- BY JUDEE COSENTINO FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE
NORTH ATTLEBORO - "Ping, ping, ping," echoed throughout the Elks Lodge on Saturday afternoon, as dozens of washer discs flew through the air and bounced into - or around - the washer boards at the annual DominAchin tournament to raise money for Parkinson's disease research.
The event, which started as a small gathering eight years ago, has grown exponentially. More than 200 people were expected to attend the event. Its fame has reached across neighboring towns into a life all its own and is considered "theraputic" by the family members of Mike Achin, who is battling Parkinson's.
"He doesn't feel like he's in it alone, and we don't feel like we're in it alone," said Ben Achin, the oldest son. "We always leave this day feeling how lucky we are."
Achin, a North Attleboro resident who was diagnosed with Parkinson's eight years ago, was feted by friends and family members throughout the afternoon.
"It's like Christmastime," said Achin, as he surveyed the crowd filling the lodge. "It's a great day for us."
Some family members came long distances to participate in the tournament. Robert Adams traveled from Las Vegas and his appearance was a happy surprise to his uncle Mike.
"He's an inspiration," Adams said. "He's like a second father figure to me ... he shows people that it doesn't matter how hard life gets, you can always look on the bright side and keep looking forward in a positive direction."
It was Achin's children who conceived the idea for the tournament, after many washer games in the parking lot of Gillette Stadium before New England Patriots games. While the game is fun and easy for anyone to do, the trick to actually getting the three-inch discs into the board holes, which stand at a 45-degree angle, is in the throw.
"It's consistency in throwing," said Ken Butler of Mansfield. "It's learning that distance (to the wash board hole)."
Adams managed to get one of the discs into the wash board, but not before several counts of trying.
"You could learn the game in two seconds, but to master it might take a lifetime," Adams said.
Bret Wambolt of North Attleboro, who went to school with Achin's sons, considered the key to be in the spin of the discs.
"It's harder than basketball," Wambolt said. "It's definitely a challenge, and I like challenges."
The proceeds from the event, which were expected to reach $25,000, will be donated to Team Fox Foundation, with 10 percent put into a private family fund for Achin.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/annual-north-attleboro-washer-toss-helps-battle-parkinson-s-disease/article_6f59a3ed-2e92-52af-bb83-e7c7192c6b26.html
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