By Rick Banas of senior living provider BMA Management, Ltd.
The members of the Heritage Woods of Manteno Mighty Acorns were all smiles last Friday afternoon as they took the local Manteno Community Fire Protection District up on a challenge.
Firefighter Adam McCurdy had challenged resident Larry Lanoue to a Wii Bowling match. The idea expanded into a Wii Bowling Tournament held at the affordable assisted living community in Manteno, Illinois. The tournament featured six residents bowling against six firefighters, with each bowler tossing one game.
The residents, who are all members of the community’s Mighty Acorns Wii Bowling team, won hands-down. They outscored the firefighters by a total of 225 pins. The average score for the residents was 37.5 pins higher than the average score for the fighters.
“This is like taking candy from a baby,” said resident Larry Lanoue, after throwing a strike with his left hand. “Right-handed, I practice a lot,” he proclaimed. “Left-handed, not as much.”
Larry tossed a 204, which was the high game for the afternoon. Resident Marie Reneau, who is 87 years of age, bowled a 187. Resident Isabelle Straley had a 183.
Resident Helen Wotring, who is 85, tossed a 170. She said she was not used to bowling in front of the crowd of residents and family members who packed the room to cheer on the Mighty Acorns along with the photographer and reporter from The Daily Journal who were there to cover the event.
Helen, who says she is “hooked” on Wii Bowling, is among those at the community who bowl every day. She has tossed two 300 games.
For the Firefighters on Friday, Mary Robbins had the high game, tossing a 187.
Firefighter McCurdy, on the other hand, was advised that he might have to walk back to the firehouse. He bowled a 72. Next time, he said, “we’re going to play Euchre.”
Members of the Mighty Acorns at Heritage Woods of Manteno are competing again this year in the annual Supportive Living Wii Bowling Tournament. The Tournament features teams of residents from Supportive Living communities located throughout Illinois bowling against each other, with Final Four competition held in Springfield, Illinois in April. In 2011, the Mighty Acorns were one of five teams from affordable assisted living communities managed by BMA to qualify for the tournament’s Elite Eight.
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Tags: Affordable Assisted Living Community, assisted living, FIrefighters, Helen Wotring, Heritage Woods of Manteno, Heritage Woods of Manteno Might Acorns, Larry Lanoue, Manteno Community Fire Protection District, Mighty Acorns Wii Bowling Team, Seniors, The BMA Blog, Wii Bowling, Wii Bowling Tournament
