dibble 237, 256, 674, Robert Johnson 235, 200, 213, 648, Norm Ellis 234, 202, 200, 636, Donald Marino 214, 233, 633, Lee Stanton 235, 212, 632, Marc Fino 223, 225, 630, Brad Tracy 211, 215, 204, 630, Craig Gehrig 267, 236, 628, Thomas Anderson 206, 222, 620, Tony Wright 199, 224, 616, Robert McNaught 237, 204, 614, William Gleim 244, 612, Frank Couse 203, 200, 205, 608, Daniel Wormuth 225, 602 and Richard Layton 213, 204, 601.
In the Friday Couples league Paul Fritz scored a 299, 209, 241, 749, Bill Gleim 231, 212, 242, 685, Robert Johnson 203, 256, 648, John Stanton 200, 212, 233, 645, James Dibble 213, 235, 621, Robert Ellis 215, Rick Mills 222, Daniel Wormuth 212, Norman Ellis 214, Gino Jones 225, Sandy Winans 192, 500, Hope Jones 211, Tracy Resti 196 and Kristina Couse 182.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league include a 257, 698 by Ed Guthrie, George Kelley 245, 663, Mary Lee Williams 220, 581, Crystal Price 213, Joan Lake 212, Dorian Jennings 578 and Roberta Yakin 564.
In the Friday Mixed Doubles league Tammy Pineiro scored a 211, 552, Kort Wheeler 209, 212, 610, Joan Redington 203, 530, Bob Linzer 221, Tom Skiff Jr. 220, 216, 608, Joan Lake 203, 193, 568, Kevin Stackhouse 195, Eddie Lake 199, 205, 245, 649, Paul Berens 214, 208, Orshii Niifa 233, Laresko Niifa 252, 198, 606, John Cascone 200, 201, 224, 625, Frank Emmens 202, 243, 197, 642, Andrew Douglass 203, Don Kuhlman 212, 226, 243, 681, Tom Skiff III 226, 223, 621, Jamy Flynn 191, Bryce Flynn 224, 205, 622, Rick Hendricks 231, 232, 645, Glenn Fraser 221, Vera Bernhardt 206, 515, Mike Osborn 212, 216, Allan Jones 235, 223, 628 and Rich Blackford 215.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division ASbigail Rustic scored a 92 and Tulsi Patel 84.
In the Bantams division Thomas Nola scored a 88, Sarah Rustic 83 amd Parth Patel 114.
In the Jr.Mjrs division Shawn Sinistore scored a 245, Ed Walsh 219, Pedro Agapito III a 188, 198, Amber Bock 157, Shivani Patel 179, Taylor Thomas 192, Jason Moss 199, 165, Francis Henderson 143, Michael Scuderi 158, 189, 160 and Jennifer Zeininger 145.
In the Preps division Cory Deitchman scored a 144, 148, 152, Michael DeGraw 111, Taylor McCormack 110, Tyler Bruderman 92, Rup Patel 133, Jared Friedman 135 and Trevor Scott 151.

FLORIDA HAMMERHEAD CAPTURES 895 SERIES WITH BLACK WIDOW

HOPKINSVILLE, Kent.—Once again the Black Widow has solidified its reputation as a deadly competitor and unstoppable force on the lanes, no matter the conditions! On March 4, Hammerhead Andy Vanostrand rolled a high series of 895 (296-299-300) with his brand new Black Widow ball at the South Florida Masters’ TRIO league at Strikers Family SportsCenter in Sunrise, Fla. The ball has just been drilled at the Precision Pro Shop in Boca Raton, Fla., before the competition that night. “It was an amazing feeling,” said Vanostrand. “The Black Widow navigates the lanes well and hits the pins with a lot of energy left. I just kept thinking ‘one shot at a time’.” Vanostrand has bowled with Hammer for years and rolled a previous high series of 863 in March 2004. He has been a member of the TRIO league for five years, where his current average is 228. He has also been a member of the bowling center’s Mixed Nuts league for eight years. Nothing Hits Like a Hammer®. For more information on Black Widow or to find the pro shop nearest you, visit the Goods section of www.hammerbowling.com. Hammer is headquartered in Hopkinsville, Kent.

USBC RECEIVES $693,000 AWARD FROM STATE OF TEXAS FOR RELOCATION TO
ARLINGTON

GREENDALE, Wis. -- The United States Bowling Congress is the recipient
of a $693,000 award from the Texas Enterprise Fund, clearing the way for
the organization to move its headquarters to Arlington, Texas. The
announcement, issued by the offices of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, makes
possible the creation of an International Bowling Campus in Arlington
that will also include the offices of the Bowling Proprietors’
Association of America.

In addition to office space for about 200 employees, the new $14
million complex will include a 12-to-16 lane combined equipment testing
and international training center. BPAA has pledged to pay for half of
the complex while utilizing less than one-fifth of the space.

The property is located at 621 Six Flags Drive, across the street from
Six Flags Over Texas in the heart of Arlington's entertainment and
sports district. It is about three blocks east of Rangers’ Ballpark in
Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, and about six blocks
east of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium set to open in 2009. Also located
in the area is Glorypark, a planned mixed-use development featuring
900,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment space. The
creation of the International Bowling Campus at such a high profile
location will provide the opportunity to showcase bowling to the world
that doesn't exist at USBC’s present location.

“The Texas Enterprise Fund award was a critical factor in our
decision to relocate USBC’s headquarters to Arlington,” said USBC
Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. “Relocating our headquarters
to Arlington will provide a business climate that will be invaluable in
helping us achieve our future goals for the sport.”

The move will also enable USBC and BPAA to integrate operations for the
betterment of the sport including the growth and protection of
competitive bowling.

The Texas state legislature created the TEF in 2003 and re-appropriated
funding in 2005 and 2007 to help ensure the growth of Texas businesses
and create more jobs throughout the state.

“Companies throughout the country are looking to Texas as the place
to grow their business thanks to a reasonable regulatory environment,
educated workforce, and economic incentives that bolster Texas’
capital and competition in a global marketplace,” said Gov. Perry.
“As a result of tools like the TEF, Texas continues to diversify
our economic portfolio by attracting businesses like the U.S. Bowling
Congress, fortifying our standing as the national leader in economic
development and job creation.”

In addition to USBC and BPAA, the bowling campus will include The
Bowling Foundation, Strike Ten Entertainment, International Bowling Pro
Shops & Instructors Association, The Bowling Center Management School
and the Billiard & Bowling Institute of America, which are currently
located at BPAA’s headquarters.

United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress, as the national governing body,
ensures the integrity and protects the future of the sport, provides
programs and services to approximately 2.5 million adult and youth
members and enhances the bowling experience.

Here & There Column 3-18-08

Art Was In A Newspaper Era We Will Long Remember

The obituary of Arthur Sugarman in last Tuesday's newspaper brought back to us many memories and some of the long standing history of the weekly newspaper industry and how much it has changed over the last 50 years.
Printers blood and the weekly newspaper field was introduced to me in the early 1950's when I would walk from the old Liberty High School on North Main Street in the Village of Liberty down to the Liberty Gazette & Sprague Brothers printing shop on School Street next to what was the location of the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation building.
My late uncle Cliff Sprague was the Linotype operator at the Liberty Gazette and I remember well watching him type using only two fingers on both hands. He could make that old hot-type Linotype machine just sing. He got me writing high school sports when I was a freshman in high school and that's where I got to really know the late Hazel LeRoy, wife of attorney "Nish" LeRoy and mother of my good friend and fellow musician in high school Marve LeRoy.
I have never known a woman so talented as Hazel was in getting items for her "local news" column.
But the Gazette was not the only newspaper in Liberty at that time. There was also the Liberty Register owned and operated by Harold and Clara Schue (hope I spelled their last name correctly) and their also was the Sullivan County Press (Liberty Ad-Visor) owned and operated by Harrison Krum. The Liberty News, printed in Monticello also was part of the weekly newspaper field.
The weekly newspaper industry in Sullivan County during that era (as much as we can remember) consisted of the Sullivan County Democrat in Callicoon, the Sullivan County Record in Jeffersonville, the Republican Watchman and Evening News in Monticello and the Livingston Manor Times in Livingston Manor. There was also a newspaper in Narrows burg and I think Fred Stabber Jr. mentioned to me another newspaper possibly being in the Bloomingburg-Wurtsburo area.
At one point in time there were 12 weekly newspapers in Sullivan County.
Art Sugarman was a popular and at times a controversial editor of the Republican Watchman and Evening News but he was respected and did a great job as editor of those newspapers. I had the opportunity to work with Art for several years of my weekly newspaper career which also took me to the Liberty Register, Livingston Manor Times, Sullivan County Press and of course my greatest journey of them all to the Sullivan County Democrat.
As the years went by weekly newspapers closed with some saying that there just wasn't enough advertising dollars around to keep them all financially sound.
During those years of the many weekly newspapers we met a number of well respected editors and publishers including of course Fred Stabbert Jr. of the Sullivan County Democrat, Richard "Dick" Rosenbaum of the Sullivan County Record and later the Liberty Register, Ruby Katz of Southern News York Publishers and the Republican Watchman, Evening News and Liberty News, Don and Emily Batty of the Livingston Manor Times and the Sprague brothers at the Liberty Gazette.
We thank those who were responsible for writing Art Sugarman's obituary as it reminded us of a great era of weekly newspapers in Sullivan County.

Bowling Highlights Column 3-14-08

Jack Jurek

PBA Rookie sensation Rhino Page, right, accepts the Go RVing championship trophy from PBA Tour Director Kirk von Krueger following his 244-220 victory over Jack Jurek in last Sunday's Tour stop in Norwich, CT.

New York's Jurek Needed A Win

Through the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Go RVing Classic at Norwich, CT last week Lackawanna (near Buffalo) New York's Jack Jurek was producing winning scores in the rounds of 16 and 8.
After winning the round of 8 match and with the projection that he had made the ESPN TV championship round Sunday afternoon it was a pleasant surprise to find Jack sitting down next two us during Saturday morning breakfast at the same motel that my wife and I along with Bob Cady and Barbara Korthright of Livingston Manor were staying at in Niantic, CT.
We shared general bowling conversation with Jack who noted that this is the first time the PBA tour had bowled on the new Kegal synthetic lanes installed at the Norwich Bowling & Entertainment Center.
In the tour's 49-year history this is the first time the Denny's PBA Tour ever took its show to Norwich, although the Tour has had an event in the state of Connecticut in seven consecutive seasons. The Mohegan Sun Arena (visited by us Saturday night) in nearby Uncasville, played host to the Tour the last six seasons. The Tour has two more years at Norwich.
Jack also pointed out that one of the brand named balls he uses is MoRich and that he know very well MoRich Northeast Technical Advisor Mike Luongo, a regular Bowling Tip contributor to this column who was also present at the Norwich center on Friday.
Jack said that the new Kegal synthetic surface and the PBA Chameleons (PBA Oil Pattern for the week) made many of the professionals use the "gutter shot" in which bowlers rolled their bowling balls very close to the gutter.
Newark NY Professional Doug Kent also talked with us about the lanes and his life on tour this year which we will feature in next week's column.
Jurek noted when asked about next year said that he definitely was looking at what could be his last three weeks on the Denny's PBA Tour because of the long drought he has had on the Tour.
Jurek in the round of 8 defeated Steve Harman 4-3 with gams of 203,-206, 194-210, 227-213, 199-236, 229-173, 239-141 and he won the last game 247-245 to advance to the TV round on Sunday.
Coming into his first TV match Sunday with Mike Edwards Jurek was out of the cut in 42nd for a 2008-09 exemption at season's end.
Jurek during the 2007-07 season was ranked 17.
"Double J" as he is nicknamed, enjoys hockey and lists Pete Weber as his toughest opponent. He won the 1984 AMF World Cup Championship in Sydney, Australia and in 1984 was named the Bowlers Journal Amateur of the Year.
During the 2006-07 Jack enjoyed his best year on Tour, setting career highs in match play appearance, TV finals, average and season earnings.
The popular pro-shop owner and operator at the Bowler's Choice Pro Shop in the Transit Lanes, Williamsville, won his lone Denny's PBA Tour title in the 1995 PBA Turns Classic in Windsor Locks, Conn. He has made six other television appearances in his career and has made match play in 59 of his 232 career Denny's Tour events and has cashed 124 times.
Jack also owns 11 PBA Regional Tour titles.
We wished him the best in last Sunday's Championship TV match against rookie sensation Rhino Page but reminded him that we had to show no partiality once we took our front row press seats for the Sunday TV afternoon championship matches.

Motivation Wins For Rhino

Rhino Page figured after four missed opportunities, he had probably blown his chance of winning a title in his rookie season.
Instead, Page used the motivation of his worst week of the season two weeks ago to drive him to a 244-220 win over Jack Jurek last Sunday's Go RVing Classic to cement what is the greatest rookie season in Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) history.
Page had already broken or tied six PBA records coming into last Sunday, including making five championship rounds, all of which came after he had to qualify for the event through the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round. He had come up empty in his four previous championship rounds, however, finishing second twice, third once and fifth.
The 24-year-old missed the cut in the TQR of last week's Don Johnson Buckeye State Classic, just the third time all season he didn't advance to the Round of 64. He spent the following days practicing with his old coach who helped him with his physical game but also got him back on track mentally.
The practice paid off as Page defeated fellow left-hander Mike Scroggins, 245-235, in the semifinals to advance to his third title match of the season.
In the title match against Jurek, Page looked like he would cruise to the title after striking with his first five shots in the match. But a pocket 7-10 split and open in the sixth frame let Jurek back in the match. But the Tour veteran, who was looking for his first win since 1995, could not take advantage, suffering four consecutive nine-spares. Jurek could have put pressure on Page in the 10th by striking out, but after a strike with his first shot he left the 3-4-6-7 meaning Page only needed a mark to win. The rookie finished it off in style by striking for the win.
" It feels so good. I didn't expect by any means to make this many shows this season," Page said. "After my fourth show I thought, 'Man, you missed out.' Fortunately, I got to work on my game last week and after the week I had last week, that really motivated me. I know Im not that kind of bowler and I was determined to never let that happen again."
Page used some key strategy against Scroggins to get through to the title match, denying the five-time titlist a chance at his third win of the season.
"I came in with a really good game plan," Page said. "I knew Scroggins could strike a lot from where he was playing so I tried to throw a dull ball and burn the lanes up and change where he was playing. Luckily it helped me also get the room I needed to shoot some big scores."
Should he win the PBA Rookie of the Year award -- which is a lock at this point  Page would become just the sixth Rookie of the Year to win a title in the 43 years the award has been handed out. He also moved into seventh in the PBA Player of the Year point standings with two events remaining.
Jurek advanced to the championship round with a 236-223 win over Mike Edwards. In a match-up between bowlers each looking for their first title since the early 1990s, Jurek took control with a four-bagger in frames four through seven and never looked back. After an eight-spare in the ninth, Edwards struck out in the 10th to force Jurek to mark and the Lackawanna, N.Y., native struck with his first ball for the victory.
Page, who had already wrapped up an exemption via the PBA World Point Rankings, earned $25,000 for his win. Jurek earned $13,000 for second.
The Denny's PBA Tour takes a one-week hiatus before returning for the final two events of the season, starting with the GEICO Classic, March 19-23 at AMF Babylon Lanes in West Babylon, N.Y. The live ESPN-televised finals take place Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. ET.

Local Scores &
Tip Will Return
Next Week

Due to the length of our feature this week with Lackwanna New York's Jack Jurek and our personal coverage of the PBA tour stop in Norwich, CT, our regular Tip of the Week feature and local scores will relturn in next week's column.

Here & There Column 3-11-08

State Does Not Help Tough Times Ahead

Do we blame the State of New York and/or the County of Sullivan for what many are calling "tough times ahead"?
Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Jonathan Rouis in his first state-of-the-county address on February 21 warned of tough financial times ahead and outlined that several of the reasons for this outlook included the fact that taxes were high, towns are struggling to provide services and upcoming capital projects such as the state-mandated new county jail.
If Governor Spitzer gets his way with his proposed state budget the taxpayers of the state (and of course that includes us) will inherit a burden of nearly $1.5 billion.
State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said New York's debt payments would increase by nearly 50 percent in the next five years if the governor's proposed budget passes.
Sullivan County Treasurer Ira Cohen says if the proposed state budget is approved as it is that Sullivan County's property taxes could rise by three percent next year and that unfunded state mandates coupled with the governor's proposals to place additional financial burdens on counties will severely impact Sullivan County.
Now with all this gloom and doom being forecasted some level headed thinking will most likely prevail and state lawmakers will modify the budget so that the impact on counties will not be so severe.
But what really is the bottom line here.....why has government and the politicians running it not done something before the pot looks like it is going to boil over?
Government, municipalities and school districts in the past have been cautious to talk about any types of consolidation or sharing of services and so we applaud Sullivan County BOCES for offering up the idea of a central business office for districts. Consolidation more than likely would bring efficiency. A central business office for the county's eight school districts would definitely save money and would have an effect on school taxes.
The County of Sullivan has 15 townships and 5 village municipalities and one would certainly think that increasing service levels and combining service functions would result in saving taxpayers money.
What effect would one new municipality that would extend to the current borders of Sullivan County have on residents and taxpayers?
Discussion of consolidation has surfaced from time to time locally and it has been touted as a possible solution to the budgetary issues facing most municipalities in the area.
Consolidation means to join or unite but when it comes forth as an approach to government it stirs up strong responses. There is some thought that regional consolidation can promote fairness in the redistribution of tax revenue.
Sullivan County and its local municipalities are facing financial difficulties.
Consolidation could become attractive for several reasons, to lower taxes, to unify our communities, to foster economic development and to improve government effectiveness,
These could certainly mean more to the taxpayers in Sullivan County then what they are presently facing.

Bowling Highlights Column 3-7-08

John "Little Lefty" Hoffmann

Vinnie Collura

Chris Barnes

Paul & Debbie Durland

Collura & Hoffmann Score Tournament & League 300's

Vinnie Collura is a pure gentleman and a bona fide bowling technician and this talented right hander proved it on the lanes last Sunday morning as he blasted the maples for a perfect 300 game in the Tri-County NY United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Association tournament at Pin Street Lanes in Warwick.
Bowling in the 9 a.m. Doubles & singles event, he recorded the 12-strikes in a row in the first game of the doubles competition on lanes 13 & 14.
Vinnie noted that he struggled somewhat after the first game and finished the event with a 661 series.
This 300 was his sixth career perfect game and comes a little more than two months after he scored his fifth career 300 on December 26, 2007 with a 300, 246, 234, 780 in the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Collura, 39, noted that he was only bowling in one league this year, the Wednesday Men's league at Kiamesha lanes, and that presently he holds down a 212 average.
He used a Hammer Black Widow bowling ball to record last Sunday's 300 game.
Vinnie's highest series is an 809.
All strikes were in the pocket for Sunday's perfect game.
Vinnie serves as Sergeant At Arms for the Tri-County NY USBC Association.
Association President David Kinney Sr., who is also manager of the Pin Street Lanes (formerly called Frontier Lanes) pointed out that the 300 game was scored on the regular house shot..
Vinnie and his wife Carena live in Monticello and Vinnie is employed as a Rehab Technician for the Center For Discovery in Harris.
John "Little Lefty" Hoffmann is also known as one of the great technical bowlers in the Tri-State area and he added to an already illustrious bowling career Tuesday night (March 4) when he recorded his 21st career 300 in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Bowling on lanes 11 & 12 Hoffmann smashed the maples for a 258, 300, 259 for his highest ever series of 817.
At one point of the 300 game and the third game of the night he rolled 19 strikes in a row with 12 coming in the perfect game and 7 more strikes in the first seven frames of the third game.
The "Little Lefty" bowled the 300 and 817 series using a new Roto Grip Quest bowling ball recently drilled for him by Mike Luongo who noted to this columnist when fitting and drilling out the new ball for Hoffmann that "John has a real nice game."
All 19 strikes were in the 1-2 pocket Hoffmann noted.
Hoffmann's Tuesday night team IAPOTH (I Ain't Paying On That Hit) consists of Bob Yakin Sr., Kevin Stackhouse and Roberta Yakin.
John won the high average bowler honors with a 229 in the Tri-County NY United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Association for 2006-2007 season. The 66-year-old bowled professionally from 1990 through 1993 in the Northeast Regional Professional Bowlers Association where he got his "Little Lefty" nickname from PBA Tour Bowler Tommy Delutz Jr. He is also the 2007 Tri-County NY USBC Men's Senior Champion and a New Jersey State Senior champion.
He presently maintains a 220 average and in addition to this league bowls in the Monday Men's league at Kiamesha Lanes, the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen's league at Callicoon Lanes and the Sunday Thunder 102 Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes.
Last fall he also became a certified USBC instructor.
Hoffmann has been bowling for some 51 years, is retired and lives in the South Woods Road area of the Town of Thompson.


Durland's Win
Elks Tourney

Paul and Debbie Durland of Wurtsboro are the 2008 champions of the annual Monticello Elks Scotch Doubles Tournament. They shot the winning score of 662.
The event took place Saturday, March 1 at Kiamesha Lanes under the direction of Dean Shattuck.
The event returned with the popular chicken bar-b-q which was held at the lodge following bowling.
Some 51 two-person teams competed in this popular annual Scotch Doubles tournament.
Second place in the competition went to Linda Luongo and George Martin of Middletown while third place was captured by Tom Skiff Jr. and Joan Reddington from White Sulphur Springs.

Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo

This tip is for all bowlers regardless of age of level of play.
So very often today bowlers find themselves off balance at the foul line.
While there are many reasons for this, what you may not realize is that most bad finishes are a result of a bad start..
The tip: Check your first step and see if it's too long. This will cause you to push the ball away too far and then your feet will have to play "catch up" to keep you from falling down.
Try a smaller first step next time......it may help.
Mike Luongo is technically certified through IBPSIA as a Pro Shop Operator and Teacher. He is also a Silver Level Coach with the USBC and is also the Northeast Technical Advisor for the Morich Bowling Ball Company (Morich Enterprises, Inc.). Mike is also a member of the Brunswick Pro Shop Staff. If you have a question or subject you would like covered, he can be reached at 341-1694 or via e-mail at mikespro@warwick.net

Local Scores
Callicoon Lanes

In the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen's league Shirley Townsend scored a 189, 191, 558, Peter Flanagan 214, Don Hill 201, Mike Hubbard 199, Mike Beseth 197, Alan Rutledge 201, 204, Kory Kessler 233, Bruce Rutledge 225, 195, 208, 628, Walter Ziser 195, Scott Austin 209, 223, 610, Brian Marino 217, Tom Russell 206, Damien Vanleuven 201, 244, 628, Rich Winters 209, 212, Ed Townsend 208, 199, Tom Skiff Jr. 213, 231 and John Hoffmann 200, 234, 626.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Wednesday Men's Independent league include a 235, 220, 235, 690 by Glenn Bowker, Tony Wright 224, 356, 204, 684, Allen Bullis Sr. 256, 200, 222, 678, Andrew S. Bullis 246, 223, 197, 666, Norm Ellis 212, 246, 205, 663, Charlie DeCristofaro 226, 216, 214, 656, William Gleim 245, 197, 202, 644, James Dibble 226, 216, 194, 636, John Stanton 235, 225, 635, Paul Ignatovich 220, 222, 633, Cecil Spencer 222, 217, 632, Sam Rowe 268, 215, 625, Robert McNaught 234, 225, 621, Josh Rice 211, 227, 620, Steven Jacobi 204, 204, 210, 618, Neil Mosher 245, 618, Daniel Wormuth 201, 215, 201, 617, Brandon Drumm 267, 610, Hank Whitmore 224, 610, Arthur Gately 231, 603, Jonathon Wayne 246, 213, Carl Davis 228, Donald Marino 236, Frank Couse 207, Mitch Persbacker 205, Jack Hazen 218, Brian Drumm 258 and David Thomason 224.
In the Thursday Men's Deposit National league Robert Johnson scored237, 213, 245, 695, Al Bullis Jr. 227, 213, 237, 677, Paul Fritz 214, 254, 202, 670, Bill Gleim 269, 205, 666, Jim Valentine 258, 233, 663, Steve Hopkins 202, 210, 225, 637, Norm Ellis 247, 215, 630, Marc Cetta 199, 245, 629, Carl Davis 238, 199, 628, Jeff Curtis 249, 625, Daniel Koch 232, 225, 616, Cody Conway 214, 196, 201, 611, Andrew Bullis 210, 213, 610, Robert Ropert 268, Lee Stanton 212, Shane Merwin 224, Al Bullis Sr. 225, Brad Tracy 206, Neil Mosher 235, Len Terrell 244, Dale Conklin 211, Steve Aitken 224, Rod Pudney 247, Don Ferris 209, Harold Morgan 225, Sterling Murphy 213, Paul Ignatovich 205 and Howard Couse Sr. 226.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league include a 191, 534 by Carol MacAdam, John Cascone 256, 654, Debbie Durland 202, 580, Ed Guthrie 654, John Hoffmann 677, Roberta Yakin 188, 552, Larry Berens 279, 679 and Charles Blackburn 257.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division Tulsi Patel scored an 82.
In the Bantams division Thomas Nola scored a 92 and a 102.
In the Preps division Taylor Bruderman scored a 96, Rup Patel 135, Mikayla DeGraw 114, Jared Friedman 139, 138, Kristy Gessman 114, Trevor Scott 132, 126, Chase Israel 144, Meghan McCormack 128, Taylor McCormack 109, Shelby Cooper 97, Francis Henderson 157 and Kishan Patel 150.
In the Jr./Mjrs division Scott Bock scored a 208, Shawn Sinistorie 183, Nick Price 187, Kristy Zeininger 135, Jennifer Zeninger 130, James Durland 191 and Petro Agapito III a 160 and 170.

BOWLING CALENDAR

March 29-April 27, Fox Bowling Center 56th Annual Handicap Tournament. Teams, doubles, singles. For information call Bill Gleim at 607-637-4401.

April 19-20--1st Annual Callicoon Lanes Budweiser Men's & Women's Scratch Tournament. For information call tournament director Tom Russell at 845-887-5750.

PBA NEWS

Chris Barnes felt all day there was a bigger plan for him last Sunday. There might just be a bigger plan for him at the end of the road as well.
Barnes watched as Ken Simard needed three strikes in the 10th to win his first career title, but instead left the 3-10 split with his second shot, giving Barnes a 209-197 win in the 2008 Don Johnson Buckeye State Classic for his 10th career Denny’s Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title.
The victory could turn out to be one of the biggest in Barnes’ career as it gave him the lead in the 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year race with just three events remaining. Just a month ago, Barnes lost in the title match of the H&R Block Tournament of Champions which furthered his reputation as a bowler who, for the most part, had underachieved in his career. Instead, he’s responded with two victories in the last four events, putting him on the verge of his first career PBA Player of the Year award.
Barnes took a big risk in the title match, playing each lane differently. He played the deep inside part of the left lane and on the right lane changed to playing straight after three consecutive spares.
“The lanes were just plain hard. I felt like I was tricking them all day,” Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) said. “I didn’t really have a good look the whole day, I just grinded it out and made enough good shots and made the other guy show up.”
Simard, who showed the poise of a veteran in his first career TV appearance, stepped up in the 10th needing all three to win. Standing in front of the ball return on the right lane, he struck with his first shot before splitting on his second.
“There’s definitely helplessness in watching him try to strike out to win. The other times that’s happened to me, the guys have bowled like professionals and gone bang, bang, bang and see you later,” Barnes said. “I’ve also been in that spot he’s in needing three in a row. If he gets up and throws three in a row on his first show on that lane, then I just have to tip my cap. But I didn’t like his chances based on what had happened over there before.”
The win gives Barnes two titles in a season for the second time in his career but the first time since the 1999 season. It was also meaningful to the Columbia 300 staffer, who won the event named after the late PBA Hall of Famer Don Johnson, who was famous for his $1 million contract with Columbia, the first-ever bowler to receive such a contract.
“It’s a really good feeling. I just feel like someone else had a plan,” Barnes said. “As many times as I’ve left a 10-pin or 4-pin or 7-pin and guys have stepped up and won, today guys didn’t. Historically on the one-game thing it hasn’t worked my way. I do think maybe ‘Cocoa Butter’ was up there looking out for another Columbia staffer.”
The win gives Barnes a four-point lead over Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the PBA Player of the Year race with three events remaining, including the season-ending 65th Denny’s U.S. Open, the fourth Major of the season which awards more Player of the Year points than standard events.
“It’s by no means over,” Barnes said. “Walter Ray averages about one show every four events so odds are he’s going to make another show which means I have to make another show, too. He does have to make one now, though, and it’s not easy out here. At the U.S. Open you still have to beat 480 guys to get there. We all know he’s been the best out here year in and year out. They’ve tried to write him off four or five times, but I don’t ever write him off.”
It almost wasn’t to be for Barnes, who nearly cost himself again in the 10th frame of a title match. Needing a mark and nine pins to shut Simard out, Barnes left the 2-8-10 with his fill ball to give Simard the opportunity to win.
But the 28-year-old couldn’t come through in the clutch, giving Barnes the victory.
Barnes advanced to the title match with a 222-213 win over his Tour roommate Mika Koivuniemi, the second times Barnes has knocked off the “Big Finn” in the semifinals this season en route to a title. After Barnes left a 4-6-7 and opened in the ninth frame after five consecutive strikes, Koivuniemi had a chance to win with a mark and eight pins. He left the 3-10, however, and needing a mark to still have a chance to win, Koivuniemi chopped the spare to give Barnes the win.
Simard advanced to the title match with a 237-226 win over Wes Malott.
Barnes earned $25,000 with his win while Simard (Simpsonville, S.C.) earned $13,000 for second. Malott (Argyle, Texas) and Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) took home $6,000 each for third and fourth, respectively.
The Denny’s PBA Tour moves to Norwich, Conn., this week for the 2008 Go RVing Classic, March 5-9 at Norwich Bowling and Entertainment Center. The live ESPN-televised finals take place Sunday, March 9 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Denny’s PBA Tour
2008 Don Johnson Buckeye State Classic
Sequoia Pro Bowl
Columbus, Ohio
Sunday, March 2

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Pos. Name, hometown Total/Games Money
1. Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 431 (2 games) $25,000
2. Ken Simard, Simpsonville, S.C. 434 (2 games) $13,000
3. Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas 226 (1 game) $6,000
4. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 213 (1 game) $6,000

SCORES – In the first match, Barnes def. Koivuniemi, 222-213; in the second match, Simard def. Malott, 237-226; and in the final, Barnes def. Simard, 209-197.

This is Barnes’ 10th career Denny’s PBA Tour

32 EXCEPTIONAL TEENS SELECTED FOR CHAMPIONSHIP BOWLING COMPETITION

Denny’s, PBA, USBC announce the top male and female varsity bowlers to compete in the second Denny’s All-American High School Championships

SPARTANBURG, S.C.– Thirty-two elite high school student-athletes have graduated to the next level through their selection to compete in the second Denny’s All-American High School Championships in March. The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) made their final selections based on bowling accomplishments, academics and other criteria.

“The USBC would like to thank all of the talented athletes who submitted applications for this year’s tournament,” said Director of USBC High School and Collegiate, Jeanne Klescewski. “Based on the success of our inaugural event last year and the level of skill in this year’s batch of contenders, we are anticipating another exciting competition.”

The Denny’s All-American High School Championships is being held in conjunction with the 65th Denny’s U.S. Open, March 29 and 30 in North Brunswick, N.J. Immediately following the conclusion of the 65th Denny’s U.S. Open, the high school finalists will take to the lanes to compete for $10,000 in scholarships on a PBA oil pattern.

The elite field of 32 contains representatives from the varsity level states that submitted student nominations. The 16 girls and 16 boys represent the best among student athletes, with a cumulative GPA of 3.6, and significant bowling experience. Twenty-seven of the candidates have four years of competitive high school bowling; 27 have been team captain for at least one year; 12 of the candidates were named to the Bowlers Journal International Top 100 Male and Female High School Prospects List in 2007; 26 are members of the National Honor Society and 12 have competed in the Junior Gold National Championship at least once. The full roster of participants is listed below.

“Denny’s is thrilled to continue our partnership with the USBC and PBA for the second All-American High School Championships,” said John Sanfacon, Acting Senior Vice President of Marketing for Denny’s. “We believe this tournament provides a terrific opportunity to showcase both the academic and athletic ability that these students possess.”

“After the success of the 2007 competition, we are extremely pleased to have received even more resumes for 2008; the all-around skill levels of the 32 participants continues to impress us,” said PBA Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer. “The PBA is proud to once again co-host this exciting event and play a role in these young athletes’ rise to success.”

The high school finals will be broadcast on ESPN on April 6.

DENNY'S ALL-AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Participant Roster

BOYS
Alaska: Travis Moyer, Anchorage (West Anchorage High School)
Arkansas: Evin Anderson, Jacksonville (Mills University Studies High School)
Florida: Paul Walsh, Vero Beach (Indian River Charter School)
Hawaii: Peter Mochizuki, Honolulu (Kalani High School)
Illinois: Alexander Garcia, Chicago (De La Salle Institute)
Kansas: Kevin Tatrow, Bel Aire (Wichita Heights High School)
Louisiana: Justin Breaux, Lafayette (Acadiana High School)
Michigan: Joel Klaas, North Street (Port Huron Northern)
Mississippi: Benjamin Carsten, Fulton (Itawamba High School)
Nevada: Jordan Ferrer, Henderson (Silverado High School)
New Jersey: Brian Small, Woodridge (Woodridge High School)
New Mexico: Ethan Biswell, Rio Rancho (Rio Rancho High School)
New York: Matthew Roe, Johnson City (Johnson City High School)
Ohio: Jayson Foote, Westerville (Westerville Central High School)
Pennsylvania: David Knight Jr., Folcroft (Cardinal O’Hara)
Tennessee: Christopher Lane, Franklin (Centennial High School)

GIRLS
Alaska: Amy Seliger, Anchorage (Barlett High School)
Florida: Dayne Galganski, North Palm Beach (Palm Beach Gardens)
Hawaii: Suzana Signaigo, Kapolei (Saint Andrews Priory)
Illinois: Natalie Cortese, Hoffman Estates (Hoffman Estates High School)
Iowa: Nicole McCalley, Waterloo (West High School)
Kansas: Rachael Aguirre, Wichita (Augusta High School)
Louisiana: Amber Lavergne, Lafayette (Carencro High School)
Michigan: Jessica Guertin, Milford (Milford High School)
Mississippi: Lela Dudley, Blue Springs (Tupelo High School)
Nevada: April Urban, Henderson, (Coronado High School)
New Jersey: Nicole Caggiano, Woodridge (Woodridge High School)
New York: Brittni Hamilton, Webster (Webster Thomas High School)
Ohio: Kristen Keenan, Centerville (Centerville High School)
Pennsylvania: Samantha Santoro, Reinholds (Cocalico High School)
Tennessee: Laura Stoltz, Murfreesboro (Seigel High School)
Washington: Jessica Sutton, Bremerton (Olympic High School)



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About Denny’s
Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain, with more than 1,500 locations. For more than 50 years, Denny's has been serving up real breakfast 24/7. Home of the famous Grand Slam® breakfast, Denny's provides a variety of flavorful food and beverage choices. For more information on Denny's, please visit www.dennys.com.


About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events. PBA membership reached an all-time high of 4,300 members during the 2005-06 Denny’s PBA Tour season. Also in 2005-06 – the Tour’s first with a title sponsor – ratings on PBA telecasts increased 12.5 percent among males ages 18-34. PBA sponsors include: Ace Hardware, Bayer, Brunswick, Columbia 300, Denny's, Discover® Card, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, GoRVing, H&R Block, Motel 6, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others. For more information on the PBA, log on to www.pba.com.

About the USBC
The United States Bowling Congress High School program actively offers guidance to all levels of high school bowling by providing rules, instructional opportunities, awards and industry resources to ensure the success of high school bowling nationwide. USBC High School is a resource for school administrators, high school state athletic associations, state proprietor associations and industry member organizations in the creation and maintenance of high school bowling programs. USBC officially launched Jan. 1, 2005, as an organization serving nearly three million adult and youth bowlers in the United States. It resulted from the merger of the American Bowling Congress, Women's International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance and USA Bowling. For more information, visit www.bowl.com

Here & There Column 3-4-08

Remembering Some Of
The 69 Woodstock Festival


A homage to the era that spawned the famous 1969 Woodstock Festival that in turn put the Town of Bethel on the map will be unveiled in several months with the official opening of the Museum at Bethel Woods.
And as he always does, Alan Gerry has taken the proper steps to make sure that the Museum will be a cultural institution in its own right.
Alan's professional approach to transforming the entire Bethel Woods Center for the Arts into what it is today has directly put the Town of Bethel and Sullivan County on the musical map of the world.
The Museum at Bethel Woods is a cultural institution in it own right where visitors will be able to see, hear and feel the era of the 60's and where they will see the history of the three-day festival and its legacy.
We are personally looking forward to the Museum where I hope to be able to relive my three to four day experience while working at the site as a report-photographer for the Times-Herald Record which at that time I believe was just called The Record.
I remember there was no Sunday edition of The Record at the time of the 69 Woodstock event and the event became such a "happening" that a special Sunday edition was printed.
Once our contingent of several reporters got into the site there was no easy method to get out.
Remember fairly well flying over the mass gathering in a helicopter, what a sight to see.
The drugs and all that was taking place there made a young reporter writing a story feel like he was in a fantasy land.
Some folks just couldn't believe what we were writing but it was real and something this columnist will never forget.
Remember well the process we used for getting our film out of the Bethel site to the Middletown office of The Record. Since travel in and out of the site was not possible with an automobile the paper hired someone with a motorcycle and that's how film was taken to Middletown.
We even helped out medical personnel and doctors in the Medical Tent for those who overdosed and others with various injuries (cuts, bruised and broken bones)..........and this was a tough experience to later write about.
The 69 Woodstock festival story within the Museum will be told with video, audio, artifacts, wall panels and huge color murals that show how the psychedelic culture merges with the ideas of civil rights and protest, amidst confrontations taking place in the world at that time.
The Museum will definitely be a major draw in its own right and thousands and thousands of visitors will come to see what the 69 Woodstock Festival was all about.....another important step that will more than help the Sullivan County economy.