I constantly write about bowling leagues as a way to meet new people, and develop life long friends, but sometimes it can create even stronger connections.

When I was much younger, I was a much better bowler and carried myself slightly on the arrogant side at the time. During a time when I was bowling at my best, a woman came in with some friends and found herself watching me from the concourse.

I talked to her a little and two days later she was back to watch me bowl in a forty frame tournament at the Center.

After dominating the tournament, I deemed her my good luck charm and decided to ask her to dinner. After a short time with her, she too decided to get into bowling and the next thing I knew, I had a new doubles partner, on the lanes and in life.

On Dec. 15th, we will be married for 11 years, and a majority of those were filled with trips to the bowling center, including a doubles championship in the Association tournament some years ago and trips to Williamsburg, Va., regularly for tournaments, the annual state tournament, and even Reno, Nev., for the National Bowling Tournament.

Now that my kids are four and nine, I have gotten them into bowling, with my daughter in the youth league at Albemarle Lanes and my son getting ready to start next year.

One thing I have noticed over the years is that the bowling community is tight and normally a very happy group, and I can truly say that it appears the family that bowls together, stays together.

I had a brief moment this week to speak to Joey Winslow as I was collecting the weekly scores, and asked him if he had slaughtered the competition again this week. He simply responded with that humble smile he gives all of the time and said, “I’m just having a great year.”

And a great year it has been, as Joey led yet another week with his 256/676, followed by a 615 from Adam Meads and a 255/614 from Boris Beatty. Lindsay Perry added a 230 on the night as well.

Stephanie Winslow topped the ladies with her 250 game, followed by a 180 from Linda Cox and a 178 from Kim Myers.

It was Esther Saunders leading the way this past week, firing a 188 game, followed by a 183 from Myrna Duncan and a 177 from Debbie Winslow.

Joey Winslow topped all scores again this past week, firing a 257/686 to best the 276/630 from Adam Meads and the 607 of Rick Brakefield. Roy Smith also added a 237 on the night.

Kaytee Davis continued her impressive run of big weeks, firing another 600 series, a 227/611, followed by a 172 from Bobbi Jo Tarkington and a 162 from Beth Marshall.

In another typical performance from Joey Winslow, the top honors were his with a 238/664, followed by Clarence Burke and his 234/647, and Roy Smith’s 237/610.

The ladies saw Margaret Butts on top with her 187 game, followed by a 181 from Debbie Winslow and a 177 from Amie Wallace.

Joel Sutton found himself on top of the board with his 201 game this week, followed by a 196 from Donald Modlin and a 187 from Randy Overton.

Diane Crook led the ladies with a 155 game as Brenda Hollowell added a 144 and Patsy Sanders a 143.