The Globe
MARYSVILLE – The great thing about bowling is that anyone can do it. People ages 2 to 100 bowl at Strawberry Lanes in Marysville, manager Margie Wells said this week.
“We have a couple bowlers who are near one-hundred,” she said, adding one even bowls in a regular league, rather than in one of the two senior leagues.
For youngsters and those with physical or mental handicaps, the bowling alley offers ramps that can be used.
“The little kids push it” off the ramp, she said.
The fact that all ages and abilities can participate is one of the reasons why the Marysville Kiwanis Club decided to have a Bowling for Dollars for Scholars event there starting at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 7.
“We want to raise as much money as we can for scholarships for students graduating from Marysville high schools this spring,” said Steve Powell, a Kiwanis member. “What better way to do that than to offer an event that anyone can do? And big deal if it rains.”
The advertised cost for the event is $30 per person, with $20 going to scholarships. Strawberry Lanes is offering a $10 deal for three games, shoes and bowling ball rentals.
Wells said Strawberry Lanes doesn’t do many benefits like this, but they support the cause.
“It helps them and promotes bowling on our end, too,” she said.
The bowling alley, which has been owned by her mother-in-law, Elaine Wells, since 1974, does offer many different leagues, and also is a popular spot for parties. End-of-season sports parties for football, basketball and wrestling take place there, along with on birthdays. Fall leagues just ended and spring ones are starting. The only month there aren’t leagues is August.
Strawberry Lanes also has tournaments, including an Oso Memorial for former Friday night bowler Bill Walsh. There also is one around the time of the Marysville Strawberry Festival, which is coming up in June.
Wells, who has worked there for 35 years, including 19 as manager, said there are no scratch leagues there. “Everything’s handicapped, so everyone can compete,” she said.
That doesn’t mean some leagues aren’t competitive, however. Wells said the Wednesday night Men’s League has $10,000 in prize money.
“One guy’s in six leagues a week,” she said, adding there have been eight 300 perfect games rolled since September.
There also are leagues at the other end of the spectrum. The senior leagues are more for exercise and socializing. There is also a league for special needs bowlers, Wells said.
The facility offers 20 lanes, with 150 colorful purple, orange and other rental bowling balls from 6 to 16 pounds to choose from. Shoe sizes are toddler 7 to men’s 17. Concessions include pizza, burgers, nachos, pop, beer and alcohol.
