In 1976, the Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks, under the bowling direction of Mrs. Rose DeCuzzi, initially started a bowling group for physically challenged and visually impaired individuals.

The visually challenged bowled with a blind rail. They presently have their own bowling group. I might add that some of the visually impaired had some pretty good bowling scores. The bowling program was held at Planters Lane in Uniondale (now a shopping center). Nassau County staff along with volunteers from Sperry's, and other volunteers like myself helped those bowlers who needed assistance. By the way, there were no computers, so all the scores were done manually.

In the Spring of 1979, Nassau County stated that all the bowlers were to bowl on their own. This was impossible, so in the Summer of 1979, a meeting was held by some of the bowlers, family members, and volunteers to rekindle the bowling program. Hence, the ABC Pinguins were started. 

The Pinguins subsequently bowled at the Sheridan Lanes in Mineola, then at the North Levittown Lanes, then finally at Syosset Lanes. By the way, Syosset Lanes by far accoMmodates our group the best. Footnote: During bowling at the Sheridan Lanes - my wife started to go into labor with my son Frank. At the age of 10, my son volunteered at bowling for a number of years.

In September 2002, ABC Pinguins will be in existence for twenty two years. There are still some chartered members who still bowl with our group. Many members have either moved, married, or unfortunately passed away.

By the way, no one gets compensated for helping out in any capacity. We owe our heartfelt thanks especially to the Fleisch family for working hard and doing a terrific job. I assure you, being an ex-President, the Pinguins is not an easy task. Brian Ribar and his son, Jimmy, also do a superb job. Thanks to them we are able to have a wonderful bowling group. There are many, including myself, who look forward to each of our outings.