Pittsburgh's churches and civic buildings have duck pin bowling lanes in the most unlikely places. Some are still used regularly, some are nearly forgotten. They mark a kind of civic life and common recreation that many fear Americans have lost. One of Pittsburgh's great strengths is the depth of spirit in its communities - bowling lanes may be a way to talk about that spirit, past, present, and future.
My husband says he'll write an essay, "The Hidden Lanes of Pittsburgh." He bowls in a Friday night duck pin league that's been going since just after the second World War. A fellow bowler has offered to help with the photography. I post this now to push them to get it done - I want to see it and think about these things some more.
