Here & There Column 12-9-08

Everyone Should Benefit From Natural Gas Drilling

Several Sullivan County Legislators are advocating that county officials look into the possibility of having a compressed natural gas filling station established in Sullivan County and then the county could convert some of its fleet so that they could use compressed natural gas.
With natural gas drilling expected to take place in parts of Sullivan County and with the price of natural gas considerably below that of gasoline and fuel oil we firmly believe that county and state officials should insist that with the drilling comes the obligation of the drilling company and suppliers that natural gas should be made available to everyone in the county.
It's time for Sullivan County to as they say "become of age" and with the national gas deposits under our soil it should become available to all of us.
Natural gas offers great benefits and also helps ease environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emission, smog, acid rain, water pollution and solid waste.
It's also delivered to the consumer with a total energy efficiency of about 90 percent compared with 27 percent for electricity. This product is touted as the most economical energy choice but at the present time Sullivan County residents do not have any choice or benefits.
The New York State Department of Transportation has built some 59 of these compressed natural gas filling stations with 11 of them being open to the public.
The expected gas rush for the gas in the Marcellus Shale under our soils should benefit each and everyone of us and local residents should not be cut off from the supply.
In the past companies have shown some interest in laying gas lines for national gas within Sullivan County and efforts should now be strengthened by demanding legal obligations for the new drillers and suppliers that if you want to drill here then they must also provide natural gas for our use.
Natural gas is just one part of making us less dependent on foreign oil and as long as we have it under our soil then these benefits should also be coming to us.

Bowling Highlight Column 12-5-08

Cady 300 Goes Into Lane # 1 Record Book

Sixty-one year old Livingston Manor bowler Bob Cady's second career 300 is heading for the record books at the Lane # 1 Bowling Ball Company.
Cady is heading for the record books at the Syracuse based Lane # 1 Bowling Company as a spokeswoman at the company headquarters several weeks ago confirmed that Cady hasl become only the 8th bowler to score a 300 with the company's Buzzsaw XXL urethane bowling ball which was put out on the market some 5 to 6 years ago.
A spokesman for the Syracuse bowling ball company has asked that a picture of Bob with the ball be sent to Lane # 1 so that they could put him into their record books.
The Lane # 1 Buzzsaw XXL urethane bowling ball that Bob Cady used to score his most recent 300 game in the October 26 Sunday Mixed league at Liberty Lanes was once owned by this writer who acquired the ball from Lane # 1 about five years ago.
After having the ball drilled I bowled with the ball several months but never got comfortable and the ball never did much for my scoring ability. Since Bob and I bowled on the same Sullivan County Democrat team we were talking about the ball one night and he indicated he wished he had a urethane ball and I told him I would be more than happy to give him the ball which I did.
Bob had Mike Luongo re-drill the ball which Bob used from time to time but just last week he informed me that this was the ball he was using most of this seasdon and was the one he recorded his 2ed career 300 with.
Lane # 1 describes the ball as a pearl urethane which gives bowlers "Xtra Xtra length when the lanes dry out." Lane # 1's suggestion to bowlers is "when your resin ball is hooking too much and your plastic ball doesn't hook enough, the Buzzsaw XXL will strike and strike," which it certainly did for Cady.
Cady bowled his first career 300 on March 14, 2004 in the Sunday Mixed league at Kiamesha Lanes. Bob on October 26 bowled the perfect game on lanes 5&6 and it was during his second game. He finished with a 645 series and presently maintains a 197 average. He noted that all 12 strikes were in the pocket.
He also bowls in the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league at Callicoon Lanes.
Bob has been bowling for some 35-years and is retired from the Sullivan County Department of Public Works. He lives with his wife Barbara in Livingston Manor.

Local Scores

Callicoon Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Hortonville Ladies league include a 191 by Becky Williams and Barbara Pingel 182, 500.
In the Tuesday Delaware Valley Men's league Roger Miller scored a 200, Mike Hubbard 232, Josh Mulucky 219, Jon Wayne 204, Scott Herbert 200, Mark Hawley 211, John Fink 235, 206, 614, Bob Cady 221, Ed LeRoy 208 and Gary Erlwein 210.
In the Wednesday Mixed Businessmen league Dave Maus scored a 240, Phil Jacobi 220, Bruce Rutledge 212, Ricky Cabrera 217, Paul Minton 213, 202, 223, 638, Ed Blume 202, Shirley Townsend 184, Peter Flannigan 202, Ed Townsend 200 and Tom Russell 226.

Kiamesha Lanes

Recent highlight scores in the Monday Men's league include a 238, 289, 252, 779 by John Hoffmann, Ed Lake 279, Mike Weiner 258, Tim Bilyeu 257, Vinnie Collura 685 and Nate Sanders 676.
In the Tuesday Mixed Firefighters league Debra Blackford scored a 193, Ed Guthrie 268, 258, 718, John Cascone 206, Mary Lee Williams 182, 191, 200, 573, Dorian Jennings 210, 208, 591, Joan Lake 189, Ryan Lepke 234, 620, Andy Richardson 221, Peter Scannell 225, Jack Rustic 224, Jim Gerrard 218, Shane Cunningham 205, Russ Keesler 212, 223, 213, 648, Larry Berens 217, David Graham 215, Tom Cooney 214, Debbie Durland 232, 181, 587, Donald Durland 269, 216, 206, 691, Kevin Stackhouse 206, John Fischer 213, 246, 205, 664, John Hoffmann 203, Robert Yakin Sr. 222, 605, Dale Sonnenschein 243, Linda Schaefer 192, Donna DuBois 181, 194, 554, Cliff Starr 209 and April Aldrich 208, 528.
In the Wednesday Men's league Shane Conner scored a 202, Matthew Fallen 225, Richard Bradford 201, 226, 214, 641, Jon Wilheim 214, 237, 203, 654, Russ Keesler 227, 223, 248, 698, Tim McIntyre 225, 614, Josh Strang 234, 617, Charles McAllister 222, 222, 611, Frank Muller Jr. 203, 223, Larry Berens 205, Dean Shattuck 216, 257, 644, Paul Durland 203, 200, Art Eggleton 207, 224, 617, John Hoffmann 246, 203, 645, Tom Belgiovene 207, Vinnie Collura 238, 201, 219, 658, Al Caycho 203, 212, Mike Weiner 232, 224, 223, 679, Kenny Atkins 212, 226, Shaun Lyons 212, Wayne Atkins 234, 210, 636, Anthony Atkins 219, Tim Minton 210, Eddie Lake 206, 247, 652, Chris Magie 226, 213, 605 and Rick Lake 235.
In the Saturday Morning Youth leagues, in the Pee Wees division K. Babcock scored a 130. In the Bantams division S. Patel scored a 122. In the Preps division N. Goldsmith scored a 134 and M. DeGraw 146. In the Jr./Mjrs. division J. Moss scored a 177, E. Walsh 205, J. Durland 230, Steven Sinistorie 202, 190, M. Scuderi 207, P. Agapito III a 203, C.Ciliberto 105, J. Friedman 158, T. Foxwell 156, M Edwards 149, B. Fraser 123, M. Gerow 262, M. Brown 102, S. Patel 153, 191, C. Israel 120 and S. Comfort 91.

Fox Bowling Center

Recent highlight scores in the Tuesday Earl Birds Ladies league include a 213, 180, 539 by Tammy Kane, Nikki Andriano 188, 535, Laura Ballard 531, Kathleen Maltese 193, 525, Sally Ballard 203, 509, Jennifer Raymond 180, 501, Kathleen Stanton 190 and Diane Miller 182.
In the Wednesday Men's Independent league Mitch Persbacker scored a 219, 239, 232, 690, Paul Ignatovich 246, 201, 242, 689, Maurice Wormuth 245, 224, 213, 682, Howie Couse 246, 225, 202, 673, James Dibble 225, 223, 627, Robert Johnson 265, 209, 627, Hank Whitmore 229, 201, 623, Jerry Kulakosky 213, Brian Drumm 228, Daniel Wormuth 236, Jack Hazen 236, Jonathon Wayne 213, Richard Layton 222 and Neil Mosher 220.
In the Thursday Men's league Jeff Curtis scored a 252, 227, 242, 721, Andrew Bullis 257, 220, 210, 687, Al Bullis Jr. 223, 237, 211, 671, Gino Jones 217, 207, 221, 645, Bill Gleim 231, 212, 639, Matt Johnson 225, 243, 625, Al Bullis Sr. 201, 214, 205, 620, Charles Dunlap 267, 605, Harry Triebe Sr. 215, Craig Conklin 215, Robert Johnson 222 and Norm Ellis 220.
In the Friday Mixed Couples league Daniel Wormuth scored a 246, 268, 212, 726, Carl Davis 235, 234, 668, Howard Couse 205, 258, 651, Anne Couse 215, 211, 194, 620, Mike Horton 234, 203, 607, Gino Jones 244, Rick Mills 257, Gary Resti 210, James Dibble 227, Howard Couse Sr. 212, Catherine Resti 191 and Hope Jones 188.
In the Sunday Afternoon Mixed Fun league Don Marino scored a 267, 222, 244, 733, Fred Shakelton 224, 214, 226, 664, Marty Haeussler 290, 661, Rick Mills 222, 216, 628, Ray Cornwell 228, Dave Mills 200, Dick Mills 203, Norm Ellis 219 and Beverly St. Clair 188.

This column is written by Ed Townsend, who is a consultant to the professional sport of bowling. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Tri-County NY United States Bowling Congress (USBC) where he serves as Publicity Director. If you have a topic that you believe would make good reading or have league scores or tournament information, Ed can be reached at 845-439-8177 or by sending an e-mail to bowlgolfect1@yahoo.com For a much more expanded version of our bowling column visit our Web site at http://bght.blogspot.com

USBC FILES FEDERAL COMPLAINT AGAINST NY STATE ASSOCIATION

ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress has filed a six-count complaint in federal court against the formerly chartered New York State USBC Bowling Association. The move comes as part of an on-going effort by USBC to protect the interests of its members in the state of New York.

Earlier this year, USBC revoked the charter of the NYSBA, after an audit revealed members of the NYSBA board of directors consistently failed to follow procedures designed to protect member interests and safeguard funds.

Stephen Donahue of Weedsport, N.Y., the former NYSBA manager, is charged by New York authorities with felony grand larceny in connection with this case after $274,000 was embezzled from the NYSBA.

"USBC intends to vigorously defend our position and the best interest of bowlers in New York," USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger said. "We feel the federal courts are an appropriate venue to deal with this issue, and we remain confident USBC will prevail."

USBC will provide direct benefits and programs as needed to ensure New York members see no disruption of services until the legal issues are settled. The charter revocation should have no noticeable effect for the over 85,000 members of the NYSBA. Individual New York members remain in good standing with USBC with all rights and privileges.

"USBC wants to reassure all of its members in New York that they can still compete in tournaments and leagues, while also enjoying all of the benefits of USBC membership," Dornberger said. "USBC will also step in and make certain the 2009 New York State Tournament takes place."

USBC intends to pay all members still owed money from the 2008 NYSBA State Tournament prize fund. NYSBA has filed suit in state court against USBC in an attempt to have its charter reinstated. This lawsuit has led to a state judge issuing a temporary restraining order in the case. Payment may be delayed until the case is resolved.

"USBC does not yet have a list from the NYSBA of members who cashed in the 2008 NYSBA State Tournament," Dornberger said. "It is our intention to make sure the bowlers receive their prize checks as soon as we receive a database and prize list information."

The issues involving NYSBA do not affect members or programs of the New York State USBC Women's Bowling Association (NYSWBA) or the New York State USBC Youth Association.

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

USBC Seeks To
Protect New
York Bowlers

Attorneys representing the United States Bowling Congress appeared in court recently with the goal of protecting the interest of more than 85,000 USBC members in the state of New York.
Earlier this year, an audit discovered $274,000 was embezzled from the New York State USBC Bowling Association. Stephen Donahue of Weedsport, N.Y., the former NYSBA manager, is charged by New York authorities with felony grand larceny in connection with this case.
The audit revealed members of the NYSBA board of directors consistently failed to follow procedures designed to protect member interests and safeguard funds. In October, USBC revoked the charter of the NYSBA after this breach of fiduciary duty was discovered.
"USBC has a responsibility to step in and protect bowlers when board members of a state association fail to safeguard the funds entrusted to them," said USBC Chief Operating Officer Kevin Dornberger. "USBC remains confident the decision to revoke the NYSBA charter is correct both morally and legally. USBC is deeply concerned about the failures of leadership on the NYSBA board that enabled the embezzlement."
NYSBA has filed suit against USBC in an attempt to have its charter reinstated. A state judge has granted a temporary restraining order in the case until the next scheduled hearing on Jan. 12, 2009. At this time, the NYSBA charter remains revoked.
"USBC has and continues to take action in the best interest of members," Dornberger said. "The lawsuit is premature and without legal merit. We intend to vigorously defend our position and the best interest of bowlers in New York."
USBC will provide services directly to NYSBA members until this matter is resolved.

The great Carmen Salvino, center, with Wes Malott and Michelle Feldman

Wes Malott and Michelle Feldman Crowned
CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Champions

Wes Malott and Michelle Feldman captured the CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship last Sunday afternoon at Brunswick Zone Hawthorn, the sixth stop on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

In a tight championship match, top seed Wes Malott watched as No. 2 seed Ken Simard had the chance to win the match with two strikes in the 10th. However, Simard threw the first strike but left a solid 10-pin in his second attempt giving Malott the victory, 216-211.

“It’s not the way you want to win, I have four titles now and none have come from striking out … I was either sitting on the bench or the game was over in the eighth (frame),” Malott said. “I just have to keep plugging away, be patient. My goal is to keep winning a title each year, maybe multiple titles. Hopefully this is just the beginning.”

It was Malott’s third TV finals appearance in six weeks and his fourth career victory; he has now won one title in each of his four seasons on the Tour. Malott was also victorious in Vernon Hills two years ago at the 2006-07 Discover Card Windy City Classic which also featured the Scorpion pattern.

The Scorpion pattern, one of six different oil patters on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, can yield a wide variety of strategies depending on the type and condition of the lane surface; however, Scorpion incorporates a larger volume of oil placed further down the lane, which often demands a more direct line.

In the second match, Simard of Greenville, S.C. was just shy of a perfect game, leaving the 8-pin in the 11th frame, to handily defeat No. 3 seed Brad Angelo of Lockport, N.Y., 289-199. Simard did have two perfect games in the tournament earlier in the week. In the first match, Angelo defeated No. 4 seed Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., 225-212.

In the PBA Women’s Series, sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. defeated Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif., 200-147 in the championship match. It was Feldman’s third consecutive TV finals appearance and her second consecutive title.

“I have no idea how I’m doing this,” Feldman joked. “I just feel fortunate that I’m bowling well. Hopefully I can keep this up and do it again next week.”

The CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship is the third event in the PBA’s six event “Versatility Swing,” in which players can earn separate points based on their performance in each of the six events. These events include the five events on the named “animal” patterns (Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion, Cheetah and Shark) as well as the Earl Anthony pattern that will be used in Medford, Ore. Much like tennis has a “Clay Court Championship” or a “Hard Court Championship,” the PBA features these events on different oil patterns. Today’s event marks the only time all season the Scorpion pattern will be used as the sole pattern for an event.

Both Feldman and Bellinder qualified for the Women’s Series Showdown, in which the winners (and runner-ups if there is a multiple winner) will participate in a season-ending dedicated broadcast on ESPN, sponsored by the United Stated Bowling Congress (USBC).

The PBA will travel next to Cheektowaga, N.Y. for the Cheetah Championship with the finals airing live on ESPN on Sunday, Dec. 7.


CLR Carmen Salvino Scorpion Championship Format:

The field of 64 players bowled two, 7-game qualifying rounds for a total of 14 games on Thursday, Nov. 27 in which the top 32 players advanced to match play. Bowlers making the cut returned on Friday morning, Nov. 28 for the first nine games of an 18 game round robin match play schedule. The field was cut to the top 16 players who returned on Friday evening for the second round of match play competition. At the conclusion of match play, the top four finalists advanced to stepladder competition, i.e. No. 4 vs. No. 3, winner vs. No. 2, winner vs. No. 1 in the championship match aired live on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 30.

PBA Women’s Series Format

The field of 16 players bowled two, 7-game qualifying rounds for a total of 14 games on Thursday, Nov. 27 in which the top 10 players advanced to match play. Bowlers making the cut returned on Friday evening, Nov. 28 for nine games of round robin match play competition. At the conclusion of match play, the top two finalists competed in the championship match on Sunday, Nov. 30, aired live on ESPN.
Stepladder Game 1
Brad Angelo of Lockport, N.Y. defeated Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla. ($5,500), 225-212.

Stepladder Game 2
Ken Simard of Greenville, S.C. defeated Brad Angelo ($6,500), 289-199.

Finals
Wes Malott of Argyle, Texas ($25,000) defeated Ken Simard ($13,000), 216-211.

Women’s Series Championship Match
Michelle Feldman of Auburn, N.Y. ($10,000) defeated Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif. ($6,000), 200-147.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) features the best bowlers in the world competing in National, Regional and Senior Tour events. The organization has more than 4,000 members spanning 13 countries, and nearly one million viewers tune-in to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour every Sunday on ESPN throughout the season. PBA sponsors include Bayer, Brunswick, CLR, Denny's, Etonic, Flomax, GEICO, Go RVing, H&R Block, Lumber Liquidators, Motel 6, Pepsi-Cola and the USBC, among others.

Here & There Column 12-2-08

Yearning For An Old Fashioned Christmas

Do you ever remember going out into the woods and cutting down your Christmas tree? or singing in your church choir as it visited area nursing homes? or after Christmas dinner taking a horse-driven sleigh ride?
These and many dreamy thoughts have been drifting through my mind in recent weeks and now that Thanksgiving is over with its time to consider the necessary Christmas shopping and putting up the interior and exterior Christmas lights and decorations and yes even thinking about those sometimes very boring holiday parties.
Today's fast moving society also tends to drift away from those old fashioned big family Christmas dinners and gatherings which not only included mom, dad, brothers and sisters but the grand parents, aunts and uncles and the many cousins...wow those were great times and families really enjoyed getting together and the true family love for each other also gave a great meaning to what the Christmas holidays were all about.
It seems today that our society it too fast moving and at times family is swept under the rug.
I cherish so much my memories of the real Christmas tree with many homemade ornaments on it......the Lionel train with its tracks circling the bottom of the tree, the living room fire place burning brightly and mom serving up home made hot chocolate with marshmallows on it.
Remember the large Christmas card list and the many cards you mailed which only cost less then a dime each.
Going down to the local department store was also very special where Santa would put you on his lap and ask what you wanted for Christmas.
Hanging up our stockings was also a treat we looked forward to and waiting until Christmas morning to see the various treats left in them.
Church on Christmas Eve was also a must and since I had a number of Catholic friends Midnight Mass was an important part of preparing for Christmas day.
The major complaint today is that Christmas has become too commercial and the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten by many.... and we sure don't see many Christmas-Carol Sing-a-longs.
If only we could go back and just have a good old-fashioned Christmas where you never hesitated in saying "Merry Christmas."