For more information on Super Bowling Saturday, go to www.lewistoneducationfund.org.

LEWISTON — Who knew so many Lewiston school officials were bowling challenged?

Jim Handy, chairman of the city’s School Committee, is apparently looking for fundraising bowlers in all the wrong places: the School Committee. But he’s not giving up.

One of the bigger fundraisers for the Lewiston Education Fund, a nonprofit that raises money for Lewiston students outside the taxpayer-supported budget, is Super Bowling Saturday, set for Feb. 5 at Sparetime Recreation. As of Monday, Handy was a one-man team.

At the committee’s Jan. 24 meeting, Handy put committee members on the spot. He asked them, one by one: “Will you play?”

Most said they can’t bowl well or have other commitments.

Tom Shannon said he had something else going on, but he’d cover the $25 registration fee for someone else.

“If you want to lose, I would,” said Ronella Paradis.

Paul Dumont, Larry Poulin and Paul St. Pierre said little, if anything. They didn’t volunteer.

Seemingly feeling sorry for Handy, Sonia Taylor said she would, with the understanding: “If you don’t mind losing, I’m absolutely up for it.”

“We’ll get a good handicap,” Handy said.

Walter Ed Hill and Leah Poulin weren’t at the meeting.

“Are there any ringers in the audience? I’m trying to recruit,” Handy said. He needed five bowlers to make up a School Committee team.

Several administrators said they were already on teams. Taylor said she’d check with her son, who likes to bowl.

Handy was a bit surprised that he didn’t get more teammates. “We usually do,” he said.

Undaunted, Handy is working on City Councilor John Butler and Hill. “I am waiting to hear from Walter. John Butler is on the injured-reserve list.”

He’s also looking for some student bowlers. A few years ago, the committee team included a high school bowling team student whose score “was larger than ours combined,” he said.

By Wednesday, he had recruited Lewiston High student Cam Marcott. “I hear he is a fairly good bowler, 215 average,” Handy said.

Here’s a warning if you see Handy coming and you don’t want to bowl: He needs two more teammates. So far, his team is himself, Taylor and Marcott.

Super Bowling Saturday is not a competition. No talent is necessary. Out of a perfect score of 300, Handy said his is typically 125 “on a really good day.”

Lewiston Education Fund board member Peter Geiger said the bowl-a-thon is both a fundraiser and an identity-builder. It typically raises between $8,000 and $10,000 for scholarships or to help teachers do extra learning projects with students.

The bowl-a-thon “is a way for us to bring a lot of people together in a fun environment. It builds camaraderie,” Geiger said. “Bowling is different than golf. It’s a time of year when there are not a lot of other things going on.”

In addition to administrative and teacher teams, a team represents Geiger’s company. Alas, Geiger won’t be bowling. He hurt his elbow a while back; bowling makes it worse. But he’ll be there, cheering bowlers on.

Another team represents city hall. Local Democrats and Republicans each have teams. “There are all these little factions,” Geiger said. “Bowling is fun.”

bwashuk@sunjournal.com

Go and do

What: 6th Annual Super Bowling Saturday

When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5; registration begins at 8 a.m.

How much: $25 registration fee

Where: Sparetime Recreation, Mollison Way, Lewiston

Why: Raise money for Lewiston Education Fund. Those not interested in playing can sponsor players, or a lane for $100.

FMI or to play: Beth Gaudet at 795-4100, ext. 249, or www.lewistoneducationfund.org