Big changes are afoot at Black Eagle Lanes.
Taking advantage of this summer's closures of Pin & Cue and Murph's, Dawn Bushard, manager of the lanes, has been pushing hard to upgrade her league schedule.
"We've added three new leagues and looking for more," said Bushard, who is in her third year managing the eight-lane house.
Bushard has added a Wednesday morning league, the Morning Glories, who previously bowled at Pin & Cue. There is a new Wednesday night women's league and a new Friday night mixed league.
"There is space available on some of the leagues," said Bushard. "And we have plenty of time for open bowling."
Bushard has bought new pins for this season and reports the lanes are in good condition.
"I've got a great mechanic in Nathan Beebe and he is doing a great job," said Bushard. "The next thing on our list is to try and get a consistent oil condition on the lanes.
"We are looking into that."
Added this year is a snack bar, said Bushard. "Something along the lines of Little's."
Bushard wanted to put the emphasis back on bowling in the house and says she has a few other changes in mind.
Bushard is also looking into possibly playing host to either the Open or Women's City Tournament in January.
"I know we hosted it before here," she said. "We would like to do it again."
Call Bushard at 453-4736 if you are interested in joining a league at Black Eagle.
With the influx of new bowlers, all of the city's houses are busy trying to fill league schedules. If you are interested in becoming a league bowler, now is the ideal time to act.
Phone any of the facilities, Little Lanes at 452-4116; Elks 494-1305; or Aces High on Malmstrom AFB, 731-2695, for more information.
Bowling on television has been growing in popularity and more and more shows are being planned for the fall and winter.
Unfortunately some of the shows — like the U.S. Women's Open — are being taped delayed to show on later dates, as are some of the events on the World Series of Bowling. Still the sport is continuing to climb in the ratings.
If you haven't noticed, ESPN Classic, digital cable channel 337, is showing two hours of bowling most week days at 9 and 10 a.m.
Recently, the first hour is going back to the late 1970s and early 80s showing the old ABC Saturday afternoon tournaments. It is fun to watch the late Chris Schenkel and Nelson "Bo" Burton again.
The second hour is comprised of tournaments in the early and mid-2000s.
A few more leagues began play last week.
Hotdog man Doug Yates led the week with a 247 game and 693 series in the 725 Classified at Little's.
Kristen Dehn's 236 game and 624, also in the 725, was high for the women.
At the Elks, Randy Guill's 222 game and 604 was high for the men. Jeannette Bartels' 223 game led the women.
Of course, everyone knows the season hasn't officially begun until Reid Michel bowls the first 300.
Just a reminder honor scores can also be e-mailed to cbacka@greatfallstribune.com. Scores must be in on Monday afternoons at 3 p.m.
Curt Backa, more hotdog than relish, is a Tribune sports copy editor and official purveyor of kegling news. Backa, who will make his bowling debut on Wednesday night, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@gftribune.com, but I've already said that.
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores:
Elks Lanes
Tuesday Night Men — Larry Cummings(sr) 224/603; Talbert Bryan(sr) 216; Ken Ferguson(sr) 210; Lee LeVeque(sr) 202.
Wednesday Bull Elks — Randy Guill(sr) 222/604; Dale Sterrett(sr) 207; Chuck Dailey(sr) 204; Talbert Bryan(sr) 202; Rick Hasenkrug 185(+50)/507(+100).
Elks Seniors — Ron Miller 212; Doc Basta 211/204; Tony Degele 208.
Thursday Ladies — Judy Stubbs 168(+72); Tiann Boggs 167(+64)/426(+117); Carol Tigart 146(+54).
Friday Men — Robert Smith(sr) 244(+68), Jeannette Bartels 223(+58)
Little's Lanes
Women's scores
Thursday Night Mixed — Patti Curry 205.
725 Classified — Kristen Dehn 213, 236 — 624
Men's scores
Senior Citizens — Andy Anderson 181 + 54, Bill Claassen 203, Dennis Smrdel 239, Jim Pickering 200, John Ferda 207, Dick Newman 205.
Thursday Night Mixed — Dan Wilkerson 232, Joe Paranteau 255 - 667.
725 Classified — Dan Schaaf 243 - 661, Wes Baker (sr) 201, Al Pearsall (sr) 232, 203 - 613, Duane Zeier 255 - 674, Jack Lien (sr) 204, Tyler Rames 255, Mearl Christianson (sr) 213, Donnie Zuhoski 249, Jim Kernaghan (sr) 222, 228 - 624, Jesse West 225, Fred Sadler (sr) 211, Doug Yates, 247 - 693