THE WEBSITE!
Have you visited our website yet?  Christine has done some very nice things and has all the information you'll need regarding bowling and the league, including schedules, standings, team rosters, rules, news, & more!  Check us out at http://home.comcast.net/~MerrimackGNL/.  Email Christine to let her know what you think or what you'ld like to see on the site.  Also, please forward any links you think may be useful to someone in the league.  

WHO WON?
Congratulations go to Louis Mailloux who brought in four new bowlers this season and won our membership drive Big Gay Basket!  No one has submitted a new logo for the website, yet, but if you have one that you think is better than what Christine produced, feel free to submit it!!

LAST 2 WEEKS DUE!
There are certain league expenses due before the league ends on May 2 (Timmay's b-day!).  Therefore, each bowler must pay in advance for the last 2 weeks of bowling.  Please do this as soon as you are able.  

IGBO
Last week, Ron handed out some brochures on IGBO for your reading pleasure.  Now, we need to make a decision as a league.  Do we join IGBO as a league and become sanctioned and enjoy league benefits? [$75 league fee (about $2 per person), plus sanction fees of about $17 per person].  I am still in the process of finding out if we need to be sanctioned or not to join IGBO.  Or do we leave it up to individuals to join as associate members ($25 per person)?  About the only league benefit that I can see is that they promote our league on the website.  If anything, we may be able to pick up some bowlers from northern Mass who currently travel to Boston to bowl.  IGBO tournaments are rumored to be quite the extravaganza.  Tournaments are usually 'themed' and offer much more than just bowling for your entertainment.  There are tournaments all over the states and Canada.  For those of you that like to travel, this may give you a good reason to visit places you normally wouldn't go to...like Huntsville, AL!  Ron & Tim will be seeking your input on membership within the next 2 weeks.  Please have an opinion ready! 

BOWLING ETIQUETTE!
We are doing better on our etiquette issues, but there is still room for improvement.  Please keep your time away from the lanes to a minimum.  Have fun, but don't have so much fun that you become a distraction to your teammates and your fellow league members.

 

HANDICAPS

Please remember to enter the handicaps for each bowler prior to bowling each week.  If done correctly, the scores at the end will be added for you.  Here are the instructions for entering the handicaps:  Press BOWLERS, Select EDIT BOWLERS, Select the individual, Select CHANGE BOWLER INFO, Enter the handicap in the appropriate box (not the average, but the handicap listed on the scoresheet).  Repeat for all bowlers.

 

ABSENTEES & PRE-BOWLERS

For Absentee bowlers or Pre-bowlers, it's similar:  Press BOWLERS, Select EDIT BOWLERS, Select the individual, Select CHANGE BOWLER TYPE, Change to ABSENT.  THEN, continue as above (CHANGE BOWLER INFO), except enter the Pre-bowl score or the Absentee score (average minus 10 pins).  Also, please put a capital 'A' next to the absentees name on the scoresheet and remind Ron when you turn in the sheet.  Any questions, ask a board member!  

DATES TO REMEMBER:  

Oct 7 - Beatlejuice (excellent Beatles soundalike band) - Palace Theatre, Mancester 
Oct 11 - National Coming Out day. Wear your proudest gay shirt to bowling that night!

Nov 11,12 - Aksara w/ NHGMC Septet - Unitarian Universalist Church, Manchester
Dec 2,3,9,10 - NH Gay Men's Chorus Concerts. Sites and details to follow.