LEWISTON — George Herrick Sr. slides up to the line and rolls a strike.

“Georgie,” as the guys know him, gives some high-fives and goes back to socializing with the men and women in his Thursday night bowling league.

Herrick cuts a conversation short when his turn to bowl the second frame comes up. Once again, he rolls a strike. He bowls one more perfect frame before settling for a spare in the fourth.

“You already got your average, Georgie,” a man jokes from one lane over.

“It’s absolutely amazing that the guy is 95 years old,” Norm Scott of Greene said.

Scott and Herrick, of Auburn, are teammates on the “Lobster Bowlers,” a group of six guys who bowl in the Industrial Park League at Sparetime Recreation in Lewiston. 

Herrick was born in Oxford in 1915 and graduated from Oxford High School in 1934. “I’m celebrating my 76th high school reunion this year all by myself,” the only surviving member of his class said.

“I started back in the ’40s bowling candlepins in Auburn,” Herrick said. He picked up a “10 pin” ball while living in South Carolina and bowled himself to a district championship. Herrick had a perfect game going through nine frames once, but he “blew it in the 10th.” His average this season is 135.

Perfect or not, Herrick is admired and teased by just about everyone on Thursday nights. He arrives at the alley an hour before game time to get ready and socialize.

“He (Herrick) has more stories than you have ever heard,” Andy Couture, the owner of Sparetime, said. Couture has seen a few other bowlers compete into their 90s, but none as lively as Herrick.

“He’s the most chipper of them all,” Couture said. “You would never know he’s 95.”

Herrick lost his wife, Bernice, to Alzheimer’s three years ago after 71 years of marriage. He enjoys making crafts at his Auburn home and occasionally heads across the street to the Great Falls Model Railroad Club for more socializing.

Herrick stays involved with the Shriners and the Masons, and he attributes his good health to keeping busy and healthier choices.

“I gave up smoking 56 years ago and have not had a drink in 20 years,” he said. “I had my share though.”

Herrick finishes the game with a 175, earning a patch for the milestone.

“Is that guy amazing or what?” Peter Provencher of Lewiston asked. “If I can be like him at that age, look out.”

“I do the best I can,” Herrick said with a smile.