Great job! Really brought back memories, one of which was bowling a 225 game on acid with my friend. Of course, we were also keeping score on acid as well so... who knows?! My mother's next door neighbor, Pat Harris, waitressed in the restaurant in the 70's too. I didn't know Diane Williams worked there, great seeing her in the video, as well as Kris Cowles. Chris Ferreira swears we played a reunion there in the early 80's but I don't remember. Seeing the video made me realize just how much a place like the Holiday Bowl/Holiday House/Bashful Bull meant to the community. Sorely missed. And just so you know...I don't believe I ever peed in your parking lot. Many others, but not your dad's!

- Dennis J., Hayward

I picked up a Holiday bowl T-shirt on Saturday and ran into you in the parking lot. Briefly, you introduced yourself as the son of the owner of the Holiday Bowl. I quickly indicated that I grew up nearby in Union City on Tamarack Drive. You then gave me a card and mention that I could stream the documentary as I no longer have a DVD player.

I forgot about your card until tonight when I was looking in my wallet and decided to go ahead and watch it. It was so great! So many memories of an iconic time growing up in the area. My parents purchased their house in 1958 and were the original owners until they both passed away and we sold it. They raised five kids, all of which went to Moreau High School and I can't tell you the countless times we drove by that iconic sign. We also would go to the restaurant quite a bit after church on Sundays at Our Lady of the Rosary in Union City. It was always a treat especially when they had the kids bumpers on the lanes and we would get a shot at bowling.

Now 30 years later, I live in Fremont and my daughter goes to Moreau High School. I turned into that dad who would tell stories about the area of his childhood and so many times I would tell her about Holiday Bowl.

The last gentleman in your documentary mentioned it was a time of community and fun before things got so fast. That is so very true. So I just wanted to say thank you for giving me the card and mentioning the documentary. At least we have great memories and now I have a T-shirt with that awesome Holiday Bowl sign that my older brother already wants to steal from me.

Thank you for all the great memories... you and your family really made a difference!

- Chris V., Fremont

I received the DVD yesterday afternoon  and Tina and I watched it right away. Great job!  You nailed it! I am not sure I would have recognized many of  our friends from many years ago.  You have two beautiful daughters and should be very proud. So thankful you created this documentary. It brought back many memories. I posted something on the FB Hayward page we will see if it gets posted. Take care

- Rick R., Cypress, Texas  

My name is Andre Solomon and I watched your documentary. What a great job and great insight to the history of your family’s legacy. My parents, Ed and Lidia Solomon operated the Mademoiselle Beauty Shop upstairs for many years so I have many memories of the Holiday Bowl throughout my young childhood. Every time I go into a bowling alley, I am immediately taken back to the Holiday Bowl sounds and smells. Mom got a chuckle out of the shout out from one of your interviewed guests. Great job!!

- Andre S., Fremont

I recently attended the Downtown Hayward reopening party and grabbed one of your business cards for the Holiday Bowl documentary. First off I wanted to say that I purchased the movie and absolutely loved it! Truly captured the fun memories I remember having at Holiday Bowl when I was younger!

- Nando E., Hayward

Mary and I saw the DVD for the Holiday Bowl and we really enjoyed it!  You did a nice job!

- Mike B., Sequim, Washington  

Back in the 80s, I was in a Friday night league called South County Industrial. I was on a team with my wife and two of my friends. My average was about 150. On one week, I bowled my lifetime high game of 235. It was the high game bowled in the league for that week and I felt like a superstar. The very next week, my wife bowled a 236, just enough by one point to knock me off my podium. That was a very short-lived superstardom for me. lol.

- Jim S., Hayward

My preschool! I learned to keep score as a child there. Licked George Foreman’s blue chips stamps one Wednesday night when he bowled against my dad. Stayed up all night winning games on "8 ball" and dining at wee hours. Lost a good friend on the way to meet up there one sad Friday. Saw a few friend’s bands play in the bar. Lots of good times!

- Jay P., Hayward

The Holiday Bowl was a weekend magnet for teenagers from many surrounding east bay high schools. In the early 1960's I was a student from Union City's James Logan High School. We were regulars, not just on weekends but also on weeknights. I remember the security guard strolling the parking lots keeping tabs on kids loitering in the lot or in their cars. I don't remember his name but he was a short burly mustached man who focused on teenagers. Was his name "George"? He was very strict, especially when the 11:00 pm curfew approached. After 11:00 pm he checked I.D.'s for curfew compliance.

The Holiday Bowl was a popular place to take your favorite girl for a Saturday night date, burgers and bowling or just sipping Cokes and hanging out with your friends. Guys flirting with girls, girls flirting with the guys, what else could be better?

After leaving The Holiday Bowl, guys and gals jumped back into their cars and sped away towards the East 14th strip. Always keeping our eyes peeled for the CHP and San Leandro motorcycle officers. After cruising and sometimes racing, think of "American Graffitti", we rendezvoused with kids from other high schools at "Prings". Finally making our way back to our homes in the wee hours of the morning , silently tip-toeing into our bedrooms, dreaming of our next adventure.

- Leonard M., Union City

My first apartment was across the street on Industrial.  I lived on the 2nd floor, and in the summertime would keep my bedroom windows open, and I fell asleep to the distant sound of the ball hitting the pins.  Oddly enough, that sound was very comforting.

- Leesa T., Hayward

My last memory of that location was one time my aunt and uncle came from the Mid-West to visit and while we were trying to find something to do together, my brother managed to talk everyone into going bowling. My grandpa was in a wheelchair and a bowling alley employee brought out a wheelchair ramp so he could join us closer to the lanes. That was a plus. My grandpa, grandma, and dad didn't play, but my aunt, uncle, brother and I did play. We made it boys versus girls and we had fun. My dad spent some of the time trying to teach me to play and his tips kept messing me up. My grandma finally told him to leave me be. Fortunately, he did.  My brother had taught me to bowl there and at a couple other locations several years prior so I knew what I was doing. I did pretty good considering I was using both a size 8 ball and size 9 ball. (8 to loosen up and 9 to play). I grew up in a bowling family (both parents, grandparents, aunt uncles, and cousins all bowl) but I didn't learn to play until I was in my twenties. 

- Christina D., Hayward

I have many happy memories at the Holiday bowl.  My husband and  I bowled on various leagues, over a period of years.  And later his mom and dad also worked,  handing out blue chip stamps.  My husband “ Bob Trettin” won a trophy for high game, with a score of 280 , He is gone but I still have the trophy. We were married for 67 joyful years!  He was my trophy! 

- Georgie T., Hayward