Imagine a place where time has little meaning. No matter what time of day you visit, little evidence of the day or night exists, except for the stream of light that may come from the glass doors you entered. Smoke lingers in the air and music surrounds you. You hear the hum of many different voices and a rumbling like thunder in the distance. This buzz is continuously interrupted and punctuated by loud cracks, followed by cheers and the occasional jeer. This is a place where many people find solace and a sense of community. Welcome to Oxford Lanes.

     Bowling may seem to some an archaic sport relegated to older men with nothing better to do. But spend some time in Oxford’s only bowling alley and you will find nothing can be further from the truth. College students, elderly women, families and the occasional teen-ager populate the lanes.

     Although Oxford Lanes is located on the outskirts of town, citizens do not neglect it. In fact, the capacity of the parking lot is deceiving, suggesting a much larger venue than this alley of 12 lanes. In many ways though, the size of Oxford Lanes accentuates the activity that goes on inside. Anything larger and the Lanes might lose that sense of energy that exists within its walls. Anything fancier and it wouldn’t have that same kind of hometown atmosphere. Yes, the party room is appropriately named the “Spare Room” and no, the scores are not shown on monitors above the lanes, but changing any of that would ultimately change what the Lanes really is.

     The bowling alley does not discriminate age or ability. Some bring their own balls and shoes, the rest rent from Earl, the man at the front desk. Although competition is paramount to some, the game always has a bit of humor, mainly because of the shoes. Whether watching or playing, it’s hard not to chuckle. Visions of bowling tournaments or campy movies run through one’s head.

     But the shoes, some attention must be paid to them. How serious can someone get in those shoes? If there’s one thing bowling is know for, it’s the practice of renting shoes. Can any other sport boast such a claim? Watching people switch from street shoes to the shoes of the alley is reminiscent of an episode of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, except, of course, you always knew Mr. Rogers was the only one wearing those shoes. Whatever the reason, the ambience of the alley or the intense focus on the impending game, people don’t seem to mind that particular aspect of the sport.

     Something else is much more important.

     Visit the alley on any given Saturday and you may not observe the attribute of the game that makes it worthwhile for so many people. Most likely you would only see birthday parties, youth groups or people looking to kill time.

     However, enter Oxford Lanes on a weekday evening and that something special becomes apparent, for these are the nights the leagues take over. Yes, the bowling league, truly one of small town America’s hidden treasures. These leagues indicate a true sense of community.

     Social scientists and political analysts have expressed concern over the recent decrease in civic and community involvement in the United States, quite often using the decreasing existence of bowling leagues as both empirical evident and a symbol. However, Oxford Lanes illustrates a counter argument for such evidence.
At the Lanes, the league is king.

     On an average weekday, business at the alley starts out slow, picking up around 5:30 pm, when open bowling begins. But wait two more hours and observe the change that takes place. Bowlers begin to file in, go to their appropriate lanes, and of course, switch out their shoes. Some display league shirts, other s have team names, such as, “Dazed and Confused,” while some simply show up and play. Abilities range from seasoned veteran to beginner, but everyone is here to have fun.

     Debbie Hansel, a member of one of the women’s teams that plays Thursday nights, says, “It’s all about having fun. We know we aren’t very good.”

     Reporting their scores and the winners of the games can be a mere formality. Most important to Hansel and her fellow bowlers are the friendships they have made at the bowling alley.

     For most, bowling has become part of their weekly routines. Frequently, co-workers, neighbors and fraternity brothers compose the teams. However, all of these groups interact during their quest for their respective championships.

     The end of April marks the end of league play for the men, women and fraternity leagues. However, the women then move on to State in Columbus, Ohio. If you listen to the players, none of them expect to do well, since competition is not their main motivation. But watch them play, and you realize it really doesn’t matter, because one thing is for sure, they are going to have a good time.

     If you’ve been to one bowling alley, you may feel like you’ve been in them all. And in a sense, you would be right. But spend some time at Oxford Lanes and you can’t help but notice the community that exists within it. There is not elected official or representative, rather teammates, friends and most important of all, bowling.

     In other towns and cities, the sense of community found at Oxford Lanes might be found at the local diner, community center or park. Whatever it is, Oxford’s only bowling alley has something that makes all people feel welcome and as if they belong. IT offers a distraction from the problems that people deal with every day and offers them friends, bowling, beer and cheap snacks in return. Who could say no to that?

Katie Hanlon

Oxford and Miami community one in the same for Sarah James