Bill Porter has overcome much more than a tough split in his five decades of bowling.

Just two months after he sold his farm in 1997, Porter was diagnosed with cancer with a dim prognosis for his future.

"I was given five years or less to live, but here it is 12 years later and I'm cancer free," Porter, of New Providence, said.

He added that his competitive spirit and the support of his wife, Lois, helped him to get through the illness.

"I just felt I could beat the disease and worked to do it," he said.

In the dozen years since the diagnosis, he has rolled two perfect games. Last year, he won a state handicap mixed tournament.

Background: Bill, 69, and his wife of 43 years, Lois, have two daughters, Kelli and Karen.

Leagues (averages): Oxford Strike 'n Spare Lanes Bird League and Hill League (207, 209).

High scores: Single, perfect games in 2005 and 2007; series, 797.

My greatest moment in the sport: Bowling my perfect games and winning the handicap singles in the Pennsylvania State Mixed Tournament in July.

Favorite bowling center: Oxford Strike 'n Spare Lanes

The biggest change that I've seen in the sport: The change from pin boys to automatic pinsetters.

The thing that makes this sport so great for me: My teammates, who make bowling really fun.

Bowling has helped me: To find fellowship with new friends.

My interest in the sport began: In the 1950s at the Union Fire Company, where they had pin boys.

My secret to success: Delivering the ball the same way I threw the ball in pitching softball.

People would be most surprised to learn that I: Was a softball pitcher for nearly 30 years.

When I'm not bowling you will find me: With my wife or playing some golf.

Alley notes: A perfect game was rolled by Glenn Huber at Leisure.

A near-perfect games were rolled by Tom Garris (290) at Leisure.

High series (men, 800; women, 700) were rolled by Sara Strausbaugh (706) at Clearview, Kerry Smith (728, 702) at Blue Ball and Tim Watterson (800) at Dutch.

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

Juniors: Joey Byerly 497, Andrew O'Conner 345, Beth Pryer 315, Brian Ott 631, Dustin Trimble 435, Sean Obetz 634.

WIBC: Friendship, Grace Hawthorne 478, Sue Gamble 461, Joanne Bowman 460; Retail Ladies, Donna Kurtz 636, Irene Kiphorn 626, Carol Bushman 625, Trish Breen 608.

ABC: Holtwood 10 Pin, Michael Haine 572; What Not, Ken Herr 721, Kermit Rishell 644; Nut, Bob Sultzbach 666, Ron Speece 663; Landis, Robert Werner 462

Seniors: Bob Rudisill Seniors, Ken Yoder 623, Robert Welsh 504, Brenda Plantholt 458; Duffy's Ladies, Judy Frantz 452; Club 55, Bill Rosenberger 594, Earl Brubaker 494, Anne Fullam 492, Dawn Oswald 483; Rocky Springs Seniors, Fred Daum 524, Sarah Kelley 492, Annie Yake 472, Anne Fullam 449.

Mixed: Rocky Early Birds, Joe Garner 631, Bobbi Myers 556; Meadia Heights, Greg Wiedman 594, Liz Knerr 433; General Contractors, Denise Brandt 499; Winter Flower, Robert Landis 589, Carol Beiler 533; New Beginnings, Karen Miller 571, Carol Beiler 563, Cindy Vlasak 511; Semi Classic, Steve Keen Jr. 742, Dan Breen 725, Shawn Wise 720, Josh Hart 695; Rocky Rollers, Monte Drebenstebt 533, Tracey Canfield 454; Mixed Rainbow, Jason Bachman 636, Donna Prokay 515.

Leisure

Men: Tom Gardner Jr. 748, Rob Gibgrich 717, Bob Harrison Jr. 686 (McCombs Supply); Brian Brooks 760, Glenn Huber 300, 746, Joey Breen 732, Scott Kennedy 715, Durbin Fisher 715, Ken Yellets 700, Mark Andrews 688, Brian Heaps 688, Kevin Kahler 681, Mark Allison 680 (AMF Ind); Tom Garris 290, 788 (Klines RV); Larry Krebs 685 (Tues Mens Hdcp); Matt Hogg 746, JD Kellenberger 730, Josh Houser 729, Ed Shay 703, Bob Kilheffer 687, Jim Landis 685 (City County Ind); Bob Miller 751, Don Miller 684, John Bradnick 681, Stathy Koufidakis 680 (Indoor World); Denny Rittenhouse Jr. 739, Rob Murray 725, Mike Bonham 718, Ken Dowell 702, Kevin Ile 701 (Lanc Ind); Leon Nauman 634 (Millersville Men); Dean Brooks 681, Kevin Bandrowski 669, Durbin Fisher 655, Stan Cramer 641, Keith Poppiti 634 (Leisure Lanes Challenge); Brian Heaps 720, Brian Smith 716, Horace Davidson 684 (Conestoga Ind); Mike Lewis Jr. 703, Chris Wilson 701 (Midway Hotel Men)

Women: Lucinda Shade 521 (Hopefuls); Tammy Heist 572 (Precious Gems); Pat Hiemenz 499 (Sparklers); Dennett Anderson 667 (Sparemakers); Debbie Beland 518 (Jewels); Beth Graham 664, Sue Lapp 663, Angie Knecht 656, Anne McConnell 618, Shirley Redcay 609, Sue Schickel 607, Irene Kiphorn 601 (Myers Auto Body Ladies).

Mixed: Ron Smith Jr. 674, Joyce Killian 523 (Funtime); Gary Noll 728, Barbara Geiter 529 (Ball and Chain); Bryan Kauffman 705, Mary Little 689, Beth Graham 674 (Zodiac); Kevin Shertz 716, Catherine Kreider 563 (Turtle); Gary Baker 701, Joyce Rehkugler 539 (AM Ind); Bob Sultzbach 693, Ann Rummel 570 (Mixed Nuts); Bob Allison Jr. 716, Carrie Haines 521 (Leisure Times); Mike Bonham 728, Shirley Redcay 610 (Southern End); Herb Migdon 606, Donna Wilkie 465 (Late Mixed Nuts); Gary Weidman 652, Cathy Rowles 518 (Garys Pro Shop); Leo Young 716, Jane Lang 553 (Tues Misery); Mike Barr 655, Deb Baldwin 534 (BCA); Troy Nace 687, Charlaine Jones 563 (Wed Mix); Don Harsh 692, Donna Kurtz 595 (Thurs Mix); Frank Woerner 643, Amber Heil 610 (Thurs Funtime); Bob Borst Jr. 635, Stephanie Bloom 543 (Knights of Columbus); Mike Michener 588, Paula Lehman 530 (Roses and Thorns); Butch Derr 705, Karen Laube Clark 560 (Derrs Auto Transport); Bill Ezard 716, Melanie Akers 542 (Mixers); Earl Neidig Jr. 625, Jane Danese 484 (Mountville Mix).

Seniors: Dick Schell 570, Stu Wesbury 556, Fran Meyer 520 (Manor North); Bruce Greiner 520, Doris Weaver 470 (AARP); Carl Melin 471, Helen Brown 455 (Woodcrest); Bob Steely 657, Frank Shafer 626, Galen Zook 621, Jack Wissing 619, Don Cunningham 603, Rudy Ries 586, Charlie Albin 576, Earl Frey 576, Larry Tice 565, Dave Hefner 564, Harold Waltz 556, Don Bissinger 551, Rose Kauffman 531 (Tender Tears); Bob Buzzendore 695, Ralph Kurtz 651, Bob Steely 625, Don Cunningham 615, Charlie Heinaman 609, Chuck Bailey 606, Bud Yeager 601, Bob Zimmerman 597, Don Killian 592, Rudy Ries 588, Galen Eberly 581, Bob Rothweiler 574, Norm Tomlinson 572, John Erney 571, Blair Treasure 564, Bob Kloepfer 555, Jim Dommel 552, Mary Siegrist 613, Betty Albin 600 (Thurs Srs); Dick Schell 553, Pat Strub 469 (Lakes Campus); Ron Bearley 600, Jim Obrochta 593, Bob Bozochovic 556, Doris Kendall 513 (Millersville Srs).

Juniors: Jordan Turner 424, Hailey Petrosky 377 (Bantam Prep Div); Kyle Erisman 654, Kelsey Hammons 502 (Jr Div); Will Welsh 712, Chelsea Erb 633 (Major Div).

Clearview

Men: Ken Neidinger 718, Sean Rine 707 (Donegal HDCP); Mike Sheeler 784, Bill Johns 764, Josh Becker 714, Dave Kready 691, Jeff Becker 685, Michael Bierly 655, Ken Trimble 654 (Monday HDCP); Henry Blough 759, Mike Sheeler 718, Tom Block III 692, Nick McCaulley 672, Dennis Shufflebottom 660, Todd Hess 650 (Tuesday Businessmen); Gary Keck 692, Brian England 653 (Wednesday Sportsmen); Harry Hershey 588, Stan Gall 578 (Men's Church).

Women: Cindy Telenko 667, Sharon Blough 613 (Ladies Classic); Robin Baker 641, Angie Knecht 604 (Pinbelles); Karen Wolgemuth 486, Nel Bender 432 (Kennels).

Mixed: Doug Keller 703, Andrew Shirk 666, Pat Weber 642, Vicki Runk 530 (Mixed Outlaws); Ethan Carter 712, Win Randler 685, Doug Hosking 675, Corey Kaylor 674, Lloyd Schaffner 674, Brent Fortney 670, John Henry 663 (City County Travel); Carl Meachum 634, Jay Alleman 551, Julie Barker 375, Nancy Halbleib 364 (Sunday Conoy Church); Merlin Bordner 772, Tim Livingston 742, Henry Blough 707, EJ Farwell 689, Russ Alleman 686, Denny Rittenhouse Jr. 657, Amy Livingston 652, Steve Decker 652, Beth Graham 594 (Friday Mixed); Justin Fisher 623, Jay Alleman 547, Robert Fisher 547, Brenda Mowrer 539, Robin Baker 465 (Friday United Church); Curtis Gruber 652, Jim Gruber 593, Tracy Schaeffer 456, Rose Stasko 456 (Thursday Industrial); Mike Sheeler 685, Steve Decker 667, Shirlee Waugh 561, Sarah Smeltzer 505 (Sunday Crackers); Ron Kratofil 674, Ike Knaub 617, Ann Kelly 574, Kayla Coble 516 (Clearview Leisure); Lloyd Reed 542, Dave Coble 516, Robin Baker 479, Virginia Garman 444, Janean Peterman 444 (Monday Mixed); Jason Boozer 757, Mike Sheeler 736, Bob Lightner 696, Josh Becker 687, Tim Livingston 684, Chris Stum 681, Chet Eckman 680, Denny Landvater 676, Bob Miller Jr. 670, Henry Blough 669, Lisa Farwell 665, Kevin Garman 654, Ray Secord 653, Steve Decker 650, Sharon Blough 603 (Hennigan's Majors).

Seniors: Milt Heilman 598, Lindy Condran 590, Tom Mulleavy 574, Glenn Shank 563, Charlie Goodling 562, John Stum 552, Bert Goodling 531, Bill Gottschalk 530, Dorie Schaeffer 499, Ruthie Garman 482 (Tuesday Seniors).

Juniors: Sara Strausbaugh 706, Derek Miller 669, Steven Ritzman 666, Kayla Halbleib 503, Nora Pearson 453 (American); Ethan Bresch 415, Patrick Hoffmaster 309, Katelyn Garman 308, Kyle Myers 302, Kassidy Stoudt 279, Nicole Lee 254 (Prep).

Garden Spot

Men: Andrew Abrams 697, Brent Grumling 681, Tom Shaw 680 (Sunday Night Mixed); Chase Hall 697 (Streamliners); Kevin Riley 685, Jeff Gruber 671, Pat Wooten 664 (AM Trio); Scott Ruoss 697, Dan Brobst 667, Jason McComsey 651, Matt Moore 650 (RPM); Marvin Kreider 683, Troy Lefever 668 (Cop-Outs); Henry Cooper 685, Jim Reel 679, Sam Piper 667 (Levi's Classic); Rudi Binkenstein 671 (NFL); Tim Lichty 689, Wayne Buckwalter 678, Scott Crandall 676, Bob Verbeke 673, Jack Wilson 670, Joe Nagy Jr. 670, John Manning 659, Chuck Fisher 657 (Garden Spot Men); Ken Pepple 687, Rodger Hatfield 676, Tim Weaver 666, Dennis Krause 663, Justin Hart 656 (Central); Don Peifer 686, Chris Jensen 675, Gregg Tavalare 671, Mike Pollock 658 (Strasburg Community)

Women: Deb Hatfield 594 (AM Trio); Donna Erb 566 (Strasburg Community).

Seniors: Jack Goss 580, Russell Wimer 543, Sue MacDonald 519, Paul Groff 457, Rita Phenneger 433, Edna Shank 426 (Swingin' Seniors).

Juniors: Kendra Slothower 384 (Family Twosome); Stephan Englehart 626, Robert Muckel Jr. 519, Andrew Humble 503, Jordan Wakefield 475, Kendra Slothower 366, Jacob Whitton 275, Nathan Scheid 266, Justin Sheaffer 258, Nick Scheid 243, Matthew Cox 240, Zack Whitney 216, Lacey Slaymaker 161(Saturday Juniors).

Cain's

Men: Brian Cain 683 (Sun. Mixers); Kevin Eckenrode 645 (Church); Chuck Ruhl 655 (Merchants); Randy Shue 616 (Lititz).

Women: Trudi Hensley 416 (Sun. Mixers); Alicia Sides 508 (Church).

Youth: Boys, Garrett Martin 472; Girls, Amy May 476. Junior: Boys, Bryan Auer 472, Ethan Crills 406; Girls, Brittany Lantz 422, Vickie Vazquez 273. Bumpers: Boys, Bayley Ranck 271; Girls, Catey Sides 299.

Blue Ball

Men: Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Curt Nolt 736, Larry Martin 712, Steve Robertson 704; Monday Mixers, Jeff Green 712, Jeremy Smale 710; New Holland, Church Lamar Kennel 705; Tuesday Businessmen, Park Davidson 792, Junior Laventure 762, Darren Uliasz 758, Rob Deeds 745, Lee Henry Jr. 744, Bob Verbeke 743, Shayne Beck 735, Dave McNamara 723, Terry Stegeman 718, Ryan Anderson 716, Chase Hall 715, Shane Hufford 710; New Holland Boro, Tom Hammerstone 757, Lee Henry Jr. 751, Tyler Weaver 730, Willie Sipes 718, Jack Weaver 717, Harry Charlesen 715, Wayne Sellars 709, Al Nihoff 702; Lancaster County Travel, Jason Hummer 767, Dave Brill 717, Doug Davidson 706; Thursday Seniors, Harry Charlesen 697, Dave Kennedy Jr. 648, Wilson Strausser 611, Marty Good 604, Jerry Clark 601; Twin Valley Men, Jeff Sickler 702; Red Rose Travel, Mike Wimer 771, Ryan Subers 727, Junior Laventure 711; Saturday Railroad, Bob Good 726.

Women: Blue Ball/Garden Spot, Kerry Smith 702; Monday Mixers, Laura Burkholder 615; Tuesday Mixers, Cindy Farmer 636; Channelettes, Jennifer Leaman 535; New Holland Boro, Kerry Smith 728, Wendy Hufford 693; Saturday Railroad, Wendy Hufford 619.

Dutch

Men: Ken Olson 703 (Sunday Night Mix); Steve Popolis 677, Ricahrd Bromirski 641, Andy Pannebecker 635 (Brownstown Mix); Tim Watterson 746, David Shoop 728, Andy Gockley 728, Dick Alexander 726, James Dinicola 716 (Industrial Service); Kevin Boyer 676 (Tri-Town Church); Jason Rieker 783, Gene Sholly 698, Andy Boehler 691 (Woodstream); Dylan Shirk 671, Randy Haldeman 664, Charlie Baney 662 (Ephrata Mix); Andy Pannebecker 747, Rick Miller 737 (Lancaster County Travel); Justin Kleinspehn 768, Karl Wentzel Jr. 689, Gene Sholly 676 (Lincoln Forest); Chuck Winkler 696, Jim Westwood 616, Robert Kreider 609 (Lancaster North End); Paul Brubaker 742, Ken Gehman 739, Ron Witwer 710 (New Holland Men); Tim Watterson 800, Dick Alexander 792, Steve Diem 741, Randy Miller 732, Scott Canfield 727, Justin Kleinspehn 723, Todd Montgomery 713, Glenn Ruhl 711, Doug Andrew 709, Kendrick Weaver 708, Gene Sholly 706, Eric Montgomery 704 (Commercial); Mike Hoffert 694, Bill Mansbery 682, Dustin Wise 649 (Simply Everything); Sandy Snook 670, Don Eckert 635, Derrick Miller 622 (Northend Mix); Doug Herr 779, Dylan Shirk 638(Friday Night Mix); Chris Mace 608, Rick Miller 600 (TGIF).

Women: Connie Weaver 486 (Sunday Night Mix); Christy Ayres 693, Ellen Merklinger 675, Missy Miller 658 (Brownstown Mix); Donna Snyder 666 (New Holland Ladies); Karen Harbaugh 480 (Tri-Town Church); Elysia Current 651 (Woodstream); Janice Meckley 573 (Ephrata Mix); Denise Woodworth 678 (Ephrata Ladies); Teresa Martin 541 (Lincoln Forest); Terri Andrew 512 (Simply Everything); Bobbi Loose 507, Deb Herr 549 (Friday Night Mix); Crystal Mace 545 (TGIF).

Seniors: Carl Partridge 656, Wislon Strausser 617, Galen Eberly 609, Les Sensenig 602, Paul Wyble 602, Glenn Miller 598 (Monday Seniors); Bob Kilhefner 624, Sherwood Miller 599, Wilson Strausser 594, Frank Shafer 573, Tom Sullivan 572, Carkl Partridge 565 (Monday Srs); Carl Partridge 706, Sherwood Miller 679, Marc Catok 661, Tom Sullivan 575, Moses Weiler 565 (Thursday Srs); Ed Roland 601, Dawn Sweigart 511 (Dutch Maids And Men); Dean Lowry 634, Jim Shober 604, Al Johnson 592, Ruth Eddy 517, Marilyn Woods 482, Jan Shumaker 474 (Young At Heart).