55 Plus Games

7 MANITOBA LIQUOR & LOTTERIES 55 PLUS GAMES | SUPPLEMENT TO THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 204.989.7011 fehrwaytours.com 38 Years of Service 100% Manitoba Owned Celebrating 38 Years in Business! Celebrate Canada - 150 Years 11 Days - May 18 Alaska & the Yukon 22 Days - June 1 Best of Canada's West 16 Days - June 25 Yellowstone & Black Hills 9 Days - July 6 Black Hills 6 Days - July 16 & Sept 10 Amish Country Flavour 12 Days - Sept 24 Oregon Coast & California Redwoods 15 Days - Oct 10 Nashville 14 Days - May 14, Oct 14 & Nov 5 Branson Express 9 Days - Nov 3 & 9 Maritimes Specialists Maritimes & New England 16 or 21 Days Atlantic Canada & Newfoundland 16 Days Several September departures to choose from Manitoba Day Tours - brochure out in spring 2017! When Mike Baziuk retired in 2003, he probably thought his activity schedule might slow down, but a fateful meeting with an old friend would soon show he was about to get his second wind. Returning to Manitoba after a successful, Calgary-based career in the retail grocery industry, Baziuk and his wife settled into life in Ste. Anne, part of which was getting re-acquainted with friends and enjoying the community spirit in their town of just over 2,100. "I was at a fall supper when I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in about 40 years," says Baziuk. "I asked him what he had been up to and he told me that he was bowling in a men's fivepin league in Steinbach and that his team needed another bowler. He encouraged me to join, but I told him I had never bowled before." The friend convinced him that one of the most important attributes of a good bowling teammate is "someone who shows up every week." He figured he could handle that assignment and the newly-retired Baziuk became a fivepin bowler who not only "showed up" for that team — but, ultimately, also for his bowling alley, his Eastman region and his province. Progressing from novice bowler to bowling three times a week, Mike Baziuk spent a lot of time at Deluxe Bowl and was on hand when organizers came looking for someone to chair the bowling events at the 2011 edition of the Manitoba 55 Plus Games, hosted by Steinbach. He also helped recruit other senior bowlers to regular league play and regional competition which eventually led to the Baziuk Eastman 75-plus team, along with a Neepawa (Central Plains) and Dauphin (Parkland) foursome, competing at the 2014 Canada 55+ Games in Stadacona County, near Edmonton. All three teams brought home medals, but the senior bowlers from Deluxe were just beginning to make their mark on the national 55-plus bowling stage. As provincial champions, teams from Steinbach's Deluxe Bowl swept the gold medal honours across three different age divisions at the 2016 Canada 55+ Games in Brampton, Ont. More than 1,500 competitors participated in the multi-sport event, including more than 100 from Manitoba. Baziuk says Eastman will send three or four bowling teams to the Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries 55 Plus Games in Killarney this year, each hoping to do well and enjoy the event. "Whenever I try to recruit people for bowling, I often hear 'oh, I'm not good enough,'" says Baziuk. "But that really doesn't matter because one of the great things about bowling is that you are really competing against yourself, not the other bowlers or teams." Seniors' bowling, in particular, offers participants a variety of benefits including exercise, socialization and fun. "I always tell people to just come and try it out," he says. "You can make friends, enjoy camaraderie and maybe have the opportunity to participate in regional, provincial or even national events." He says rookie bowlers should never let a fear of competition get in the way of what could be a great experience with a truly lifetime sport. "Don't worry about everyone else, because you will really be bowling alongside people like you, many with the same worries, aches and pains," he says, with a laugh. "There is so much to gain from participating and the 55 Plus Games are a good example of that. If you don't enter, you can't win, so why not enter and have some fun? The bowling success will come on its own." ❙ Teams from Steinbach's Deluxe Bowl (including Team Baziuk 55-plus) swept the gold medal honours across three different age divisions at the 2016 Canada 55+ Games in Brampton, Ont. Eastman will send three or four bowling teams to this year's 55 Plus Games in Killarney. SUBMITTED PHOTO N E W L O C A T I O N 1046 Portage ave • 204.774.6322 • reliablemobility.com LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE Our goal is to find products to make your life easier. Largest Showroom in Manitoba MOBILITY • Scooters & Accessories • Canes & Crutches • Walkers & Rollaters • Transport & Basic Wheelchairs • Power Chairs • And More! 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