| Weston Historical Museum Weston, MO 64098 |
| Articles from 'The Weston Chronicle' It's Your Museum... Enjoy by Carolyn Bless Larsen |
| It’s Your Museum--Enjoy! By Carolyn A. Larsen, Curator Today's Column Some of you may remember when Weston had a bowling alley. For others this will be news. It held its grand opening in April of 1961 and was called the 501 Bowl. The proprietor was Mr. John Reynozo. The business was housed in the building owned at the time by the American Legion and was at the corner of Thomas and Blackhawk, directly across from the Weston Police Station today. (The site of the old Renz Livery Stable.) Mayor John M. Yeaman officially bowled the first ball down the alley. From then on, the alleys were kept “hot” all evening and prizes were won by: Ladies High games: Elizabeth Crockett 165 and Ruby Norris, 148. Junior: Sonny Layton 158; and Robert O’Neill, 142. Men: Charles Edland, 195; and Cleo Anderson, 195. A prize was also won by Dale Poos. Donna Demint won the Grand Prize, which was a Bowling Ball. Reynozo ran the bowling alley for six and one- half years when he announced that he wanted to get out of the business. Mr. and Mrs. George Rittman, then of Leavenworth where Mr. Rittman was a guard at the Federal Pen, leased the building and business in July of 1967 from the American Legion. The family moved to Weston with their children. It took very little time, once a bowling alley was open, for leagues to organize and lots of friendly and funny rivalry went on. Perhaps one of the oddest summer teams was that of Mrs. Ida Allison, in her early 70’s; Mrs. Theresa Grieshaber in her early 80’s; Miss Delores Riley who was in her 50’s but handicapped; and Carolyn Bless who was 21 years old and who had never bowled in her life time. This team won third place and Carolyn won an award for most improved player. That was extremely easy, almost a given, when you start with no real average and go up from there. The team had formed with the idea of just having fun, and we did that for certain. Those ladies were serious about their bowling and they were great teammates. God bless them! The Rittmans after ten years in the business left it in 1977, whereupon Mr. and Mrs. Dean McClurg took over and ran the bowling alley until 1984. The Legion at that time decided to sell the building and the Bank of Weston purchased it. They later sold to Jerry Goodpasture who owned two buildings on Main Street near Hill’s Garage. To be honest, there had been other bowling alleys in Weston and one that I know of was the one that Mr. George Marr bought in February of 1905. At that time he hired Chris Berntsen to run it for him. Does anyone know where that bowling alley was housed? Does anyone know where and when any others were in Weston? The number to call is 816-668-9986 or 816-386- 2799. C’mon in and see us. We’d love to see your smilin’ face here in your museum. |
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| The Historic town of Weston has many popular events scheduled throughout the year. For more information 816-640-2909 www.westonmo.com |
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