Laughlin bowling center pins down new decorating competition Published Dec. 3, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May 47th Flying Training Wing public affairs LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Over the years, several images have become symbolic of the holiday season. Pumpkins and turkeys represent Halloween and Thanksgiving, while snowmen and mistletoe bring to mind Christmas and New Year's. But bowling pins? Laughlin's Cactus Lanes Bowling Center has put a new twist on an old holiday handicraft tradition: decorating bowling pins. According to Liz Gleese, 47th Installation Support Squadron Services Marketing, the bowling center gave anyone interested two weeks to decorate a bowling pin with a Thanksgiving theme, and the results were nothing less than amazing. Bowling pins were turned in dressed up as pilgrims, Native Americans, turkeys and even an ear of "Indian corn." "The most interesting one I saw in my opinion was one that had two sides," said Dennis Carroll, Services Marketing director. "One was a Pilgrim maiden and the other a Native American." The double-sided pin was the overall winner of the Thanksgiving decorating contest, submitted by Mackenzie Geigle. Mackenzie won a month of free bowling for her entire family. There were 11 entries. Those who weren't able to submit a pin for Thanksgiving have another chance to show off their creative skills, Gleese said. Participants can pick up a pin at Cactus Lanes during any family night event until Dec.10. Pins must be turned in no later than 5 p.m. Dec. 17. "We judge the pins immediately, so the 5 p.m. deadline is very important," Gleese said. "We won't be able to accept any entries after that." Carroll said the contest is intended for families, and there is no age limit for contestants. Call 298-5526 for more details.