The photos to the left we brought to me about a month ago. I failed to write down who that person was, so if you see these, please contact me. Regardless, this person, about my age, was cleaning out his/her Dad's garage (maybe basement - a mind is a terrible thing to waste!) and came across these. The team was the Fathers, and it was taken at the 1948 ABC's - held in Detroit that year. The group - who knows. I was also given the "group" photo. From the looks of it, I am thinking it was taken circa 1940 - 48. I do not know if it was a league pjhoto, or also taken at the ABC's. Along with those photo's, I was given a 12" by 20" photo of the 1940 ABC Tournament - also held in Detroit. It has been rolled up for a long time, so I have to "flatten" it for a while so I can photograph it. It is too big for a scanner. This is a classic shot, taken from high in the stands on the approach end of the lanes. Lanes 8 through 34 are visible, with a scorekeeper above each pair of lanes -- one for each team. Back then, the scores were posted manually on the wall for all to see. Much like the manual scoreboards at baseball games used to be. As soon as I get it copied, I will post it. Click on the thumbnails will make the photo larger.
Vogue Lanes circa 1947
Just above is a photo of a men's bowling league from Vogue Recreation in 1947. In the league, Guardian Angels, was Fred Traynor, who, I think, was pretty big in bowling in that era. The picture was supplied by Gael Rodgers, Fred's grand daughter. Note the "inline" ball racks for the above ground ball returns of that era (all pinboys back then). Those racks would hold 22 bowling balls - something that most bowlers would kill for today. I guess people needed a "spare" ball, even back then. Here is some information I received regarding Vogue Recreation from none other than Tom McKay, past GDBA Secretary:
Vogue was on the east side, just off of Cadieux. It was one block west of Harper. I think it had 16 lanes. I think it went out in the late 50's, maybe before that. It went out when the expressway went through. It took that and I think Regal which was about 1/2 mile north.
Tom McKay
Land-O-Lakes Recreation 1950
This photo was taken at Land-O-Lakes Recreation in 1950. Land-O-Lakes sat where the present day "Salon 59" now is, in front of Airway. At the time, Lakewood Lanes was around, and Huron Bowl sat on M-59, where Felice's Market used to be. (I watched that one burn to the ground when I was a boy. First time I ever skipped school.) Also around at the time were Motor Inn, Pontiac Recreation (a 2nd floor walk-up) and Orpheum Lanes (in the basement of the Orpheum Theater), - all in downtown Pontiac, and Westside Lanes, just blocks from downtown. There was another small place in Sylvan Lake, and Cooley Lanes in Union Lake. Howes Lanes was on Dixie Hwy, in the building now occupied by the Clarkston Elks. Of all of those, only Lakewood is left. In the meantime, Airway, 300 Bowl and Century Bowl were built. Savoy Lanes and, briefly, Premier Lanes, came and went. Also built (in Pontiac) was Orchard Lanes (now Fiero Lanes). So much for the history lesson.
Land-O-Lakes was built in 1949, and operated until my family purchased it and built Airway in 1961. The original partners were my Dad, Joe Bonfiglio and Dominic Mazza. Dad purchased their interest about 1964 and it has been in the family ever since.
The people in the picture are: (L to R) Joe Roerink, Bill Serle, Lee Miller, Will Girvin and Bob Young. Joe bowled at Airway into the late 70's. Bill was a good friend of my Dad's, and worked for him as a bartender for quite a few years. He even worked for Dad when the family owned "The Avenue Bar" (now Satch's Place) on Oakland Avenue in the late 50's and early 60's. Land-O-Lakes was purchased from Lee Miller, and his Dad, by my family, in 1960. Lee worked at Airway for the '61-'62, and '62-'63 seasons, before moving to Houghton Lake and opening up an auto parts store. I bowled with Will in the mid '60's in the Westside Merchants Mens League, which is still bowling to this day. I didn't know Bob Young very well, but he was always pleasant.
If anyone else has some old photo's of Airway, please send them along. Special thanks to Stella Girvin for bringing this picture to my attention, and to Jeff Shears for sending me a jpeg so I could add it in.
Rachel & Lee
Talk to the hand!
This is the squad that Sheryle put together for the MI Womens State Tournament, 2007. The picture really is sharp and clear, this is just what the looked like the morning after the night before!
Airway First 1962-63 season - This is the oldest bowling photo that I have been able to find for Airway Lanes. This Ladies League is the First league to sign a contract to bowl at Airway (for the '61 - '62 season) and has been here ever since. Linda Gosley gets a $20 Airway Lanes Gift Card fo idenifying Barbara Pickett
Airway First 1962-63 season -
This is the oldest bowling photo that I have been able to find for Airway Lanes. This Ladies League is the First league to sign a contract to bowl at Airway (for the '61 - '62 season) and has been here ever since. Linda Gosley gets a $20 Airway Lanes Gift Card fo identifying a bowler.
Here is the bowler list, as far as I can determine: Top Row - Barbara Pickett (7th). Far right, Betsy Waisanen. 4th row - ?? 3rd row - 2nd - Kay Rourke. 2nd row - 5th - Lorraine Bonfiglio. 1st Row, from right: 4th - Donna Baumgartner All positions are from the left unless indicated diferently.
Anyone else reconize anyone in the picture?
Sam & Barb Iafrate - They couldn't stand it that I was not taking their picture and forced me in to it.
This photo was sent to the Australian band named "Airway Lanes". They said they may use it on an album cover. L to R: Gary Page, Ron Boughner, Ted Starr, Chuck Ahnen & Ron Shooks.
Part of our staff December, 1990. The photo was taken in our old quickie bar that was located behind lanes 25/26 and is now part of the counter office. Can you pick out the staff that are still here? Thanks to Dolf Brouwer for the photo.
