ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS:

The next 6 game sweeper will be on Sunday May 18, 2008, at AMF Ocala. Entries close 30 minutes prior to squad time. Squads are at noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm. Sign up and join in the fun.

Summer league information is available at all the centers. Check out what is available and if you don’t see a format you want - check in to setting up such a league - there are a multitude of options and formats available there should be one for you!!

CORRECTION TO THE PHONE NUMBERS - - Attention golfers: A Memorial tournament for the benefit of Kimmy Cairns-High’s children will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the Citrus Springs Golf & Country Club. 8 a.m. shotgun start; included is golf and cart; lunch and door prizes. In addition there will be a closest to the pin and long drive contests. Cost is $55 per person. Sponsor a hole for $50. For more information please contact Joe Stewart at: 352/489-5045; fax 352/489-2067 or e-mail joestewy21@aol.com.

There is also a ball raffle (Morich) currently going on for the benefit of Kimmy’s children. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 - see Mike Stiles to purchase your tickets.

The Annual Awards Banquet was held on Friday, April 25, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ramada Inn. The majority of the local board members and tournament winners were in attendance. A cash bar was available and a buffet dinner was served. A variety of pre-dinner and dinner music was provided by Billy Lindsey. After the presentation of awards to the winners of the local tournaments "Elvis" arrived with lights, music and of course leis. The show and music was exciting and there was dancing and laughter by those who chose to stay.

Once the presentation of awards was completed most of the attendees left without staying to see what the entertainment would be. Unfortunately, due to the increasing costs of food, beverages and locations, not to mention the cost of entertainment, the continuation of an Annual Awards Banquet will be discussed by the Boards to see if it is an event that will continue in the future. It appears that banquets are a thing of the past. There does not seem to be the pride that there once was in honoring the achievements of others and in socializing with fellow bowlers outside the bowling center arena.

If you have any recommendations or suggestions of the type of banquet or other venue you feel would be more appealing to the winners and the attendees PLEASE drop your suggestions in any of the women’s or men’s association’s boxes at any of the centers so that they may be reviewed and explored.

The banquet was originally started as a way of "honoring" the winners of the local tournaments in front of family, friends and fellow bowlers; a way to meet the board members one-on-one; induction of Hall Of Fame Recipients and to socialize outside of the bowling center.

Again, any suggestions or recommendations are welcome.

The USBC National Convention will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, May 6 through 10, 2008. The Women’s Association is allowed one (1) delegate. Once I return from the convention I will provide a report of the workshops and the meetings that I attend. I will be representing the Women’s Association and the Youth Association. The Men’s Association is also allowed one (1) delegate. Larry Mayhew is the delegate for the Men’s Association. I will request input from him as to the workshops and meetings he attends and it will be included in the appropriate blog.

The Women’s State Convention will be May 16, 2008, and the Women’s Association is allowed five (5) delegates to this meeting. A report from that convention will be provided upon our return.

High Scores for last week:

Youth Fall Leagues have ended. No youth scores will be posted again until the fall.

If there are summer youth/adult leagues please submit your top ten bowlers and we will include them in the blog.

Thanks!!