Southern Ontario News
Windsor Essex Chatham-Kent Bowling Association
Submitted by Catherine Wilbur

Jean Deslippe has been an Active Volunteer in the Junior Bowling program for the past 50 years! Jean began her involvement in 1964 at the old Crescent Lanes in Windsor. I fondly remember her when I was a Junior Bowler at Crescent. Later I was fortunate to coach with her and Mike Snow. Following the closure of Crescent Lanes, the program moved to Bowlero where Jean and Mike continue to manage the junior program there. What is absolutely amazing is Jean’s attention to detail. She is so very meticulous, and so very organized that it defies belief. Jean is a very caring person, a tireless advocate for the Junior Program, and she provides all of us with much inspiration. It is little wonder that Jean was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 1988 for Meritorious Service. Since the merging of Men’s, Ladies’ and Junior programs, many more of our members have witnessed Jean Deslippe’s dynamic dedication to our sport. Well done, Jean!

At our Windsor Essex Chatham-Kent Bowling Association Annual Awards banquet in November, two of
our bowlers were inducted into our Hall of Fame. Gary Hooper, Jr. was recognized for Superior Performance and Don Owchar for Star of Yesteryear.
Hooper carried a 200+ average from 1994 to 2013. He has rolled thirty-one 300 games, sixteen 800 series, and had been our Association’s Bowler of the Year three times. He has been named a first team All-Star on six occasions and second team four times. Hooper has been a multiple winner in our annual Association tournaments and has captured Team Scratch, Doubles and Singles both Handicap and Scratch. He has also excelled at the Provincial level with his team garnering numerous Scratch titles. This past year Hooper has not been competing as much as in the past due to work commitments. However, he did find time to win the Molson Masters Tournament, the most prestigious tournament in the Windsor Essex Chatham-Kent area.
Don Owchar, like many aspiring bowlers, began with a low average in 1973-74. With more involvement he developed a keen expertise for the sport. From 1985 to 2013 he carried averages that ranged from 185 to 228. During this period Owchar competed in many leagues each season including some years with six and there were only three seasons in which Owchar’s average fell below the 200 mark. He has recorded seven perfect games, two 800 series, was twice named to the Senior All-Star team and was honoured as Senior Bowler of the Year.
He also won the coveted Molson Masters in 1988 and 1989 and both the Handicap and Scratch Doubles in our Association tournament.

The Walkerville Industrial League is the oldest continually operating bowling league in Windsor. It debuted
in 1922 as the Walkerville Customs League and began with four teams at the old Adams Alley on Drouillard Road. In 1925 it moved to Windsor Recreational and grew to six teams. A year later the league again changed its name, this time to the Walkerville Industrial League with twelve teams. It is now in its 92nd year and boasts twenty-one teams. Wayne Bertrand, a forty-year member of the league, provided this retrospective look at a very special part of our local bowling scene. Congratulations, Walkerville!