Euchre tournament, anyone?

Hi. I'm from Michigan, are you? If you are (and even if you're not, but you have an appreciation for the mitten state), I know you love at least four of the five things on this list: cherries, flannel, pasties, jerky, and beards. You also probably think Euchre is the Greatest Card Game Ever Invented (I know I do). If this is the case, I implore you to sign up for 826michigan's Euchre-for-Cheaters Tournament and Michimania Festival.

Last year, you may remember the back-stabbingly hilarious Skrabbel-for-Cheaters Tournament we hosted. This year, we decided to keep it a little, well, closer to home, as it were. Ergo 826's new fall fundraiser: Euchre-for-Cheaters Tournament and Michimania Festival.

Yes, this will be EXACTLY as awesome as it sounds. As with our Skrabbel tournament, teams will raise money for 826michigan to earn "cheats"--i.e. a certain amount of money will allow a player to renege on purpose, or call trump out of turn--and mastermind their way to victory as the Kings and/or Queens of the Michimania Festival 2009. (A prestigious title indeed!) The Michimania Festival will include things like jerky, cherries, mittens, and more! If all of this wasn't enough, you'll get the chance to play against my parents. (That's right, Bill "raised in Canada" and Linda "been playing euchre all her life" Sumerton are THE team to beat!*)

The Euchre-for-Cheaters Tournament and Michimania Festival will take place Sunday, November 15, at Conor O'Neill's from 2pm to 6pm. Email Angela@826michigan.org to reserve a spot for your team before they're all gone! (And yes, she can answer questions if you have them, and yes, we will help you with your fundraising, of course!)

* I am biased because they are my parents, and, furthermore, lovely people. Volunteer of the Month November 2008 Tyler Brubaker would tell you that he and his son Sid are the team to beat. Just sayin'.

Amy Sumerton is the program director of 826michigan and manager of the Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair. She loves Euchre and is currently seeking the perfect flannel shirt.