Sitting at the bowling alley on Langford Parkway, everyone seems to know Olive Olmsted.
And itB次元官网网址檚 not because sheB次元官网网址檚 been bowling there every week for the past four years, itB次元官网网址檚 because sheB次元官网网址檚 still picking up balls and bowling strikes B次元官网网址� even at the age of 95.
B次元官网网址淚 feel fine, I could go another 95. IB次元官网网址檝e got my fingers crossed,B次元官网网址� laughed Olmsted, who turned 95 on March 5. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always been bowling.B次元官网网址�
Every Tuesday afternoon from September to April, Olmsted follows the same routine. Her daughter-in-law, Lorilee, or her son, Bill, picks her up from her Victoria home and takes her to the Langford bowling alley, where she plays with Team Hopefuls as part of the seniors league and averages about 60 on the score sheet.
ItB次元官网网址檚 one of the things she looks forward to most throughout the week as it gives her the opportunity to exercise and socialize with friends.
OlmstedB次元官网网址檚 passion for bowling began more than 55 years ago, when she was living in Dundas, Ontario, although she canB次元官网网址檛 remember specifically how and when she picked up the sport. After visiting Victoria on a family vacation, OlmstedB次元官网网址檚 husband fell in love with the city and, shortly after, the couple sold the family-owned gas station, packed up and headed for the West Coast.
In Victoria, Olmsted continued her love for bowling. For a number of years she bowled at a bowling alley near Mayfair Mall. Once it closed down, Olmsted made the drive up to Duncan once a week with a teammate to continue practicing the sport there. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 until Langford Lanes opened in 2011 that she began playing with the seniors league, a bit closer to home.
Over the years, sheB次元官网网址檚 played hundreds of games and nothing seems to stop her from hitting the alley B次元官网网址� not even the birth of her child.
B次元官网网址淢om was at the alley bowling when she was in labour with her youngest son,B次元官网网址� Lorilee laughed.
Fellow bowler and friend Carol Edwards said Olmsted has a wicked left hook.
B次元官网网址淭his girl could hit the seven pin in her sleep,B次元官网网址� Edwards said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 just a wonderful woman. We have a lot of fun.B次元官网网址�
While Olmsted admits her game has changed a bit with age B次元官网网址� she bowls with a black eight-pound ball instead of a 23-pound ball now, takes a bit longer to tie up her shoes, and cusses occasionally when the ball doesnB次元官网网址檛 roll the way she wants it to B次元官网网址� but she can still throw a strike every now and then.
Her secret? B次元官网网址淛ust want to get her [the ball] down there,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚 just get up and bowl.B次元官网网址�
Even after dozens of years at the alley, Olmsted isnB次元官网网址檛 showing any signs of slowing down. She hopes to continue bowling every week for as long as her body allows.
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