As a pep rally of sorts for the upcoming Progress edition, co-workers and I bowled during Sunday afternoon in Chesapeake. Everyone had a good time. I finished respectably by the second game and was pleased to not only have made a few strikes, but more importantly to avoid either biting off a portion of my tongue in over concentration, or dropping a 10-pound ball on the metatarsal portion of my feet. Crushed toes would have been most unpleasant.

One of the nicer things about bowling with others is the camaraderie, which includes the obligatory pizza and beer. Since this was for fun, not competition, there was no pressure or hard feelings about not picking up that 7-10 split. Everyone was supportive of each other, and the youngsters in many instances earned rounds of cheers and applause for their personal successes.

Ultimately, bowling is not an exercise in metaphysics; you don’t have to calculate the opponent’s next motive or move or try to ‘psych’ them out, just concentrate and aim to knock down more pins than he can.

While bowling does not force your body to run around as much as tennis or soccer, a few games will be felt later especially in the fingers, shoulders and knees. But it is exercise nonetheless and every little bit helps, especially if your goal in life is to be an octogenarian.

Basking in the afterglow of breaking 100, I drove to the office wondering why Suffolk does not have a bowling alley or, for that matter, much of anything else that families can enjoy. Granted, we have tennis courts and a fine movie house, but the former is suitable only according to the weather, and the latter is located in the northern neck of the city. Some of you might recall the roller rink where a portion of the YMCA stands on Godwin Boulevard.

Perhaps as the city’s population continues to grow, the demand for suitable local entertainment may be realized. I hope that if such ideas are presented to the Suffolk City Council and future city manager, they’ll grant them a swift and hearty A-OK.

Respectable congratulations are in order for our imminent new city manager. I hope for a lengthy honeymoon period between Mr. Herbert and council, the public and we in the media (Steve, remember me when you come into your kingdom). Here’s a simple rule for getting along with everybody: be honest and open. Coming from a profession that usually prides itself in cynicism that might seem a strange request, but we are less inclined to report the negative if curtains are kept open as often as possible.

Last weekend I made up my mind to be consistent in updating this paper’s Web site. My attitude had been ‘Why should I post this news for free? Let’s make them pay!’ But the more e-mails people sent in, the more I realized that this was a service not unlike town topics or church news, and it wouldn’t hurt us to add one more thing. No sooner do I make this vow, then the Web site connection stalls again. One phone call later and all is well. Jason Norman, our sports editor, has quickly learned the basics of this posting, which should also help. Would that he and the editor had seen Dr. Mark Croston’s last name spelled as Crouton in a cutline before going to press Saturday night. Now the world knows the reverend as being synonymous with a salad topping. I pray he’ll come to think of it as a sophisticated connection to communion wafers.

Speaking of ministers, changes have been made to the church page, which is now titled Worship. We are still printing the notes you submit for free (revivals, seminars, guests speakers, and the like), and are adding brief features about pastors and churches. I’ll first concentrate on those who have been faithful advertisers, then will move on to others. If you want to let people know about your regular worship services, call us at 539-3437 to find out how easy and affordable this can be for you.

If you read the premiere Saturday, you met the Rev. Robert J. Parks Jr. of Main Street United Methodist Church. One of the most interesting parts of my interview was finding out that he intended to be a ferryman and had even gone so far as to get a captain’s license. But the call to a life of service as a minister proved stronger.

I supposed he might have found contentment as a ferryman. If you have ever read &uot;Siddhartha&uot; by Herman Hesse, you’ll recall the central character met such a person; he not only carried people across a river, but in his patient way taught them about life. This goes to show they also serve who steer and wait.

Stephen H. Cowles is the managing editor and a regular columnist for the News-Herald, and wears a size 8 bowling shoe.