From our President
September 2006
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The Harvest Honey’s League’s Little Ray of Sunshine
By Linda Nelson, St. Charles WBA
Every Wednesday Morning, during the winter bowling season, the door to Harvest Lanes opens wide and a ray of sunshine walks in named Mary Patricia Terril. Trish, as she is affectionately called by her family and friends, began her bowling career at the tender age of five. Now, bowling in the Wednesday Harvest Honey’s League, Trish is a member of “The Effen Roller’s” team, bowling with sister-in-law Sally Terril and Friends, Sheila McDonough and Connie Miller.
Being very excited to be interviewed, Trish wanted to help write the story of her life and bowling adventures. She had researched information stored on the computer for important facts and brought the notes along to the interview. Trish had called her brother Tom to tell him about the interview. Not being able to reach him, Trish left word with is secretary Karen, who Trish mentioned, “is a professional singer, sings in a band and has made two tapes,” which were sent to Trish for her musical collection.
After the orders for lunch were taken the conversation came back to the subject of bowling. “My bowling career,” Trish noted, “began in Springfield, Illinois at Strike ‘n Spare Lanes on Dirksen Drive (named for the famous Illinois Senator) and at Town and Country Lanes.” Asked if the sport of bowling is fun, Trish responded, “yes,” and told how her brother Tom, (who holds a degree in Special Education) taught her as a baby to walk and later gave her tips on bowling. “Told me,” Trish said, “I was standing too far back on the lanes and to move further up on the approach.” Bowling Coach Jan Anderson of Springfield also received accolades for teaching Trish how to improve her game.
Trish, a serious bowler told how she learned the basics of the game by starting out slowly, learning where to put her feet on the lanes, how to hold the 10 lb. ball, taking steps and throwing the ball toward the pins. She added, “scores went up.”
Looking over her bowling records, Trish noted that one of the first games she bowled was 71 and after competing for 39 years, she had a high game of 159. Also reported were several bowling awards earned by Trish: St. Charles WBA 75+ average lapel pin and a WIBC 75+ average emblem, plus league awards for 2 strikes and 3 strikes in a row.
Sharing more details, Trish said she had celebrated her 44th birthday on May 6 and described a cake decorated with bowling pins and balls. “My sister-in-law, Margarita Rodriguez-Terril, who lives in Florida, is special for baking the cake,” said Trish, “She also makes me chocolate chip cookies, using cookie cutters in the shape of pins and bowling balls.” “Sally,” (sister-in-law, also at the table having lunch) Trish added, “lives here in St. Charles, takes me bowling and she is extra-special!”
With a cute smile on her face, Trish told about dressing up as comedian Lucille Ball and going for a doctor’s appointment. She enjoyed making the doctor laugh. “Don’t forget to mention my dogs, Snoopy, Sunny, Sachel and the cat, Fang,” Trish told the reporter, who was busy making notes.
The talented Trish enjoys making costumes and writing scripts for plays. The gift of writing comes from her mother Edith, who loved to write long letters in the age, “when the only way to communicate was by writing words on elegant stationery,” Sally added. When Trish’s entire family gets together, Trish assigns each one a role in her plays and a costume to wear. An act of the play might include a cowboy scene based on one of her favorite TV shows, “Bonanza,” Trish added, “starring Pernell Roberts and Lorne Green.” The little ray of sunshine enjoys watching other old TV shows, like Star Trek and she can name all the actors and the roles they play. She is very patriotic and as a singer, enjoys singing patriotic songs.
Noting the hour of the day, Trish needed to bring the interview to a close, as she had an appointment for a massage to help keep her muscles limber. She keeps in good physical shape by using a rowing machine, treadmill, stationary bicycle and working out to music, Jane Fonda exercise videos and other tapes. All the exercise has paid off, as a swimmer, Trish has earned numerous Gold Medals for swimming in the Special Olympics. “I met President John F. Kennedy’s sister Eunice Shriver, Maria’s (Schwarzenegger) mother,” Trish quickly added with a smile on her face.
Looking forward to Thanksgiving, Trish named 15 cousins, 8 nieces, 2 nephews and an aunt who will gather for the holiday. After dinner with lots of turkey, and before going to the Casino in the evening, the family will make one stop. “We will meet at the bowling center for the Annual Family Bowling Tournament,” said Trish’s sister-in-law, Sally. Competition will be fierce on the lanes with Trish’s siblings, those mentioned above along with her sister Suzanne and brothers Terry and Mike.
The little sunbeam, who has brightened so many people’s lives, said her good-bye’s adding, “have a good day and I’ll see you at bowling!”
[This article received the Paula Carter Spirit Award-non professional category]
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