Area bowlers rack up victories

Even if you don't bowl for a living, you can do it at an extremely high level against some of the best competition in the country.

Mike Granberg of Batavia finds himself in that situation, high in the rankings of the prestigious United States Bowling Congress national tournament for amateurs.

This tournament, played out in three events from February through June, attracts as many as 65,000 bowlers, as well as 32,000 doubles teams. The events are staged mostly in western states, the most recent being in Albuquerque, N.M., last weekend.

Granberg and his doubles partner, Dave Rodak of Naperville, are ranked fourth, continuing a trend of finishing in the top 10 the past few years.

Their lofty status this year was achieved with a 1,414 doubles score in a three-game series.

"I met Dave about 14 years ago, and we have been bowling doubles for 10 years now," said Granberg, who bowls out of Lisle Lanes.

"It is fun to compete, and that's why we like this tournament," said Granberg, who sports a 228 average to go along with Rodak's 230 average.

All for Tyler: Much has been written about what a wonderful person St. Charles East student Tyler Caruso was and how much his untimely passing from a heart ailment during summer 2002 has affected his community.

With students from both East and North high schools putting together a memorial concert for Tyler, to be staged during the park district's Thursday night summer concert series in Lincoln Park, it is a good time for me to say something about the only time I met this young man.

He was part of a group of students who came to speak to newspaper reporters and editors about the crisis facing St. Charles East regarding mold in the school and Norris Theater.

Tyler showed intelligence and control of his emotions that many school board members and parents would have been well served to emulate during that difficult time.

St. Charles lost a real good one in Tyler at the very young age of 17. The concert in memory of this young man, who would have graduated in 2003, will be at 7 p.m. May 29 in Lincoln Park, in front of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

To tell his truth: By now, newspaper readers in the Tri-Cities area have at one time or another seen the smiling face of Bob Miller of St. Charles. The former pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers and New York Mets from the 1950s and 1960s has been involved in plenty of fundraisers and community events with his array of professional sports buddies.

But he sent along a recent note that had a different twist -- and more Bob Millers involved.

For nostalgia sake, he was reminding us of his appearance on "To Tell the Truth" with host Bud Collier in 1962 when Bob and two other professional baseball pitchers by the name of Bob Miler -- one from the Philadelphia Phillies and the other also with the Mets -- appeared on the popular game show.

When Collier gave his famous line, "Will the real Bob Miller please stand up," all three Bob Millers stood, much to the delight of the panel and the audience.

The Bob Miller we know in St. Charles was recently at the St. Charles Best Western motel with the Bob Miller from the Phillies to sign autographs and reminisce about baseball's golden era.

Miller said the two Bob Millers faced each other in spring training games in 1955 and 1956, which created headlines proclaiming, "Bob Miller wins and loses."

Voices and hats: Kay Catlin can say she's worn a lot of hats in being the voice for various causes and organizations serving Kane County.

After a long stint as the information source and press liaison for the Fox Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, Catlin is now the public relations person for the Hotel Baker in St. Charles.

At the hotel, she'll have plenty of stories to tell and things to brag about.

"The new job is going well, but I have my Excel (computer software) challenges, but that's always going to be the case, I'm afraid," Catlin said.

"Mostly, I'm honored to be among the modern-day stewards of such an incredible landmark.

"The artistry in that building is so unique, so impressive, we're using it as the focus in our new ad campaigns," Catlin added.

With her background, and success for public initiatives and women's health causes, Catlin should be an excellent fit for the hotel and that important piece of St. Charles history.

dheun@sbcglobal.net