The 20th Century Lanes is a busy bowling alley in Oak Harbor, keeping Steve Pocock hopping, especially on the weekends. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

BY D’ARCY PATRICK EGAN

Entertainment venues that friends and family can enjoy year round are very hard to find in most small towns, but Camille and Steven Pocock are diligently working to make sure some of the most popular attractions over the years — bowling and billiards — will hang around for a few more years.

The couple have leased the venerable 20th Century Lanes at at 1284 S. State Route 19 this year, located just two hops and a skip from the center of the Village of Oak Harbor. Its vintage six lanes and automatic pin setters, pool table and small eatery are a fixture here. On weekends the bowling alley is a social hot spot.

“The bowling alley was built in 1959, and and owned by Scott Renz since early 2000,” said Pocock, who now keeps the pin setters in top shape and the wooden alleys waxed and ready for play.

“Since Camille and I have taken over, the regulars are keeping us busy and the number of bowlers has been growing every week. We’re featuring the snack bar, and have a full liquor license that will soon include Sundays.”

The bowling alley is in action on Monday through Thursday from 4-10 p.m., 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays, 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays and on Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. They alleys are crowded for league play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Bowling shoes and balls are available to rent.

“This is a family-style bowling alley, a real tradition in this neck of the woods,” said Pocock. The couple shares the duties of chief cook and bottle washer, and for an avid bowler such as himself, it’s a labor of love.