Peter Becker woodworkers make boards for SAHS Cornhole Club

FRANCONIA » Souderton Area High School’s Cornhole Club just got a big addition — five sets (10 boards) made by woodworkers in the Peter Becker Community woodshop.

“We have a couple boards that were handme-downs we got from a student, but this’ll be fantastic,” said SAHS Spanish teacher Alison Todd, the club’s advisor, as the boards were picked up at the woodshop the afternoon of April 8.

The club, which he and fellow-ninth grader Jimmy Engler started last fall, has about 10 members, club cofounder Liam Aldredge said. He said he and Engler live in the same neighborhood and had played cornhole before.

“I didn’t play cornhole, but I thought it sounded like fun, and they’re great kids,” so her response to being asked to be the club advisor was, “Let’s do it,” Todd said.

Almost anyone can play cornhole, she said.

“You don’t have to have a lot of skill. You don’t need to be athletic,” she said, “so it’s a nice club that anybody can join and anybody can be a part of.”

So far, the club members have only played as a club, but there’s talk of a competition between Peter Becker residents and the club. Next year, there could also be competitions between SAHS faculty and students or with clubs from other schools, Todd said.

“I’m trying to put together a tournament that we’re gonna put the proceeds towards charity,” Aldredge said.

Woodworker John Walz designed the boards that were made by Walz, Bob Coble, Joe Bondi, Ron Foley and Wayne Whitney.

“It’s not a complicated thing to make if the wood cooperates,” Walz said. “That’s been the problem.”

After the boards were initially put together, they had to be taken apart and re-done because of warping, he said.

Peter Becker Vice-President for Mission Support David Merrick said it’s a pleasure for Peter Becker to be able to partner with the community, especially with the high school.

Todd said it’s also good for the students to partner with and give back to the community.

The funding for the materials for the boards came from donations by five school teachers living in Peter Becker Community, Merrick said.

The Cornhole Club members will now paint the boards, Aldredge and Todd said.

The group has 32 bags (four sets) that he and his father made, but will now need more, Aldredge said.

There are a lot of Peter Becker residents who can sew the bags, Peter Becker Director of Resident Engagement Ariella Lustig said.

“I may be able to recruit some help,” she said.

BOB KEELER — MEDIANEWS GROUP Standing in front of the five sets of cornhole boards made by Peter Becker Community residents in the workshop are, from left, Peter Becker Vice-President of Mission Support David Merrick; woodworker Ron Foley, Souderton Area High School Cornhole Club cofounder Liam Aldredge, SAHS Cornhole Club Advisor Alison Todd, woodworker and board designer John Walz, and woodworker Bob Coble.

BOB KEELER — MEDIANEWS GROUP Woodworkers at Peter Becker Community made 10 cornhole boards for the Souderton Area High School Cornhole Club.