Leslie Bohn
“Delivers” Gift of Love
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III recently was honored with the PBA's Extraordinary Community Service Service but one month after receiving this honor Bohn’s wife Leslie delivered an even more significant gift.
Leslie, who also competes in the sport of bowling and has bowled professionally gave birth on Valentine's Day to Christian Leslie Forry, a healthy nine-pound, four-ounce, 20-inch-long baby boy.
Yes, the name is correct. The baby doesn’t belong to the Bohns. The child’s parents are Chris and Janine Forry. Because Leslie Bohn agreed to be the surrogate, with husband Parker’s blessings, the Forrys have the child they have always wanted.
It's an extraordinary story of how bowling brought two families together in a very special way.
Chris Forry, a former PBA member, owns Buddies Pro Shop in Fairfield, Conn. His wife Janine is a special needs teacher and former collegiate bowler. They had been trying to have a baby for several years, but learned Janine is unable to give birth naturally.
Back in 2009, Chris Forry was bowling in the U.S. Open at Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. – not far from the Bohns’ home in Jackson – and he was commuting back-and-forth to Connecticut during the tournament because Janine was having in vitriol procedures performed in hopes of eventually having their first child.
“I was getting ready to head back home to Connecticut and I bumped into Parker and Leslie, and I told them Janine was having an in vitriol procedure early the next morning,” Forry said. “Leslie mentioned she had considered being a surrogate to help another family member have a child. At the time I didn’t think much of that conversation because I thought the in vitro process would eventually be successful.”
Three years later and several more unsuccessful procedures later, another chance meeting took place. Parker, now working for Brunswick as a bowling ball sales rep, made a visit to Forry’s pro shop where the conversation again turned to family.
“I asked Parker about his family and he asked about mine, thinking that by this time the in vitro efforts were successful,” Chris said. “I hated to tell him that unfortunately our efforts weren’t successful and it looked like we wouldn’t be able to have any children.
That’s when Parker suggested I give Leslie a call.
“When Parker got home he told Leslie to expect a call from me. I can only imagine what Leslie thought of Parker volunteering her to even consider it,” he continued. “It took me a few days to work up the nerve to call Leslie but I finally did. When I called, Leslie mentioned Parker had told her I might call, but she wanted to give it some more thought.”
Leslie wasn’t immediately taken by the idea, but it didn’t take her long to consider the possibilities.
“I was originally thinking more of helping a relative who might not be able to have a child and not necessarily someone outside of our family,” Leslie Bohn said. “Plus our family situation had changed. Carrying someone else’s child really wasn’t on my bucket list, but after talking it through with Parker and thinking more about the opportunity to give a couple something as wonderful as what we have, we made the decision to go ahead.”
That’s when the process began in earnest. The Forrys came to visit the Bohns (Janine had never met Parker and Leslie). They discussed the details Leslie needed to know about the surrogacy process. It was a life-changing process for everyone concerned. There were the legal issues, medical and psychiatric testing, and, maybe most important, discussions with their own families.
Leslie and Parker wanted their three children - sons Justin, 10, Brandon, 9, and daughter Sydney, 7 – involved in the decision process. Parker also has two children from a previous marriage.
“We didn’t have to do too much convincing of Justin and Brandon, but we had a little explaining to do with Sydney,” Leslie said. “We just explained to her that we were able to give a family something wonderful like we had and I think she understood that.”
“A few weeks later, Leslie called and said she was all in,” Chris said. In June of 2013, the Forrys received the call they had dreamed of: Leslie informed them she was pregnant.
Leslie said the pregnancy was normal. She was even able to continue bowling competitively until shortly before the delivery.
“All we could think of during the pregnancy was the excitement and what we were bringing this couple was priceless,” Leslie said. “All we could think of was how happy we were to be part of helping another family have what we have.”
On Valentine’s Day – one month after Parker had been named recipient of the inaugural PBA Tony Reyes Award for his unselfish community service - Leslie exceeded him, delivering the ultimate gift of love.
“Valentine’s Day will never be the same,” Janine Forry said. “The whole nine months has brought tears to my eyes. Parker and Leslie have made it so special. It’s been a privilege to know them. A special bond has formed between us and now we’re an extended family.”
It was equally special for Leslie and Parker Bohn. “It was the greatest gift of love you could imagine on Valentine’s Day,”
> Parker said. “Giving two people the pleasure of being a mom and dad is something you have to experience to appreciate.
“I’ve experienced a lot of things, on and off the lanes, but I know that having children and a family far exceeds anything else I’ve ever done.”
Ed's Outlook
I've known Parker and Leslie Bohn for some 20 years now and remember meeting them when they were first engaged at a PBA Tour Stop at the Bowlers Club in Latham, NY.
We became immediate friends and at many tour stops after that Leslie and my wife Shirley would sit together while I did my journalism duties.
At one of the Cheektawaga PBA stops near Buffalo we were invited to visit with the Bohn's family in their motor home where we were able to meet Leslie's mom and dad. Lovely people but her dad passed away about a year after we met them. Many of the pro bowlers at that time traveled in custom made motor homes so that their families could travel with them.
It was only several years later that the PBA named the Latham tournament the "Parker Bohn III Tournament" and Parker won his own tournament.
Shortly after that Leslie and Parker were married and a year later the Bohn's arrived in Latham with their first child, Justin, which prompted me to write a feature story about Justin appearing at his first PBA tournament and indicating that he very well might follow in the footsteps of his dad and become a future PBA star.
I remember well when we presented Leslie with one of my wife's famous home made knitted baby blankets, something Leslie always comments about.
We were excited for Leslie and Parker when they told us about her becoming a surrogate.
What a great give of love from an outstanding professional bowling family.
Atom Splitters
Win PBA Team
Championship
The Silver Lake Atom Splitters are the 2014 PBA league Elias Cup champions.
They defeated the L.A. X and was seen on ESPN from Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, NJ.
Members of the losing team are Mika Kolivuniemi, EJ Tackett, Andres Gomez, Jason Belmonte and Parker Bohn III.
Champions are Bryon Smith, Chris Barnes, Dom Barrett, Wes Malott and Tommy Jones.
The Elias Cup is named after the late founder of the PBA, Eddie Elias.
Ed Townsend, a PR Consultant to the Sport of Bowling, writes and compiles the information for this column. If you have league scores, tournament information, score a 300 game or 800 series or even bowl your age, call Ed at 845-439-8177, email him at edwardctownsend@hotmail.com or fax at 845-205-4474. View this column and all of Ed's pictures at http://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.
Bowling Tip
By Mike Luongo
When you start out as a beginner in bowling, there are certain steps and things to learn before you can truly advance not only in your game, but your bowling scores also.
There are several steps that beginners should take and practice to become a great bowler.
If you try hard and practice these tip you will advance faster and understand better how to read your ball.
Becoming a good bowler depends on some mental bowling preparations and physical practice.
Both are very important to mastering your own personal bowling goals.
It's important to learn all the bowling terminology before you get started.
It's best to get an instructor when you start and learn the bowling fundamentals because they are the strength of your whole game.
You must master the basics so that you can move on to higher bowling like playing in competitive leagues.
Bowling can be a lot of fun but learn the fundamentals.
Mike Luongo is a certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, call Mike at 435-720-7939 or email at mikel@stormbowling.com
Local Scores
(compiled by Ed Townsend)
Beechwood Lanes
Monday Ladies
Congratulations to the Jeff Hardware team for winning the Monday Ladies league championship. Members of the team include Jackie Gieger, Julie Yewchuck, Jodi Gulley and Nicole Hubert.
Individual scores the last night of bowling included Jackie Gieger 176, Julie Yewchuck 154, 169, Jodi Gulley 150, Nicole Hubert 165, Diane Staves 155, Lori Kimmes 157, Beth Schumacher 175, Tracy Puerschner 156, 187, 166, 509.
Most improved bowler was Pam Wayne with a 125.50 who increased her average 9.30 points.
High average went to Diane Staves with a 152.72.
Liberty Bowl
Thursday Ladies
Debbie Sklar 156, Lisa Lawrence 161, Tabatha Smith 151, Kathi Smith 151, Charlene Meola 177, Renay Crespo 165, Katrena Cronk 156,
Callicoon Kristal Bowl
Monday Hontonville Ladies
Sue Naughton 172, 164, Kelly Gombita 170, 157, Jane Benson 177, 177, Pat Peters 204, 166, 168, 538, Opal Hocker 172, Marty Bogdanowitz 151, Joyce Brooks 159, 153, Chris Burr 175, Eleanor Glassel 170, Debbie Loughrey 166, 168, Deedee Schrader 160, Judy Mohn 170, 168, Kim Doty 157, Mardette Wilcox 224, 169, 222, 615,
Tues. Del. Valley Men's
Alan Rutledge 186, 190, Kory Keesler 197, Bruce Rutledge 208, 223, 218, 649, Rob Bivins 190, 193, Brian Marino 198, 192, Kris Rasmussen 192, 188, 185, Dick Pomes 217, Jonathan Heinle 198, 200, 245, 643, Gary Maas 190, Brian Starr 232, 202, 248, 682, Mike Sorge 231, Mike Gieger 192, Jim Kautz 221, 197, Troy Parucki 204, 181, Albert Tyles 224, Wally Warren 198, Jackie Brockner 196, Erik Burton 184, Tom Hubert 195, Matt Hubert 180, Eugene Fulton 192, Jim Stone 188, Bob Cady 227, 200, 606, Dean Shattuck 237, 205, 223, 665, Bob Head 196, Joe Gager 190, 186, Damien VanLeuven 208, 199.
Wednesday Men's
Matt Kitson 193, Tim Sykes 225, 202, John Kline 193, Tom Gain 204, John Glassel 207, 210, 235, 652, Robert Glassel Jr. 183, 229, 182, Steve Krantz 190, Bryan Swendsen 192, Brandon Swendsen 217, John Diehl 180, Jack Diehl 191, Alby Thony 187, Frank Leonardo 210.
Kiamesha Lanes
Tues. Mixed Firefighters
Larry Whipple 278, 233, 259, 770, Pedro Agapito 247, 232, 279, 758, Kyle Stevens 259, 278, 744, Paul Minton 225, 258, 706, Kevin Stackhouse 230, 255, 701, Ronnie Totten 268, 235, 696, Kris Gwiozdowski 246, 663, Peter Scannell 244, 654, James Fiore 225, 643, Ed Guthrie 231, 628, Jack Rustic 237, 623, Shane Cunningham 245, 605, Chris Stevens 602, Stan Gilmore 234, 601, Carena Collura 229, 181, 193, 603, Laura Palmer 180, 224, 562, Mary Lee Williams 190, 207, 555, Joan Lake 212, 181, 543, Karen Martin 195, 536, Debra Blackford 196, 511, Ailene Washington 189, 509, Andrea Grossman 181, Christie Graham 180.
Wednesday Men's
Charlie Tuttle 234, 644, Chris Parken 241, 650, Kyle Matthews 279, 234, 714, David Sawall 232, 234, 669, Shane Cunningham 248, 238, 668, Jim Piontec 236, 627, Jo Jo VanKeuren 275, 247, 727, Rick Lara 228, 232, 233, 693, John Hoffmann 237, 665, Paul Durland 235, 644, James Durland 228, 631, Russell Bivins 235, 277, 726, Jim Walsh 243, 672, Carlos Torres 255, 241, 712, Robert Stewart 269, 233, 707, Paul Minton 279, 691, Ed Blume 226, 624, Jason Jones 246, 687, Dwayne Cabrera 227, 225, 247, 699, Tom Mitchell 256, 266, 725, David Garlinghouse 264, 693, Merrill Conner 257, 246, 259, 762, Shane Conner 257, 231, 255, 743, Pete Nastasi 603, Keith Raymond 235, 629, Jon Wilhelm 243, 628, Dan VanAken 616, Tim McIntyre 258, 647, Josh Strang 608, James VanAken 238, 625, Robert Sze 256, 641, Keith Smith 238, 256, 673, Tom Belgiovene 627, Pedro Agapito 247, 617, Bradley Cottam 608, Larry Whipple 257, 236, 244, 737, Timmy Minton 236, 258, 677.
Thursday Ladies
Kathleen Heins 191, Ann Sawyer 193, 182, Sonya Robinson 180, Joan Lake 191, Connie McKenley 185, Liz Stubits 186, Lisa Cartwright 183, 181, 180, 544, Shirley Bowens 184, Debbie Polin 232, 192, Rita Burdick 188, T. Tuttle 191, 194, Kathy Bradley 208, Cara Nicholson 181, Mary Lee Williams 214, Trasey Barres 192.
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