ROCKPORT — Family or group activities are hard to come by in Maine sometimes, especially when the weather turns cold. Candlepin bowling is a great way to treat yourself and your family to some fun that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, or require a second mortgage on the house to enjoy. Jason and Pam Kaler recently purchased Oakland Park Lanes Bowling at 732 Commercial Street in Rockport this past December. And that is where this story begins.

“Bowling has always been a passion of mine,” said Kaler. “I grew up in the area, in Camden and Rockport. Bowling is something that I was doing as a little kidWhen the previous owners were thinking about selling, I though what a perfect opportunity for someone like me to give it a go.”

The Kaler family took over the lanes Dec. 2; so far, he says, it’s been an adventure.

“Business has been great so far,” said Kaler. “We’re still learning, of course, and figuring things out; but everybody seems to be happy and we are, too.”

Park Lanes fills on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with league bowling.

“On any of the league nights there’s always a lane or two open for open bowling,” said Kaler. “We have 18 lanes, so even though we might have 10 leagues in here, there are plenty of open lanes if someone wants to come in and have some fun bowling.”

Candlepin bowling differs from regular 10 pin bowling. Most noticeable are the smaller pins, but there are differences in the size of the balls and how the game is played.

“In candlepin bowling the ball only weighs two pounds, five ounces,” said Kaler. “In regular bowling the ball can weigh from eight to 16 pounds. You also get three balls to knock down the pins as opposed to two in 10 pin bowling. In candlepin, the pins stay where they fall; it’s called deadwood, they’re not swept away. This can help or hinder you.”

The lanes are exactly the same as in 10 pin bowling. These are all wood and original from 1959. Kandlepin bowling is much harder then 10 pin bowling, said Kaler.

“Candlepin bowling was invented in 1881 in Worcester, Massachusetts,” he said. “Since its invention, no one has ever scored a perfect game. The world record is 246 and that’s only happened twice, once in 1980 and once three or four years ago. No one in 130 years has ever bowled a perfect game. My highest game is 196.”

He said the record at the Rockport lanes is 207.

“The happened sometime in the 1980s, I’m not sure of the exact date. And there have only been four games ever bowled over 200 at this alley. We are considered a fast house, in that there are a lot of higher games scored here as compared to other alleys.”

Oakland Park Lanes is a family- and kid-friendly place. There’s a sizable arcade room that is perfect for birthday parties. The arcade room has its own bowling lanes, as well. Kaler said they can accommodate a sizable group of children or youth groups.

“Children are the future of the sport and the future of the businessm in general,” said Kaler. “I would really love to do something with the school systems or organizations to bring kids in. We have an older generation in here, but we need a young and upcoming generation. I like to see the birthday parties and that’s a reason I keep them really affordable. I like to see kids open bowling.”

Winter is the busy season. In the summer, people like to be outside. Where there is one league in the summer, there are multiple leagues in the winter.

“There are four people on a league team,” said Kaler. “There are mixed leagues and teams consisting of men and women, and there are teams that can be either men or women.”

Oakland Park Lanes are open from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m.; later hours on Saturday; closed on Mondays. Shoe rentals are $1.75 and $3 per game.