By Mark Schiele

aroundthealleys@gmail.com

 The 2009-10 bowling season is about a month old and Dennis Schwartz has already left his mark. Bowling in the Ciccarone Friday Night Scratch league, Schwartz rolled an 835 series on Sept. 25.

 Not a bad way to start the year. Schwartz also rolled the first perfect game of the year, capping his series with a 300 game. His other two games were 257 and 278. In fact, Schwartz finished off his big night rolling 16 strikes in a row and tossing 23 of his last 24.

 The second-high series for men this season is currently owned by Rich Mack Jr., who posted a 793.

 On the women’s side, Kristine Bodge is leading the way with a 797.

 Great job by all.

Turning to the Facenda Whitaker junior bowlers, they’re putting up some impressive numbers, too.

Andrew Nagle is tops in the Senior Division with games of 236, 255 and 277 for a 768 series. Jordan Rodemer posted a 697 and Chris Hammes, who has high average in the division at 213.67, has a 661 series.

On the girls’ side, Emily Phillips, who is tops in average at 192.17, has the high series with a 669. Second on the board is Sara Kinsey, with a 621 followed by Molly Mason with a 594.Mason has the highest game by a female with a 244.

In the Junior Division, Michael Smith is setting the pace with a 584 series and a high game of 254. Doug Bauer is leading the average race, checking in a 181.22. On the girls’ side, Emily Kinsey is leading the way with a 175.67 average and a high series of 579.

In the Bantams Division, Joshua Eisman is leading the way with a 461 high series and a 146.33 average. Spencer Schiele has high game for the boys with a 175. Alyssa Nyce has the high series for girls with a 360 series and is tops in average at 113.44. She also has high game with a 136, followed by Abigail Comrie and Molly Grinnan-Harper with 127 games.

Last but not least are the Pee Wee bowlers, the future of the sport. And they are off to a great start, bumpers or not. Garrett Comrie has the high series (the Pee Wees bowl only two games) with a 205, followed by Tyler Schiele with a 196 series and Christian Maccarone with a 192. On the girls’ side, Kelly Byrne has a 203 series, with Brianna Levenberg with a 197. High game for the boys currently belongs to Colin Wilson with a 119, while Byrne is leading the way for the girls with a 103.

If Labor Day has passed, that means only one thing – the 2009-10 bowling season is up and running. As a bonus for bowlers at Facenda-Whitaker Lanes, the bowling center’s Website, Facendawhitaker.com, is unveiling a new feature – the Around the Alleys blog – written by me, Mark Schiele.

The blog is a new take on an old mainstay. Years ago, when the newspaper business was operating in a more stable environment, I used to do an Around the Alleys column in the Times Herald. The days of running bowling columns in the newspaper may be long gone, but the column is back in the form of a blog at Facendawhitaker.com and on Facebook.

So, what is Around the Alleys?

It’s a Website about Facenda-Whitaker bowlers for Facenda-Whitaker bowlers. If it happens, let us know. E-mail me at aroundthealleys@gmail.

What are we looking for? Well, you name it.

Career high games? Sure. Career high series? Better yet. Rare split conversions? Even better. Something odd? Offbeat? Or just plain crazy?

We want it all. The truth is, it’s all about you – the bowlers at Facenda Whitaker. And we are talking all ages.

There will be an Around the Alleys blog solely concentrating on youth bowling at Facenda Whitaker. It will be a chance to learn about fellow bowlers and celebrate their accomplishments.

I will be at the lanes on a regular basis looking for feature stories of all types. And no one will be left out. From the women in their morning leagues to the seniors to the regular league bowlers. We want to hear about everyone.

Here’s a recap from the summer, for starters. Did you know Rose DiRenzo rolled a no-tap 300 this summer? She’s married to “Doc” DiRenzo, uh, everyone knows him. .. How about Andrew Ely, and what he did last year. Andrew shot 300 … twice … the same night. First time it’s ever been done at Facenda-Whitaker. But we get into the details of that night a littler later on in another blog.

A tip of the hat to Andrew for a night to remember. The highlight of “The House” for the year, by far.

Then came summer. The junior/adult league. Where Andrew averaged 228.33. Not bad. But he didn’t take home high average honors. That went to junior bowler David Swedkowski, who averaged 228.62. Not a bad way to end his junior career.

There are probably a lot more stories out there to tell, and we plan on doing it here. Drop us a line, e-mail a photo, keep us informed.

See ya on the lanes

Mark Schiele

aroundthealleys@gmail.com

Can you imagine what it’s like to plan teenage parties these days? From what I have seen, teenagers aren’t the easiest to please. Why not have teenage parties at a place that’s bursting with enough activity to please everyone. Teenage parties are great at the bowling alley! If you haven’t been to a bowling alley lately, you’ll be surprised what it they to offer for teenage parties.
Bowling is always great for a group of teenagers and especially for teenage parties! Most bowling alleys have automatic scoring lanes that are easy to operate and a great value for teenage parties. Teenage parties can be arranged to include bowling, shoes, game tokens and meals. Bowling alleys can be open late or even 24 hours so you have plenty of options for the right time. Often special nights offer Laser Light Show bowling or Rock and Roll bowling which are high energy nights. Lights and music are the perfect combination for teenage parties!
Teenage parties also need private party rooms. Check with for your local bowling alley to see if they have private party rooms. Often there are catering services that would be available for teenage parties or any party event. Menus can we tailored to the likes of teenagers. That’s a perfect option for teenage parties with teenage appetites.
Take a break between bowling,. Turn teenage parties loose in the game room. They can test their skills at the latest and hottest interactive games and game tables. Game rooms always have enough of activities to please a crowd. Enough to keep teenage parties busy for some time!
No more headaches planning teenage parties. Try planning teenage parties at a bowling alley. Bowling, game room and eating is the perfect agenda for teenage parties anywhere.

Linda Dunkelberger is a freelance writer and editor. “Take the Headache out of Teenage Parties! Try Bowling!” gives ideas for planning teenage parties at a bowling alley. Facenda-Whitaker Lanes is your choice for teenage parties. Facenda-Whitaker Lanes has 50 Brunswick bowling lanes, Game Galaxy, Steppy’s, bowling leagues, banquet hall and meeting rooms.

When money is a little tight we look for simple family fun alternatives. This summer’s family reunion or celebration need not be missed. Family, fun activities and a party room in PA is the solution. Your party room in PA is also a bowling alley packed full of activities.

Bringing the family, both young and old to the bowling alley is such a treat. Having a private party room or banquet hall in PA in the bowling alley gives you opportunity to celebrate and entertain while saving a few dollars. No far distances to drive, no entertainment to hire, everything is under one roof. Convenience saves money.

Your party room/ banquet hall in PA is a casual way to celebrate while still offering custom menus, large seating areas, good food and privacy. A banquet hall planner can help you with all the arrangements and special needs. Once you have all the banquet hall arrangements made you can package some family fun time in for the entertainment.

Bowling centers are packed full of fun things to do. More than just bowling offers a large game room filled with action packed video and interactive games and a full service sports bar for the adult crowd. Not to forget that the bowling is good American family fun that we all can enjoy together.

When money is a little tight we look for simple family fun alternatives.  This summer’s family reunion or celebration need not be missed.  Family, fun activities and a party room in PA is the solution. Your party room in PA is also a bowling alley packed full of activities.

Bringing the family, both young and old to the bowling alley is such a treat.  Having a private party room or banquet hall in PA in the bowling alley gives you opportunity to celebrate and entertain while saving a few dollars.  No far distances to drive, no entertainment to hire, everything is under one roof.  Convenience saves money.

Your party room/ banquet hall in PA is a casual way to celebrate while still offering custom menus, large seating areas, good food and privacy.  A banquet hall planner can help you with all the arrangements and special needs.  Once you have all the banquet hall arrangements made you can package some family fun time in for the entertainment.

Bowling centers are packed full of fun things to do.  More than just bowling, Facenda Whitaker, your banquet hall in PA and bowling alley offers a large game room filled with action packed video and interactive games and a full service sports bar for the adult crowd.  Not to forget that the bowling is good American family fun that we all can enjoy together.

Everything for your next event comes together at a bowling alley, Facenda- Whitaker Lanes.  Your banquet hall in PA needs, your family fun entertainment and it all saves your money in this economy.

Organizing a fundraiser?  Sometimes choosing a venue or activity to raise funds for any important cause can be a challenge.  Using the Facenda Whitaker Lanes for a fundraiser at a bowling alley is the perfect solution!  It can be an exciting day of bowling, playing games, and spending time with friends while raising money for your organization.  Bowling is a great activity for children or adults, and our lanes even have bumper bowling available for very young children.

Whether it is for a scout troop, a church event, a school or work fundraiser, or an individual special cause, a fundraiser at a bowling alley is an effective and easy way to raise money for your group.  If participants can solicit pledges from family, friends, and the community for a Penny-a-Pin Bowl-A-Thon, a significant amount of money can be raised for your worthy cause.

Facenda Whitaker Lanes has the experience and the facilities to organize a fundraising event with you, and make it easy for you to plan.  In addition to our fifty lanes of bowling and our large Game Galaxy room, we offer full catering and a full service bar at our Steppy’s restaurant.

We can customize an event based on your fundraising goals, and the type of occasion you envision.  Optional packages can be arranged including bowling, bowling shoes, meals, party gifts, and game tokens.  Facenda Whitaker is centrally located, open 24 hours, and offers babysitting as well, making it a flexible option for all involved and encouraging lots of participation!

Guests, young and old, will love a fundraising event at Facenda Whitaker Lanes.  It will support your organization or important cause, and be a memorable day.

What can mothers of young children do for a mom’s morning out?  There are always the old stand-bys like a playgroup at someone’s home, or meeting up at a park; however, if you want to mix it up a bit, try a bowling league for a mom’s morning out!  Even if your kids are of school age, it is a great opportunity to make new friends or spend time with old friends.

Bowling is an excellent activity for all skill levels.  If you have never bowled before, no problem!  It is easy to start as a beginner, and you will see yourself improving week to week if you join a league and attend regularly.  More experienced bowlers can be grouped with other moms with similar ability levels to keep their skills sharp.

Bowling is good for the body and soul!  It is actually good exercise, and a wonderful social activity.  You can build your bowling ability, and benefit from some friendly competition amongst your peers.  Also, what moms of young children need the most is a break, and to be with other women to do some socializing.  It is an activity that you can look forward to attending every week, and rain or shine, the bowling alley will always be open.  The kids can be in babysitting while moms make new friends, enjoy old friends, and enjoy the classic sport of bowling.

Facenda Whitaker Lanes has a special league opening for a mom’s morning out starting in October 2009 through April 2010, coinciding with the school year.  An open house is being held on September 29 and 30, 2009 at the lanes, and they are encouraging moms to come out and see what Facenda Whitaker has to offer.  There will be a $10 fee for bowling, coffee, muffins and doughnuts.  There is also a convenient on-site babysitting service to watch the kids.  This is a new program, great for making new friends or coming with a group of old friends to spend your mornings together.  More information can be found at www.facendawhitaker.com