Bio

In the spring of 1999 members of the visually impaired community of Onslow County made it known to the area social worker that there was interest in blind bowling. Later that spring the Outreach Team for the Carolina Bowling Alliance traveled to Jacksonville to meet with the potential bowling league members. The campaign to get the league started was headed by Mary Carlyle and the area social worker, LuAnn Black. Later Christeen Davis stepped up and became the league’s secretary.

During the outreach session with CBA representatives the bowlers from Jacksonville, who claimed not to be very good at the sport, showed off very nicely for the experienced bowlers from Raleigh. With the help of the area social worker and strong leadership from Christeen the Onslow Bears were formed and continue to enjoy bowling now in their tenth year of operation.

The league operated at the Bowl-a-rena on Western Boulevard in Jacksonville since its inception. However, thanks to a generous discount in lineage, the Onslow Bears will report to their new bowling center on Wednesday, January 20th. They now will bowl at the New River Air Station bowling alley.

The Onslow Bears of Jacksonville were the second bowling league for the visually impaired to be formed in eastern NC. The other program is based in Rocky Mount. The Onslow Bears operate from September through April and do participate in some of the statewide tournaments.

If you are a resident of eastern North Carolina and you have an interest in being a part of this program you are welcome. Please use the information above to communicate with the leadership of this group if you wish to volunteer, assist with transportation, provide financial support, assist with fundraising or be a participant.