Rab's Country Lanes

1600 Hylan Boulevard Staten Island, NY 10305   |   Phone: 718-979-1600    

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Rab’s announces date for ‘Second Annual Rock ‘N Bowl for Our Vets Live Music Event’

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By Dr. Gracelyn Santos | gsantos@siadvance.com
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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Rab Wilkinson Foundation has announced the 2nd Annual Rock ‘n Bowl for Our Vets Live Music Event, which will be held at Rab’s Country Lanes on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023 at 1 p.m.

The event of music and entertainment follows the success of the inaugural event in 2022, which raised $20,000 for local veterans and projects supporting U.S. veterans.

The 2023 event will be hosted by Todd Piro, FOX News personality, and will feature five favorite local bands who will rock out on the lanes: Aftermath, American Cover Story, DOC Holiday, Fast Forward, and Johnny Fish & The Fins, and other special guests.

Frank Wilkinson, proprietor of Rab’s and chairman of the Rab Wilkinson Foundation, is excited about the music tradition and raising much-needed funds for programs that give back to those who have selflessly served our country.

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Special Olympics Bowling: 39 Islanders earn medals in NYC Region event

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By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
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The New York City Region Special Olympics Bowling Competition, held on Saturday, May 12, at Rab’s Country Lanes, brought together over 100 competitors from the five boroughs.

The event showcased the incredible talent and determination of athletes from various programs, with Staten Island proudly represented by 39 exceptional athletes from the NYC 4 Bridges Athletics and Staten Island Miracle Bowling Programs.

The competition featured singles, team, and unified doubles events, with participants displaying remarkable skills and sportsmanship.

“These athletes have inspired us all with their dedication, perseverance, and unwavering spirit, embodying the true essence of the Special Olympics movement,” said Rab’s Proprietor, Frank Wilkinson.

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Kammerer Sets Record with 818 Series at 2023 USBC Women’s Championships

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LAS VEGAS – Melissa Kammerer of Staten Island, New York, rolled the highest series in the 103-year history of the United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships during her singles event Thursday with an 818 set.

She put together games of 280, 238 and 300 at the South Point Bowling Plaza to set the record and take the lead in Diamond Singles at the 2023 event.

The previous record of 816 was shared by Michelle Feldman of Auburn, New York (2009 – singles), and Jodi Woessner of Oregon, Ohio (2010 – doubles).

Kammerer recorded the 12th 800 series and 40th 300 at the USBC Women’s Championships, and she is just the fourth bowler in tournament history to have both an 800 series and 300 game on the championship lanes.

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Island female bowler rolls highest series in 103-year history of USBC Women’s Championships in Vegas

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Staten Island Advance Sports Desk | silive.com
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LAS VEGAS — Maybe, Staten Islander Melissa Kammerer should try her luck at the slot machines Thursday night in one of the casinos here in Sin City.

It can’t hurt considering what she accomplished Thursday afternoon in the USBC Women’s Championships’ Diamond Singles, as she rolled the highest series in the tourney’s 103-year history — a whopping 818 series on tough conditions at South Point Bowling Plaza. The righty’s series included a perfecto in her final game. Her first two scores were 280 and 238.

Kammerer worked as youth coordinator at Rab’s Country Lanes, coaching two teams to national championship finals in 2016 and 2018.

Currently, she is the head bowling coach for Long Island University women’s bowling squad. She is also a USBC-certified bronze-level bowling coach.

After an Advance All-Star career at Curtis High School, she competed at Wichita State while earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

The Diamond Singles tournament features bowlers with entering averages of 175 and above. The 2023 Women’s Championships started April 23 and will conclude July 2.

Cameron LaPlant (857) storms into top spot as finals field is set in 45th Staten Island Singles Classic

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By Staten Island Advance Sports Desk
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Cameron LaPlant sent a loud and clear message to the competitors in the 45th Staten Island Singles Classic that he should be taken seriously in Saturday’s Top 24 finals.

LaPlant, 21, rolled an 857 scratch series on the final day of qualifying Saturday to easily surpass Andrew Link and Calista Iavarone, who each rolled a 784 series on the opening weekend. LaPlant, a righty, fired games of 290, 278 and 289.

Link and Iavarone finished tied for second.

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Bowling: Link, Iavarone share early Staten Island Singles Classic lead

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By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the Full Story

Andrew Link and Calista Iavarone each rolled into the top spot after the first weekend of qualifying in the Staten Island Singles Classic at Rab’s Country Lanes.

The two each shot a 784 series. Link rolled games of 279, 255 and 232 for a 766 scratch series. His 18-pin handicap gave him a 784 set.

Iavarone, competing with a 27-pin handicap, shot games of 277, 236 and 244 en route to a 757 scratch series.

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Rab’s Hosts Press Conference: Veterans Discount Program to continue on Staten Island, expanding to include SIEDC

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Baran, Fossella, Cusick with Rab's in the background as part of a press conference

Borough President Fossella in joined by Linda Baran, president of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, and Michael Cusick, president of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, during a press conference at Rab’s Country Lanes, Dongan Hills, to announce the continuation and expansion of the Staten Veterans Discount Program. (Staten Island Advance/ Priya Shahi)Priya Shahi

By Priya Shahi | pshahi@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the full story

VETS LogoSTATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Staten Island’s Veterans Discount Program, which provides a 10% discount on goods and services from participating businesses across the borough, is not only going to continue, but is expanding beyond the borough president’s office and the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce — with the addition of the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC).

“One thing that every Staten Islander has in common is that we cherish our veterans,” said Borough President Vito Fossella, when announcing that the SIEDC would be joining the program, which was started in 2012 by former Assemblyman Michael Cusick. “I am proud to partner with these two great organizations to provide a free service to those who have served our country.”

The Veterans Discount Program was started over a decade ago by former Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

“I think the expansion is important, because the SIEDC and the Chamber are the two largest organizations on Staten Island,” said Cusick, current president and CEO of the SIEDC. “The fact that we are doing this together … to be able to bring more people and more businesses to this program, we can really help the veterans. I think it’s a win-win.”

He added that the Veterans Discount Program now has over 200 participating retailers, including Rab’s.

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Staten Island bowling alley ups its food game with gourmet burgers | The Dish

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Chef Joe poses at Rab's Kitchen with Proprietor Frank Wilkinson

It’s an unlikely place to find gourmet offerings like burgers but Joe Labita, left, and Frank Wilkinson have made that happen at Rab’s Country Lanes, Dongan Hills. (Courtesy of Elena Demontreaux)

By Pamela Silvestri | silvestri@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click here for the full story

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Bowlers at Rab’s Country Lanes in Dongan Hills have been privy to some fantastical food this winter. Chef Joe Labita amped up the alley’s game with gourmet burgers, admirable wings and assorted sandwiches. With a burgeoning business and frequent fliers to 1600 Hylan Blvd. coming just to sample the goods, owner Frank Wilkinson has decided to renovate the operation.

This Wednesday, while pins crashed in the backdrop, “The Dish” broadcast live from Rab’s. Up for tasting were the “Steakhouse” wagyu and Pat LaFrieda blended beef patties now coming from this unlikely food destination, long known for its pizza. Since the summer, Labita has rounded out its menu with all-day breakfast, quesadillas, salads and brined-buttermilk soaked boneless chicken preparations served in a crisp tempura.

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‘It has such a rich heritage’: One man reflects on what the S.I. Singles Classic means to him

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By Joe D’Amodio | damodio@siadvance.com
silive.com | Click Here for the full story

Bob Garzone posing with a bowling ball

Bobby Garzone captured his only Staten Island Singles Classic crown in 1979. (Staten Island Advance)

With the 45th edition of the Staten Island Singles Classic right around the corner, former champion Bobby Garzone couldn’t help but reflect on the prestigious event, which was created by Donnie Walters, one of the names synonymous with Island bowling.

“Back in 1978 (the inaugural tourney), there weren’t many, if any, singles tourneys, at least none that proved to stand the test of time,” said Garzone, a former Islander, who now resides in Florida. “I was just finishing my years with the US Navy. I was fishing around for a new career which had me doing many different time shifts.

“Donnie was my neighbor for decades but I got to know him much better seeing him when we worked the same hours. He encouraged me to ‘step up my game’, and competing in the Staten Island Singles Classic was the best way to do that.”

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Meet the Team: Chef Joe, Head Chef & Director of Food Operations

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This past year, Rab’s Kitchen was born to introduce fresh, quality, delicious food to enhance the overall guest experience, at your favorite place to bowl, whether it’s to bowl and have fun with friends and family or just stop in for a bite to eat.

We are excited to introduce Chef Joe Labita as the Head Chef and Director of Food Operations at Rab’s Country Lanes.  With over three decades of culinary experience and a passion for quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations, Chef Joe has taken our food offerings to the next level.

In this series of “Meet our Team,” let’s meet Chef Joe…  Here, we ask Chef Joe a series of questions to get to know him better and learn more about his cooking philosophy, favorite chefs, and more.  Join us as we welcome Chef to the Rab’s Family and look forward to the exciting culinary creations he will bring to our menu.

When asked about what inspired him to become a chef, Chef Joe recounted starting to work in the kitchen at 14 years old, washing dishes and watching cooks and chefs work.  He was fascinated by customers coming into the kitchen and complimenting the chef on the food.  He wanted to be that chef.

How do you describe your overall cooking philosophy?
Quality ingredients, not a ton of items in a recipe.  Feature an item, then highlight with flavors.

Name thee three kitchen tools you can’t do without?
Chef’s Knife, Thermocouple, and Robot Coupe (blender).

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