Michael Lewis Luongo II is better known as Mickey Luongo and many tri-state bowlers know him when he worked with his father Mike Luongo at Mike's Pro Shop from 1991 to 2007 and when he ran the pro shop then named The Shop at Quinns Pinz from 2014-2016.

The Luongo family got out of the pro shop business located in the former Middletown Lanes in 2007 and in 2008 the bowling ball knowledge that Mickey had learned so well in the pro shop landed him his new career in 2008 as the North East Regional Sales Manager for the Storm-Roto Grip Bowling Ball company.

Mickey noted, “When I was running the Pro Shop at the age of 16 I assumed I would be running my own business for the next several years but I was then offered to work under my father at Storm Products Inc. where I spent two years training to become a salesman.”

“I did enjoy every minute of it from the start and had to commit to Storm full time and sold the shop in 2010,” Luongo added.

Asked what the most fun part of his job is Mickey replied, “All around the entire job is fun and one of the most fun things is getting to travel and work with all different levels of players.

As regional sales manager in eight states in the Northeast, he travels approximately 40,000 miles a year representing Storm, Roto Grip, Global, 3G and Master brands.

When asked if he drills bowling balls anymore, Mickey said, “I do still drill balls once in a while and I usually just drill Match Maker balls with Pete Garrison at Hudson Bowling Supply in Newburgh.

Married to his long time girl friend, Casey, the Luongo's have one daughter, Kimberly.

They make their home in Middletown.

Ed's Outlook

McEwan stepped up

for bowling

The five-time PWBA Tour title winner and reigning U.S. Women's Open champion admits that she was nervous about speaking up on bowling's behalf on social media, “Because of how sensitive social media was at that time in particular” with regard to the pandemic. “It was kind of like if you spoke up and said anything, regardless of which direction you were going or which side you were on, someone was not going to like it.” ??

By then, though, it was early August and the New York state bowling community, which includes her parents' bowling center, was reeling from what had become a months-long government-mandated closure due to COVID-19. It was time to take chances, and with a social media following that includes more than 43,000 on Instagram alone, McEwan knew she had a better chance than others of being heard. In the November issue of Bowlers Journal International, BJI contributor Joe Jacquez tells the story behind the chance McEwan took and how it worked out for her, for her family's bowling center, and for the greater New York State bowling community. It is one of a series of inspiring stories that comprise BJI's annual “What's Right with Bowling” Series. Don't miss it!

Bowling Tip

By Mike Luongo

How many people are thinking about or actually following safety guidelines while at the bowling alley?

Bowling safety is a topic that is not on many people's minds when they enter the alley.

There are so many ways in which you can get hurt while bowling.

First, when you are just walking around, you should make sure of where you are. You should never be behind a person that is swinging a bowling ball.

While bowling, you should be the only person standing on the approach to the lane.

If there is someone in a lane next to you then you should wait because some bowlers tend to talk off to the sides after throwing their ball and do not realize that they have walked into the next lane.

It is absolutely necessary that you properly warm up before starting to bowl. It will prevent you from getting strained muscles.

Ensure that you are wearing proper footwear and any bowler will want their own properly fit bowling shoes.

Be aware of any liquid on the floor. This could lead to sudden painful stopping or slipping.

Always pick up your bowling ball with both hands. This will reduce strain by at least 50 percent.

Make sure you stay behind the foul line as the area after that is completely oiled.

Be alert while bowling...safety should be considered at all times.

Mike Luongo is a Certified IBPSIA Pro Shop Operator, Master Instructor, USBC Silver Level Coach and an Advisor-Special Events Assistant with the Storm and Roto Grip Bowling Ball Company. Have a question, email him at mike.luongo@stormbowling.com

LOCAL SCORES

KIAMESHA LANES

Monday Men's

Tom Belgiovene 247, 638, Jaryl Scott 218, 641, Jon Wilhelm 226, Bobby Patel 269, 631, Charlie Tuttle 226, Vinny Collura 223, 656, Pedro Agapito III a 240, 243, 687, Jim VanAken 227, 650, Russell Bivins 221, 613, Nate Goldsmith 226, 627, David Kruger 251, 607, Jordan Balzano 257, 642, Paul Minton 601, Nick Daroci 231, 236, 672, Rich Bradford 249, 625.

Tues. Mixed Firefighters

Kyle Giordano 225, 631, Jonathan Wilhelm 226, 609, Jon Wilhelm 236, 236, 236, 658, Bobby Patel 235, 593, Charlie Tuttle 226, 639, Karen Martin 183, Carena Collura 168, Jack Rustic 224, William VanAken 620, David Graham 231, Keith Smith 245, 260, 234, 739, David Doty 236, 636.

Friday Mixed

Mikayla DeGraw 173, Anne Kaplan 167, Michele Macedonio 228, 538, Wendy Swan 170, Charlie Tuttle 240, 604, Keith Smith 223, 609, Pedro Agapito 265, 257, 712, Shane Cunningham 226, Nate Goldsmith 233, 597, David Graham 604, Greg Kuchar 200, Bobby Patel 224, 609.

FOX BOWLING CENTER

Thursday Night 3

Dave Conklin 236, 607, Ray Cornwall 223, 213, 648, Gino Jones 207, 214, 607, Dan Keesler 234, 611, Dan Wormuth 246, 278, 237, 761.

Friday Couples

Andy Bullis 256, 223, 684, Samantha Card 184, Shawn Card 238, 645, Dale Conklin 253, 226, 683, Shane Ding 216, 624, Janet Ellis 189, 504, Scott Ellis 216, 216, 643, Linda Farris 192, Hope Jones 199, Dennis Leonard 225, Carol McGraw 190, Brianna Meres 201, 520, Brooke Rosengrant 183, 233, 577, Kathy Smith 181, Alea Tiffany 200, Jay Wormuth 226, 620, Jeremy Wormuth 243, 238, 637.

PORT JERVIS BOWL

Thursday Ladies

Carol Flynn 199, 181, 191, 571, Jeanne Steuhl 164, 121, 189, 474, Stephanie Freeman 182, 131, 153, 466, Sherri Laird 162, 132, 151, 445, Rachel Rivers 167, 133, 135, 435, Kay Olynec 168.

Ed Townsend is a Public Relations Consultant to the sport of bowling and brings over 60 plus years of sports journalism experience writing and compiling the information for this column. If you have league or tournament information, bowl a 300 game or 800 series, let Ed know at 845-439-8177, email at bght75@gmail.com or fax to 845-205-4474. View this column and Ed's photos at https://bght.blogspot.com We are also on Facebook and Twitter.