Perfect games are now becoming a weekly event.
Coming on the heels of Fred Sadler's 300 two weeks ago, smooth-throwing Stephen James notched the fourth perfect game of the season and second in league play at Little's, putting all 12 together in his final game of the evening in last Wednesday's MixMasters.
It was James first-ever 300 game.
"He was so relaxed on the last ball," said Little's Don Jordan. "He just got up there and threw the ball like he'd been throwing it all night.
"Nice and smooth."
James' release has always been whisper-soft to the ear as the ball hits the lane and the right hander is no stranger to big scores.
Many will tell you it was just a matter of time when a 300 game would come his way.
James opened with games of 180 and 203 to finish with a respectable 688 on the night.
He joins Sadler, Ken Haugen and Reid Michel in this season's 300 club.
Set up the pins, clear the lanes and try not to roll a gutter bird.
Cincinnati is warming up for Thanksgiving with its traditional Turkey Bowl, an annual outdoor event using frozen turkeys in place of bowling balls.
Contestants will try to knock down 10 pins in today's event by sliding rock-hard birds down a lane on the holiday season ice skating rink on downtown's landmark Fountain Square.
The person with the highest score after three rounds wins $100 cash and "WKRP in Cincinnati" DVDs including the series' famous "Turkeys Away" episode.
That's the one about a station promotion in which live giveaway turkeys are dropped out of a helicopter to their deaths — because the station manager thought turkeys could fly.
The frozen birds used in Turkey Bowl are discarded store turkeys not intended for anyone's table.
Not a record for Fort Benton's Jack's Lanes, but Cameron Tuss gave it a good shot.
Tuss, bowling in the Thursday Nite Men's League, strung together games of 259, 256 and 244 for a big 759 set.
"I don't think it's a record," said owner Jack Willson. "But it was pretty near.
"Trampus Corder shot in the 770s one year."
Still it was a big night and big week for Chouteau County facility.
"We had big scores starting Monday afternoon and going all week," said Willson.
In town, Bruce Steffani, bulky back and all, fired the high score of the week with a 733 set and 279 game in the Straight-A-Way PBA Experience Friday night league at Little's.
Tracy Arndt, making a return to the local bowling scene, was high for the women with a 236 game and 661 series in the 725 Classified, also at Little's.
At the Elks, Randy Guill, competing in the Bull Elks, fired a 269 game and 703 set. Barb Baumgartner continued to set the pace downtown for the women with a 245 game and 605 series.
Mike Bowles continues to be one of the best bowlers at Pin & Cue. Bowles was high for the men last week after posting a 680 series, on games of 236 and 253, in the Monday 535.
Steady Nobi Sirucek's 202 game and 554 series was tops for the women, who struggled a little last week on the westside.
Here are the rest of last week's honors scores from around the area:
Elks / Great Falls
Women's scores
Jack & Jill — Lauretta Gifford 224; Amber Pedersen 210(+61)/582(+135); Bobi Brown 202/201.
Friday Night Mixed — Barb Baumgartner 245(+54)/605; Heather Vukasin 215; Jeri Bartels 210; Sharon Yaeger 197(+52).
Thursday Ladies: Lauretta Gifford 202; Barb Nelson 200; Amelia Momberg 167(+66).
Early Birds — Kay Kinzinger(sr) 214/204; Jeri Bartels 205; Mary Ann Beck(sr) 197(+58); Carol Tigart 180(+52); Susie Keats 173(+50).
Men's scores
Monday Ag League — Blake Standley 230; Rick Cummings 226/631; Larry Cummings 213/210/610; Stew Schwartz(sr) 200.
Jack & Jill Mixed Monday Night — Rod Hackett(sr) 279/201/647; Bernie Dickman 265/692; Coley King 246(+57); Dave Gifford(sr) 236; Jon Neiffer 233(+65); Bob Dompier 231; Tom Croskey 228; Joe Stroup(sr) 223(+69); Burt Tschetter(sr) 205.
Tuesday Nite Mens — Jim Dixon 251; Al Ridder 247; Bill Brown(sr) 247624; Mike Beggs(sr) 246; Mearl Christianson(sr) 236(+81)/598(+133); Dave Woolsey(sr) 236(+61); Darwin Reeve(sr) 231/206/617; Jim Whetham 228; Mel Wardell(sr) 225; Al Debortoli(sr) 225/224/648; Chuck Martin(sr) 215/201/200//616; Lee LeVeque(sr) 215/203; Ken Ferguson(sr) 209; Barry Fields(sr) 206; Millard Ketterling(sr) 201; Joe Summers(sr) 201; Jim Skovron 196(+51).
Weds. Bull Elks — Randy Guill(sr) 269/235/703; Bob Meyers 245(+62); Scott Rodger 244; Dave Keil 234; Dave Culliton 232; Loren Snider 231(+68)/590(+101); Jack Patton 226(+50); Rod Hackett(sr) 224/204; Shane Benton(sr) 213; Jim Pickering(sr) 213; Doc Basta(sr) 200; Ed White(sr) 200.
Thursday Sr League — Rod Hackett 234/224; Len Buls 224; Don Kuntz 224(+61); Darwin Reeve 223/212/608; Jim Remsh 216; Willy Heupel 214; Dave Woolsey 201; Byron Morse 200.
Friday Night Mixed — Chuck Bartels 226; Joe Summers(sr) 224(+50); Doug Casity(sr) 222(+50); Kevin Vernon 221(+64); Rex Tanberg(sr) 219.
Early Birds Mixed — Josh Wuertz 243(+87); Doug Casity(sr) 223(+57; Chuck Martin(sr) 235; Chuck Bartels 232; Ken Beck(sr) 227/204/603; Bob Chesko(sr) 215; Lee LeVeque(sr) 204; Terry Tigart 191(+50).
Women scores
Senior Citizens — Shirley Christianson 201, Lois Smith 149 + 51, Carolyn Kimmerle 194 + 53.
Teacher's Mixed — Shirley Sundquist 187 + 51.
Monday Ladies Classic — Quincie Brown 202, Lori Hopp 245, Laurie Ueland 216, Janet Huston 217, Coleen Jackson 201, Colleen Peters 207 (1st 200).
Tuesday Night Mixed — Heather Dahlman 214.
Wednesday A.M. Trio — Marge Rothschiller 188 + 51, picked up 8-10 split.
A to Z — Shirley Shoquist 174 + 61, Phyllis Lee picked up 6-7-10 split.
Mix Masters — Kristen Dehn 235 - 613, Doris Kimmerle 225, Dawn Rambo-Orr 217, Guyla Streit 215.
725 Classified — Tracy Arndt 224, 236, 201 - 661, Doris Kimmerle 211, Kristen Dehn 224, 215 - 614.
Classic Trio — Renee Leveque 244 + 109, Diane Hansen picked up 7-9 split, Nadine Symons 172 + 50.
Straight-A-Way (PBA experience) — Doris Kimmerle 247, 218 - 607, Guyla Streit 225, 215.
Satellite Mixed — Janice Zigan 213.
Men's scores
Senior Citizens — Pat Terry 200, 234 - 633, Pete Pueschel 201, Leonard Buls 213, Boyd Wolverton 203, Elmer Richards 201, Dale Sirucek 201, 238 - 631, Roger Deitz 204, 235 - 628, Bill Claassen 201, Dennis Smrdel 257, 200, Jim Pickering 218, 234 - 621, Steve Lyczewski 232, 202, 231 - 665, Bob Muretta 226.
Casino League —Roger Deitz (sr) 236, Gary Forsman (sr) 217, 201, Larry DeBolt 225, Vance Weckworth (sr) 201.
Little's City — Keith Hayes 264, Aaron Deshner 227, Ron Fleming (sr) 233, 213, Frank Blaney (sr) 246, Steve Krattiger 234, Travis Feller 231.
Mix Masters — Bruce Hruska 225, 228, Mel Willey (sr) 216, 224, Terry Pearsall 262, 225 - 688, Mike Brown 228, Sean Howard 234, Brian Brown 242, Paul Dehn 245, Steve Martin 251, 247 - 709, Mark Hewitt 256, Donnie Zuhoski 233, Jim Dixon 232, Joe Levesey Jr. 257 - 669, Jody Bastas 651, Jack Lien (sr) 219, Stephen James 300 - 683, Ryan Moody 244 - 659, Steve Volk 241 - 656, Ken Curry 244, 234 - 702, Scott Hirschi 225, Ross Rambo 246 - 667, Mike Carrethers 248, Charlie Pepos 243, Roger Deitz (sr) 218, Bob Orham 245.
725 Classified — Bob Orham (sr) 244, 226, 204 - 674, Donnie Zuhoski 240, Jim Kernaghan (sr) 213, 245, 245 - 703, Al Pearsall (sr) 226, 214 - 618, Pat Terry (sr) 223, Carl Conte (sr) 202, Bernie K. Dickman 235, Glenn Jeffrey III 266, Jody Bastas 236, Mel Willey (sr) 224, 234 - 650, Dwight Pearch 254, Ron Corkin 225, 244, Brian Christianson 257 - 672.
Thursday Night Mixed — Ken Curry 236, Allen Lanning 181 + 53, Ron Nelson (sr) 233, 206 - 614, Joe Paranteau 227, 233, Jeremy Myers 233.
Short Season Trio — Marion Olson 236.
Straight-A-Way (PBA experience) — Eric Crawford 227 - 1026 (5), Bruce Steffani 276, 236, 237 - 733 (3) 1175 (5), Willie McGee (sr) 234, 205, 279 - 718 (3) 1052 (5), Lynn Taskila (sr) 205, Don White (sr) 203, Pat Terry (sr) 226, 225, Bernie K. Dickman 232, Bruce Hruska 267, 237, 244 - 667 (3) 1148 (5), Lucas Cyr 225, 233 - 1095(5), Jim Pickering (sr) 211, Jack Hawley 233 - 1036 (5), Jeff Dennen 237 - 1071 (5).
Satellite Mixed — Andy Schindele 225, 226, Jason Poirier 231, Hank Rimkus (sr) 210, 247 - 645, Jo Ovalle 236, Mike Arps 226, Joe Bourne 199 + 53, Paul Horner 171 + 51, Norm Miller (sr) 225, 210 - 602, Mike Crawford 189 + 58.
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women scores
Mon. Fresh Air: Polly Siebenaler 170(+52)
Tue. Skyliners: Tom Koski 219(+52)
Wed. Pinetoppers: Ande Martin 206-489(+102)
Thursday Money: Cindy Bassett 215
Men scores
Mon. Commercial: Fred Wood 253, Jim Duncan 235, Tim Thomas 222(+54)
Mon. Doubles: Rex Coleman 257-666
Tue. Trio: Sue Costello 466(+115)
Thursday Seniors: Chuck Sifert 222(+73), Floyd Jenni 171(+59), George Huston 197(+46)
Thursday Merchant: Rod Wesselmann 239, Steve Bracha 189(+51)
Sunday Mixed: Shane Murphy 181(+59)-489(+123)
Pro Alley Bowl / Belt
Belt Valley Mixed — Betty Rae Warehime - 173 +45 (sr.); Jeff Blomgren - 164 +50; Wayne Francom - 224 +50; Becky Lowry - converted 3-5-10 split
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Dust Bowlers — Rusty Danreuther 257
Monday Nite Mixed — Dennis Bahnmiller 257
Tues Nite Mixed — Tom Willson 229; Guyla Streit 212
Wed. Triple L — Terri Andreasen 206
Thurs. Nite Men's — Cameron Tuss 259-256-244-759; Stan Klimas 258; Dick Fisher 257; Randy Kerbs 242
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed — Leonard Peterson 211 (sr.), Kelly Wilke 181 (+57), Rick Walters 558 (+102)
Black Eagle Bums — Leonard Peterson 244, Larry DeBolt 235, Bill Thomas 227, Ron Rose 212 (+56)
Monday Volunteers — Dave Bushard 209 (+54)
Murph's Party Bowl / Great Falls
Christian League — Charlie Pepos 201-244 (sr.), Ralph Wagenhauser 212 (sr.), Scott James 212
Friday Alibi — Millard Ketterling 201 (sr.), Don Miller 200 (sr.), Terry Brus 207 (sr.), Ron Rose 234
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed — Nobi Sirucek 202
Monday 535 — Terri Nall 209
Ladies Nite — Nacole Kathrake 209
Wednesday Mixed — Heather Wilson 211, Chris Dittus 200, Veronica Yakos 202-211-602
Morning Glories — Barb Nelson 208, Emma Pengilly 5-7 split
MFCU — Jacqueline Vadem 201, Collette Caffyn 200-209
Friday Mixed — Deb Thoroughmen 221
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed — Ben Calhoun 210 (sr.), Leonard Peterson 279-214-663 (sr.), Ron Harris 201 (sr.), Jerry Ferderer 201 (sr.), Dale Specht 206 (sr.), Jay Tuss 225
Monday 535 — Don White 223 (sr.), Curby Dennis 207 (sr.), Bob Orham 222-204 (sr.), Chuck Lull 201 (sr.), Mike Bowles 236-253-680, Leonard Peterson 211 (sr.), Randy Guill 226
Wednesday Mixed — Kelsey Klundt 269-647, Gordon Gies 202 (sr.), Kevin Hieb 234, Dusty Curtis 289-671, Joe Smith 234, J.D. Denning 249-661
MFCU — Dale Alexander 257, Boomer Bruner 212 (sr.), Arnie Depping 255-651
Friday Mixed — Gene Gladue 202 (sr.), Darrin Davenport 225, Ducky Faler 207 (sr.), John Peters 251, Mike Walker 200 (sr.), Jeff Richards 213 (sr.), Bill Sybrant 203 (sr.)
K-Lines / Rudyard
Women's scores — Helen Inabnit 200, Doral Anderson 4-5 split; Gail Matter 3-7-10 split; Rose Ish 138 triplicate
Men's scores — Shawn Rettig 246, Dan Redding 227
Curt Backa, more buzzard than turkey, is a Tribune sports and news copy editor and resident bowling geek. Backa, when not being roasted in his Bull Elks league, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@gftribune.com