For the past 24 years, Charlotte Winklepleck has owned Lucky Strike Lanes, an institution in the farming and ranching town of Strasburg. Most of Strasburg’s children, adolescents and adults have lofted a ball there or cheered on their favorite league. — Claire Martin, The Denver Post
Q: How long have you been with Lucky Strike Lanes?
A: We became involved 24 years ago — myself and my husband. Now we co-own it with our sons. One of our sons works here with us.
Q: What does the other son do?
A: He’s at Wichita State. He went there on a bowling scholarship. Now he’s working on a master’s degree in exercise science and kinesiology. My other son is also a professional rodeo cowboy.
Q: Wow! What’s his event?
A: Bareback horses, and he’s a rodeo clown. My husband was in pro rodeo, too, so we grew up with it. Besides the bowling alley, we also breed rodeo livestock.
Q: You usually don’t hear people refer to bowling and rodeo in the same breath.
A: That’s true! We’re pretty diverse.
Q: What are the leagues like at Lucky Strike?
A: Well, we have 40 men in the Tuesday night league — the Plains League. We also have a lot in the Thursday night league. We have a ladies’ coffee league that comes in every Tuesday from September to May. And I do a lot with kids.
Q: There are children’s bowling leagues?
A: We have 25 kids in our children’s bowling program. We just came back from a city tournament in Denver where we cleaned house. We cleaned house! Our little Bantams, the 7- and 8-year-olds, they won everything.
Q: What’s the most important quality in a good bowler?
A: Patience. And to know their equipment, and bowl within their physical ability. You need the right weight ball, the right shoes, and good timing with your feet.
Q: What size bowling ball do you use?
A: I throw a 14-pound ball. I’m not a little girl. I’m a farm girl.
Q: What’s the busiest evening at Lucky Strike Lanes?
A: Saturday. We have a lot going on Saturday evenings. You know, when people say, “There’s nothing to do in town, and we don’t want to go clear to Aurora, why don’t we go to Lucky Strike and bowl?” It’s a real center for the community.
