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NPR - A Maine community comes together to save a candlepin bowling tradition
sofia aldinio
Jan 31, 2023
Mowery is 20 years old and knows how to fix most lane problems on the spot. "I love these lanes. They are definitely a pain in the butt. But they're still running for me — some of them," she says. She lives above the alley and often makes repairs until 1 or 2 am. She's the only employee. The roof leaks. Heating and cooling the huge building is expensive. She even dropped this semester off college to catch up on sleep.
Mowery's determined — against all odds — to keep the candlepin alley going. She says the tradition is disappearing because many owners can't keep up with the maintenance, and it's too expensive to get new candlepin parts. Many alleys are closing or converting to classic 10-pin. Mowery knows how much candlepin means to her community and she wants more towns across the nation to have it too. She has hopes to expand in Maine and then spread the sport outside of New England.
Photograph for NPR
Photo Edit: Virginia Lozano
A Maine community comes together to save a candlepin bowling traditionNot well-known in many parts of the United States, candlepin bowling is mostly found in New England and nearby parts of Canada. The aging alleys are held together with "duct tape and bubble gum."
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