Candlepin bowling

I just came across this sight, and reading through the comments brought back a lot of memories. I am 36 now, and I've been watching these bowling shows since I was about 4. I've also bowled for about the same time, but I learned quickly it's not nearly as easy as it may appear on TV:)Anyway, some memories on these old bowling shows. Candlepin Bowling was the Saturday morning show with Don Gillis on WCVB Channel 5, and for many years it was right at the top of the sports TV ratings. This show always reminds me of my late grandparents, who would plan their Saturday around this show and would watch without interruptions. They would each take a bowler, and bet $1 as to who would win. The mixed show afterward was hosted by Brian Leary. The show was taped at Sammy White's in Brighton for many years, followed by the Fairway Lanes in Natick.Candlepins For Cash on Channel 7 was hosted by Bob Gamere and then Rico Petrocelli. It was first taped at the Channel 7 studios with Gamere, and then it was at the Wal-Lex in Waltham when Petrocelli was host, I went with my grandfather to a few tapings, always interesting to see.Big Shot Bowling on NESN back in the 80's was hosted by Bob Fouracre and Dan Murphy. Fouracre was also the host for the Bay State Bowling show way back in the 70's on Sunday nights. Fouracre to this day can still be heard on the radio airwaves doing Holy Cross Football and Basketball games. Murphy himself is quite a bowler, and competed on the same show he hosted a few times, and did very well. I don't remember where this show was taped, but it quite possibly was Leda Lanes in Nashua, which of course is the location of the most current and popular show, Stars and Strikes. Enjoyed reading all of the posts, thanks for the memories.

This is in belated reply to Mike's comment on November 9:I am the expert on the claim of whether duckpins originated around 1900 in the Baltimore bowling alley of John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson, future baseball Hall of Famers. My new book about early baseball, with an emphasis on 1890s Baltimore Orioles such as McGraw, traces the origin of reporting on the origin of duckpins.While claims have appeared for more than 60 years, in newspapers and books, that the sport was invented in 1900 in Baltimore, I found an article in the Lowell (Mass.) News in 1894 in which a veteran bowler discussed duckpin bowling.Therefore, New England can be considered far more likely than Baltimore to be associated with the sport's origins.

I am from Indiana and make a trip to Maine every October. One of the highlights of the vacation is always a trip to Sanford for a few strings of candlepin. What a blast, even though I can't throw the damn ball straight and wind up getting a 60 or 70. But I will always keep trying.I just relocated to the Cincinnati area and was elated to find out there is candlepin bowling near downtown. I cannot wait to find the place.Also, for anyone that is interested, there is a great old duckpin place in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is called Action Bowl and is in the Fountain Square area. That whole part of town looks like it is still in the 50's so it is a great place for duckpin lanes. It is in the basement of the old Fountain Square Theater. One strange thing - the pins are all on strings like a giant arcade game. The owner of the place told me this eliminates many of the mechanical parts that always break down. Is this the norm for duckpin? Please let me know.Terry Baum

I'v been away from MA since 1952, I noticed that there are no lanes in Waltham? So sad, I use to bowl on Main St in Waltham and the Wal-Lex lanes on Lexington St.I guess they both are long gone.

"Candlepin Bowling" on at noon, Saturdays on WCVB Boston Ch. 5, often had a great woman bowler named Stasia Czernicki. It seemed that she was on every week and was almost unbeatable! I believe she had a record number of undefeated appearances on the show and held several MA state candlepin records.Does anyone remember Ms. Czernicki?

Big League Bowling, West Roxbury, Mass. JL 1970-1971- Team captain of the Red Sox :) 3rd Place- Anyone want to try their luck bowling 12 strikes in a row?Bill Gates could put up his entire stash, along with the collective Earth's treasuries of each nation as well for a prize- A SAFE BET IF EVER THERE WAS ONE! You'll never collect a DIME!! :):)Ha Ha!!how about it??thanks

Thanks for all of your great memories!I loved all of the candlepin shows, and even entered a few roll-offs for the right to be on them, but never was fortunate enought to win one (I carried a 105 league average, while the pros were around 120-125. On my best day, I had a chance to beat their worst day...) I used to bowl at Lucky Strike in Dorchester, Sammy White's in Brighton, Wollaston Bowladrome (which also hosted the WCVB show for a while), and WonderBowl in Quincy (a combined candlepin/tenpin house). All gone now except for Lucky Strike. I also enjoyed something that most of you probably never even knew about - there used to be bowling alleys under Symphony Hall - a 55 lane house. It's been closed for 20+ years. I wonder if they are still down there?I remember the all-time streak on Candlepin Bowling on Channel 5 was held by Tony Karem, who won something like 18 or 20 weeks running. Stacia Czernicki no doubt held the women's record. She was far better than most of her competition. The Tiger Woods of female candlepin bowling.For anyone who thnks that tenpin is tougher, all you have to do is trot out the high score of all-time. For tenpin, it's 300, a perfect game, and it's been done thousands of times. For candlepin, the current record is 245 (can you imagine that? 245 for candlepin? Amazing.)The show on Comcast now is pretty good. I think it's called "$30,000 challenge" and it is gearing up for the finale as I write this. Check it out.>>Thank youJim Sullivan

If you're REALLY old, do you remember Rosario Luciara (I may have messed up the spelling of the last name)? He was the Babe Ruth of candlepin bowling.

I love candlepin! When I move back to MA I will no doubt be in a league..as much as I have loved bowling big balls here in Ohio, I miss candlepin. I got my first ever strike in candlepin at Lucky Strike in Dorchester. I got my first ever 100+ game at age 12 at Merrymount Lanes in Quincy (on Broad St. near the police station..been gone for years now)..and believe it or not..I remember wonderbowl on Southern Artery..was demolished for condos when I was about 9 or 10.

Sure, I remember Rosario - I think it was spelled Lechiarra. He won lots of matches on TV. Another good one was Fran Onorato. And, while we're dredging up names from the past, I'll lay Charlie Jutras and Tom Olszta on you. Olszta was the best candlepin bowler I've ever seen.

The first bowling I ever did was with the ducks. Loved it ! I have heard about candlepins but never played. Seems to me candlepins has a helper-outer what with the rubber band around the pin while ducks had no such helper. Wouldn't the rubber band makes the pins bounce over the lane more thereby taking down more pins? What say, you candlepinners? I am sad along with all of you about the demise of ducks and candle - a great sport for all folks for all times.

Grew up in Worcester (w/o the "h") Candlepin bowling - not heard of down here in Maryland. They have the big 10 pin and DUCK PIN! The balls are larger than candlepin and the pins are shorter and wider. Oh yeah - no deadwood allowed - as I was corrected right quick! Explained candelpin..They were very surprised especially because the balls are smaller.

I remember big shot candlepin bowling from Londonberry New Hampshire with Bob Fouracre and Dan (The Man) Murphy in the 1980s. I swore on some shows Fouracre was drunk. Otherwise I love watching the game and the announcing was first rate by both guys. Watched the game from Minnesota by satilite dish.

what happened to the most exciting sport?anyone want to revive it in asia? they do ten pin here but doesen't leave room for little children to play.candelpin is an exciting game as you all know, more so than ten pin.give me a break, strike, 9 or spare! yuck.1 5 9 and no wood! that's for me!just an old alley worrior.

hey,any of u old chumps remember bob prescott? i was in a roll off with him in the early 70's.in cambridge ma. beat him 3 out of 5 games.anyway,what happened to candelpin? best game in the world! i want to introduce to asia, they ten pin here.but it is the difference between tennis and ping pong.time for a resurection and maybe an olympic sport!write me,gary

Yeah, they have Candlepin in southern NH too...grew up on it, you can friggin whip those little balls about 60 mph and watch the pins explode!Big Ball bowling or whatever the hell its called, totally sucks. I live in florida now, i should start a candelpin alley, just to piss off all the stupid migrants from NY and stupid southerners.go sox

Trivia question: Does anyone recall the name of the lob-line judge on the gone-but-not-completely-forgotten Candlepin Bowling program on WCVB in Boston?

I was born and raised in northern New Hampshire and candlepin bowling was a big part of my life. I loved it then and I love it now. I have lived in Georgia for way too many years now and I think candlepin bowling would be a huge hit here if someone had the means to open one up. I miss it a lot.

Ralph Stewart was the lob line judge on 5,more trivia... what was the highest string ever thrown for candlepin on television, who did it, what show, and where was the alley? and one more, who was his opponent and what was his losing score? LOL sorry i know it's a lot to ask, someone else must have seen the show.

I'm moving to Michigan this week and hate to gice up my candlepin bowling league here in Brewer, Maine. I read earlier there was a possible lane in the Detroit area. Any thoughts? I may need to take up Bocci. LOL

Hey everyone. I'm glad to see someone cares about the game I love. Candlepin bowling is the best game in the history of mankind, and anyone who doesn't know any better just doesn't know any better. It's a game that you cannot possibly be too good at. And if you're bad? Then you're just like everyone else. Even the pros miss easy ones! That's the beauty of this game, the unpredictability. Take care to all who read this and care about this game. Long live candlepin bowling, and best of luck to everyone in this years World Candlepin Championships hosted in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 11/13-11/19!-Richie

I wish I could talk more about candlepin (I posted a few times previously on here) but I have to get to bed. I have lived in Columbus, OH for a while..originally from Boston. I have yet to see candlepin lanes in Detroit (I am about 3 and a half hours south). And yes there is a candlepin house in the Cincinnati area (the city of Wyoming, Ohio to be exact), however..it is a part of the YMCA in that town and you must be a resident to reserve the 6-lane place. About five years ago when I first learned about it I was quoted something like $300 for the afternoon, regardless of how many people you have! If I could get some more people around heah who think I am wicked weahd when I describe candlepins or duckpins, and who also lived in this little burb, I would love to meet them!

I cherish those strings I bowled while on the Don Gillis show. If not for running into the diamond in consecutive frames, I would have beaten Lechiara....

I remember the first time I played bowling with the large balls I was like "what the heck", whre ar ethe normal balls? I was a kid and almost killed myself the first time I threw one. Candlestick is sure harder to maintain above a 100. Fun game.I am trying to find out where the lucky strike was on Adam street in Dorchester. I think it closed in the 70s but I am trying to remember the cross streets. Does anyone remember? I am doing some research and could use the help.

My husband's parent's bowled and I think his father even won on Candlepins for Cash!I actually have friends who have NEVER BOWLED!

I rememeber laughing at the old guys in O'lindys who were playing the very few lanes of big balls. I think it was o'lindys. When i moved to fla. everyone thought i had made up candlepin bowling. they laught at me and said, "oh youre makin that up." Duh, this coming from dinks who grew up trying to roll a ball bigger than they were..

My dad owns one of the ICBA centers up in NH so i grew up bowling candlepin. when i went to boarding school down in southern Mass i tried duck pin and 10-pin for the first time! what a change! let me just say that i cant wait to go home on vacation just so i can get a little bit of candlepin bowling in!!

Wow, Candlepins, like an old friend. I've lived in Minnesota for many years and they don't exist here, I bowl tenpins, but as a kid, I bowled at Riverside Lanes in Newton (gone), Wal-Lex and the Kenmore Bowladrome right under Fenway Paaahk. I don't know if those lanes are still there. Explaining a spread eagle, half woosta or full woosta to people here is impossible.

HI,I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY BOWLIN IS NOT ONWNDS. DID LEDA LANES GIVE IT UP. SURE FOWLS UP MY NOONS ON SAT & SUN.WOULD APPRECIATE A REPLY

WNDS was sold, that is why bowling is no longer on it.That used to be the only show that I used to watch on that channel. Now, it is just taking up bandwidth on my cable lineup...Such a shame, too, especially considering the near record that was almost set last year...

I only went tenpin a few times as a kid, my family was never really big on that. About a month ago my girlfriend brought be to Ficco's in Franklin for my first shot at candlepin... and I'm never going back! Awesome game! Sad that it's not more widespread...

What a great site. I grew up in the Boston area and my dad was a good candlepin bowler and a big fan. He used to work at S.S. Pierce on Brookline Ave. across from Fenway Park and bowled at the Kenmore Bowladrome on the corner of what is now Yawkey Way. Like Brian, he used to arrange his Saturday to watch Candlepins For Cash at noon hosted by Don Gillis (that was when channel 5 was WHDH). But I found this site because I was searching for info on Stacia Czernicki. She indeed was a phenominal bowler. CFC was an elimination turnament and she was so good that they would never let her bowl until the 5th week or so, because she just beat everyone. Also I remember Charlie Jutras and Fran Onorato, but didn't until I read their names.

I never knew that candlepin was only in the New England area until I moved to CA in my early 20's. I now live in FL and was telling my children about candlepin bowling and they are laughing their pants off at me! They think I actually made it up to trick them! I used to go to Boston Bowl or Lucky Strike in Dorchester.

Love this site. I've been in Chicago for the past few years where they dont have candlepin. Can someone tell me when they took the Candlepin Bowling show that was on Sat. at noon off the air. Stacia Czernicki ruled.

I come from a candlepin family. :) My father has bowled all his life and he's been on 5 different TV contest shows (Winning Pins, Superbowl, the original channel 5 show, Bay State Bowling, and Doubles, in order of his appearances), and one of my aunts was on Candlepins For Cash. Here in Minnesota though, I really miss it, and I still have my set of 4 candlepin balls (which have sadly been unused since the move).I've also been working some on the "Candlepin bowling" entry in Wikipedia. I'm working on the section that mentions all the different TV shows. Visit the page and add/correct and info you see there. :)

Grew up in South Weymouth myself. Family used to goto Wonder Bowl in Quincy I think it was, and Colonial Lanes in South Weymouth all the time.Closest we got here in MI. now is 5 pin in Canada eh?

Born in Worcester-We moved to Webster when I was in 3rd grade. Loved to bowl candlepin @ Mohegan. Have lived in Florida for 15 years - No candlepin in the South! I was thrilled to be able to bring my 11 yr old to try candlepin on a recent visit to Webster, Ma! Really miss it......

I moved to Huntsville, Tx. 6 years ago. Do you know nobody here in Huntsville has ever herd of candlepin bowling!! Thank you for this site so I could prove it to them..

I grew up in southern Maine and never knew what "big ball" bowling was until I moved to Florida. My husband thought I was nuts, and still laughs at me when I talk about "real" bowling. It just isn't the same. Both my mother and my aunt were members of the league at the Sanford Maine Bowl-A-Rama at various times, and they both loved it. I can't remember which show it was, but I remember my mom making hotdogs for lunch on Saturday afernoon and watching bowling on tv. It was great :).

i was on a candle pin bowling team for 11 yrs.at ficco lanes in franklin mass i relocated to las vegas nevada from RI a few yrs ago you would think in this big city there would be someone that would open a candle pin alley. i really miss it. i don't like to bowl with the big balls i can't handle them i end up getting a sore arm and shoulder therefore i had to give up bowling

Brought my wife from Las Vegas to Hampton, NH. Told her about candlepin bowling from my formative years in Worcester. She thought it was a joke, certainly not the "real" bowling that exists out west. Now, she is hooked. She hasn't cracked 100 yet, and her language is getting very colorful with each attempt, but she loves the game. So do I.

I noticed a few trivia questions about the lob line judges who worked the channel five saturday noon candle pin bowling show that ran from oct 1958 to 1996. Can you tell me if the first shows were live and who were the lob line judges throughout the history of the show? I remember being at some of the shows at boylston bowlerdrome and wollaston beach.

Candlepins are the best. My mom was on Channel 5 a couple of times. Singles, Doubles & Mixed doubles when I was younger. Around ten years ago my mom had a brain aneuyrsm and did not bowl for a couple of years. Now she is back bowling and regaining high average on our bowling league at the age of 62. Brain surgery couldn't erase the love she has for this game.

Great site. Does anyone remember the name of the guy who hosted Candlepin Bowling before Don Gillis? I used to watch as a little boy with my Dad every Saturday morning. (late '50's - mid '60's)

I was on the channel 5 show hosted by Don Gillis in 1988. I had to bowl against Tom Olsta. One of the best ever. I lost but was tied halfway through the match. The retired people that used to watch the matches treated me like a celeb. The crew including Don were all quite supportive and nice. I believe the decline of the sport coincides with the cancellation of the show. I often wonder if there is an archive someplace with that show in a can someplace and how I could get it as a keepsake. Any suggestions?

In mid l970 I bowled against Stacia Czernicki on Candlepins for Cash with Don Gillis. What a powerhouse she was!! I was on the head pin but chopping thru! So many great bowlers then! Does anyone know if there are tapes available from those shows. I believe it was taped in Natick. Thanks

Regarding the post from Thomas Arsenault - wonder if you are the same Thomas Arsenault I knew as a kid in Webster. Did you attend Thompson School around 1960? Please email me at [email protected] if you are that person. Also, anyone from Webster who might recognize my name please email me. I now live in Virginia Beach.

Re: TrudyThe show I was on was taped at the Fairway Lanes in Natick. At least I think that is the name of the lanes. I am sure it was Natick. Would love also to know about the tapes that may be available. I still have the shirt I got back in 1988 only wore it for the show. Love to hear more memories form the channel 5 show.

This past weekend, I notice promo spots on WB-56 TV for a revived candlepin show, now entitled "Candlepins for Dollars" rather than "Cash." Coming soon, candlepin fans, sadly without Gamere or Rico. I hope they keep the format of introducing family members in the peanut gallery.

I REMEMBER THE OLS ALLEYS AT THE YMCA IN WOBURN. AND YOU HAVE TO TRY THE TOWANDA CLUB IN WOBURN MA

We come up to NE every year and it's not an official visit unless we do candlepins! My children really enjoy it much more than 'regular' bowling. We have bowled in Quincy and Peterborough. Wish we had it here in FL. I got interested in it from watching NESN's bowling show on the dish many moons ago...

Can anyone tell me if there is a candlepin bowling alley in Phoenix, Arizona or the surrounding area?

Sorry no Candlepin west of Cincinnati, OH.

im here to say candlepin bowling is awesome. i live on the south shore of massachusetts and bowl in our schools candlepin bowling club...theres over 40 high school kids involved. Satuit Bowlaway is where its at.

Anyone out there remember the West Roxbury Bowling Alley (not sure if that was the actual name) on Park Street just off Centre Street. I remember the changeover from pin boys to Bowl-mor pinsetters. Bowled there at least weekly throughout my teen years, tried but never got above a 92 average. Had more luck with nickels in the array of pinball games.A much older establishment was the Caledonian Alleys on the banks of the Charles River near the Boston Trailer Park - never reached the pinsetter era before it closed.

My twin sister and I always went bowling on our birthday. We were allowed five guest each. It cost five cents a string in a four-alley building connected to the Willow Rest in Gloucester. And our whole family would go bowling after Thanksgiving Day second meal (the sandwich one).

I noticed a question about who hosted the channel five candelpin bowling show before don gillis. I believe it was Jim Britt remember him? Also the first lob line judge on the show was a guy by the name of Charlie Walsh who lasted about ten years followed by my dad Lou Spera who loved the game until his death in 1977 and then Ralph Stewart who finished the last 20 years of the show.

The question about the name of the bowling alley in West Roxbury on Park st. My dad and I bowled there in a monday night league in the 1960's and countless tv rolloffs. I think there was a sign Park st. Lanes above the door back then.

I just stumbled onto this site - this is great!! A story -- back in the 80's at the Roll-A-Way Lanes in Biddeford, Maine.. The WCBC (World Candlepin Bowlers Congress) or now known as the New England Pro Tour would make their annual stop in Maine. After the Fri. nite shift, 3 shifts on Sat. and 3 shifts on Sun. Tony, Stacia Czernicki, the staff of Roll-A-Way, the owner, Maurice Huot (rip) and others would have a little get together in the office and just recollect about the weekend bowling and events that transpired from the last time we saw each other. Many bowling stories, great memories!! This was the weekend when I would get my bowling heroes autographs-- Tom Oltza, Stascia Czernicki, Dot Petty and etc. Sadly - Roll-A-Way no longer exists, but the N.E. Pro Tour does although in smaller number of bowlers. Any other stories out there?

I didn't know how lucky I was to grow up with access to duckpin & candlepin until I moved to FL where all they had was crummy tenpin. I had played duckpins several times and candlepins only ONCE before I moved to FL... the candlepin alley (Roseland in Taunton) closed shortly after I bowled there.So, 14 years in Florida and other than friends and family, candlepins was the only thing I missed about New England.Then I came back to MA and was thrilled to see candlepin on TV again. I had assumed it was extinct because there are no candlepin places in my corner in the state. Thank god for the web. Now I'm in a league. I'm a terrible bowler, but at least I'm finally getting to bowl again.

Phil,your right it was Park St Lanes in West Roxbury. Jim D

im from mass and used to go candlepin bowling when i was little, and when i was 12 i moved to new york, and since i havent gone bowling since i was little i always assumed they had candlepin bowling everywhere.

Does anyone remember Webster Shore Lanes in Hull, MA? My Dad owned it, and it was right across the street from Nantasket Beach. It's now a hotel, but he opened another bowling alley in South Shore Country Club in Hingham, MA.All 11 of us in our family grew up bowling and working at the alleys. My brothers and parents still bowl. My mother, too, was on Candlepins for Cash! Many people from our lanes were on that show and others.It's a great sport...great tradition...long live candlepins!The tradition lives...long live Candlepin Bowling!

What happened to the Wal-Ex bowling alley that used to be in Waltham?

Wow -- Barry Lang! I remember your fantastic run on Ch. 5 in... '73-4 or so. Still bowling?Urb

Donovan:I'm from Hull, and I remember Webster Shore Lanes. My friends and I were in a league for a few years when we were kids (late 70's). I spent my saturday afternoons bowling and drinking orange tonic. Good times.

When are we going to see Candlepin bowling on Television again, since Channel 56 is no more??

Ah yes, I too remember the sweet sound of those candlepins exploding as Bob Fouracre cracked open can after can of Shlitz beer at the moment of impact.He was usually cocked by the end of the show and had wet his pants alot!How I miss gathering around the ole' 14 inch black and white Zenith with the rest of my dysfunctional family on Saturday afternoons, eating Spam and drinking Tang on McKinley Street!!!

I grew up on candlepin, didn't go often, but i was surprised hearing about big ball bowling. Well now, recently joined a league up in Nashua, NH, and slowly improving each week so far... :)

I remember the Bowl Away Lanes in Burlington, I live in Florida now and miss the heck out of Boston.

I too remember watching channel 27 candlepin bowling show. I remember having to keep adjusting the rabbit ears on my tv to see through the snow. I remember an old geezer Bob Fouracre used to introduce every show . This guy was dressed up in a Zoot Suit type outfit and thought he was real sharp.He was part of the audience and I think Fouracre nicknamed him Dapper Dan. Anybody remember that? Phil

Candlepin bowling was my biggest activity growing up. Started out at Kelly's Lanes in Maynard. One of the legends of Candlepin Bob Kelly owned it for years. Remember watching pro challenge matches on Friday nights as a 6-7 year old that my dad would take me to. Lots of $$ would be bet on these guys those nights!When Kelly's closed up I headed to continue my youth league at the old Sudbury Bowladrome. It's now an old folks retirement home. Then off to Framingham to Metrowest Lanes for adult leages in the winter and summer. It's now a youth detention center or something like that.I get to bowl candlepins once a year when i get home to see my parents on the Cape. $4.50 a string and $3.00 for shoes. Have to take out a loan now to throw 3 strings.Paul Berger's "500" on WCVB was awesome. I still have it on tape and watch it a couple times a year. Phenomenal!Candlepins is definitely the best bowling out there - wish we had it in Maryland instead of the damn duckpins or "big balls".

For info. purposes -- www.youtube.com search for "candlepin bowling" There are some great clips of Ch. 5 shows, Stars and Stripes!!

My brother and I owned Midtown Lanes in Springfield, Mass from 1983-1986. I bowled in the 60s thru the 70s and then again in the 90s till now. Sad to see so many lanes close up. But at one time Candlepins reigned supreme. Double shifts every nite of the week, Money matches and of course Don Gillis on Sat Morning. Bowling for dollars was held I belive at Thunderbird Bowl. Great sport, great memories, and I also hap the pleasure of bowling with Angie Baker a hall of famer before her death. Candlepins will always be in my heart.

I bowl in a league up at Leda Lanes in Nashua. Only started the league thing this year in January. Summer League is going on now. I always thought growing up that candlepin was the only kind of bowling too. The thing I hate about 10-Pin is it all looks the same, you watch these people, they all bowl the exact same way, curve the ball, strike, or curve the ball 7/10 split, etc. It's not as easy as it looks to it that way, I've tried, my high game was 175 (LUCK!), candlepin working on improving my average only around a 73 right now, but considering I only have bowled candlepin consistently this year, I'm off to a good start. It's too bad I hadn't kept up with it all these years past... I got plenty of time to get better though, only 32 :)

"When Kelly's closed up I headed to continue my youth league at the old Sudbury Bowladrome."Phil, when were you at Sudbury? I was a regular in their youth leagues in the '70s!Urb

I was born and raised in New Hampshire,lived there for 27 years, and candlepin bowling was a huge family pastime, many saturdays and sundays and friday nights were spent at Boutwell's Bowling Alley in Concord New Hampshire. There would be at least 20 of us going together. The cost has definately gone up over the years, to well over 2$ a string, but always well worth it. Now I am in Las Vegas, Nevada and I have no clue where to find a candlepin bowling alley, its just a shame, these westerner's just don't know what they are missing! I haven't been home since December of 2004, so i am hoping Boutwell's is still around, I sure miss New England. Snow and all!!! Sean Flynn

I do remember seeing Don Gillis and Candlepin Bowling on Channel 5 growing up. In 2004, I attended a taping of the Candlepin Stars & Strikes on Ch. 50 at Leda Lanes in NH. I think the only show left is the Comcast 30K Candlepin challenge. Of course, you have to subscribe to Comcast to receive and I do not. It's too bad the TV networks put so much emphasis on ratings and sponsors, for these great shows are no longer humming on the airwaves. I would take Candlepin bowling over putting these dysfunctional talk shows or the "if it bleads it leads" news programs that glorify the media's selfish interests while the hard working person gets punished. Let's bring back Candlepin bowling on the weekend and make it the sport that it used to be. I think NESN could make some room on their schedule, but again, it's all about ratings and that is why Don Gillis, Bob Gamere, Dick Lutz and so forth are just memories.

You don't have to have Comcast cable to watch the Candlepin Challenge! I watch it here in Providence, via their Web site: http://ne.cn8.tv -- you need some kind of media player (I use a QuickTime player). But you can watch from anywhere -- I used to watch it when I live in Arizona! ... Urb (who was on the show in April)

to whoever asked about the old man brought out at the end of bay state bowling in the 70's by host bob fouracre.. thats what used to crack me up.. EARL GARDE was his name... he was brought out to present the trophy to the nites winner... never said a word.. looked 100 yrs old in that zoot suit.. lived in taftville ct. had to keep adjusting the rabbit ears to get channel 27..shirley temple theatre came on before...ha ha

1 Does anybody know how many years those pros bowl in order to get the 120 averages they get?2. Why do you think candlepin has declined in Massachusetts? More places have closed than opened including Salem, Ipswich, and Medford

was wondering if any one knows of an alley that was open in the 60s called something like mo blacks or something in the greater boston area and who owned it thanks for the help

I love the Boston area language. Especially the use of the word wicked. I'm from Nova Scotia Canada and we have our share of odd language up here. But my question is this. I know wicked can be tageed on to almost anything...wicked awesome, wicked good, wicked bad etc... My question is this can wicked be combined with wicked to describe something that's super-wicked? Like could I say "that was wicked wicked"? or is one wicked as good as it gets?Go Patriots.

One "wicked" is the limit. If something is really tremendous, it can be "wicked pissa".No, I'm not trying to set you up or anything, honest."Pissa" itself can mean something good, too. It can also mean something bad, if the inflection is sarcastic, like, "Oh, yeah, that's REALLY pissa", said with a rolling of the eyes :-)

As to the 120 averages, it takes a lot of practice, but saome guys come by it more easily than others.I'd like to point you to something I wrote about candlepins, on my blog.http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com/2006/02/candlepins-for-cash.html(You'll have to re-construct the link. Sorry!)Anyway, it details my semi-career as a semi-professional candlepin bowler, and my struggles as I lost the skills I had. It may give some insight into the answer to your question.

Nice comments from Boston area and NH.I grew up in Western Mass and our family has bowled candlepin forever. Our usual lane was Agawam Bowl, though my Dad and Brother bowled in West Side and Springfield lanes. My last lane was Bowling Center in Westfield, which closed this spring.Thanks to Urbie for the web site to watch the Candlepin show. I've recently moved to SC and realy miss the 11:00 Sat morning show. Hope to catch it next week.I have candlepin bowling listed as an "Interest" on my resume, and someone asked me "What the heck is that?"I really miss the excercise.

I live in Atlanta and it is nice to see a lot of people who still love candlepins that have moved out of the new england area. I am seriously considering introducing the sport in the Atlanta area. If anybody has some insight please feel free to comment. These southern folk look bored throwing a 8,9 or strike everytimeMike

I grew up in Swampscott and my youthful weekends in the late 60's and early 70's were often spent at All-Star Lanes on the Lynnway (who said you couldn't go "big balls" bowling, c'mon?) or the candlepin lanes at the Lynnway Sportscenter not far from there. I haven't been back to Boston since my mother passed away in 2002 but I remember when I was there for that I tried to go to the lanes over in Salem on that back street near Salem St. (where I'd gone to during a previous visit) and was shocked to find it closed up and out of business. I sat in my Mom's car and bawled :(

North Reading likes its regular league bowlers, but, if you're a walk in bowler -- they are easily upset with you. Every other bowling alley I've been to has not disappointed me like Candlewood Lanes.

Posted that last one too soon. I meant Candlepin Lanes in Salem on Broadway off Canal St. near Salem State, of course. Really choked me up to see it shuttered. Nothing like becoming an orphan and having your childhood slammed shut on you (at age 43) in one blow, eh? At least the Lynnway alleys are still there. I hope Candlepin Bowling never dies back there.

I remember candle pin alleys in the basement of South station when I was young.does anyone remember that?

I am a candlepin bowler. I am also interested in having 5 pins, and rubberband duckpin bowling here in Massachusetts. I have this new bowling petition up to get them here. And anyone is welcomed to sign it:5 PIN, RUBBERBAND DUCKPIN & MORE DUCKPIN BOWLING IN MASSACHUSETTS PETITION:http://www.petitiononline.com/massbowl/petition.html

Try explaining to people in the Tampa,FL area what candlepin bowling is about and they think your crazy. It is the best game out there and I could never understand why it never got any bigger. I have been here nine years and still miss it. All that is around here is "boulder bowling". It's not the same, not even close.I had the rare privilage of participating on those old bowling shows. Don Gillis was a wonderful host and a class act.They are wonderful memories that I have been able to share with my family.I just wish we had real(candlepin) bowling in Florida!Fred H

I saw a couple people ask about what happened to the legendary Wal-Lex Bowling Center in Waltham. Like many other bowling centers, it has been replaced by the retail world. Wal-Lex is now a CVS and Staples. Burger King is also on the property, which was also the location of the roller skating rink and mini golf courses. I'm 40 now, I recall going to Wal-Lex once every couple weeks or so in the summer as a kid, playing a round of golf, skating for an hour, and bowling 2 strings for something like $5. Some places are pushing $5 per string for bowling alone now.....CVS also replaced bowling alleys in Bedford and Concord way back when.I have an opinion as to the decline of candlepin bowling. I do think the exposure has declined a lot with the TV shows just about gone except for one. I do think the game has priced itself into an area that has become tough for people to do it as much. For example, my wife and I took our 3 kids to a nearby center recently. We all bowled 2 strings each. The bowling and shoes alone cost $60. Dinner at a family restaurant afterward was another $30, so it became a $100 night.But also, the alleys themselves, specifically the older ones are finding parts a lot harder to replace when needed, and repairs are becoming very expensive. Not to mention the cost of heat/Air conditioning/electricity....A friend of mine who managed a local alley told me that the alley far and away made more money from the video games/arcade area than the bowling itself. So like everything else, I do think the economy/inflation plays a part in it.

A first time vistor to this site.Note to PhilThere was another "dapper dresser" named Earl. He was elderly gentleman who wore outfits totaly out of sinc to his age. I can not recall if he was on both chan 27 and/or chan 5.And the "other" place in West Roxbury was called the Park St lanes, owned by a wonderful gentleman named Stan Dennison.Roly..........Medfield, Ma

I run 6 lanes on an Island called Vinalhaven,ME. I hurt my leg so I can't bowl with the big balls, I quess they call it duckpin bowling. The other half of our house is,is where we live. Each year we have league bowlers. The bowlers bowl 10-20 weeks. I do think it it much harder than regular bowling but I'am getting better. I now also learned how to keep them running. I learned it from a wonderful man called Wayne Mc donnel who has worked on these machines for 60 years. He is one of three in the country and one of the best. If anyone out there has any special bowling strategys please let me know my email address is [email protected] name of the lanes is called Candelpin Lanes. Vinalhaven,Me. phone # 207-863-2020. The reason that candelpin bowling is slowing down is because the machines are antique,and they need to be watched carefully and upgraded because alot of the part are not made any more. If you are up this way come over and call me and you can bowl. I only charge 20.00 a lane per hour and supply everything else.

Spent the first half of my life in NH, and now I'm in the Seattle area. Love Seattle, miss candlepin bowling. Like most of you, I had my butt planted in front of Channel 5 every Saturday morning to watch Jutras, Onorato, Lechiara, Olszta (remember Steve Puopolo and his wind-up?) and others do some amazing things with those skinny pins.I'm taking my kids, who were born out here, back to NH in a few weeks to visit the rest of the family, and I intend to show them what "bowling" really means.I've also had to "pre-heat" them a bit concerning New Englandese. You'll hear "getovah" a lot ("get over"), I said, along with the occasional "wickid pissah," and if somebody rolls a "one fotty fowah," (144) well, son, that's wicked good.So far, they're looking at me kinda funny, but I do believe they'll see the light soon.

We have it in Texas also

Babe Ruth was a hugh duckpin bowling fan. Before Don Gillis hosted the channel 5 candlepin bowling show on Saturday's, I believe it was Jim Britt doing the honors. He was short, stocky and partially bald.

My brother bowled on candlepins for cash back in the 60's.Bowling was the most favorite past time in those days. It was fun and a great exercise. In those days the schools used to have leagues. we bowled every tuesday from school. I think every one that i knew bowled. I remember Mr. Don Gillis from television. He is now a resident at the nursing home that i work at down the cape. It is sad to see him this way. I do hope those that worked with him will try to go and see him.

Listen, I have been running in to a lot of candlepin bowlers that are nutty jerks and S.O.B.'s on candlepin websites. Ridiculing my two bowling petitions. And I don't know why nobody will give me a straight answer about it. The petitions are to get 5 pins, rubberband duckpins, and duckpins in Massachusetts. And to get them and candlepins in all parts of the United States. My cousin once removed said that they could be prejudice against other types of bowling that I'm seeking on my petitions. This is only happening in candlepins in Massachusetts. But people on duckpin, and 5 pin websites have all been very nice to me. But why candlepin bowlers, and here in massachusetts?? Is it possible that they're acting like this, because they can never score 300 in candlepins? I've also been to two candlepin mens' leagues, and they were all swearing their heads off. And I quit the leagues. Even alot of candlpin bowlere whom I bowled with on leagues in the past, were not nice to me either? What's going on here???? Why are there alot of complicating and disturbing people in candlepins? And here in massachusetts?? This really burns me up!!! I want it all to stop right now! And respect my bowling petitions, and try to sign them for me. Instead of being prejudice against 5 pins, rubberband duckpins, duckpins, and maybe ten pins. I'm so upset!

is it true that there was once at one time a candlepin bowling establishmentin las vegas

I grew up with candlepin bowling in the 50s and 60s, and was once in 4 leagues at once. My average was 108, which was respectful, but not noteworthy. My all-time high was 158, which included 4 strikes in a row, and 5 out of 6. I remember Jim Britt being the host on tv in the early days, followed of course by Don Gillis. I remember an evening show, Candlepins for Cash, or Dialing for Dollars, something like that, hosted by Bob Gamere. In Dorchester there was a bowling establishment which had candlepin lanes on one side of the house and ten pin lanes on the other. I think it was just off the Expressway. I bowled mainly at Mattapan Bowladrome on Blue Hill Ave. On Saturday mornings it was 5 strings for a dollar! I also bowled at the Kenmore Lanes, 20th Century Lanes in Hyde Park, and Timber Lanes in Abington among others. I still remember the names for the pin leaves...the hi-lo-jack (1-7-10)which was part of the tv show. The 2 bowlers would try for it at the end of the show in an attempt to win $50 or $100. There was the dreaded half-worcester and the even more dreaded quarter worcester, the clothesline, 4 horsemen, picket fence, dinner bucket, diamond, railroad, washout, the equally dreaded spread eagle, the baby split, the sleeper, the triangle, and so on. Stasia Zernicki was by far the best womens bowler, and often went head to head on tv against a lady named Marcel Aiken. There was Dick Smus from Feeding Hills, Joe Donovan, whose 127 average was the highest I had ever heard of. There was Lou Pagnani and Tony Baldinelli. I live in PA now and often dream of opening up a candlepin bowling establishment, which I think would go over big for those who never bowled it before. But I realize that parts for the existing ones are hard to come by, and the lanes are slowly going out of existance. Ah, the good old days. There was almost no greater satisfaction than throwing the ball down the alley and watching it head nice and solid for the 1-3 pocket! Long live candlepin bowling!!

Someone asked about where Big Shot Bowling was taped. It was taped at the Londonderry Bowling Center in Londonderry New Hampshire, which I believe has gone belly up like a lot of the great places (Think Sammy White's or Wal-Lex)Personally I think Candlepin Bowling is a hidden gem that is just waiting to be tapped into by the rest of the country. I live in WI now, but I grew up in Hyde Park and I remember watching Channel 5, and some of the great matches. The one that stands out in my mind was the match where Tom Olzsta needed a Double Strike to win the match, and a Triple Strike to win the string, and he threw a Triple Strike. The guy was a legend. Youtube has some great Channel 5 videos of some classic matches, including a 500 triple.That being said, if marketed properly, and grown gradually in the rest of the country, this sport could really take off. Hopefully, if that happens someone could invent a modern candlepin pinsetter. We can only hope.

duckpins are available in either raynahm or taunton(not sure which) right on rte 44 just off of rte 24. Called Ryan family amusements.

The best bowling center in Mew England is Leo's Super Bowl in Amesbury Mass. This place has it all! They serve beer, have a pizza place built in, huge arcade, FREE WiFi, function rooms, cosmic bowling, moon-lite oldies, and bumpers on all 24 lanes. I've been to a lot of bowling centers in New England but none compare to this one.

Hi,You mentioned Saturday on your show if we liked your new scoreboard. Well, I have to say no. You can't see the strikes or spares. The rest of the board are done in white numbers which is fine. Why can't you do the whole board the same?Thank You

Webster shore Lanes in in Hull Loved those alley's and Woodlawn Bowl Randolph probably the two toughest alley in the old SEMBA league. I bowled in that league 3 years came in second with a 123.+ average all three years also I was the one who lost to Rosario when he broke all records. I'm glad to see the show was picked up after channel 5 went off the air.Jim D.

Anyone remember Marcel Aiken? I don't believe she is alive any longer. Anyone know when she died?Also, what ever happened to Joe Donovan from Billerica? Loved his demeanor...very underspoken...

Anyone remember Marcel Aiken? I don't believe she is alive any longer. Anyone know when she died?Also, what ever happened to Joe Donovan from Billerica? Loved his demeanor...very underspoken...

Hank,I fondly remember all of those bowlers you mentioned. those were truly the good old days of bowling. watched bowling every Saturday with my dad.

Growing up in Mattapan (part of Boston), I remember the Atlantic Bowling Lanes opening on American Legion Highway in Roslindale in the early 1960s. This was a TENPIN bowling center, billed as Boston's first tenpin bowling lanes. So, there I was, in candlepin country, learning how to bowl using tenpins. It was ironic.

Paul, I too grew up in Mattapan in the 50s and 60s (Regis Rd, right up from Mattapan Square, across from St Angela Church.) I bowled at the lanes you mentioned, although Atlantic Bowling doesn't ring a bell. I believe they changed from Tenpin to candlepin...or vice versa. I know Tenpin was 50 cents a string. They were at the corner of American Legion Hwy and Walk Hill St. Down the street towards Cummins Hwy were Zayre's, Sherbros, and the Army Reserve Center (where I spent 5 wonderful years). They also had pool tables for a while. I bowled there once a week for a year in 1962. What part of Mattapan did you grow up in? Did you ever frequent the Almont Playground??

There's no way to explain this to people outside of Mass. I have tried and people think your wicked weird.

I have great memories of watching Candlepin Bowling every Saturday with my Gram. Remember Don Gillis?

I thought Candlepin Bowling was invented in Whistah, not Boston

The first time I happened into a Candlepin bowling alley I thought there was something really wrong with the bowling alley. The bowling alley manager explained it to me, and I could not believe how much harder Candlepin bowling was than ten-pin bowling. I have since really gotten to like it. Oh, and yes, Candlepin was invented in Worcester by Justin White, try www.bowlcandlepin.com/ for a great history of Candlepin.

I remember Don Gillis on saturday afternoon "Candelpin Bowling" on channel 5. The theme song was that catchy toon "The Hustle" (kidding!)

Absolutely! Don Gillis, "the hustle", we had a place on Route 1 in Topsfield called Surfwood that had candlepin and a rollah rink. Wicked awesome!

I also remembah the "Bowlin' for Dollahs" that used to be on channel 7 (nightly) back in the 70's. A friend of my fahta's won, I think, $500 dollahs on that show. Does anyone know the name of the host of that show???

I remember in Quincy, there was a bowling alley me and my grandfather used to frequent. O'Lindys I think it was called. I moved to Florida, and went bowling, expecting to see candle pins, there were these huge pins and balls you had to stick your fingers in! I almost went ape shit!

I've never used the big bowling balls. If someone said bowling id assume they meant candlepin unless they specifically said 10-pin or something

When it comes to bowling, Massachusetts and New England is correct, and the rest of the country is wrong. Candlepin bowling rules!

Ahhh yes... the soothing sounds of Don Gillis, against the backdrop of falling candlepins. Drape that over the sound of the Red Sox on the radio whooping the pants of the Yankees... these are some of my most forgotten childhood memories. Wicked Pissa. Adam-Harvard, MA

CANDLEPIN IS WICKED AWESOME!! I am in my late 20s living here in Ohio but I was born and grew up in the Boston area til I was in my early teens. I grew up with the Sox (cried my eyes out as a 9-year-old in '86), a few too many Brigham's frappes, and Saturday 12:00 on channel 5 with Don Gillis. I still visit my hometown frequently to visit family and roll a few strings usually at Olindy's in Quincy or Boston Bowl in dawchestah. A few weeks after my family moved us to too many miles westa whistah, we tried "big balls" for the first time..after wanting to bowl big balls growing up, I suddenly realized how much I missed candlepin! I now bowl in a tenpin league with a respectable but not great average, but nothing beats candlepin! Long live Don Gillis!

Also..I wonder if anyone else remembers these candlepin TV shows that I remember as a kid:"Bigshot Bowling"..aired on NESN in the mid-late 1980s..I don't remember who the host was, but I do remember the Fighter Pilot wannabe "Captain PJ" making an @ss of himself running down the lanes and into the pins. Cracked me up."Candlepin Doubles"..for a time this 1/2 hour show aired right after Don Gillis on channel 5..was a coed candlepin team format..2 strings fit into the half hour broadcast. Brian Leary as host I believe??"BayState Bowling"..aired on a Whistah channel in the 80s sometime."Candlepin Cash"..I was VERY young when this was on, but I do remember..so early 80s maybe? Bob Gamere was host..and I remember if you got a strike with the red pin, you won a lot of money. For some reason when I was little I liked Bob..named a stuffed mouse after him...what was I thinking!?

It was "Candlepins For Cash" and yes, Bob Gamere was host. That may have been on right before Lawrence Welk... Gosh, I'm getting old!

That's funny. I never realized that Candlepin Bowling WASN'T other places besides Boston.

Candlepin is also in Ohio. Thats the only other part of the U.S. I know of that has it. Its also popular in Canada.

Candlepin Bowling and cartoons, that used to be my Saturday mornings.

Yes, Chris! I love O'Lindys. I used to go there every single Saturday night with my first boyfriend to play pool and bowl. It's a small place, but everyone from the area knows it well.

There is also Candlepin Bowling in Michigan. At least in the Dertoit area.

I am from MA but I live in VA now and I had to go bowling with my co-workers a few weeks ago and I was also baffled by these big balls with holes in them...retahded! I asked what the hell was this and explained candlepin and ppl thought I was wicked stupid and told me that was not bowling! I was pissed! I did not know it was exclusive to MA but these big balls are for losahhhhs!

I'm in FL now, and I suffer from the lack of candlepin bowling. I never saw the big ball bowling until college years. I'm so missing candlepin, anyone heard of it in FL?

Very nice site,i enjoyed looking around.I bowl out of Halifax Fairlanes where the Worlds are held every second year. I do love bowling in the worlds. I also work part time at fairlanes. Again very nice site.Our mens pro league has a site it,s under matts landing or olands pro league.

Does anyone remember when Rico Petracelli hosted "Candlepins For Cash" after Bob Gamere? It was taped at the Wal-Lex Bowl in Waltham and was on its last legs as a show.

Amy (or anyone!)- where in the Detroit area is Candlepin bowling?? I have been looking everywhere for it!I played it once in Boston in February and have been thinking about it ever since. :)

My friend and I just graduated from college and are shooting a documentary on candlepin bowling. Contact me if anyone is interested in being interviewed or has old bowling footage, articles, photos, etc.Thanks,George

I always knew there were TWO kinds of bowling...big balls with holes, and little balls...but I was shocked when my boyfriend from California said he had heard about the little balls, but never actually seen them. I thought maybe he was a bit deprived as a kid, but come to find out most everyone not residing in the northeast are deprived! Candlepin takes talent,ten pin is for laughs! I mean...who could miss with them humongo balls?!?

I always knew there was another kind of bowling. However it wasn't until I was a junior in college until I actually saw one of those huge balls with holes for the first time. It was quite intimidating.

There are more than two kinds of bowling. Candlepins, Tenpins and Duckpins and Rubber Duckpins.Duck pins are in Southern New England, The Middle Atlantic states and in Canada.Duckpin rules are the same as Candlepins except you must clear any wood before bowling the next ball. The ball is slightly larger and the pins are small and shaped like Tenpins. The game was invented in Baltimore and was first played in lanes owned by John McGraw the famous Baseball manager. It was a summer replacement for winter bowling before the advent of air conditioning.In Massachusetts two houses remain. Collins Bowladrome in Billerica on Boston Road is still in operation after fifty four years.The place is awsome!

I remember when Rico Petracelli hosted "Candlepins For Cash" after Bob Gamere.I have now lived half my life in Minnesota but that first half was in Mass. My first time with the big balls with college friends in MN was quite intimidating, but I got beginner's luck and beat them all. Have never bowled that good with the big balls since.

If you want a set of Candlepin Lanes with a rep of being the hardest lanes in the Northeast come to Bowling Acres in Peterborough, NH! Great atmosphere, friendly people, just overall good place for a couple of Strings! I have two questions. Does anyone know of a true candlepin game for the PC? Secondly, didn't Candlepin actually derive from the German game of Kagel Bowl?

Candlepin bowling is awesome. candlepins for cash w/bobby gamere was where it started and it took off from there.....lets go bowling @LEDA LANES in Nashua, N>H>.....great job channel 50(WNDS)

WOW, hearing about Candlepins for Cash gets me going! My father went on that show and bowled 3 strikes in a row and won something like $3,000 and a dishwasher! Years later I went on with Rico Petrocelli and got $9!!!! Oh well!It is a great game though and bowling again at Ficco's in Franklin reminds me of the old East Walpole Highway Bowlaway and the many leagues I was in.HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I grew up thinking that candlepin bowling was normal and the regular bowling was only something adults could do...I didn't realize until i was 13 or 14 that candlepin bowling was something only around mass...To this day I still prefer candle pin bc thats what I grew up on...

Anyone know how to get old copies of Candle Pins for Cash or other shows hosted by Don Gillis. Trying to locate shows that our mother was on...there is a needle in that haystack and I aim to find it!!!

i play golf with 2 old candle pin for cash qualifiers. is any of that old footage still available from channel 7 or wherever? ill love to find it and put it on the big screen at the club some sat after golf..would they ever flip..miss the people but not the weather in ma..florida is heaven for a golfer...and you get to walk upright. i grew up in canton and bowled at a 6 laner under an a& p grocery store...spent all my cash on bowling and pinball..those were the days!

"I thought Candlepin Bowling was invented in Whistah, not Boston"yah bostonites need to get us woosta peoples dialect right. its woosta. :D. The only candlepin i know out here is in auburn. right next to woosta.

Where I grew up in Southern Vermont there were two bowling alleys, both were candlepin. I thought that was the only kind of bowling that existed. During my high school years we would go down to Brattleboro, Vermont where they built a new ten pin bowling center. But you know what, candlepin IS really the only true kind of bowling.