Each season, the GHBA and HWBA select a secretary of the year.
The 2009 Secretary of the Year is:
Joe Chouinard
Picture of Joe is his “work uniform” about to do the lanes at Northland
Joe is a “jack of all trades” He started bowling in the early 90’s and wanted to learn more about the “behind the scenes” so he approached then owner of Northland and was hired on the spot---mostof the time Joe could figure out what need to be done, but occasionally he did ask.Today he is still working at Northland in charge of oiling the lanes, and the maintenance of the machines.
Last year Joe received a Secretary’s award for 15 years of service. He is secretary of the “Saturday Night Fever” and “Northern Lights” and also does the paperwork for Sunshine, and just when most secretaries’ work is done, Joe starts work on the spring leagues, and then a summer league.
What is amazing to Joe- is he was elected Secretary in his 2nd year of bowling!
Members of Joe’s family are also bowlers, his fiancé, Sandy Bush bowls, and this year he is working on getting his son Tony on a spring league.
When I asked Joe what his favorite part of being a secretary – he said actually getting to meet more of the people… his least favorite: the first and last week!
Joe doesn’t get to bowl in many of the tournament but did participate in the mixed doubles this year. When the machines need to be continually maintained there is a lot of work out there. To top it all off -- Joe also delivers papers and find himself working sometimes seven days a week.
Joe is dedicated to the sport of bowling both on the lanes and behind the lanes.