Paulette Porter

Anyone who’s been around the Muskegon bowling scene for an extended period of time has probably run into Paulette Porter at one time or another.  Anyone who has the nickname “Ma” in bowling alleys all over the area has to be a recognizable figure.

Paulette and her husband Jerry, a current Hall-of-Famer, have had their fingerprints all over Muskegon bowling for the past 27 years.  Since September of that year, Paulette has been involved with bowling on a daily basis.  Whether she’s meeting face to face, sending out letters or E-Mails or talking on the phone, she is constantly striving to make bowling better for people in the Muskegon area.

Paulette was also the treasurer for the Captain Sponsors Club, spending the majority of the 1980s and 1990s assisting the club.  She put a great deal of time and effort into it, particularly in the setting up of the meetings.

As a member of the Greater Muskegon Bowling Association, meetings were held at Jerry and Paulette’s house for a number of years.  The end of each meeting always culminated with the famous “Paulette luncheon.” 

For many years, Paulette has been the Santa’s Helper for the Goodwillies league in Muskegon.  She has always done the “little things” for every bowler she’s come in contact with. 

“For me, it’s not so much about the bowling as it is about the people,” Paulette said.  “I just love people, and I give from the heart.”

The Greater Muskegon Bowling Hall of Fame has not existed without Paulette’s involvement in some way - she’s been working on the HOF since its inception in 1996.  Now, she’ll be a member.  Along with Jerry, they will be the second couple inducted in the Hall - the other being Lutz and Ruth Majeski.

It doesn’t end at the local level for Paulette, either.  For the past 14 years, she has been involved with the Michigan State Bowling Association.  She started out working with Frank and Edrie Peters.  Today, she’s still involved, working with fellow Hall-of-Famer Barney Eagan, and his wife, Kathy.

Paulette was a very decent bowler in her own right.  She began bowling in 1958 in Coopersville with her boyfriend.  She continued bowling up until 1980, and at one point during her career she was bowling three times a week.  Paulette’s high game was 279, and her high series was 596.  Her proudest moment in bowling was hitting her first 200 game.

Most anyone in the Muskegon bowling community will tell you it was only a matter of time before Paulette was inducted into the Hall of Fame.  Now, that day has arrived.  Congratulations, Paulette!