It was a very good year for Merle Farmer.

Lyndon B. Johnson was president, the TV series "Star Trek" was popular and the St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series.

The year was 1967, and Farmer, of New Providence, started bowling in the the Holtwood Tenpin League. He's been bowling in the league ever since.

This season, the U.S. Air Force veteran celebrated 42 years in the league with his first 700 series. He rolled a 707 on Nov. 11.

Background: Merle and his wife, Mary Ann, who have been married for 43 years, have two children. The 1962 Penn Manor graduate retired after 36 years at PPL.

Leagues (averages): Rocky Springs Holtwood Tenpin (185); Garden Spot Thursday Seniors (184); and Leisure Mix & Match (180). He's treasurer of the Holtwood Tenpin league and president of the Thursday Seniors league.

My greatest moment in the sport: My 707 (258, 225, 224).

One highlight in the sport: Converting the 4-7-6-10 split.

Favorite bowling center: Rocky Springs.

Type of bowling ball I use: Brunswick Zone.

The person who taught me the most: My dad, who I did get to bowl with for a few years in the Holtwood Tenpin League, which began in the Quarryville Lanes.

Over the years, the biggest changes I've seen in the sport are: Computer scoring. I would rather keep score by hand because it keeps the mind sharp. It would help the kids know how to keep score by hand. Bowlers carry more bowling balls and wear all kinds of different equipment on their arms and hands.

The best teams to be part of have: People who enjoy bowling as a fun time and encourage one another, regardless of how well or poor the team is doing.

Bowling has helped me: Realize that my life will be no different whether I win or lose, so I just get out there and do the sport for fun. And I thank the good Lord for my physical abilities.

My interest in the sport began: When my dad bowled in the league from the Holtwood Power Plant. We would go out to Quarryville Lanes and watch him bowl, so I decided I wanted to bowl when I grew up. I started bowling in a league on the base I was stationed in the Air Force.

Suggestions for others: Don't expect a strike every time you throw the ball. Always show good sportsmanship.

My long-term bowling goal is to: Bowl as long as the good Lord will allow me.

I think other bowlers would describe me as: A fun-loving, dependable bowler.

This brings me good luck in the sport: I don't wash my bowling towel unless my game starts to go south on me.

People would be surprised to know that: I performed on the stage of the Dixie Stampede and the General Jackson riverboat in Nashville.

When I'm not bowling you'll find me: Playing golf, going to bluegrass concerts, or just sitting on my front porch in the summer, enjoying my retirement.

The funniest thing that happened in bowling was: When I had to laugh because of the bowling rolling coaster that I experienced in a Rocky Springs senior no-tap tournament with games of 126-298-130.

College Scene: Shippensburg University's Mark Strausbaugh, a 2008 Donegal graduate, finished fourth in the Penn State Classic with a 205 average. Catlin Edwards, a 2008 Ephrata graduate, was sixth with a 191 average for Penn State-Berks.

Alley notes: Perfect games were rolled by Tim Laurento and Jeff Waller at Garden Spot; and Chuck Winkler and Jason Weaver at Dutch.

High series (men, 800; women, 700) were rolled by Bert Myers (719) at Dutch and Darlene Anderson (721) at Clearview.

Note: If you have a suggestion for the column, e-mail Sunday News Correspondent Barry Decker at deckrunner@aol.com or call him at 786-2620.

High scores

Rocky Springs

Seniors: Rocky Springs Seniors, George Engle 558, Fred Daum 523, Anne Fullam 502; Club 55, Guido Coccio 545, George Smith 522, Albert Birunas 508, Beryl Coccio 454; Duffy's Ladies, Edie Miller 448; Bob Rudisill Seniors, George Smith 527, Robert Freiler 519, Ken Yoder 517, Robert Brown 511.

WIBC: Retail Ladies, Carol Bushman 645, Sue Lapp 611; Friendship, Joanne Bowman 454.

ABC: What Not, Bob Leberfinger 758, Jack Walton 637, Keith Coble 604; Holtwood 10 Pin, Jon Waltman 718, Bob Huyard 612, Bob Sultzbach 626, Darin Groff 600.

Mixed: Have a ball, John Christman 464, Vickey Christman 330; Rocky Rollers, Monte Drebenstebt 596, Tracey Canfield 530; Mon Travelers, Fred Wilds 663, Vince Nieves 620; Winter Flower, Curvin High 615, Carol Beiler 534; Meadia Heights, Gary Ketterer 630, Mark Hess 609; Semi Classic, Steve Keen Jr. 736, Shawn Wise 728, Linda Goodling 625; General Contractors, Pat Brandt Sr. 675, Carl Lucci 658, Don Parmer 608; Mixed Rainbow, Hank Flory 644, Donna Prokay 486; Rocky Early Birds, Ray Hake 630, Joe Garner 627, Andy Thomas 614, Bobbi Myers 605; New Beginnings, Eric England 803, Karen MIller 547.

Garden Spot

Men: John Peck 692, Steve Cook 679, Jacob Mullins 651 (GS Men); Dan Bailey 680, Gregg Tavalare 667, Joe Schneider 655 (Strasburg Community); Bill Moore Jr. 667, Andrew Abrams 665 (Levi's Classic); Bob Rhoades 694, Rodger Hatfield 686, Dan Young 681, Charlie Bisking 669, Tony Leister 667, Jim Johnson 653 (Central); Tim McComsey 673, Ron Thomas 661 (RPM); Joe Abrams Jr. 683 (Mechanic Grove); Bob Heiney 650 (Thunder); Mike Anderer 686 (PV Mixed).

Women: Mary Kay Carrigan 595 (Noisemakers).

Seniors: Dan MacDonald 550, Don Neupauer 511, Betty Ortutay 510, Otis Harrison 437, Bob Olcott 417, Gene Recherd 417 (Swingin' Seniors); Dave Simmons 691, Glen Lutz 638, Larry Lutz 626, Bud Hart 608, Abie Evans 536, Norm McVey 513, Pearl Johnson 500, Jonas Zook 488, Joy Corey 487, Otis Harrison 461, Bobbie Browning 456, Janet Denlinger 453, Bill Ortutay 452, Ruth Denlinger 430, Margaret Foultz 375 (Thursday Seniors).

Juniors: Stephan Englehart 609, Brandon Wiley 562, Philip Quinn 483, Brandon Dooley 472, Megan Weidman 464, Kyle Shertz 411, Andie Gribble 355, Storm Slaymaker 244, Carrie Shertz 235, Nick Scheid 232, Lacey Slaymaker (Saturday).

Leisure

Men: Keanglong Yoeun 668 (McCombs Supply); Bob Kilheffer 720, Rick Dougherty 696, Glenn Huber 684, Jim Landis 683 (AMF Ind); Mark Gagnon 692, David Schlotter 683 (Klines RV); Wil Kellenberger 732, Chris Hess 725, Scott Carper 718, Josh Houser 698, Matt Hogg 692, Steve Levering 685 (City County Ind); Dave Kurau 651 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Bob Fasnacht 658 (Indoor World); Scott Karr 603 (Millersville Men); Clyde Kemmerly 687 (Lanc Ind); Rob Vital 719, Brian Zahm 685, Doug Schwenk 670, Rick Graham 656, Tim Walters 655 (Leisure Lanes Challenge); Rick Butt 752, Brian Heaps 728, Eric Keller 706, Don Bradley 690, Scott Kennedy 689 (Conestoga Ind); BRian Zahm 741, Rick Benedick 689, Ken Spang 300 (Midway Hotel Men).

Women: Aluana Hoke 466 (Hopefuls); Clara Olewiler 550 (Precious Gems); Pat Hiemenz 556 (Sparklers); Dennett Anderson 599 (Sparemakers); Debbie Beland 528 (Jewels); Sue Schickel 708, Shirley Redcay 694, Beth Graham 674, Angie Kneckt 627, Jen Burroughs 615 (Myers Auto Body Ladies).

Mixed: Ron Smith Jr. 736, Kristina Miller 556 (Funtime); Chris Porcher 653, Sue Schickel 581 (Zodiac); Mike Kreider 710, Niles Lane 704, Catherine Kreider 578 (Turtle); Fred Armstrong 604, Barbara Geiter 471 (Ball and Chain); Dan Bowers 628, Sandy Howard 553 (AM Ind); Mark Smoker 662, Ann Rummel 674 (Mixed Nuts); Henny Boyles 670, Marie Hodgson 588 (Leisure Times); Mike Bonham 622, Shirley Redcay 590 (Southern End); Brandon Cox 583, Tracy Williams 397 (Late Mixed Nuts); Dick Markley 665, Judy Bleacher 469 (BCA); Leo Young 655, Nikki Luecker 523 (Armstrong Eng); Gary Weidman 623, Ginny Hamill 520 (Gary Pro Shop); Rick Wolf Jr. 675, Jen Burroughs 641 (Wed Mix); Kevin Kurtz 721, Emily Jacoberger 671, Kris Tomlinson 621 (Thurs Mix); Chet Eckman 754, Ashley Eby 566 (Derrs Auto Transport); Nick Rose Sr. 659, Lisa Cunningham 505 (Knights of Columbus); Ron Lehman 629, Michelle Myers 497 (Roses and Thorns); Victor Fritz 646, Amber Heil 512 (Thurs Funtime); Scott Brill 656, Melanie Akers 649 (Mixers); Merle Farmer 582, Sue Otthofer 510 (Mix and Match); Scott Karr 591, Mary Kilheffer 468 (Mountville Mix).

Seniors: Dave Stalknecht 577, Elsie Wagner 506 (Manor North); Bruce Greiner 461, Doris Weaver 419 (AARP); Carl Melin 476, Merilynn Hart 464 (Woodcrest); Bill Ehleiter 534, Mary Kilheffer 505 (Early Birds); Champ Bauer 669, Galen Zook 645, Pat Cooper 627, Russell Gantz 618, Rudy Ries 605, Bob Steely 604, Charlie Albin 567, Jean Slothower 541 (Tender Tears); Stu Wesbury 536, Millie Fabryka 441, Pat Strub 441 (Lakes Campus); Ron Bearley 586, Bob Fornoff 559, Kate Bozochovic 496 (Millersville Srs); Don Cunningham 654, Bob Buzzendore 630, Richard Kleckner 617, Don Bissinger 605, John Erney 604, Don Killian 604, Ralph Kurtz 598, Charlie Heinaman 593, Russell Gantz 590, Bud Yeager 589, Fred Snyder 582, Earl Frey 564, Joe Goodman 558, Galen Eberly 551, Ron Hart 550, Gerry Skiles 527 (Thurs Srs).

Juniors: Michael Morris 320, Hailey Petrosky 313 (Bantam Prep Div); Cody Simet 580, Lisa Denlinger 521 (Jr Div); Jim Moshos 672, Tyler Schickel 637, Nick Falstick 603, Christina Leid 587, Becky Gerhart 563 (Major Div).

Dutch

Men: Tom Weitzel 628 (Sunday Night Mix); Mike Witwer 682, Ric Bromirski Jr. 669 (Brownstown Mix); John Dimeler 761, Brian Kachel 747, Harry Rogers III 738, Harry Rogers Jr. 728, Dick Alexander 726, Andy Bobetsky 714, Brian Pogorzerski 704 (Industrial Service); Jeff Widders 689, Bruce Snader 642, Todd Kauffman 635 (Tri-Town Church); Jason Rieker 710, Dean Cooper 662, Ron Maurer 647 (Woodstream); Chris Brown 725, Randy Haldeman 683, Joseph Bilger 615 (Ephrata Mix); Rick Miller 721, Marc Johns 710, Jamie Eberhart 710 (Lancaster County Travel); Bob Kennedy 652, Bryan Kauffman 645, Albert Oversen 648 (Lincoln Forest); Chuck Winkler 649, 300, Merv Landis 646, Mark Wagner 632 (Lancaster North End); Troy Lint 791, Jason Weaver 764, 300, Scott Canfield 759, Randy Miller 729, Glenn Ruhl 722, Tom Swalwell 718, Josh Stegeman 717, Jeremy Smith 708 (Commercial); Dustin Wise 688, Fred Armstrong 654 (Simply Everything); Andy Miller 739, Jim Miller 717, Randy Haldeman 712, Ken Vesper 704 (New Holland Men); Rex Litzenberger 610, Don Rineer 592 (Ephrata Church); Don Eckert 686, Dale Kohler 629, Clair High 604 (North End Mix); Carl Miller 717, Doug Herr 696, Rick Ober Sr. 685 (Friday Night Mix); Joe Long 633, Chris Mace 600, Rick Miller 599 (TGIF).

Women: Donna Pannebecker 640, Missy Miller 634, Janet Horst 615, Ellen Merklinger 614, Christy Ayres 610 (Brownstown Mix); Bert Myers 719, Jaclyn Greenly 514 (New Holland Ladies); Lydia Cochran 526 (Tri-town Church); Elysia Current 583 (Woodstream); Janice Meckley 552 (Ephrata Mix); Sandy Harnish 538 (Lincoln Forest); Janice Meckley 647, Cara Miller 607, Sandra Hinkle 594 (Ephrata Ladies); Angie Kilhefner 565 (Simply Everything); Cheryl Mengel 547 (North End Mix); Evelyn Brown 516 (Friday Night Mix); Tunisia Miller 504 (TGIF).

Seniors: Al Johnson 621, Ardie Kupp 79, Dick Kellenberger 560, Ruth Eddy 583, Peggy Schmidt 496, BJ Metzler 435 (Young At Heart), Lee Hauck 583 (Thursday Srs); Ed Ronald 535 (Dutch Men).

Juniors: Kenny Burdge 282, Tristan Current 237, Tyrus Current 278, Kaleigh Kramer 272, KC Miller 242, Tara Neikirt 192 (Bantum); Matthew Snyder 443, Ian Wettlauffer 342, Tyler Walton 326, Rachell Waddell 306, Cheyenne Angelo 358, Hanna Nace 288 (Zoo); Matt Cover 552, Justin Cramer 375, Nic Skoronski 352, Katie Redcay 367, Elizabeth Mace 339 (Coed); Austin Kissinger 660, Alex Blanck 626,Chelsey Merklinger 651, Briana Ord 561 (Seniors).

Clearview

Men: Josh Stiles 707, Brian Ashby 686, Shane Deardorff 658 (Donegal HDCP); Jeff Becker 738, Dave Kready 706, Bill Johns 705, Tony Becker 698, Chris Stum 691, Marv Rote 683, Gary Long 656, Josh Becker 653, Rod Stoltzfus 650 (Monday HDCP); Stan Gall 628, Jeff Strayer 617 (Men's Church); Dale Young 746, Ron Smith Jr. 721, Dennis Shufflebottom 717, Bob Elzer 704, Harry Ebersole Jr. 687, Rick Winner 681, Nick McCaulley 665, Bill Hamer 664, Ken Hoerner 650 (Tuesday Businessmen).

Women: Amy Livingston 680, Lisa Farwell 646, Shirlee Waugh 619 (Ladies Classic); Carol Eddins 529, Mindy Lease 528 (Pinbelles); Karen Wolgemuth 503, Lynette Brown 422 (Kennels).

Mixed: Brendan Ford 753, Ray Secord 752, Henry Blough 729, Darlene Anderson 721, Mike Sheeler 712, Josh Becker 708, Steve Decker 700, Carl Meachum 695, Bob Miller Jr. 693, Frank Telenko Jr. 690, Chris Stum 688, Bob Elzer 679, John Barborek 666, Lisa Farwell 661, Noah Dissinger 654, Sherry Margucci 609 (Monday Majors); Carlton Cummings 637, Dave Coble 549, Robin Baker 489, Virgina Garman 449 (Monday Mixed); Ike Knaub 690, Ron Kratofil 659, Ray Husband 650, Ann Kelly 522, Samy Chaffins 478 (Clearview Leisure); Steve Decker 699, Marlin Winters 621, Shirlee Waugh 552, Sue Lehman 510 (Sunday Crackers); Carl Meachum 732, Jeff Becker 716, Lloyd Schaffner 708, Jim Stillwagner 701, John Henry 689, Jesse Snyder 683, Doug Hosking 673, Brent Fortney 663, Dale Young 657, Tracy Beck 616 (City County Travel); Gary High 678, Curtis Gruber 640, Rose Stasko 439 (Thursday Industrial); Justin Fisher 576, Larry Mowrer 558, Brenda Mowrer 536, Robin Baker 471 (Friday United Church); Steve Decker 763, Chris Stum 677, Adam Glass 650, Pat Weber 631, Danette Alleman 618, Dennett Anderson 602 (Friday Mixed).

Seniors: Tom Mulleavy 589, Milt Heilman 574, Jake Garman 539, Bert Goodling 529, Arlene Mummert 522, Ruthie Garman 463 (Tuesday Seniors); Milt Heilman 595, Jan Olnick 497, John Lee 468, Arlene Mummert 459 (Early Birds).

Juniors: Danny Secord 700, Justin Stillwagner 626, Steven Ritzman 614, Katie Boozer 586, Aerika High 573, Beth Moyer 534 (American); Makyla Yoder 475, Olivia Farwell 414, Taylor Basham 319, Cayden Livingston 312 (Prep).