(Minto Rec Centre/Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

ONE, TWO, THREE STRIKES

A busy year for the Minto Bowl as Turkey Bowl approaches

Feb 17, 2023 | 9:00 AM

It’s been a busy and successful year so far for Prince Albert’s Minto Bowl, as the Family Day weekend approaches.

Every year, the local staple expects big crowds for the weekend and the week-long break from school.

For manager Derek Hlewka, the year has gone well after years of COVID restrictions.

“It’s coming back, better than it has been in years, since COVID of course,” he said. “But it’s coming back, especially for the open play. It’s doing really good, I can’t complain.”

The busy long weekend will also bring an added bonus to bowlers as the Minto Bowl is one of the hundreds of lanes across the country taking part in the Turkey Bowl Challenge.

Crime

Teen charged after dragging officer with vehicle during investigation, arrest

7h ago

Local leaders

Parkland Ambulance named Business of the Year

7h ago

Provincial Politics

Sask. MLA's duties scaled back after Jagmeet Singh comments

23h ago

The inaugural campaign asks bowlers to take a selfie if they score three strikes in a row, which is called a turkey in bowling.

Bowlers can then upload their photos to Facebook or Instagram tagging @CanadianTurkey and #ThinkTurkey, or submitting online to ThinkTurkey.ca.

The challenge is a partnership between Bowl Canada and the Turkey Farmers of Canada, which will give away gift cards to help purchase turkeys and other items at local grocery stores.

So why the turkey? Other than being the term for three strikes in a row, turkeys were once given as big prizes to bowlers.

“They started off as prizes at local tournaments. As the generations continued, the legacy has continued,” said Executive Director of Bowl Canada Paul Olivera. “To this day, there are still bowling centres that offer turkeys as prizes for getting three strikes in a row leading up to Christmas. It’s just a natural fit for us with the Turkey Farmers of Canada.”

In Saskatchewan, 30 bowling centres are participating including the Melfort Bowl and the Nipawin Bowl in the northeast, as well as Cut Knife, Spiritwood, Lashburn, and Maidstone.

—

derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock