Hearth & Home takes first at inaugural Chamber Olympics

A trophy found its home at Hearth and Home Technologies after they were announced as the first winners of Chamber Olympics. Ten area businesses competed for the title of first Chamber Olympics champion at the competition on Friday, April 26, at East Lake Park.

Despite the Hearth & Home feeling like they were at a slight disadvantage because they started the day with the three-legged race, their competitive spirit helped them push forward toward a win.

'I'm pretty spent already,” said Chris Christensen, with Hearth and Home, with a laugh halfway through the games.

Athletico, the Henry County Health Center, Innovairre, Iowa Wesleyan University, Jabil, The REC Center, Two Rivers Bank & Trust and Walmart were all the other teams that competed in the inaugural Chamber Olympics hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance.

Teams dueled against each other in 10 games throughout Friday afternoon, convening for an awards dinner and trivia at Airport Road Vineyard later that night.

Mark Hempen, with the Henry County Health Center, sported pink troll hair during Chamber Olympics. He said the HCHC team likes to think of themselves 'not as Olympic hopefuls, but as Olympic hopeless.”

'Thank heavens this is not real athletic,” Hempen said with a laugh.

Gina Smith, with HCHC, said she was a last-minute addition to the team, and she was happy to be supporting the Chamber and the hospital on Friday.

'I feel like they really needed me to carry them through,” she said with a laugh.

Erika DuVall, with HCHC, said her husband gave her a lecture Friday morning before leaving for work reminding her not to be too competitive.

'This is for fun, rein it in,” DuVall laughed as she repeated her husband's words. 'I think they brought me because I know CPR,” she said.

Jesse Aynes, with Innoviarre, said they signed a team up because it was really important for them to support the Chamber during this inaugural event.

'It's not every day you get to see something like this,” Aynes said.

The Innovairre team was dressed in green capes and masks - the Inncredibles.

'We like to go all out for a good theme,” Aynes said. 'We have two teams here today. That's how much we wanted to be a part of this day.”

Becky Mattson, with Innovairre, said the games were a little trickier than she thought they would be.

Candice Becker, with Innovairre, said she was going to be sore in some places she didn't think she would be on Saturday after the games.

'They said you don't have to be an athlete to participate. I disagree,” Becker said with a laugh.

Michelle Rauscher, with Athletico, was the costume creator for Chamber Olympics. 'I think with glitter,” she said. 'We're trying to win the costume contest.”

Patrick Hayden, with Athletico, traveled from his home Athletico office in Iowa City to compete alongside Athletico's Mt. Pleasant team during Chamber Olympics.

'I was not told there would be a tutu involved,” Hayden said, sporting a blue and white tutu. 'It's nice to get to know employees in the other Athletico location,” he said.

Jeff Timmerman, with Walmart, said he loved the competition.

'You get to make fun of yourself. Everybody has a positive attitude,” Timmerman said breathlessly after competing in the Three Legged Race. 'I'm feeling my age,” he said with a laugh.

Timmerman said he signed up for Chamber Olympics because it sounded like a great opportunity for team building out of the office

Angie Davis, with Walmart, said she signed up for Chamber Olympics to do something to be part of the community.

'It's a lot more strenuous than what I expected,” Davis said, adding that she would do it again. 'It's a great way for the companies to come together and learn about each other.”

'You just have to laugh at yourself and have fun,” said Julie Brown, with Two Rivers Bank & Trust.

Michael Patten, with Walmart Distribution, led the game Cliff Hangers, which challenged contestants to guess how much an item costs at Walmart.

'It's a fun way to get involved in the community,” Patten said, explaining that Cliff Hangers was a play off the Price is Right.

Timber Haschemeyer, director of membership at the Chamber, said they were thankful that there wasn't a cloud in the sky on Friday. To have the event outside in the fresh air was one of the perks of Chamber Olympics, Haschemeyer said.

'I'm happy 10 companies wanted to partner with us on this first event,” Haschemeyer said. 'We'll make some changes for next year, but that's never a bad thing.”