Wii Bowling League becoming popular among local seniors
<span>There's a different kind of bowling going on in Randolph County, and you don't even have to rent the shoes.</span>
<span>The Wii Bowling League, a collaboration between the Randolph County Housing Authority, The Manor at Craig Farms and the Chester Senior Center, is preparing for its fall season after a successful spring campaign.</span>
<span>"That whole Wii Sports is a neat thing," said Chris Blechle, director of Randolph County Housing Authority. "The unique thing about this is they travel."</span>
<span>The participants in the league consist of seniors from each of the three organizations. The Wii system mimics the moves a bowler makes in an actual bowling alley through the wave of the controller.</span>
<span>At the end of the spring season, a league banquet was held and several awards were handed out. Each participant also received an official league T-shirt.</span>
<span>The Manor at Craig Farms had the highest score overall, while Mary Ellen Atchison had the most strikes. Cindy Phillips had the highest individual score and Imogene Gordon had the most spares.</span>
<span>"Everybody has a great time," said Blechle, who added close to 30 people participated. "We did give them some awards for highest points and the team with the highest point total. I don't remember if we did one for most strikes."</span>
<span>Blechle said the league formed initially through discussions with The Manor at Craig Farms staff and the Chester Senior Center joined soon after.</span>
<span>"We found out there were folks at our facility that were using a Wii that we bought for them and we had the thought of forming a league," he said. "Each time there's a late day, the facility will provide refreshments."</span>
<span>Chester Senior Center Director Donna Wolters said people are enjoying the new league and the Center has three teams of four with two alternates.</span>
<span>"We're practicing here every Thursday after lunch and we've got two TVs with two Wiis and it's fun," she said. "We have snacks like you're bowling in a bowling alley."</span>
<span>Blechle insists the competition is in good fun.</span>
<span>"While it is a virtual game, the emotions are real," Blechle said. "With teams erupting in applause when one of their teammates gets a strike, or groans of frustration when the ball finds the gutter.</span>
<span>"Representatives from each organization will be meeting soon to discuss a fall league."</span>
<span>Asked whether the league would consider expanding to include other locations, Blechle said all options are open.</span>
<span>"</span><span>We're open to all options at this point. This was the first round of this," he said. "We've kind of used this vehicle in a variety of ways. The physical fitness part of it, the socialization.</span>
<span>"Getting folks out of their apartments and spending time with others."</span>