Salem Home hosting fundraising crokinole tournament Thursday, March 6
The Salem Ladies Auxiliary and the Salem Foundation are teaming up for their first-ever—and perhaps first annual—fundraising Crokinole Tournament next month.
Everyone is invited to the Winkler personal care home (165 15th St.) on Thursday, March 6 starting at 6:30 p.m. to vie for crokinole supremacy.
The inspiration for this event came from the residents themselves, shares foundation executive coordinator Susan Hildebrand.
“They so enjoy crokinole. It’s something that they grew up doing,” she says.
The Ladies Auxiliary’s purpose is to enhance the lives of Salem’s residents, so an event like this where many of them can participate—whether by playing or cheering on participants—seemed a perfect fit, Hildebrand says.
“Everyone can get involved. Families that come in, people from the churches, and just regular community members too.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the game, crokinole (knipsbrat in Low German) is game where players take turns shooting discs across a round playing board, trying to land them in high scoring areas, particularly the centre, while also knocking out their opponents’ discs. It’s a hugely popular pastime in the Mennonite culture.
It’s an incredibly accessible game for all skill levels and abilities, and players of all ages are most welcome at the Salem tournament, Hildebrand says.
“Teaming up different ages, it really bridges the gap between generations,” she says. “There are tournaments where they have anywhere from four years old to 94 playing. Everyone is welcome.”
To take part, contact organizers at salemfoundation@salemhome.ca or 204-325-4316 by Wednesday, Feb. 26 to sign-up. It costs $5 per player. You can come solo or register as part of a two-person team. There will be a prize for the winning team.
In addition to the registration fee, participants are also asked to collect pledges. All proceeds from the tournament will go towards the purchase of benches for the Salem Park walkway slated to be built around the building this summer.
“It’s going to be a safe path for residents to go out around the grounds, a really pleasant area for residents and the community to enjoy,” explains Hildebrand. “The Ladies Auxiliary are building on that plan by trying to raise money towards benches and different areas that will make it more comfortable and inviting for people as they’re walking the path.”
If you aren’t a crokinole player, you’re still welcome to stop by the tournament to cheer on the teams. Snacks and beverages will be available by donation, and there will also be raffle tickets on sale for a quilt handmade by Salem residents.
