Last Thursday was a time for practicing and socializing for Fran Ford, 91, and three of her friends with the Thursday Morning Ladies league at Redstone Lanes.
The Huntsville resident is an original charter member of the league at the bowling center. She plays for the Pin Busters team.
“I’ve been league bowling since 1966,” Ford said. The Thursday Morning Ladies league started in 1971.
Sharing the lane with her were Jutta Branin, Holly Cunningham and Lilo Jaunis, 88.
“And we’re looking for more members,” Cunningham, secretary for the Thursday Morning Ladies league, said. “And we bowl right here.”
Referring to Ford and Jaunis, Branin said, “They are an inspiration to our generation. To say that they’re still here, still going. That’s our goal. Really proud of you guys.”
Ford’s husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Ford Jr., retired at Redstone from the Army in 1990 and he died in 2010.
The four women took turns bowling on their lane Thursday, cheering at each other’s strike or spare. Two other members of the league bowled in an adjacent lane.
“And she (Ford) has coached every one of us and taught us how to cross alley bowl and everything,” Cunningham said. “She’s amazing.”
The old post bowling center was replaced in 2005 by the state-of-the-art Redstone Lanes which has 36 lanes. It includes a solarium, a conference room, a small bingo room, a game room and a private party room for private parties up to 25 people.
Bob Ujvari, the Redstone Lanes business manager, invites everyone to take advantage of the 20/20 Family Card which can be used anytime from May 1 to Aug. 31, lanes permitting. For $20, the family card buys 20 games of bowling at just $1 per game.
“It’s a $5 a game regular price, so you’re getting 16 games for free,” Ujvari said. “It’s a great deal.”
Redstone Lanes, 3424 Hercules Road, is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. For information call 256-876-6634.
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