It was billed as a "bowling odyssey" and the 53rd Annual GCIU Bowling Party, hosted by Buffalo 261M, certainly fit the name.

The word "odyssey" is defined in Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary as "a long trip, usually marked by many changes of fortune." The 165 men and women who bowled in the tourney came from many places to Buffalo's Airport Bowling Center, and their fortunes changed from frame to frame.

There were 32 teams representing the U.S. and Canada, representing the cities of Buffalo, Chicago, Toronto, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Salem, Ill., Montreal, and Washington, D.C.

But one thing was obvious – the 115 men and 50 women who competed were truly happy to renew the friendships they had made in GCIU bowling parties in previous years. It was like a class reunion, with the sincere greetings mixed with good-natured kidding about bowling skills, or lack thereof.

And at the bowling lanes – this year it was held at the Airport Lanes near the Buffalo airport – it put to rest the image of athletes bad-mouthing competitors, since the GCIU bowlers high-fived competitors and teammates alike after strikes and spares while keeping the kidding going.

It was the 53rd year the printing industry union members got together. Over the years with many mergers and consolidations, it has become a full-fledged tradition for unionists in the graphics industry.

About 300 people attended the banquet to announce results, and it afforded a good opportunity for table-hopping and renewing old friendships.

And after a fine meal, the bowlers and their guests enjoyed a night of dancing in the hotel ballroom.

This year's bowling party was hosted by Local 261M Bowling Chairman Jeff Gangloff with the assistance of Local 261M Pres. James Speyer and Jeff's father, Local 261M Secy. John Gangloff, and a volunteer committee.

They were backed up by Bowling Party Pres. Dorothy Zulewski of Buffalo 17B, Secy.-Treas. Wayne Scharlach of Chicago Local 458M, and Vice Pres. Carol Nicholls of Toronto 500M, who discussed the rules at a team captains' meeting on the night before the bowling competition.

Dorothy Zulewski announced that the 2002 GCIU Bowling Party will be held in Chicago, Ill., and cities in contention for the 2003 gathering include Washington, D.C., Kansas City, New Orleans, and others.

The top participants were honored with trophies presented at the banquet.

The results of the 2001 GCIU Bowling Party were:

The Chicago Make-Up, representing Local 458M, won the overall men's first place award with a total of 3,065 pins in three games. Team members are: Ray Soprych, Phil Lopez, Rick Boll, John Tamraz, and David Tamraz.

Men's first place team honors went to the Chicago Make Ups (Local 458M) with a combined score of 3,065.

Second place went to Strike Force (Toronto 100M) with a score of 3,035, followed by third place Chicago Sleepeck (Chicago 458M) with 2,972 pins knocked down.

Men's individual awards were given for high game and high series, for scratch scores and with handicaps added.

In the high series scratch competition, Alan Morris of Rochester 503M took top honors with a 672 series. He was followed by George Brodenfuerer, of Buffalo 17B with a score of 665 pins in the three games.

The high game scratch competition was won by Steve Wilson of Toronto 100M with 255, followed by Rick Price of Toronto 100M with a 236 score.

The top winner in the high series with handicap category was Dave Tamraz of Chicago 458M with a score of 670. Second place went to Eli Concepcion of Toronto 100M with 669 pins.

High game with handicap was won by Bernie Jordan of Buffalo 17B who knocked down 267 pins, followed by Dave Moreno of Chicago 458M with 264 pins.

In women's results, Local 458M's Chicago Ladies won the first place team award with 2,903 pins.

Cindy Tamraz of Chicago 458M won the high series scratch honors with 585 pins for the series.

High game scratch went to Cheryl Fladie of Buffalo 17B with a score of 222.

High series with handicap went to Toni Revekant of Buffalo 17B who scored 646.

High game with handicap went to Carol Stein of Salem 554M with 248 pins.

Another highlight of the awards banquet was presentation of the trophy traditionally awarded to the last place team. The 2001 award went to the Chicago Storm, representing Local 458M, including Gary Windells, Marianne Smith, Connie Gorski, Millie Garbacz, and Chuck Gricius, for amassing the low score of 2,509.

There were other awards given to Connie Gorski of Chicago 458M for men's low series of 312 and Ron Bassler of Pittsburgh 24M for low game, a score of 83 pins. On the women's side, Sara Forester of Rochester 503M received the trophy for low series with 240 pins and Marian Smitas of Chicago 458M had the low game with 64 pins.