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by Randy OoneyMy Nickel’s Worth by Randy Ooney
Chalet Pizza Now the years are passing by me, they are rockin’ evenly, I am older than I once was and younger than I’ll be that’s not unusual. (Words added to “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel). One of the hazards of advancing years is being called a “Real Old Guy” by the MSC tournament director. But the good news is you may get to play golf at a reduced price at a local course. But the true dilemma is saying good bye to friends leaving this world. Many years ago, in the 1960s I was hired to deliver pizzas made by Chalet Pizza in Hopkins. The proprietor, Gary Kendrick treated me well and in September he asked me if I could bowl a 180 average, and I crossed my fingers and said sure. So I was recruited for the Chalet Pizza team in the Biltmore Major League at Gus Young’s Biltmore Lanes in Edina as well as the Chalet Pizza In the Hopkins Major League at Hopkins Lanes, (Now known as Tuttle’s). I learned a lot from Gary and advanced my bowling skills in the company of Leo Mann and Billy Johnson. Later in life, Gary and I joined NABI and competed in many tournaments. We travelled to Las Vegas to participate in the NABI national tournaments at the Showboat. My favorite story was one day Jim Hagen, Gary Kendrick and myself were playing craps at the Showboat. We were winning a bunch, Jim was up about $1000 and I was up around $500. Gary was also up around $500 but changed his bet to the “Do not pass.” He lost quite a bit of his winnings back and after we were done, I asked him why he changed his strategy. He replied “Well, I didn’t think they would let you keep on winning. I thought they would turn the magnets on.” I crossed paths with Gary a few times several years ago at the Monday night Masters League at Texa Tonka. His son Troy competed and obviously had good coaching from his dad as Troy carried an average well over 200. Sadly, I learned that Gary Kendrick left this world on April 17. Thank you, Gary, for your influence on my bowling career and rest in peace.
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