Charlie Rath, Roger Herman, Tubber Rath and Mike Paduchak have all eyes on the play when Mike drops his ace of spades. Roger and Mike are two of the original group that started the tournament 50 years ago.

John Mattison flings the nine of spades on the table while Larry Klafehn, partner Teddy Mattison II and Neil Newman watch. The Mattison duo lost 1 point on the game.

Gary Klupp displays the unique record keeping files of competition results going back to 1980. Photographs by Walter Horylev.

Kendall-Hamlin Euchre Tourney is a 50-year tradition

Playing Euchre, the card game, is a tradition in Western New York. Nowhere is this more evident than in the lakeshore towns of Kendall and Hamlin.

These two neighboring towns have sponsored a Euchre Tournament between town residents for 50 years.

The tournament was begun by town leaders in 1954 after they returned from the NYS Association of Towns annual meeting in Buffalo. Back then, the tournament lasted one evening and the losing town bought dinner for the winners.

The rules and format are still the same, although now the tournament covers three Wednesday evenings in January and February. On the first two evenings, 15 games are played with 10 played on the third. Total points scored over all three nights determines the winner. The location alternates between the two towns.

Sponsored by the Kendall and Hamlin Fire Departments, the tournament is open to all residents of both towns. Many of the players have played in all 50 years.

This year’s tournament was held at the Kendall Fire Hall beginning on Wednesday, January 28, then moved to Merritt Hall in Hamlin on February 4. The finals were played in Kendall on February 11. As in the past 50 years, the losing town had to buy a fish fry supper at the Kendall Inn for the winners.

According to Kendall Supervisor John Becker, records of which town has won the most tournaments is relative: “Depends on who you ask.”