Pictured Above: Are The Monarch Travlers. Following the singles and doubles event at the OC on Saturday July 9.
Editors Note: Located about 1 hour, 15 minutes west of Philadelphia and 5 hours east of Pittsburgh, Pa. Reading, Pa., is your typical Eastern Pennsylvania town. It is a typical blue collar town, where its residents work hard to provide for themselves and their families. And are proud of their individual accomplishments on the job, and at home. While the sports enthusiast who live there, pull for the: Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, and 76ers. The game of bowling always takes presedence of other sports in the area. The 10 folks who make up The Monarch Travlers, just competed in their 11th Open Championships. They do their part to make sure the ball keeps on rolling in Reading. Below is a story about the town of Reading, and of the bowling community there.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com
Director Mesa Metro Association
The TenPinExpress.Com - At The 2022 Open Championships, In Las Vegas, NV.
Las Vegas, NV. - - - Its amazing how the game of bowling can bring people together, and end up being friends for life.
Prior to June 20, 2022, we had no idea who Jon Cieniewicz was, and he had no idea who we were for that matter either. Until we got a text message from him that evening.
The text message went like this:
"Hi Michael. My name is Jon. I saw your name on the USBC Championship Sub Board. My team is looking for a sub: for team, doubles, and singles," the text message from him said. "The team event will be Friday July 8th at 2:00 PM. And singles/doubles on Saturday July 9th at 10:30 am. Would you be interested in bowling?".
Without hesitation, I said yes. I was planning on being up at the 117th Annual OC in Las Vegas from 7-6 - 7-10 anyway, so it seemed it would be the right fit for all of us. I had just put my name on the Sub Board on June 19. It's interesting how many hits this page of bowl.com gets, and how quickly someone can get picked up to bowl.
What made this decision easy to make, was the fact I am originally from Pittsburgh. And my teammates for two days, were from Reading, PA. A couple of hours drive east of Pittsburgh
So, with a spot in the OC secured, I made the trek from Mesa, AZ to Las Vegas. About 247 miles NW of the Valley, or four-and-a-half hours. Whichever comes first. But, don't ask me how long it takes me to get there. You will be surprised by my answer sometimes.
"I’ve lived in Reading, PA, for my entire life, 34 years. Those who do not live in the area and are not familiar with it, often will miss pronounce the name as it is in fact, pronounced “Reding”. With the A in the name being silent. Reading is currently home to approximately 88,000 people," said Jon, of his hometown. "It is home to the former Reading Railroad which is one of the railroads on the traditional Monopoly game board. It is also referred to as “The Pretzel City” due to being the home of many pretzel bakeries such as Bachman, Dieffenbach, Tom Sturgis and Unique Pretzel."
Reading also has a unique landmark called the Pagoda and is a symbol of the city. The Pagoda built in 1908 on top of Mount Penn. It was originally intended to be part of a luxury hotel resort. However, at its completion the builder, William Witman, was unable to obtain a liquor license for the venue. It was “sold” to the city of Reading for $1.00 in 1911. It has often appeared on various things throughout the decades such as: maps, postcards, posters, etc. and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
Reading was also the birth place of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone and the Daniel Boone Homestead is located in Reading.
"Reading is the home of the AA affiliateof the Philadelphia Phillies. For most of the team's existence the team was named the Reading Phillies(1967-2012). The team is now known as the Reading Fightin Phils," said Jon, of the town's sports teams. Reading is about an hour west of Philadelphia. So, it would make sense for the Phillies as well as the Flyers, to have a minor league affiliate in the area. "The stadium that the team plays its home games in was originally known as Reading Municipal Stadium and was completed in April of 1951. The stadium now known as First Energy Stadium is one of the oldest minor league stadiums still in existence and is also often recognized as being one the nicest minor league stadiums. The stadium provides an old-time charm while still also having plenty of modern amenities as the stadium has received numerous upgrades and face lifts throughout its existence. In 2002 Reading was given the nickname of "Baseballtown“. Baseballtown's mission has expanded over the years. Its initial mission though was to keep baseball alive in Reading.
Reading is also the home of a minor league hockey team known as the Reading Royals and is an affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers."
Besides its sports teams, Reading has its share of industries that contribute to the community, by offering services and employment. Reading is home to Carpenter Technology “Car Tech” and East Penn Manufacturing. Carpenter is a major provider of steel and other metal materials to not only the auto industry but other industries such as Medical, Defense, and Energy. Beginning in Reading as one location in 1889 the company is now an international company. East Penn Manufacturing is the home of Deka Battery. Employing over 10,000 people in the area. Producing batteries for automobiles, motorcycles, and other applications since 1946.
"There is lots of history throughout the town's existence. Beautiful change of scenery with the seasons. If you live in the area of the Reading School District, it is possible to go through: elementary school, secondary school, high school and college all on one street. That being on 13th street," said Jon of the education opportunities in Reading. But, as far as its loyalty when it comes to cheering on sports teams? "Reading is located approximately 65 miles from Philadelphia, about an hour to an hour and half drive. It is about 270 miles from Pittsburgh, about a four-hour drive. Primarily Philadelphia sports fans given the minor league teams affiliations and its proximity to Philadelphia compared to Pittsburgh."
From what we have learned from Jon thus far, Reading no doubt, is a hard-working blue-collar town in Eastern Pennsylvania. So, when it comes time for these folks to compete in the world of sports. We are happy the game of bowling is part of its athletic endeavors.
And these folks have plenty of options as to where they want to go bowling at. They are: Jay Lanes, 24 Lanes; Colonial Berks Lanes , 48 Lanes; Hiester’s Lanes, 32 Lanes; Limerick Bowl, 48 Lanes.
"Reading has rich bowling talent. Its top bowlers, I dare say, are able to stand against bowlers from all other areas of the state and the country. Its top bowler, John Delp III, has amassed a career record thus far of 203 Perfect Games and 185 800 Series," said Jon, of the bowling talent in Reading. "Delp has also been recognized twice by the USBC as having the highest league average in the nation. 255 for the 2014-15 season and 256 during the 2017-18 season. This past season Delp posted an average of 248 for the season."
Other top bowlers averages this past season in the Reading area are: Alex Bortz, 237; Ryan Wyandt, 237; Wayne “Guy” Porr Jr, 236; Ryan Porr, 235; Jack Clemer, 235; Antonio Reyes, 231; and Brad Kemp; 230. Reading is also the home of Pro Bowler Frankie May Jr.
"High scores have become a regularity inthe area. Due to this even a 300 does not merit much attention in the bowling community in the area. However, occasionally someone will manage to put together two 300s in one night or a fairly high 800 series. The record for a series in the Reading area currently stands at 898 set by Dean Wolf in 2005 at Bowl-O-Rama Bowling Center," said Jon, of honor scores that are rolled in the area. "While bowling this series the pair of lanes that Dean was bowling on, broke down during the first game, for the last few shots of that game his bowling ball was returned to him by means of someone walking it back to him. Dean completed the 300 for game one of the series. Dean and his team had to move to a different pair of lanes for games two and three of the series and he still managed to have the first 11 of game two before following it up with a second 300 for game three of the series. Another exception is, if a high score is bowled in one of the clubs or firehouses where high scores are still much more difficult to obtain. Some of these establishments have still never had a 300 bowled. When a high score is bowled at one of those establishments this does become the talk of the town very quickly. Everyone who wanted to know will know within a week, but usually within about one day of this occurring it has spread to all centers in our area."
The knowledge that bowlers in Reading have about bowling varies greatly. Reading has some individuals that have been in the game their entire life and do not know much more than the basic rules of the game. These individuals wouldn’t even be able to keep their own score despite having entered the game before automatic scoring was invented. There are also those that are quite the opposite who have a very good understanding of the game and know a great deal about the game, including its rules and history. Those that are lesser in knowledge turn to these individuals when a question about the rules comes up that they do not know the answer to and rely on these bowlers being there to answer these questions. Jon can attest to this personally, when a question arises during league play. If he is present, the question has a high chance of coming to him, as the bowlers know that not only, has he been in the game for close to 30 years. But he also worked in the industry itself for close to 10 years.
"The bowling community in Reading at best at the moment is staying even with little to no growth. Recently, a 40-lane center, Bowl-O-Rama Bowling Center that was in my home town and was the bowling center that I’d worked at closed its doors after nearly 60 years of bowling. Three of the other large centers in the area, Colonial Berks, Limerick Bowl and Heister Lanes were all owned by the same owner, Albert Blough," Jon said, of the current status of bowling. "Al recently retired after 60 years in the industry himself and sold all three of the locations to the Bowlero Corporation. This leaves only one larger independently owned center in the area, Jay Lanes. The bowling community is waiting to see if Bowlero will be able to successfully grow the sport of bowling in the area. In the early going so far it seems feelings are mixed about Bowlero in the existing bowling community due to rising prices at the newly acquired centers. Some are expressing hope a new privately owned center will open to offer another option to bowlers that are not happy with the arrival of Bowlero as Jay Lanes is now full on all weeknights."
In the northeast and in towns such as Reading, it is not uncommon to find bowling centers in interesting places. Such as private clubs, and fire departments. There are at least five fire departments and or clubs there that do their part to promote the game of bowling, and they are: Goodwill Fire Company Beneficial Association, 4 Lanes; Oley Fire Company, 4 Lanes; East Greenville Fire Company, 6 Lanes; Boyertown Keystone Fire Company, 6 Lanes; Lower Alsace Fire Company Beneficial Association(LABA), 4 Lanes; Keystone Social; 2 Lanes.
"Yes, many fire departments and private clubs have bowling lanes in our town. Many more used to have lanes in the past than do today. Unfortunately, as times have changed many fire companies and private clubs have chosen to remove their lanes. This is due to a fall in participation in the sport compared to past decades and the costs to maintain bowling lanes. Those that still do have lanes are unique places to bowl since most have not had any upgrades done since the lanes were installed over 70 years ago," said Jon, of the fire departments and clubs that have bowling lanes at their establishments. "Most pre date the invention of the pinsetter meaning originally pin boys were used to set the pins, clear the dead wood after the first ball, and return the bowling ball. None of the modern technology designed to increase scores exists at these locations. Most of these locations still having wooden bowling lanes, above ground ball returns, and classic masking units from the era the pinsetters were installed in. Scoring is still done by hand and some even still oil their lanes by “hand” with a mop or bug sprayer. Most of these lanes are located underground in the basements of their establishments with the bar of the social quarters. Bowling at these establishments is like stepping back in time to some of the game's roots. High scores are much more difficult to achieve bowling on these lanes. For example, I bowl in the traveling Fireman's League. The Fireman's League has over 50 bowlers in the league and our high average this past season was 201. I myself averaged 217 at one of our large houses this past season but was only able to average 183 in the Firemans League."
But, again, being able to go back in time. Is what attracts a new generation of bowlers to these facilities.
"Unlike LABA all of the other small locations do conduct some form of league play and may also have open bowling. Leagues that have more teams in the league than number of lanes at the location are conducted across different nights of the week. Meaning that when bowling in a league at these locations one week the night your team bowls may be a Monday night but the following week your team may bowl on a Tuesday or Wednesday night," added Jon, on how these small bowling centers may conduct leagues. "These establishments would not conduct leagues on the weekends, other than the traveling Firemans league that bowls on Sundays. If open bowling is an option that is conducted on Friday and Saturday nights when the leagues do not bowl. Occasionally some of them will conduct Singles Tournaments that span several weekends on Saturdays during the afternoon."
A little personal info about Jon. He is currently an Implementation Supervisor for the NCR Corporation. Being able to balance work and life at this stage has been much easier on him, than it has been in the past. This is due to being able to, for the most part, being able to set his own schedule. In the very distant past while he was still in high school being able to balance was also not so much of a problem. Then it was due to being employed at his hometown bowling center, Bowl-O-Rama. The General Manager of the bowling center was also the head coach of the high school bowling team he bowled for. When he first came out of college though, and after successfully gaining employment at a company called SCR Business Systems, it was a struggle. The job that he was hired at was as a Project Manager which required him to travel. While the traveling was never incredibly far, he was usually home every night. The distance sometimes had him getting home after 8:00 PM. The league that he's bowled in consistently for the last past 14 years, is on a Monday night. It begins warm-up at 6:20 PM. There were times he was rushing to be at the bowling center in time for this league to start. A few times he knew he would not be able to make it and it was necessary for the team to call one of its substitutes on its roster to bowl. A few times unexpectedly, he wasn’t able to make it in time and either got their late after the first game had started or later.
"I’m not really fully able to remember when exactly my first bowling experience was as I was very young when this occurred. I would have to guess between the ages of 4 and 5. Bowling has been a family sport across the last three generations so I was started young. I knew I was hooked in between my Freshman and Sophomore year of high school. My game until that point was not all that important to me," said Jon, of his first venture into bowling. "It was then it became important to me to carry on the family tradition of being competitive in the sport. I worked hard that entire summer bowling at least eight games every day from June to August. The bowling center I bowled summer league at offered eight free games per day if you bowled in one of their summer leagues. Long in the past no maximum number of free open games per day existed at Bowl-O-Rama and one was able to bowl as many free open play games as they desired during the summer. However, one year my uncle, Gary Monshower, accumulated a total of 1235 games bowled in about 4 months. At that point a maximum of 8 games per day was set. Bowling 8 games a day for the summer allowed me to successfully raise my average from a 164 to a 192 and I received the most improved bowler award that season for the high school team."
His group has been coming to the Open Championships using their current format since 2011. The group in its current format is known as Monarch Travelers. It is named after another fire company in the Reading area known as Monarch Fire Company. This fire company oddly enough does not have bowling and lanes and never has had them. The location was chosen though due to its close vicinity to where most of the team members live and provides a place for them to have meetings. All paperwork for tournament entries are managed by Jon. All bowlers pay the entry fees for the tournaments to Jon directly and he submitts everything together to the OC.
Members of the Monarch Travlers teams this year at the OC were: Charles “Ed” Key, Laurel Reidnauer, John Arters, Randal “Bud” Mauger II, Franklin “Ted” Schlegel, Kyle Krause, Robert Stoudt, Charles “Chip” Stoudt. Other members of the group that did not make the trip to the OC this year are Brett Moser, John Painter II, Matt Krause, John Marino, Jeremy Hertzog, and James Franey.
"Members of the group have changed over the years. A good number of our bowlers have been around a long time. The group 2010 and prior was an actual club with officers and a constitution. The name of group changed when the venue it called home changed. The group was known as the Bowl-O-Rama Travelers from 1957-2010 prior to 1957 the group was known as the Hiester’s Travelers," said Jon, of how long the group has been around. "The exact year the group came into existence is lost to history. Long time members of the group would share that in the early decades bowlers would actually end up making money being a part of the club instead of losing it when participating in the tournaments. This was due to the club being able to conduct numerous fundraisers which often revolved around hosting gambling events. Laws were eventually passed about the legality of gambling in the state that outlawed the fundraisers from taking place. At its peak the club had over 45 members in the club. Members would often bring along family and friends to the tournaments creating the need to use large charter buses for travel. After 2010 disagreement’s within the groups membership unfortunately led to the official club being disbanded and separating into two groups, one being the Monarch Travelers. The second of the two groups that was established also disbanded after a year or two and is no longer in existence.
The Monarch Travlers did not all grow up together. Their ages span across all different decades. They met through the game of bowling itself. Most of the current group met through the bowling league that they all bowl in or did bowl in at one time or another. That being The Reading Church Bowling League, which will begin its 94th season in September.
"Our team may have something that is somewhat odd to accomplish this. We have something that we simply call “the box.” The box is in actuality a plastic pencil box usually utilized by school children to keep their pencils of course as well as some other things in. In any frame if a member of our team does not strike but everyone else does, the member that does not strike owes $1.00 to the box. If all members of the team do bowl a strike, then the captain of the team owes a dollar to the box as well as the next person to not throw a strike," said Jon, on how extra funds are raised to pay for the trip to Nationals. "As a frame progresses as soon as a bowler fails to throw a strike the rest of the team will rally with comments such as “ok lets get him” or “come on the box is felling a little light tonight” At the end of the season the amount in the box is divided equally among all members of the team."
Where does Jon see the team’s game going in the next five years?
"I will have to push out to 6 years. We hope be getting ready to begin the 100th Season of the Reading Church Bowling League which is the oldest active bowling league in Reading," he said of where he wants his game to be in the next five years. "Members of our teams are officers of the league Ed being treasurer I myself being secretary. We hope to continue the league for years to come."
One of the Monarch Travelers, Robert Stoudt Sr.,. Celebrated his 46th Open Championship appearance this year at the 117th OC.
"Having Robert celebrate his 46th Open Championships appearance was certainly s special event for us, his teammates. Being a bowler for as manyyears as Robert has allowed him to meet many types of people and participate in a favorite all American pastime," said Jon, of his teammate's accomplishment. "He has been able to travel to many states and he has shared numerous and entertaining tales with us. With being a long-time experienced bowler, he has shared tips, skills and insights of things he has learned along the way. Bottom line is: Robert believes one should enjoy your bowling journey and celebrate each and every victory because there might not be as many as you think there will be."
Congratulations to Robert on his accomplishment. It was an honor to be his doubles partner at the 118th. And it was an honor to sub for the Monarch Travelers on July 8-9. They were a great group of folks from Reading, Pa., who really have a passion for bowling, and will keep the ball rolling.
National Bowling News - August 8, 2022