The Superior Express -

How would you like to share $320.00 in winnings from playing a backyard game of cornhole? That's what first and second place winners did at last Friday night's fundraiser for Superior's Rescue Squad held in a lot near Superior Bowl.

There were 16 teams of two players who played double elimination games of cornhole at the second annual cornhole tournament fundraiser for the Superior Volunteer Rescue Squad. Victorious first place winners were Ben Burris and Ryan Butler who shared $192.00. Two brothers, Kyle Mundorf and Andrew Mundorf, were the second place champions receiving $128.00 for their team.

The prize money is 50 percent of the $40.00 team entry fee. The remaining 50 percent along with individual and business donations are funds raised to offset the cost of purchase of a new ambulance and equipment.

Medical equipment is pricey. The squad received $150,000.00 from the state towards the large purchase, a loan from the city and funds from America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to assist in the additional $150,000 needed for a 2023 emergency vehicle.

The new ambulance is expected to arrive in early 2024 and will retire the 1991 ambulance. The current 2003 vehicle was updated with the hydraulic, Power Pro Lift system and cot. This helps EMTs in preventing back injuries lifting a cot weighing 125 pounds without a person on it into the ambulance and is more comfortable for the patient in doing the same. The 2023 transport comes equipped with the newer lift and technology.

As part of a requirement to receive funding, the rescue squad needed to "put some skin in the game," said Carrie Lemke, captain, so they tossed around ideas for their enterprise and as a result the cornhole tournament was born last year.

The backyard game has become a

There were 16 teams entered into the Superior Volunteer Fire Department corn hole tournament held at Superior Bowl Friday. The boards used sported different themes including this patriotic stars and stripes board complete with stars and stripes bean bags.

professional game. There are strategies to gaining points and blocking an opponent. Depending on which side of the parking lot players stood on next to their assigned boards, participants were either tossing beanbags uphill or downhill; advantages either way. A few playing Friday night took the game seriously while others were just enjoying the evening out with a beanbag in one hand and a drink in the other managing to not spill a drop. Puffs of dust diffused into the air as beanbags landed on the cornhole boards and the ground. Players' hands were chalky and dusty and at times the beanbags tossed just slid off the boards.

There was laughter, cheers, oohs and ahhs when someone scored or bumped their opponent. Five teenagers joined in the sport as well. Have you heard a child say, "Are we there yet?" Well, an onlooker repeatedly asked, "What's the score now?" waiting for the last team standing to finish their game.

Brodstone Healthcare provided food and drinks for a free will donation. Some of the crowd enjoyed gathering and eating at the picnic tables.

The community showed favor of the fundraising event. "This reminds me of Inglewood, Colorado. You can let your kids play out at night," said Wayne Thomas aka Wayne at Casey's who admits having used EMT services from a car accident and was there in gratitude to support the squad. Others commented it was a worthy cause and that is was friendly, family event.