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Down The Lane Archive News

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 3/17/2008

A Celebration Of Life In Honor Of Bobbie Dorn

The friends of Mr. Bobbie Dorn would like to invite you to a celebration of Bobbie's life.  Bobbie's friends and family are all invited to attend this special tribute.  "Bobbie was a people person.  That was him from beginning to end," stated long-time close friend Chip Seitner.  "To remember Bobbie, and the lives he touched in so many different ways, is a tribute to him and all that knew him," added center manager John Losito.

All those that would like to remember Bobbie in a celebration of his life are invited to attend the open, casual event here at Sun Valley Lanes on Saturday, April 26th, beginning at 6pm.  All attendees are encouraged to bring any memorabilia, stories, pictures and memories of Bobbie to share with all who attend.

Donations in Bobbie's honor will be directed to a youth bowling scholarship fund care of Sun Valley Lanes (by mail at 321 Victory Ln., Lincoln, NE 68528, or by phone at (402)-475-3469).  For those that can not attend the event, but would like to share your stories about Bobbie, please send them via email.   Appetizers will be provided at the event compliments of Bob Orsi and Sun Valley Lanes.

The bowling world on earth has lost a friend, but the bowling heavens have gained one.

We hope to see you here on Saturday, April 26th.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 3/11/2008

In Memoriam - Bobbie Dorn

It is with heavy heart and sorrow that we discovered today that our longtime friend and employee, Mr. Bobbie Dorn, passed away.

Bobbie was instrumental in the development of our "Bar Wars" league and had been a customer since Sun Valley Lanes opened in December 1977.  Bobbie worked as a conductor on the Union Pacific, was part-owner of RP Meyers (a downtown Lincoln bar in the 80s), and most recently, our "Outside Sales" director.  Besides bowling, he loved baseball, especially the Red Sox.  Bobbie was also recently inducted into the Missouri Valley Hall of Fame, the Lincoln Bowling Hall of Fame, and was the most recent Master of Ceremonies for the Lincoln Bowling Association Hall of Fame Dinner.

Details regarding a memorial service that will be open to friends of Bobbie will be announced here once they become available.  Bobbie is survived by his three children (Shelley, Kellie and Joel) and ex-wife Carol.

We will miss you Bobbie.  God Bless.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 3/4/2008

Spring Leagues Announced

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce the 2008 Spring League schedule.  Spring leagues are a great opportunity to begin league bowling, as the spring season is a more fun and relaxed atmosphere compared to the traditional league season.  Leagues for all ages and skill levels will be available in one of our most diverse programs ever offered.

The spring bowling program begins the week of May 4th and is only 14 weeks long.

Check out our spring league schedule.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 2/24/2008

BES Install Slideshow

Sun Valley Lanes recently completed the installation of the world's finest scoring system- QubicaAMF BES.  The installation was completed by our staff.  As this is the 4th generation scoring system installed at Sun Valley, we commemorated the event by making a slide show of the installation process, mainly for our friends in Italy.

Many of our league customers will recognize the employees in the photo, and if you are wondering where John is at...well someone had to take the pictures!

View the slideshow.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 1/30/2008

Your Lane Your Way

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce our new Your Lane Your Way program.  This Nebraska exclusive allows our regular open play customer to choose their environment while they bowl.  "Since automatic scoring was developed over 30 years ago, it has always been the same.  Not any more.  With Your Lane Your Way, we have 13 environments that our customers can immerse themselves in while they bowl.", stated SVL Assistant Manager Shawn Herout.  Thanks to our BES scoring system, a customer can choose from these themes; Bubble Gum, Classic, Oceano, Hallopin, Fairy Tales, PBA, Prehistorica, Sport, Energy, Vintage, Christmas Joy, Birthday, and Disco.

Go ahead and check out the Your Lane Your Way demo!

Sun Valley Lanes will be the only Nebraska installation of BES, and one of the few BES installations in the Midwest. BES is considered to be the premier automatic scoring system in the bowling industry today.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 11/25/2007

BES Install Nears Completion

After two weeks of daily work on the installation of our new automatic scoring system (BES) from QubicaAMF, the system is about 80% complete. "We are now installing some of the 'bells and whistles' of the system" stated center manager John Losito. Over the next two weeks, TV functionality will be added to all 32 lanes plus the new 4 approach televisions, additional MMS displays will be installed, and the TCS will become operational on all lanes. The MMS will improve the customer experience in the grill as we will be adding an additional monitor for the menu, as well as adding waiting list monitors in the entrance and lounge (for peak open play times). The TCS will interface with our pinspotters, making them self-diagnostic, and in some cases, the pinspotter will summon the mechanic on it's own.

The goal is to have the entire installation completed by January 4, 2008.

Sun Valley Lanes will be the only Nebraska installation of BES, and one of the few BES installations in the Midwest. BES is considered to be the premier automatic scoring system in the bowling industry today.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 11/25/2007

Are We In The Basement?

Not the words any team captain wants to say.  Ever.  You can checkout how your team is doing this season on the league page of our website.  Please note, league standings will usually be available approximately 72 hours after your league session.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 10/21/2007

In Memory Of Neil Early


Neil W. Early, 73, Lincoln, died Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007, in Lincoln. When God called Neil home to heaven, he peacefully left surrounded in the loving embrace of his family and so many friends. He was born Aug. 23, 1934 in Kansas City, Mo., to Neil and Elizabeth (Porter) Early. He grew up in Kansas City and graduated from De La Salle Military Academy in 1952. He served in the Naval Reserves for four years. He attended Kansas City, Missouri Junior College. Neil worked in bowling centers in California, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska since 1955. He managed five Professional Bowling Association (PBA) tournaments as manager of King Louie West Lanes in Overland Park, Kan., from 1969-1973. He has been managing partner of Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln since 1977. Neil was a senior member of the PBA and bowled in a number of senior tournaments across the country. He was inducted into the Lincoln Men's Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1991. He bowled a perfect 300 game in league play in 1998.

Neil was a member of the United Lutheran Church, the UNL Volleyball Match Club, Hillcrest Country Club, the American Legion, and Bassmasters. He volunteered as a Meals on Wheels driver and supported a variety of charitable organizations. He enjoyed golf, fishing, and photography, and spending time relaxing at his lake cabin on West Leaf Lake, Minn. Neil touched the lives of so many people who admired, respected and trusted him as a friend, "second dad," mentor and confidante.
He is survived by his loving wife, Deb Rogers-Early, who he married on May 7, 1994. He is also survived by his mother, Elizabeth Crossley, Olathe, Kan.; step-mother Lois Early, Chandler, Ariz.; and his seven children and their spouses: Janice Early-Weas and Mike Weas, Lawrence, Kan.; Nancy and Mike Spiegel, Shawnee, Kan.; Neil Early, Chandler, Ariz.; Keith and Tammy Early, Black Canyon City, Ariz.; Chris and Jana Early, Overland Park, Kan.; Teresa and Byron Riley, Holton, Kan.; and Rob Early, central Missouri; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Karen Rogers, Aurora; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Rich and Tammie Burns, Lincoln; and Keith and Lisa Henning, Lincoln; 17 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; many aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews; and two beloved kitties, Mollie and Sophie. He was preceded in death by his father, Neil Early; his brother, Keith Early; and a son, Todd Early.
The family requests no flowers and suggests contributions to the Medical Oncology fund at St. Elizabeth's Foundation, 6900 L Street, Lincoln, 68510 to honor the special caregivers who cared for Neil during his nine-month battle with leukemia, or to a charity of the donor's choice in his memory. To send online condolences visit www.RoperandSons.com.
 

Neil was General Manager of Sun Valley Lanes since the facility opened on December 27, 1977.  John Losito, Neil's Assistant since 1998, will take on the General Manager position.

 

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 10/21/2007

Sun Valley Lanes To Install New Scoring System - BES

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce the purchase of a new automatic scoring system from QubicaAMF, named BES.  "We are on a mission to provide the BESt for our customers and we know that BES will provide that," stated center manager John Losito.  BES, which is an acronym for Bowler Entertainment System, will have 13 different bowling "environments", more than a dozen different bowling games, and a multitude of other features.  Features such as automatic ball speed, improved league functions, bowler performance tracking and other amenities will appeal to our league customers.  The games, animations, and sound effects, will appeal to our open play customers. 

"All of our customers thoughts, ideas, and suggestions have been rolled into one system.  Our customer have been very helpful and encouraging over the last 30 years as we have continued to pursue the 'latest and greatest' items in the bowling market.  We know they will not be disappointed with BES," partner Neil Early added. 

To learn more about BES, please visit the QubicaAMF website (enter the demo and then click on the BES tab at top).  Tentative installation is scheduled to begin in early to mid-November and should be completed within 2 weeks after installation begins.  The BES system is the largest single purchase in Sun Valley history.  Visit the main page of our website for the announcement video.

Sun Valley Lanes Purchases New Lane Machine - "Randy The Robot"

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce the purchase of a new lane conditioning machine, the Kustodian Walker.  This new lane machine is currently the most modern lane machine available, and even cleans and the conditions the lanes BY ITSELF!  Yes, it's true, the lane machine is like a robot.

The new lane machine will utilize "Sanction Technology" and was manufactured by Kegel Products.  A newly designed conditioner transfer system will make the lanes more consistent, especially lane to lane.

Stop in and check out "Randy", or watch this youtube video from the manufacturer.  You have to see it to believe it!

 

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 7/8/2007

Center Manager Elected To BPAA National Board of Directors

Congratulations to our very own John Losito for being elected as a "Director-At-Large" during the annual Bowling Proprietors Association of America(BPAA) membership meeting on June 25th.  As a board member, John will help guide the BPAA, which is the bowling industry trade organization for bowling center operators.

"I am honored to be elected to the BPAA board" John stated during the annual convention.  "I am looking forward to helping the bowling industry move forward in this interesting business climate", he added.

John was selected as one of three directors from a group of 26 applications.  Assisting John in his election was Sun Valley Partner Neil Early, as well as Hollywood Bowl/Parkway Lanes owner Bill Hoppe.  "I certainly hope to represent myself, as well as these two individuals to the best of my ability", John added.  John began as an assistant mechanic in 1988 while attending UNL, and quickly moved into shift management.  In 1998 he was named Assistant Manager and has recently taken over the general manager role.

On a side note, John was also recently named to the BPAA National Tournament Committee, and will help oversee the finals of several national events, including the QubicaAMF Family Doubles, North Pointe High School Event, and the US Open.

Congratulations John!!!

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 5/10/2007

Sun Valley Lanes To Support Local Youth By Providing Free Summer Fun Card

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce that the Sun Valley Lanes Summer Fun Card (SFC) has returned this season.  This card entitles local area youth ages 5-16 to receive 2 free games of open bowling on Monday-Friday from open-6pm.

The SFC is provided as a community involvement project to encourage youth to participate in a sport in a safe and healthy environment, and as a deterrent to drugs and alcohol.  "Help keep kids off of the streets and in the alleys this summer!" is the motto of this original program.

Center News from Sun Valley Lanes - Updated 3/9/2007

Conqueror Pro For Boss!

Sun Valley Lanes is pleased to announce that the Conqueror Pro for Boss software management upgrade from QubicaAMF has recently been permanently installed.  The software, which Sun Valley began testing in October 2006, is now ready for center operations.

"We are proud and honored to be involved with such a great company as QubicaAMF", center manager John Losito stated.  "The new software is going to allow us to completely change and improve the experience for our customers", he added.

The management system will soon allow us to take reservations online for open play, amongst many other improvements for our league and open play customers.

Unfortunately, during this conversion, the league standings page will be inconsistently updated during this time frame.  We apologize for the inconvenience.

Expect a big change to the Sun Valley website in the near future....

New Sound System Installed!

In our continuing efforts to bring you one of the most modern bowling centers in the Midwest, we have just recently finished the installation of our new, state-of-the-art sound system.  Now your favorite musical tunes will sound unbelievably good while you are participating in our Xtreme glow bowling events.

A special thanks to Paul of Electronic Sound for going 'the extra mile' to provide the best possible solution for our facility.  We encourage anyone considering purchasing a commercial sound system to use Electronic Sound of Omaha.


 

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