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We met while working at a local bank in August of 1977. We soon became good friends and learned that we both had an interest in bowling. We put a team together, joined a Sunday night mixed league at 20th Century Lanes in Boise, Idaho. Little did we know where this interest would lead. February 18, 1979, "From this day forward", our journey began. One hour before we bowled our Sunday League, we were married on lanes 7-8. Our daughter was the flower girl, our son the ring bearer. (No steps in this family) Our bowling partners were our witnesses. It was a beautiful wedding, complete with a flowers, music, family, friends......and several well wishers we didn't even know. Much to our surprise, during the ceremony, the minister was holding a microphone for the media who was filming. To this day we have no clue who invited them. But having them there was fun. The next season, we joined a league at Meridian Lanes, in Meridian, Idaho. Again it was a Sunday Night Mixed League. We met many new friends and became aware of the Saturday Morning YABA Program. We enrolled our kids and became coaches ourselves. We soon learned the joy of helping kids learn to bowl, instill confidence in themselves and build their self-esteem. It has been wonderful to watch all those kids grow into responsible adults. Some even have kids of their own, and are now coaches. Our kids really liked the sport and the interaction with the other kids. Our Daughter stayed with bowling for many years to follow. We even got to bowl a few leagues and tournaments together. Our son liked to bowl, but his heart was with Football and Wrestling. We enjoyed all the excitement that comes with watching him and his team compete. Some moments would put you on the edge of your seat, and others you couldn't stay in your seat. What a pleasure it was. In November, 1982 we had our third child. Tom loved watching his older sister compete in her bowling and his big brother compete in wrestling. And he was searching for his own sport. He was an all around athlete. He loved basketball, football, wrestling, and baseball. But, we soon learned that he was destined to become a bowler. Actually we should have figured it out long before we did. After all, I bowled all through my pregnancy. He couldn't help but know that sound of the ball crushing the pins. I even went into labor while bowling my league night, and his Dad missed his Monday Night Men's League, at Westy's in Boise, because Tom was anxious to see what all that noise was about. And....before he could crawl, like all bowling parents, we did the thing with the plastic bowling pins and bowling ball, which began his bowling career in the hallway of our home. After the older kids grew up, married, and blessed us with 3 granddaughters, and 1 grandson, we found ourselves with some extra time on our hands. So we became more involved in the Sport we love, and joined the ranks of all those other dedicated bowlers, who have given our sport so much of their time and efforts. We are constantly being asked, "Isn't there more to life than bowling?" Well, not for the Higbee family. As a family, we are involved in a sport we love, and that ain't bad. So why not give it your all? Rocky: Full time Idaho Air National Guard. ABC member of the Greater Boise Bowling Association. GBBA Board of Directors and Assistant Secretary. League Secretary for two leagues. One ABC, the other ABC/WIBC. On the Ada County YABA Board of Directors. Director of the YABA Treasure Valley Monthly Tournament. On the Ada County Bowling Council Board of Directors. Director Ada County Mixed Doubles Tournament, YABA Coach at Meridian Lanes, and...Bowls 3 leagues Jean: Works part time, in a Bowling Center. WIBC member of the Meridian Women's Bowling Association. MWBA Secretary. League Secretary of one ABC/WIBC League. On the Ada County Bowling Council Board of Directors and the Ada County YABA. Bowls 2 leagues, and gives moral support to Rocky and Tom. Tom: High School Graduate, May 29, 2001. Enrolled at BSU. YABA member of the Ada County YABA. Is a 1st Level Coach and coaches the Pee Wee's at Meridian Lanes. League Secretary. On the Ada County Bowling Council Board of Directors and YABA Board of Directors. Bowls weekly in the Meridian YABA Program, and the Meridian YABA Scratch League. Bowls the Treasure Valley Monthly Tournament, and the Junior Scratch Bowlers of Idaho, each month. Sadly, somethings must come to an end. Toms last YABA Tournament. May 19,2002. Average 197. Total Handicap, 44. Rolled a 149??? Oops! 262,217,254, for a 882. Match play score 247 plus 11 handicap. Score 1184. Won first place. Moral of the story. Just because the first game is bad, don't give up! 2002: Rocky retires as Director of the TVMT. The 6th year was the hardest because we knew it was time to pass the honor on to another. Some Proud Bowling Moments: Rocky: 1st 700, 1st 300. Awarded GBBA Director of the Year, Ada County YABA Coach of the Year and inducted into the Ada County YABA Donna Holderness Hall of Fame. Becoming Director of the Treasure Valley Monthly Tournament. Watching Tom get his first 300, and cringing when he thought Tom was going to beat his highest series. But he tied it with a 791.
Click to view larger picture. Jean: Awarded the Meridian Women's Bowling Association Presidents Award, Service Award, and inducted into the MWBA Hall of Fame. The Opening Ceremonies for the MWBA City Tournament. Invited and arranged a "Surprise" Guest of Honor. WIBC President, Joyce Deitch. She said YES! What a thrill for all the members of the MWBA. Joyce presented all MWBA Hall of Fame members with their WIBC Hall of Fame Certificates, as well as worked the tournament. She is truley a great lady. Tom: 1st 279 game, 1st time winning the TVMT, 1st 700 Series, 1st time qualified for Coca Cola, Bowling the Big Tournament in Las Vegas. Awarding his Dad the Ada County Coach of the Year. On October 28, 2000, Rolled his first 300 game, and his first 750 Series. 300, 268, 223 for a 791. He ties his Dads highest Series.....March 22, 2001..Dad has another 300 under his belt. That's two to one now. Recipient of the MWBA Scholarship, and GBBA Scholarship. In 1998, awarded the Ada County Bowling Council Family of the Year. But the most treasured moments, and the memories we hold dearest to our hearts, are the hundreds of people who have touched our lives, over the years. Our greatest reward is to have known them. Jean, Rocky and Tom
UPDATE: July 31, 2003. Retirement: SMS Kurtis D. Higbee. Thank you for your service to your nation. Sadly again, good things must come to an end ABC, WIBC and YABA Merge. USBC, United State Bowling Congress UPDATE: 2006 Tom is married. He and his wife have blessed us with another grandson. Tom is still bowling with his Dad. He and his wife are now bowling on our mixed league. BOWLING AND THE GRANDKIDS So far we have one out on the lanes.
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"EIGHT DAYS A WEEK" |
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