Amid this weekend’s chilly weather, many residents opted for some warm and exciting indoor activities. 

One activity many folks have been drawn toward recently is cornhole — an unexpected community that continues to grow in Wareham. 

On Saturday, Jan. 6, Redmen Hall, located at 745 Main Street, held its second cornhole tournament fundraiser that was well attended. 

A crowd filled the hall with some already starting to toss the bean bags, others grabbing a drink and the rest talking amongst themselves. 

“This is one of our attempts to bring in younger people and to get some interest in the club,” said Jeff Reed, an Order of the Red Men member and organizer of the event.

The Order of the Red Men is a charitable fraternity founded in 1776, originally known as the Sons of Liberty — which many may recall as the group behind the Boston Tea Party. The Sons of Liberty aimed to establish “freedom” and “liberty” in the early colonies, according to a pamphlet from the club’s website.

“They patterned themselves after the Great Iroquois Indian Nation and its democratic governing body,” according to the pamphlet. “Their system with elected representatives to governing tribal councils has been in existence for several centuries.”

After the American Revolution, the group renamed themselves and continued to model their meetings and missions after the Native Americans. 

“Clubs are having a hard time with membership,” Reed explained, adding the Order is working on ways to garner more interest for the club.

Rich Crowell, a seasoned cornhole champion, said he does about two tournaments a week.

He said he enjoys the people, “the atmosphere” and having some competition.  

Crowell said it was a bit different playing at Redmen Hall given the shorter distance between boards, but the community remained the same. 

He explained how oftentimes it is the same people coming out to the tournaments so they are familiar with each other for the most part.

Glen Chandler said it was his first time playing cornhole at Redmen Hall, but has played in the past at places like Stone Path Malt Brewery.

Similar to Crowell, Chandler also has a few wins himself, enjoying both the people and the competition at each game.

Chandler said, “It’s probably my new favorite activity — mostly for the people.”

Reed said in addition to starting up cornhole tournaments, the club intends to bring back cribbage nights and will continue to host its chicken barbecues and annual clambake. 

He added on Thursday, Jan. 25, the club will be holding a Chowderfest Cookoff at Redmen Hall that is open to the public.