Gen Praslowicz at the Chet & Emil Lanes in Birnamwood. |
Life rolling along for bowling matriarch June 25, 2009 By DEBBIE IGL
Antigo Daily Journal
She could be called Shawano County’s premier bowling maven — at the very least, a veteran pin-spiller who knows her stuff. Or, in the alternative, simply call her by the name she goes by most — Gen.
Celebrating her 89th birthday last month, Genevieve Praslowicz has been bowling more than half that — an estimated seven decades, in fact — and when the alleys are in action at Chet & Emil’s in Birnamwood, there’s little doubt that visitors may still get a glimpse of her taking a spin on the lanes with a family that grew up on the sport.
“We have four generations of bowlers here,” daughter Jeanne Opper said.
For the close-knit family, it’s a gratifying statement that can be echoed by few.
The second of six children to Stanley and Sophie Preboski, Gen graduated from Antigo High School in 1938 and joined her first bowling league at Antigo’s Arcade Lanes around the age of 18. She soon married Emil Praslowicz and along with sister and brother-in-law Lillian and Chester Skodinski, the couples purchased what now stands as one of the longest family-owned bowling alleys in Wisconsin.
“Emil was barbering here and he wanted to either build a theater or a bowling alley. He picked bowling,” she said.
Bought on Jan. 1, 1946, from John Rundhamer, the two story structure was initially home to a tavern and a physician’s office with the upper level serving as a home for the two families. According to the family’s historical account, the lanes and a 50-foot bar were soon added when a Quonset hut-type structure was attached to the main building.
The business officially opened in 1948 and two years later, a portable dance floor was designed to fit over the lanes, making it an attractive facility for larger groups.
Perhaps Chet & Emil’s most famous addition came in the early 1960s when a restaurant was opened. It was equipped with a broaster and still today, its chicken is said to be some of the best around.
“We’ve hosted hundreds of wedding receptions here over the years,” Gen said, marking her pride in the business which has become a favorite among visitors who travel up and down Highway 45.
She explained that although running a business was tough it soon became a family affair with all three children — Doug, Danny and Jeanne — pitching in to get the work done.
And there was plenty of it, especially with the restaurant’s opening. It was so successful that the supper club expanded in the late 1970s. An adjacent grocery store was destroyed by fire and the family purchased the lot, allowing the addition of a ballroom and banquet facility.
But through it all, bowling remained the focus.
Gen recalled the early days with delight, particularly all of the friendships made. Strangers, some coming from as far away as Hatley, Mattoon and Bowler, soon became regulars and often visit today.
“We have met so many people here,” Gen said, listing Blanch Koerner, Gladys Hanley and Martha Clause among her early cohorts.
And there were many more, too many to name, but all with stories to tell.
As Chet & Emil’s was the first bowling lanes in the area (the one in nearby Wittenberg didn’t open until a year later) people came from all over to test their hand at Birnamwood’s pins. Those were set by hand — a risky job at best, Gen stressed — until automatic systems came into play years later.
Along with sister Lil, she soon took her skills on the road, attending her first state bowling tournament in 1950. It was a time when all female competitors were required to wear dresses.
She added national tournaments to her repertoire in the 1970s and a decade later, she began to hit the circuit hard with stops in more exotic locations such as Las Vegas, Niagara Falls and Toledo.
“I’m sure the bowling was fun, but I’m certain that what went on before and after the bowling was even more memorable,” granddaughter Erin Timm teased in a biography written on her grandmother’s behalf.
“What happens in bowling stays in bowling,” Gen added in Vegas-esque fashion.
Her cross-country trips continued over the next two decades and in 1991, she was named a Grand Duchess by the Wisconsin Women’s Bowling Association — a distinguished honor given to bowlers who at the age 70 or older are still attending state bowling tournaments.
Routinely posting an average around 170, her best game, at least so far, was a 233 with the top series being 630.
“She’s still beating us on occasion,” daughter Jean quipped, a statement fellow family members quickly mirrored.
“She’s quite a lady,” daughter-in-law Barb Praslowicz added.
Along with her husband Doug, Barb joined friend Edwin Resch in purchasing Chet & Emil’s in 1981 and continue to run the family operation, making expansions and improvements along the way. In 1990, a 12 unit motel adjacent to the bar was opened and the restaurant, kitchen, ballroom and lanes have all received an extensive facelift.
Although a year shy of her 90th birthday, Gen can still be spotted taking a turn on the lanes — and it’s common to see all of her family in attendance. A grandmother to five, she’s a great-grandmother to 10 and still has plenty of lessons to teach, especially when it comes to the sport she loves.
“Take your time, aim the ball straight and throw a good ball,” she said.
After decades of success, it’s difficult to disagree.
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