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Oconto Falls Bowling Tournament - March 12 & 13, 2011 The Twenty-fifth Annual Oconto Falls Lions Bowling Tournament is now in the record books. While the front page sports news was that the Cook Farms team took first place with a record high score, there are a number of behind the headlines stories that help to make the tournament such a popular project for the Oconto Falls Lions. And as the story goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Lena's Josh Christianson bowling for A.J. Livestock got the tournament off to a great start with the first strike of the two day tournament and picking up a gift certificate from Lion Bob Patenaude for the effort.
Lion Jon Makuck had the honor of presenting a smiling Eve Wallace from Oconto Falls with a gift certificate for the first strike of the second shift. In her day job when not on the bowling circuit, Eve serves as the Deputy Treasurer for the City of Oconto Falls and was the lead off bowler for G.M.S. Construction #1.
Showing a look of confidence that comes with picking up the first strike of the third shift, Dan Bickel lead off bowler for Little River Gang #1 accepted his gift certificate from Lion Al Schlorf. Residing in Oconto, it looks like Dan lived up to the slogan on his shirt.
Sunday morning's first strike honors went to Green Bay's Rick Dantine bowling as the lead off team member for Dantine's Lena Lanes. Lion Dick Cromell had look of pride about that accomplishment since this was Doug's first time in the tournament and Swede just happens to be his great uncle.
Coming north from Green Bay for the tournament and bowling in the lead position for Team 3J 2P, Paul Schlitz picked up the first strike in the second shift on Sunday. Lion Taryn Nall presented him with his gift certificate and gave him a warm north woods welcome.
The honors for the first strike in the final shift on Sunday went out to Craig Sellen decked out in Packer Gear and doing his part as the first bowler for Stadium View Bar from Green Bay. Happy to present the gift certificate was Taryn Nall.
Raffles are always part of the fun at the Falls Lions Bowling Tournament. The winning ticket on the drawing for the first big box on the first shift purchased by Butch Patenaude bowling for A.J. Livestock, shown in the center. Delivering the box is Lion Tony Neta, on the left and Club President Jim Damp on the right.
Jan Mortier looks well protected by a couple of body guards Club President Jim Damp (left) and Lion Tony Neta (right) as she shows her winning ticket to collect the first big box on the second shift. Jan was bowling for the Bourassa #1 team.
Tammy Bickel of Oconto bowling for Little River Gang #2 flashed one of the biggest smiles of the tournament after she won the first big box on the Saturday night shift. The smile seemed contagious as Lion Paul Yatso on the right mirrored the look. Tammy was bowling for.
The smiles continued on the first Sunday shift when Phantom Roofers team member Dave Steffens outfitted in an urban camouflage shirt topped off by a Packers Super Bowl Championship hat had the winning number for that first big box raffle. Lion Tony Neta was happy to make the presentation.
Lion Bill Trible had a hard time cracking a smile but Katie Vorpahl from Oconto Falls had one big enough for both of them as she held the winning number for the Sunday second shift big box raffle.
This year the big bowling weekend got underway with a Friday night kickoff raffle sponsored by Senn Hometown Insurance in conjunction with one of their many property lines, Wilson Mutual Insurance, and the Antique Bar located on Main in down town Oconto Falls. Standing tall behind the prizes just before the winning numbers were pulled was Joey Salscheider along with his mom, Barb. The Salscheiders have been great partners with the Lions for many of their community service projects.
As has been the tradition in the past, each year there are a few new inductions into the Bowling Tournament Hall of Fame. This prestigious group is made up of talented bowlers who have the uncanny knack of being able to roll two gutter balls in the same frame. In addition to their membership in that group, they also are rewarded with two rolls of some of the finest product coming out of the paper mills on the Fox River in Green Bay. This year's first inductee was Mandi Christensen. Always a great competitor, Mandi was one of the returning anchors for A & J Livestock and has been a contender for all time honors in the double gutter Hall of Fame.
Showing a great smile as she hears the noise of the crowd applause, Paula Kozlowski from Little Suamico was the second inductee of the tournament. Paula bowled for the Bourassa #2 team.
Being absolutely giddy with her recognition, Chris Nero made it into the Hall of Fame. Chris was bowling for the Oconto Falls Lioness Club. This was one of the first recreational competitions for the newly formed club and based on the look of this bowler, they were having a great time.
Wearing the beads she won for a "Lady's Strike," Sharon Letourneau also struts her stuff after making it into the Gutter Ball Hall of Fame. Sharon bowled for Little River Gang #2.
Coming all the way from Pulcifer on Highway 22 West, Chris Soper, bowling for Harris Bank, made it as a member of the Class of 2011 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Lucky says it all as the pride of Cream City, Jen Whiting was the youngest member this year to qualify for membership in the Hall of Fame. Jen was wearing the team colors for Harris Bank #1.
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Copyright © 2004-2011
Oconto Falls Lion's Club
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