WILTON — Some are “incredible” bowlers, others are “super,” Donald Plante, president of the Super Seniors league at Meadow Lanes Bowling Alley in East Wilton, said.

It’s not necessarily that their bowling abilities are incredible or super, although sometimes they are, he said. “They are just a good bunch of friendly people,” Plante, of Eustis, said.

The bowlers are members of the Incredible Seniors and the Super Seniors bowling leagues. They range in age from 55 to 91, with several in their late 80s.

The Incredible Seniors has 75 members who bowl on Thursdays; the Super Seniors about 50 who bowl on Tuesdays. Many members bowl on both leagues and take another day of the week to practice, said Mary DeCristofaro, secretary for both leagues since 1998.

Plante isn’t alone in his description of the members.

“They are very dedicated and generous,” Cliff Harris of Leeds, president of the Incredible Seniors league, said.

Members have recently raised more than $1,000 to split and give to food closets in Farmington and Wilton. About $660 was donated in September and another $436 was added this month, Harris said while the leagues enjoyed a Christmas lunch and afternoon of bowling last week.

Instead of exchanging $5 gifts, the money was used for the food closets. They once also gave lots of food, but they’ve since realized the food closets can do more with the money, Harris said.

Members come from all over the county, from Rangeley to Eustis to Weld, to bowl in the September-to-May senior leagues.

Exercise and socializing were reasons the seniors gave for their participation in the leagues, but “the people” was the reason most often given.

“This is fun and it’s good exercise, but I enjoy the people,” said Ham Allen, 91, of Jay, the oldest member.

Joe Perry, 90, of Wilton agreed. It was something to do after he lost his wife, he said. He started bowling at 84 with the “big balls,” which weigh between eight and 15 pounds. He used to bowl candlepin, years ago.

What he likes most about the league is “when I can break a decent score,” he said.

The members can be competitive, but it’s all in fun, Harris explained.

“It’s not important how well you play,” he said of the handicapped leagues. “Just come out and do it.”

The Incredible Seniors used to have 80 members with a waiting list of 20, DeCristofaro said. She now tallies the scores for each member with a computer program, a chore George Chapman used to do by hand for years, she said.

There’s a trend picking up with more younger people interested in bowling, Harris said. The Franklin County Bowling Association helps support bowling programs for high school and younger students at Spruce Mountain and Mt. Blue.

Scott Duval, owner of the bowling alley, gives the seniors a break on costs. They are a good group and have been coming for a long time, he said.

The groups have their own Sunshine and Candy ladies. Betty Williams sends cards to members for special occasions, and Lorraine Gustafson brings candy to share among the bowlers.

“It’s like a full moon — it’s crazy,” Williams said of the people close to her age. “You never know what’s going to happen when you come, and you can say what you want. No one cares. Kids don’t understand.”

During the meal, they shared a cake for the 60th wedding anniversary of members Pearl and Ernest Steward Sr. of Wilton. The actual anniversary fell on Dec. 24, Pearl said.

Both have been bowling for more than 30 years.

It’s the people, the couple said. “We have a lot of friends here.”

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