05/01/2026
There’s roll-off action to report on, but before I delve into that, I have a personal note I’d like to include.
It had been three years since I’d been at the lanes—time flies, doesn’t it? Desperate for a change of scenery, I booked a hotel room for two nights and drove to St Helens. Just because. Seeing so many old friends—people I’ve bowled with, bowlers I’d never met but whose scores I often write about—was well worth the long drive.
As it turned out, most leagues were wrapping up their season, and the two days I was there would feature “fun night,” which turned out to be Monte Carlo! Bakers Dozen and Merri-Mixers needed a caller, so they tackled me and shoved a microphone in my face. You can bet I fought them tooth and nail. I haven’t had that much fun since, well, the last time I called Monte Carlo. Thanks for giving me the opportunity!
Before I get to current events, Rivertowne, which still has a couple of weeks to go, had Alex Hamilton crushing 289 and a monster 777 set, Brian McCollum flattened 269, Tyler Bissell was a mark better than Joe Shelton, 267 to 257, Demareo Fricks curled 255, Kerry Robinson threw 247, Garrett Smith twirled 239, Thomas Brannon eked by Mike Marsh by a single wobbling pin, 234 to 233, and Josh Tolman didn’t get the checkered flag, but he did get his names in lights with a 226 game.
After Hamilton’s tripled sevens, McCollum and Garrett S each threw 7s, 717 and 703 respectively. Fricks missed the boat by a mark at 690, Bissell landed on 684, Brannon stroked 665, Shelton finished with 653, Ethan of S-town notched 632, and it was Marsh past Michael Rhodes by a nose, 624 to 623.
Carla Miller torched 226 and 643 for the gals, and Lynda Woodall ripped 223 and 520.
In Friday’s Columbian trios, Mike Oylear earned high game with his 221, and in a battle of the Johns, McGinnis beat Fortney, 216 to 202. McG also took high series with 594 over Fortney’s 590.
Lefty Laura Cowling made a rare appearance, bowling from my side of the lane, taking game and series with 226 and 571.
Charlie Oliver owned the Juniors on Saturday at 199 and 563, and Evanii Long’s 172/452 were tops for the girls. Up-and-coming star Johnnie Eland rolled a 34 game and a 75 series, and that deserves honorable mention. Keep at it, Johnnie!
Tyler Bissell lit up his lanes with 277 and 717 in Monday’s Covered Wagon, Thomas Brannon rolled 248 and 689, Chris Mongelli curled 247 and 688. Even Brandon Smith made the list with a 677 set. Mikel Fox was good for 233/627, and if I don’t mention Chuck Hildrith’s 231, he’ll come over here and chop down my trees. Pacific Stainless, after taking the first half, came back to win the league over Dixi Allen.
Southpaw Darlene Loop knotted up with Stephanie Munro for high game honors with 168, but Darlene’s 462 was tops. Janet Schappert rolled 118 and 328.
Brenda Overstreet’s 179 and 478 led scoring in Tuesday’s Bakers Dozen ladies league, in a week that only counted for colored pins, 50-50 drawings, and fun—oh my! Old friend Donna Bucar pitched a 161 and 451. Making the week’s top scores included Carla Adams’s 124 game and Lori Pardue’s 332 series. No, these scores are not going to rattle anyone’s seismic scale, but all the ladies had fun!
In the Hits and Misses at 1pm in their swan song appearance, Jim Adams led scoring for the gents with 213 and 599, as did Brenda Overstreet for the lasses, 206 and 555.
I’ve chased tornadoes for more than twenty years, and I’d never seen a “spare-nado” until this past week. There’s one—check that, four in the Merri-Mixers, and they were facing off against the Buzzer Beaters, consisting of the Arnott clan, who won the first half. Despite a herculean effort by Cameron Arnott, who blasted his all-time high game of 246 to nab high game for the night, their third game rally wasn’t enough. Dad Scott Arnott corkscrewed 236, Jamey Spofford of the opposing ‘nadoes, twisted 231, Denver Skalbeck notched 224, old teammate Jim Johnson erupted for 216, and Joe Shelton got past Shane Forsi by one, 214 to 213.
Spofford’s 667 series was what pushed the ‘nadoes’ season past the finish line, Dad Arnott pitched 638, Cameron ripped 628, and Skalbeck tossed 611.
Ladies’ scores for Merri-Mixers is missing, wouldn’t ya know it?
A hearty congratulations to Spare-Nadoes for their championship win. I’ll look for them on the Great Plains next time I chase. And a warm congrats to Pacific Stainless, Covered Wagon champs again!
That’s it, already! It seems as though the season just got underway, doesn’t it?
Summer fun awaits you at Oregon Trail Lanes. We have the PBA sport shot and Have-a-Ball leagues, and a parking lot fun “corn hole” event. Folks at the desk will be happy to sign you up if you haven’t already.
I plan on keeping you up to date throughout the summer, although I have no clue how to write up the parking lot event. For bowling, I have you covered.
See you here!
