When not safely nestled among the living room couch cushions, a great many Northerners run for the pin-clattering comfort of the nearest bowling alley to alleviate their accumulating cabin fever.

For many, bowling is a nice escape from home and is less damaging to the billfold than more expensive winter outings, such as downhill skiing or snowboarding.

At the Keeseville Bowling Center, in the small Adirondack village of Keeseville, New York, bowlers pay reduced shoe rental and per game prices.

"Our prices are lower and more family-oriented than some places," says Dave LaFountain, who manages the Bowling Center with his wife, Melody LaFountain. "We are very personable—just about any bowler that comes in here knows me and my children."

Indeed, LaFountain's four children: J.J.; sixteen, Molly Marie; fifteen, Elanie Katlyn; nine, and David Joseph seven, are all regular roller's at the alley, and bowl for the Saturday night children's league.

Moreover, the Keeseville Bowling Center served as the chapel for the LaFountain wedding. Yes, that's right, the LaFountain's were married at the bowling alley in 1982 and have managed the lanes since—a truly family-oriented business.

With only six lanes, the Keeseville Bowling Center is smaller than your average alley, providing bowlers with a relatively quiet and relaxed atmosphere in which to roll. Also, with the addition of six Brunswick A scoring machines, bowlers can now roll unhassled by manual scorekeeping.

"We used to have paper and pencils, but now we have the machines," says Melody Fountain.

The Keeseville Bowling Center also features a large adjoining bar complete with a dartboard and pool table.

Aside from the usual run of activity, Keeseville's only alley teaches bowling to youngsters and hosts many birthday bowling parties.

"We also have a big New Year's party where we feature bowling, a D.J., and karaoke, says Melody LaFountain.

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