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Tuesday, December 23

Some days are headlined by individual performance. Today, however, the day was all about the team competition, as eight of us divided up into pretty evenly matched teams of four. Team Frank (FD, E Sm, BB, MR) gave eight pins to Team Tom (TL, MM, TH, DS) with all three games decided in the final frame.

In game one, strong performances by Marty and Ted helped overcome a clunker by Tom and pace their team to a 15-pin victory. In game two, Ben and Ed Sm helped their team eke out a one-pin win, even as Tom rolled a 206. So, it all came down to game three. Team Frank seemed in control for much of the game, and after Frank’s final frame, Tom needed a double in the tenth to get the win. His first ball was high in the pocket and looked like it would leave a split but somehow all 10 pins fell. His second ball was a light pocket hit, but again all 10 pins fell. His third ball legitimately finished the triple and secured the win. Frank good naturedly rolled his eyes and put his quarter down on the table.

In addition to Tom’ having the only 200 game of the morning, Marty had five strikes in game two on his way to a 191, and Ed Sm overcame three splits in the first three frames of that game to record a 185. Four bowlers had 500 series: Frank at 507; Ed at 508; Marty at 520 (whose +67 earns him BoD); and Tom at 538.

We’re off next week, and we resume on Jan uary 6. I hope that the new year will bring sightings of some of our absent and recuperating bowlers (Gehr, Frank G, John Kam, George H and Linc). Here’s hoping you all are on the mend. We miss you!

And finally, I wish everyone a joyous Christmas with family and friends and a new year of good cheer, good health and good bowling.

Tuesday, December 16

Due to travel, illness (get better soon, Woody) and injuries, we were back to two sets of lanes, with only nine bowlers. Still, we had great fun and competition.

Five bowlers were plus for the morning, led by BoD Marty, who was +82 with a 200 game and a high series of 529. Close behind was Dave who had his best day ever at +64, including his all-time high game of 133 after throwing three strikes in the 10th frame! George G., Ed Sch and Ben were also on the positive side.

Ted was mister consistency (145-145-146), with a 3-7 split conversion. Frank also had a 200 game and a 500 series (521), despite six splits; although he converted a 5-7 split, he was  negative for the day.

The team of Ben, Ted, Marty and Frank D squeaked out a 10-pin win in game one and a big win in game two, thanks to Marty and Frank each posting 200 games. The team of Mike, Dave, George G, Bill and Ed took the double-or-nothing challenge in game three and won big to get their money back, thanks to Dave’s big game combined with George and Ed rolling 192 and 193, respectively.

We also coined a new term for a frame — a Tamme, for two gutter balls. After achieving that unfortunate result, Bill good-naturedly insisted the result be named in his “honor”!

Tuesday, December 9

On any Tuesday morning as we drive up to Nutmeg, we feel sorry for the commuters travelling in the opposite direction in the bumper-to-bumper traffic. Today, it was our turn, as an accident between Exits 18-19 caused a significant delay. Nevertheless, 12 of us got there, and again there were some stellar performances. Attached is a photo in which Ted and Tom relive last week’s heroics, as well as a nice group photo of today’s group.

We had plus scores from George G at +5, Alex (fresh off of a lesson from Chris) at +10, Dave at +15, and Ben at +37. Frank D continued his solid streak of bowling with another 500 series. Tom finally put together back-to-back weeks of good bowling, starting game one with a clean 197 and then rolling the day’s high game of 215 in the second. He ended up with a 589 (+64). But the day really belonged to Ed Sm. A split in his last frame of the day caused him to miss a 600 series by two pins, with his 598 (including a 205 and 208) being  plus 115. Bravo, Ed!

Split conversions were highlighted by Ben’s 5-6-10, a spare often left but rarely made. Ted, Marty and George made 3-10s while Tom made a 2-7.

The team competition saw each team win one game. But the big shocker was Ben sweeping the game three quarters from Ted and GG, thanks to Ben’s high game of the day of 151.

Let’s hope next week brings easier driving and more good bowling!

Tuesday, December 2

What a day filled with highlights for many of the thirteen bowlers this morning!

Let’s start with Frank D, who bowled his sixth 500 series in a row at 517. Only problem was that his average had risen to 180, so that his series was actually below average. Bill and George G had plus series of +5 and +22. Mike had three nice games for a plus 50.

Ed Sch had his second 200 game in the last three weeks at 202 on his way to a 509, his first 500 series of the season — this was +59. Ben’s 433 series (+73) was his personal high series of the season. Woody had his personal high game ever (!) of 161, which included seven marks, helping him roll a +75 series. In most any other week any of those three performances would be worthy of BoD honors, but today they weren’t even close .

Next is Ted. Starting slowly with a 130, he then had a nice 164 in game two. Then Ted got hot, really hot, as he started game three with seven strikes in a row! He marked out the rest of the way for a terrific 253 for his highest DMA bowling game ever. His 547 series was his highest ever and was +109.

Finally, there was Tom. To say he’s been in a slump would be a gross understatement but not on this day. He started the morning with a five bagger, missed a spare, then rolled another five bagger, ending up with a 259. Two other good games enabled him to finish with a 627 series, which was +120. Since we’d hate for any one of us who bowls +100 or better not to get a BoD honor, the “Committee” unanimously names both Ted and Tom as co-honorees for this day.

We also had some nice split conversions with Ed Sc making a 3-10, Marty a 4-5 and Tom a 5-7.

Tuesday, November 25

We keep getting strong turnouts week in and week out, with today being no exception — 13 bowlers. However, unlike last week when most bowled above average, today saw only a few strong performances.

Frank D continued his roll by rolling a 536 (including a 203 middle game), which was the first time in five weeks he didn’t break 550. Great stuff! Dave had another good week at +47. After a rough first game, Ben came alive to end up at +15. This included Ben taking a quarter each from George G and Ted in their game three head to head, as Ben bowled his best game of the day. Our BoD by far was Bill, who started with the day’s best game of 213 and ended up with a 529 series, which was +79. Bravo, Bill!

There were tears shed by many of the rest of us, but none more so than Tom, who managed to record nine splits in his last two games and ended up at -39. Fortunate for him, his teammates (Bill, Ben and Marty) helped his team win games two and three. Some nice split conversions were made: the 3-10 was made by Tom, Ted and Ed Sc, with Mike making a 2-7. Ed Sm made a 4-7-9, while Tom made a 3-6-7-10.

One thing I’m thankful for is the wonderful bowling group we’ve assembled. I wish each of you a day filled with family, friends and food and all the blessings of the day.

Tuesday, November 18

Fourteen bowlers arrived this morning, and there was lots of action. Ten of the 14 bowled above their average, and even the four who didn’t came close.

If there is anything that could put a smile on all 14 faces, it was today’s biggest highlight: Ed Sch’s 201 in the first game! Always nice to see Ed show flashes of his 90th birthday performance of a couple of years ago, when he bowled three 200 games! His 498 series was +48 and, while not the highest plus for the day, earns Ed at least a share of BoD. His co-BoD, Dave Smith, was hidden over on lanes 11/12, where he bowled a nice +58. Well done by both.

While there were no other 200 games, there were three 500 series. Frank D continued his string of excellence with a 552. Tom had a 531, and Ed Sm had a 518. Other bowlers with plus scores were John at +26, Mike at +19, Bill at +6 and Ted at +4.

We had several split conversions: a 5-6-10 by Mike, a 5-7 by both Marty and Ted, a 4-5 by Ed Sc and a 3-10 by Dave. And, no session would be complete without a Ben Briggs Spare two of which were rolled by Mike.

The team competition saw each of the three teams win a game, so no blood there. Sadly, Ben took it in the chin in his game three matches versus both George G and Ted. Next time he should remember not to bowl his poorest game in the third.

We wondered at the conclusion of last week’s session whether anyone could stop Frank D’s run of BoD honors following two impressive performances. With 13 others there to give Frank some competition, chances were decent.

What made the challenge tougher was that Frank had another fine day on the lanes. His game three 222 helped him to a 568 series, again the day’s best game and series. We should also note that his excellence over the  last three weeks has brought his Last 21 average to 173 and has made him King of the Hill! But on this day, Frank’s +64 was only third best. Mike Ryan had three games over 130 for a 398, which was +65 and was Mike’s personal high series ever. Our BoD, though, was Ed Sm, who rolled three nice games, including a 197 middle game for a 557, which was +86! Bravo to all three.

Other “plus” showings were by Marty at +21, Ted at +14, Dave at +13, and the Professor at +4. Splits were converted by Woody, who left and made a rarely seen 3-7-8, and by Tom, who converted a 3-6-8-10. And no session is complete without a Ben Briggs spare (BBS), which came from George Hawes!

Let’s end today’s report by giving a shout out to our pals on the Injured List: Gehr, Frank Gallagher, Linc, and John Kam. When they all return to action, wouldn’t it be a hoot if we need to ask Nutmeg to supply us with a fourth pair of lanes!

Some days, we get off to a flying start, but other days not so much, and so it went for a few of us who started slowly but ended well. George G started poorly in game one, but his 184 in game two helped him to a 463 (+37). We should mention that George’s day included not one but two BBSs.  Frank D started slowly, but his 185 in game three helped him salvage a 479 series. Marty’s 182 in the third got him to a 476 series. And Tom’s 202 in the third got him to a 529 series despite a 139 in the middle game.

There were lots of splits left today. Two noteworthy conversions were a 5-10 by Ed Sm and a 4-5-7 by Bill Tamme.

The team game had Team Frank (BB, GG, E Sm, FD) and Team Tom (BT, MM, TL) split the first two, with Team Tom taking game three by just 14 pins.

With seven bowlers, we had just one poker hand, which made Marty happy twice and George happy once.

Tuesday, November 4

Today’s report covers the good, the bad, and the ugly for the thirteen guys who turned out.

Let’s start with the good. For the second week in a row, Frank D was very good! His 222 in game three helped him get to a 552 series, both of which were high for the week and earned him BoD yet again. Tom and Ed Smith also had 500 series at 520 and 512, including a 197 for Ed. Professor Ed Schechter was +46. John Bassler was +38. Dave Smith was +36. Woody Spurgeon was +20.

Let’s skip the bad but move on to the ugly. The team of Ben Briggs/George Gilliam/Alex/Ed Sm managed what might be a DMA record for most splits in one game by a four-man team — 13!! (see photo). Let’s just say that we haven’t seen that much red since Valentine’s Day . At least Alex had something to smile about as he won all three poker games on his lanes.

Split conversions included a 3-6-7-10 by Frank D, a 5-7 by Tom, a 3-10 by Mike Ryan, GG and BB. And the day was complete thanks to a BBS by Ted.

Tuesday, October 28

Another fun day at Nutmeg for 10 of us. We were hoping for more bowlers, given that we celebrated another milestone birthday…this time #80 for Alex Garnett (see photos). Happy birthday, Alex, and we look forward to #85. I should also highlight that birthday boy had a good day on the lanes with a 495 series, including converting two 3-10 splits.

We might have had more bowlers had it not been for a conflict with today’s DMA outing to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Next time, maybe the chairman of the Social Committee can take care not to schedule such an attractive event on a Tuesday (yes, you, Ted!) .

We might also have had more but for three of our group on the injured list — John Kammerman and Gehr Brown nursing shoulder and back injuries and Linc Schoff recovering from hip surgery. Best wishes to all three and hoping you’ll soon be back.

Continuing our pattern of strong performances by those who took a week off, we had Frank DeLeo earn Bowler of the Day (BoD) honors with a 564 series (+72!). This included converting a very difficult 4-5-7 split. The Commish had a 561 after  having open frames on three of his first five frames of the morning. Another 500 series came from Ed Smith with a 527. Also doing nicely was Marty Milewski with a 485.

We close with a note about the team game, which saw Frank D’s squad winning the double-or-nothing third game against Tom Lom’s Team in a runaway, again proving there is always hope!