BUTLER TWP — Thursday mornings have been booked for Sally Gates — for 50 years now.

That’s how long the Butler resident has bowled in the Coffee Break League, a women’s circuit that convenes at 9:30 a.m. each Thursday from September through April at Family Bowlaway.

Gates, in her upper 70’s, still has the booklet from all 50 of the league’s banquets during her tenure.

“I’ve kept at least one banquet program from every league I’ve been in, just so I have the bowlers’ phone numbers to stay in touch,” Gates said.

“That’s the reason I bowl — for the socialization of it. I don’t know why I’ve kept all 50 of these ... I just don’t want to throw them away.”

She joined the Coffee Break league when she had two small children “and I wanted to be part of an activity outside of the house.

“Once I got into bowling, I loved it,” Gates added. “There’s never been any reason to leave.”

Marilyn Snyder has been in the Coffee Break League for nearly 35 years. No one else approximates the time Gates has invested.

“To do anything consistently for 50 years is outstanding,” league vice president Pat Gavula said. “Sally is an amazing woman.

“She’s active, has a wonderful life spirit and is just a fun person to be around.”

The Coffee Break league had as many as 48 bowlers in past years, but its membership has dwindled to 12.

Gates said that bowlers have died off, can’t bowl anymore because of health reasons or pick up commitments watching their grandchildren.

“My sister-in-law was our youngest bowler this year and she’s 59,” Gavula said. “She’s moving and won’t be able to bowl next year.

“We’re looking for a couple of new bowlers for next year.”

Replacing bowlers is difficult — especially in a weekday morning league.

“There’s the cost of bowling, people have to work or watch small children ... It’s hard to get commitment,” Gates said.

Gates has averaged as high as 162 as a bowler and still averages in the 150’s. She had the second highest average in the league this year.

The Coins League — another daytime women’s circuit — bowls next to Coffee Break on Thursdays and has offered to merge with the group. The Coins League is sanctioned, however, and Coffee Break is not.

“We just want to stay non-sanctioned, We keep it fun,” Gates said. “Until I physically can’t bowl anymore, I’ll be bowling.”

Gates and her husband, Rex, recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They bowled together for nearly 35 years in the now-defunct Husband-Wife League.

“There were 96 bowlers in that league at one point,” “Gates recalled. “We probably haven’t had the league for 20 years now, but 10 or 12 of us still get together every Friday night.

“We’ve met a lot of friends through bowling over the years.”

Rex Gates bowls duckpins at Bon-Aire on Monday nights. The couple has three children, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. None of them are league bowlers.

Yet Sally Gates bowls on.

“We 60-year-olds are the pups in our league, but we have trouble staying with Sally,” Gavula said. “We bowl to have a good time, socialize and keep active. She’s a prime example of what we’re about.”

Anyone wishing to join the Coffee Break league may call Gavula at 724-285-3024.