Bonnie Dove picks up a bowling ball, lines her shot and releases the ball down the wax-coated lane, looking for a strike.

It’s a ritual Dove repeats on a constant basis, and her love of the game was on full display on Tuesday at Bowland Lanes in Andalusia.

Dove plays as part of the City of Andalusia’s Adult Activities Center’s weekly bowling game, which is held on Tuesdays from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Those interested can get three games in for a set price of $4.50.

Dove said this weekly game has been going on for at least 15 years.

“It was in the morning time, but then it was moved into the afternoon,” she said. “Probably longer than that.”

Dove moved to Andalusia in 1993 from Pennsylvania, and has been bowling since 1958.

Jewel Mitchell, another avid bowler who takes advantage of the discounted games, said she used to like bowling in the mornings, too.

“When we got through, we would go get lunch,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said some bowl for the fun and entertainment value, and some bowl to participate in a league.

In fact, Dove, Mitchell and Nita Jenkins compete in the Thursday Morning Coffee League.

After her husband died, Mitchell said she started to take up bowling as an escape.

“It started that way, but then it came to be something that I had to do,” she said. “I enjoyed it so much.”

Jenkins has been the president of the Thursday Morning Coffee League since its founding, about 18 years ago, she said.

“I just love it,” Jenkins said. “I just love to bowl. I’m not very good, but I love it.”

Jenkins said her best game was a 247.

“It’s good exercise,” she said. “This is somehting you can do anytime — winter, summer, rain or shine.”

Dove’s best score was a 279, she said.

“That was in my younger days,” Dove said.

Having served as president of the Thursday Morning Coffee League for the past 18 years, Jenkins said she has no intention of finding a replacement.

“Not until I’m done bowling,” she said.

For more info on how to pick up bowling through the AAC, call 222-6891.