PARIS — More than 80 Special Olympics athletes took to the lanes at Stars and Strikes to compete in Oxford county’s annual bowling tournament last Friday, with an awards banquet and dance following at the The American Legion Post 72.

The tournament is organized by the county’s Special Olympics area managers, Rhonda Lausier and Ashly Rolfe, who say that participation is rebounding following the pandemic. Last year about 50 people took part in the tournament but this year 83 registered. Previous years have seen an average of 120 or more bowlers.

The Special Olympics is dependent on volunteer organizers and coaches. With bowling, winter sporting events, a March carnival, a bocce tournament and spring track, field competitions, Maine state games and other group activities, it takes dedication of time and energy to produce.

Lausier has been working with Special Olympics for more than 30 years. Rolfe, her niece, joined the organization 15 years ago. Rolfe’s kids volunteer as well. Both have spent their careers working in the social services field. Pam Lovely, treasurer, has also volunteered for more than 30 years, and Trish Larrivee recently joined as secretary.

Lausier has volunteered as a coach in the past, twice leading teams from Maine to national games. She said coaches are key to the success of Special Olympics, noting the dedication of the late Sandra Hebert of Dixfield who was with the state organization, Fryeburg Academy teacher Kathy Dunham who coaches teams from that area, as well as independent parent-coaches Walt and Barb Mosher and Dawn Pressey.

Oxford County Special Olympics wants to expand the program for younger kids. Rolfe, with assistance from Maine Special Olympics’ CEO Ian Frank, spearheads an outreach campaign to establish teams with elementary schools.

The youngest athlete is a fifth grader from Guy E. Rowe School in Norway and competes independently. Rolfe and Lausier would love to have enough kids join to establish local elementary-aged teams.

Currently athletes represent the Progress Center from Oxford, Mountain Valley of RSU 10, and the middle and high schools in the Oxford Hills School District. RSU 16 and SAD 61 have had teams participate in Oxford county in previous years; Lausier hopes now that the pandemic has passed that their teams reorganize.

“We advocate for different schools to join us,” Lausier said. “We’re working to bring in elementary schools. We get assistance from the state [Special Olympics organization with outreach].”

Daddy O’s has emerged as the county group’s biggest benefactor, thanks in part to the friendship between owners Aaron and Amanda Ouelette’s friendship with the Moshers and their son Sean, who has Down syndrome.

Sean Mosher has participated in Special Olympics for the last 25 years, since he was in high school. His parents coach the Fryeburg Academy bowling team that Sean competes with.

“From the day we opened our first restaurant, the Moshers have been customers,” Aaron Ouelette said. “Sean is the mayor of Daddy O’s. When he comes in it’s like he owns the place. He goes right into the kitchen, he has to say hi to everyone. He just brings a smile to everyone’s face.”

“Daddy O’s is a very big sponsor for us,” Lausier said. “We appreciate and need to thank them for all that they’ve done the last four or five years. They’ve raised lots and lots of money for our athletes. They’ve provided adaptive equipment, uniforms and registration scholarships for the state games.”

Special Olympics is always open to new volunteers and coaches. To volunteer in Oxford county, people can get more information from the Oxford county and Volunteer Resources sections of Special Olympics Maine’s website (https://www.somaine.org/). Applicants must complete a criminal background check and complete required safety and protective behaviors training.

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