Edna Shank has an easy explanation for why she has a higher bowling average than her daughter.

"She tells me it's because she's had more practice," Joan Simmers, 71, said Friday.

Edna is 96. She started bowling in the 1950s and is currently averaging a remarkable 130 in her league at Garden Spot Bowling Center.

Edna and her late husband, Clayton, competed in the senior games for many years. She still does, winning several gold medals this summer in the local games.

When he was in declining health, Clayton asked his two children to make sure their mother continued to get to her bowling league.

They've done that and more. Edna and her children now bowl every week in the same league.

Name: Edna Mae Zug Shank.

Age: 96 years young.

Background: I live at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community. I was married for 68 years to J. Clayton Shank, who died in 2003. We had two children, Joan Simmers and Gerald Shank, 70. Both kids belong to the Tuesday Swingin' Senior Bowling League with me.

Joan is the wife of Paul Simmers of Nottingham. Jerry's wife is Rodgene and they live in Quarryville. I have three younger sisters of a family of 10 sisters and two brothers. Sisters Lois Thomson and Janet Scott also live in Quarryville Presbyterian Community, and my sister Jane Pepple lives in Oxford.

Background: I went to school through the eighth grade. I went to 14 different schools for those eight grades.

Employment: I did housework, house and dog sitting for a family in Berwyn for 30-some years.

Favorite bowling center: Garden Spot.

The person who taught me the most in bowling: My husband, Jonas Clayton Shank.

Type of bowling ball used: A 10-pound Ebonite Galaxie 300.

Bowling has helped me: Stay healthy.

When I'm not bowling you will find me: Walking, doing word search puzzles, playing dominoes, watching TV.

Suggestions for others: Keep moving!!

Other bowlers would describe me as: AMAZING.

People would be most surprised to learn that I: Have several hundred Lancaster and Pennsylvania Senior Games medals for bocce, bowling, softball, frisbee, football throw, darts and walking.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Christy Ayres and Bob Brooks at Garden Spot; Harry Yarnell IV at Clearview; Terry Martin at Blue Ball; and Rob Trout at Dutch.

Almost perfect games were rolled by John McCorkle (299) and Andy Good (297) at Blue Ball; and Marc Johns (290) at Dutch.

High series (men, 800; women, 700) were rolled by Terry Martin (805) at Blue Ball; Lisa Farwell (729) at Clearview; and Donna Pannebecker (733, 701) at Dutch.

Tournament trails: The entry deadline for the Youth Singles Tournament at Garden Spot is Monday, Nov. 24.

Notes: If you have suggestions for the column or a recommendation for a featured bowlers, call Sports Editor Jim Hersh at 291-8699 or e-mail jhersh@lnpnews.com.


High scores

Garden Spot

Men: Joe Abrams Sr. 689, Justin Hart 679, Rich Glover 666 (Sun. Night Mxd.); John Gerzema 654 (Trio); John Peck 686, Kyle Teaman 681, Steve Kocik Jr. 676, Kurt Yoder 671, Kevin Butler 662, Phil Fisher 660, Jack Wilson 654, Chuck Fisher 651 (GS Men); Rich Ferrier 657, Clint Metz 654 (Wildcat); Jim Reel 659, Jamie Blain 650 (Levi's Classic); Herb Caudill 651 (Sat. Night NFL); Larry Wilhelm 677 (Pequea Valley Mxd.); Dan Brobst 694, Jerry Thomas 681, Chris Jensen 661, Steve Lapp 658, Jim Watters 651 (RPM); Don Peifer 696, Henry Cooper 685, Dick Alexander 685, Bruce Snader 684, Gregg Tavalare 678, John Kohler Jr. 677 (Strasburg Community); Dave Brooks 697, Milt Burrell Jr. 692, Jeff Shultz 690, Lou Fidanza 687, Ron Sheetz 685, Scott Felty 677, Dan Young 676, Ed Daniels 669, Rodger Hatfield 663, Alan Shaub 657 (Central)

Women: Tiff Hart 576 (Sun. Night Mxd.); Cris Stock 599 (Cop-Outs); Jody Rehm 592, Donna Erb 577, Bam Brookins 568, Stacy Sauder 553, Charlie Ballantyne 553 (Strasburg Community); Tammy Claypoole 569 (Peqeua Valley Mxd.)

Seniors: Lois Miller 545, Russell Wimer 488 (Swingin' Seniors); Charlie Rhoades 699, Jim Johnson 666, Charlie Briggs 604, Les Greenwalt 598, Hank Ploskon 532, David Kerchner 515, Norm Wilson 514, Hannah Herr 490, Bob Sheaffer 486, Martha Boose 479, Rita Phenneger 453 (Thursday Seniors)

Juniors: BJ Yunkin 522, Katelyn Welsh 431 (Family Twosome); Josh Hart 683, Ryan McClaren 664, Amy Lehr 539, Mike Eshleman 506, Katelyn Welsh 402, Alex Stoeffler 271, Jacob Whitton 198, Pedro DeJesus 161, DeVonte Jones 157, Elizabeth DeJesus 118 (Saturday Juniors).


Clearview

Men: Derek Boozer 745, Carl Meachum 728, Josh Becker 716, Mike Sheeler 692, Bill Johns 688 (Monday HDCP); Herb Fry 640, Len Mumma 577 (Men's Church); John Wostmann Jr. 695, John Leonard 645 (Donegal HDCP); Paul Foy 699, Mike Johnson 676, Chris Johnson 672, Elmer Lancaster 669, Gary Keck 658 (Wednesday Sportsmen); Carl Meachum 742, Bob Elzer 715, Dale Young 701, Harry Ebersole Jr. 698, Mike Sheeler 692, Jack Stockdale 663, Doug Hosking 662, Justin Fisher 659, Mike Lewis Jr. 650 (Tuesday Businessmen).

Women: Lisa Farwell 729, Kristen Evans 544 (Ladies Classic); Darlene Anderson 578, Donna Speelman 573 (Pinbelles); Maryann Swartz 512, Bonnie Kozma 473 (Kennels).

Mixed: Greg Martin 739, Ray Secord 707, Jason Boozer 692, Carl Meachum 690, EJ Farwell 683, Tim Mertz 679, Noah Dissinger 676, Ryan Lightner 658, Mike Sheeler 654, Darlene Anderson 625, Lisa Farwell 650, Sherry Margucci 608 (Monday Majors); Emmanuel Hoffer 672, Dustin Ginder 649, Rhonda Miller 443, Carrie Farmer 354 (Clearview Leisure); Lance O'Donnell 600, Brendan Ford 531, Karen Grose 519, Robin Baker 510 (Monday Mixed); Doug Keller 684, Nick Borrell 650, Dean Murphy 650, Pat Weber 563, Dawn Brooks 532 (Mixed Outlaws); Duane Bender 656, Ed Hughes 587, Sherry Margucci 555, Kathleen Nissley 508 (Thursday Mixed); Jim Gruber 639, Gary High 569, Tracy Schaeffer 504, Mimi Agnew 488 (Thursday Industrial); Dave Shelly 597, Josh Clinger 500, Becky Witmer 473, Tina Clinger 455 (Thursday NASCAR); Justin Fisher 550, Robert Fisher 548, Robin Baker 501, Julie Root 409 (Friday United Church); Doug Hosking 696, Lisa Farwell 688, Carl Meachum 684, Steve Wagner 673, Kyle Hosking 672, Russ Alleman 664, Amy Livingston 599 (Friday Mixed); Jim Ritzman 644, Patrick Hess 606, Louise Dipple 548, Donna Decker 534 (Sunday Crackers).

Seniors: Milt Heilman 578, Maynard Rosenberry 565, John Stum 537, Charlie Goodling 529, Ken Bleiler 529, Bruce Witmer 528, Arlene Mummert 480, Ruthie Garman 448 (Tuesday Seniors); Milt Heilman 583, Dorie Schaeffer 489, Warren Schaeffer 473, Arlene Mummert 466 (Early Birds).

Juniors: Derek Miller 647, Tyler Lee 598, Adam Fink 574, Steven Ritzman 573, Sara Strausbaugh 558, Jenae Yoder 510 (American); Makyla Yoder 437, Kayla Halbleib 381, Brittany Ritzman 368, Evan Lily 347, Spencer Houser 336 (Prep).


Leisure

Men: JD Kellenberger 691 (McCombs Supply); Rick Graham 730, Carl Huber Jr. 726, Todd Hess 699, Ken Yellets 694, Jeff Waller 692, Mike Dooley 692, Scott Canfield 688, Brian Brooks 686 (AMF Ind); Tom Huber 729 (Klines RV); Randy Hogg 703, Bob Kilheffer 700, Steve Levering 695, Mark Myers 680 (City County Ind); Phil Mount 696, Eric Smith 692 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Joel Logan 683, Brent Fortney 671 (Myers Auto Body Challenge); Clyde Kemmerly 663, Dave Bieganski 663 (Lanc Ind); Bob Miller 671 (Indoor World); Terry Swisher 690 (Millersville Men); Larry Decker 714, Steve Keen Jr. 712, Brian Heaps 704 (Conestoga Ind); Bryan Lorah 695, Rick Reed 694 (Midway Men)

Women: Lucinda Shade 501 (Hopefuls); Tara Musselman 593 (Precious Gems); Joyce Rehkugler 545 (Sparemakers); Pat Hiemenz 544 (Sparklers); Karyn King 501 (Jewels); Gail Fetterhoff 686, Chelsea Weik 656, Jody Fetterhoff 643, Lorraine Deibler 636, Sue Lapp 625, Darlene Miner 614, Anne Marie McConnell 608, Nora Petrosky 608, Linda Johnson 606 (Myers Auto Body Ladies).

Mixed: Ron Smith Jr. 643, Kristina Miller 483 (Funtime); Jim Farmer 740, Ashley Little 548 (Zodiac); Niles Lane 749, Pam Nolan 543 (Turtle); Fred Armstrong 631, Sheri Weaver 593 (Ball and Chain); Andy Malles 692, Sandy Howard 551 (AM Ind); Les Greenawalt 640, Jody Sheppard 615 (Mixed Nuts); Bob Allison Jr. 694, Diane Jones 588 (Leisure Times); Joe Nikolaus 753, Shirley Redcay 590 (Southern End); Rick Schaffer 615, Bonnie Nolt 430 (Late Mixed Nuts); Jason Zeiders 656, Jane Lang 541 (Armstrong Eng); Jacques Huber 649, Judy Bleacher 474 (BCA); Jim Darrack 631, Cathy Rowles 539 (Garys Pro Shop); Mike Bonham 737, Ashley Rinehart 602 (Wed Mix); Champ Bauer 669, Amber Heil 502 (Pa Pride Insulation); Billy Angelo 673, Donna Kurtz 605 (Thurs Mix); Nick Rose Sr. 597, Dottie Moser 448 (Knights of Columbus); Joe McCoy 581, Lisa Day 599 (Roses and Thorns); Mike Thomas 775, Dean Hershey 751, Norm Miller Sr. 728, Ashley Eby 606 (Derrs Auto Transport); Harold Sellers 553, Pearl Johnson 510 (Mix and Match); Rob Cooper 643, Melanie Akers 568 (Mixers); Earl Neidig Jr. 562, Jane Danese 487 (Mountville Mix).

Seniors: Roy Belli 548, Pat Strub 501 (Manor North); Ken Rowe 411, Carole Everett 371 (AARP); Carl Melin 536, Ruth Marsh 376 (Woodcrest); Don Kaylor 617, Don Cunningham 610, Russell Gantz 594, Galen Zook 565, Don Yost 562, Frank Shafer 561, Jean Slothower 524 (Tender Tears); Roy Belli 531, Betty Palmieri 559 (Lakes Campus); Jerry Ackerman 543, Kate Bozochovic 479 (Millersville Srs); John Erney 642, Charlie Heinaman 617, Bob Buzzendore 590, Al Johnson 587, Dick Goss 579, Rudy Ries 574, Jerry Ackerman 574, Dick Roland 573, Don Cunningham 570, Don Kaylor 566, Russell Gantz 562, Doris Kendall 590 (Thurs Srs).

Juniors: Ryan Graham 407, Briana Bracero 400 (Bantam Prep Div); John Dooley 542, Lisa Denlinger 487 (Jr Div); Brent Himmelreich 665, Chelsea Erb 476 (Major Div).


Blue Ball

Terry Martin 768, Kerry Smith 699 (Blue Ball Garden Spot); Andy Good 297, 785, John McCorkle 299, (Honey Brook); Bill Sipes 743, Wendy Hufford 741, Kerry Smith 770 (New Holland Boro); Dave Brill 771 (Wed Travel); Dave Detrick 781 (Twin Valley); Chadd Rudy 674, Wendy Hufford 669 (Monday Mixers); Great Good 647 (New Holland Church); Ed Daily 691, Kara Miller 503 (Tues. Mix); Darren Heindel 747 (Tues. Bowl 4 $); Mike Fink 619, Wynetta Martin 665 (Wed Mixed); Joel Hamilton 657, Sherry Sloan 558 (Thurs Mix ); E.J. Daily 696, Tracy Messner 554 (Starlighters); Terry Martin 300, 805, Wynetta Martin 572 (Sunday Mixed); Darren Heindel 700, Jeanne Fisher 550 (Railroad); Kathy Lutz 498 (Tues Ladies); Cathy Weiler 587 (Channelettes); Jerry Clark 728, Doris Wells 575 (Thur Seniors); Erik Kurtz 691, Elizabeth Donnelly 524 (Sat Jr. Lg.).


Dutch

Men: Mike Fetter 652, Ken Olson 637, Carl Weaver 603 (Sunday Night Mix); Ric Bromirski 630, Curt Baker 622, Buddy Dimeler 612 (Brownstown Mix); Andy Bobetsky 743, Lamar Nolt 711, Sam Smucker 710, Dick Alexander 704 (Industrial/Service); Bruce Snader 788, Doug Klinger 705, Marcus Cofre 692 (Tri-Town Church); Hank Schwartz 628, Lon Flaud Jr. 604 (Lucky Nuts); Ron Maurer 684, Jason Rieker 648, Joe Current 631 (Hi-Fliers); Dave Farmer 738, Randy Haldeman 686, Lee Zimmerman 632 (Ephrata Mix); John Dimeler 686, Andy Boehler 670, Gene Sholly 665 (Woodstream); Carl Meachum 790, Jason Townsend 720, Jeff Becker 714 (Lancaster County Travel); Wayne Anthony 716, Doug Andrew 704, Bryan Kauffman 702 (Lincoln Forest); Steve Martin 662, Travis Habecker 617, Glen Habecker 616 (Lancaster North End); Barry Goldbach 705, Scott Anderson 683, Dale Pannebecker 652 (New Holland Men); Harry Rogers Jr. 740, Todd Montgomery 730, Rob Trout 704, 300, Buddy Dimeler 700, Marc Johns 290 (Commercial); Fred Armstrong 628, Lester Wise 624, Dan Markle 600 (Simply Everything); Lee Douchette 644, Leroy Claar 605 (Ephrata Church); Rick Yocum Sr. 628 (T.G.I.F); Rick Miller 602, Sandy Snook 602 (North End Mix); Doug Herr 697, Walt Bowman 623 (Friday Night Mix).

Women: Stacy Sauder 493 (Sunday Night Mix); Jacklyn Greenly 642, Bert Myers 617 (New Holland Ladies); Donna Pannebecker 701, Ellen Merklinger 663, Christy Ayres 602 (Brownstown Mix); Becky Nickles 586 (Tri-Town Church); Donna Duncan 458 (Lucky Nuts); Elysia Current 600, Janet Horst 593 (Hi-Fliers); Cindy Farmer 592 (Ephrata Mix); Jessie Pierce 536 (Woodstream); Janice Meckley 644, Cindy Farmer 610 (Ephrata Ladies); Pat Schappell 598 (Lincoln Forest); Lisa Stover 591 (Simply Everything); Amy Brown 475 (T.G.I.F); Allyson Snyder 454 (Ephrata Church); Amy Kohler 626 (North End Mix); Sandy Myers 531 (Friday Night Mix); Donna Pannebecker 733 (Saturday Night Travel).

Seniors: Elmer Pierce 578, Jim Shober 531, Vince Johnson 510, Ruth Eddy 516, Dottie Johnson 483, Shirley Royer 480 (Young at Heart); Frank Shafer 615, Al Nihoff 611 (Thursday Srs); Millie Peifer 568 (Dutch Maids).

Juniors: Cameron Zwally 282,Tyler Walton 280,Cole Snavely 259,Jamie Chon 175, Kaleigh Kramer 173 (Bantum); Matthew Snyder 376, Nic Skoronski 343, Tyler Good Sweigart 338, Cristin Chon 282, Elizabeth Mace 282, Rachell Waddell 265 (Zoo); Rodney Rippy 452, Matt Cover 431, Zach Adams 423, Grace Chon 440, Kellie Olson 361, Brandi Whitmyer 360 (Co-Ed); Kerry Cooper 703, Philip Brandt 678, Justin Eberhart 653, Kevin Beers 650, Austin Kissinger 643, Cj Costa 607, Christina Leid 678, Briana Ord 638, Chelsey Merklinger 619 (Seniors).


Rocky Springs

ABC: Paul John Holberg 631 (Holtwood 10 Pin); Dustin Coble 620 (What Not); Paul Zipp 648 (Nut).

WIBC: Linda Goodling 681, Carol Bushman 656 (Retail Ladies); Sue Gamble 451 (Friendship);

Mixed: Andy Thomas 643, Bobbi Myers 537 (Rocky Early Birds); Jr Nieves 678, Sheree Shoemaker 512 (Monday Night Travelers); Don Steinmetz Jr. 642, Audrey Steinmetz 599 (General Contractors); Curvin High 658, Carol Beiler 566 (Winter Flower); Mark Wiley 573, Brandy Coyle 470 (Media Heights); Mike Trooes 726, Steve Keen Jr 718, Maggie Gribble 685, Linda Goodling 628, Jody Fetterhoffer 603 (Semi-Classic); Jason Bachman 593, Donna Prokay 514 (Mixed Rainbow); James Wood 548, Christine Reese 404 (Friday Nighters); Mike Chant 417, Amie Ream 381 (Ticket Master).

Seniors: Glenn Lutz 653, Robert Freiler 574, Warren Hess 528, Ken Yoder 523, Lou Sparacino 506, Shirley White 546 (Bob Rudisill Srs); Tony Colatta 529, Bob Brubaker 522, Albert Birunas 518, Ted Liebig 502, Millie Pritz 417 (Club 55); Bette High 474 (Duffy's Ladies); George Engle 589, Richard Urban 522, Ralph Kline 520, Gene Kley 510, Ida Aho 453 (Rocky Springs Srs).

Juniors: Sean Obetz 666, Brian Ott 586, Casey Welsh 522, Rebecca Rudy 581 (Rocky Springs Juniors); Bob McElrath 244, Becky Keeney 203 (Homeschool League).