Surdich on Bowling: Shukles continues guiding Atwater youths
To stay active in retirement after teaching for 32 years, Tony Shukles combined two of his passions, starting an after-school bowling league for students.
The longtime Atwater Elementary School District sixth- and seventh-grade teacher has led the league, the Mitchell Senior Strikers, for over 11 years at Bellevue Bowl, where he also rolls during fall leagues.
This year, seventh grader Manuel Vargas joined the league, bowling without use of his thumb. To accommodate his needs, Shukle approached Atwater Elementary School District and it was delighted to help the student. It furnished him with a 10-pound ball from Storm Bowling Products that features a retractable handle.
When Vargas releases the handle to finish his swing at the foul line, the handle retracts and it’s smooth sailing to the pins.
The league has 24 seventh and eighth graders who meet Mondays after school for 12 weeks. Teams are coed and consist of three members each.
The Mitchell Senior Strikers will end league play with a pizza party, and 16 recycled trophies will be handed out. Tyler Lyes bowled the season’s high game of 145 on Monday.
In addition to forming the league, Shukle has volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at the Challenger Learning center at the Castle Airport, among many other worthwhile projects in and around the city of Atwater.
Need a volunteer, you know who to call.
Los Banos bowling center update
Bertha Faria, executive director of the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, revealed to me more details about the bowling center that is being built in Los Banos.
As you enter the front doors to what used to be the lobby of the theater, you will pass through an arcade with over 100 games. Go farther, walking past 10 lanes on your left and the restrooms, which remain in place, and you will enter the party rooms.
Yong Ye, one of the project’s investors, feels kids need more entertainment options in Los Banos.
“To have something to do, have fun, keeps them from trouble.” Ye said. “There are two high schools and two junior high schools, and a third junior high being built. There is a need for all these children.”
League highlights
Brooklyn Brawlers watched as Toyotech shot a 977 scratch game on April 22. Then the Brawlers turned around and set the Commercial Classic high scratch series on the same night. The members with their series were: Mark Moua (652), Alex Nunes (710), Roger Ross (658) and anchor John Montoya (688) for a super series of 2,708.
League champions
The second league champion at Bellevue Bowl has been decided in a roll-off. The Tuesday Seniors had the Toyotech team taking the league championship. Members with their averages were: Louis Cantaloube (161), Karen Hunter (144), Betty Brown (148) and Keith Hunter (159).
Yosemite senior no-tap
Gustine’s Kim Heller took first place on Friday in the monthly senior handicap 9-pin no-tap at Yosemite Lanes in Modesto. Heller rolled an 866 for $37, which included placing in three high-game pots. Pat Kirschman took second with an 820.
Black Oak seniors
This Friday is Black Oak Lanes’ monthly senior 9-pin no-tap starting at 1:30 p.m. Entry fee is $15, which includes the high-game pot for men and women and it is paid out after every game. The lanes offer coffee and cookies to seniors during the afternoon. To hold a spot, call Sandy Taylor at (209) 928-9437.
Remember when
League highlights from October 1965:
▪ Isable Wiensz converted the 6-7-10 split and Mim Parker the 2-4-8 in the Continental’s Mixed Quads action.
▪ Lois McKinney watched her ball mix up the 2-4-5-10 and Lemona Beebe the 4-7-10 in the Bellevue Bells.
▪ Bellevue Four Star “converters” were Chris Brown on the 3-7-10 and Carla Harlow on the 5-8-10.
▪ Marie Perry had the 6-7-10 tumble for her in the Officers’ Wives Club action at Bellevue.
▪ In the Central Valley Nisei league Tex Kinoshita had a 222 game and Ken Hamaguchi a 619 series.
Don Surdich is a Sun-Star correspondent. He can be reached at (209) 777-1111 or via email at desurdich@aol.com.
SCORING LEADERS: Vicki Lester 188, Marie Herrera 187, Alice Koehn 177, Roger Ross 277, Suzane Couture 239, Russ Cowperthmate 192, Sidney McIntrye 190, Michelle Hass 233, Laura Ruell 205, Betty Stout 182, Bruce Wescott 244, Mary Hamilton 180, Kay Koehn 192, Dan Roberson 191, Margret Shaw 163, Justin Decker 279, Pam Graham 160, Floy Yagi 156, Kevin Decker 180, Julie Egleston 189, Lloy Jones 196.
SERIES LEADERS: Mark Middlestat 559, Tom McBride 567, Miranda Lewis 574, Dave Egleston 589, Gene Frazier 631, Tom Brewer 633, Charles Mook 635, Don Harcksen 639, Jim Mullings 658, Ladonna Stone 683, Rodney Alday 705, Mike Danel 715, Nathan Flanagan 732, Richard Snell 743, Justin Decker 763.
This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 6:53 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Shukles continues guiding Atwater youths."