Say, “Spelling bee” and most people picture nervous, spotlessly-dressed children lining up to spell a word apiece. Say, “Adult spelling bee as a fund-raiser” and eyebrows turn into question marks. Add, “Teams of four are encouraged to wear costumes and it is fun for participants and spectators alike,” and disbelief might follow.
It all happened on Wednesday, Oct. 22 in the multi-purpose room of our recently-renovated Dutch Lake Community Centre as part of this year’s Raise-a-Reader campaign. Some money had been collected in September with donations given as volunteers distributed free copies of Kamloops This Week. The total is an amazing $5055.26 which, says Joanna Hurst of Yellowhead Community Services, “Will be matched in whole or in part by the provincial government and other national sponsors, then returned directly back to Clearwater and area for literacy programming. Historically these funds have been used for programming such as: Parent-Child Mother Goose, the Bright Red Bookshelves, and Adult Tutoring Programs.”
Four teams participated: Canfor, Rotary, Yellowhead Community Services, and Wells Gray Country Seniors sponsored by Pharmasave. A fifth team, Mommies Book Club, was unable to come at the last moment, but still donated the team’s $100 sign-up fee. Team members cooperated to spell the word given by Councillor Merlin Blackwell. Impartial judges compared the submitted spelling with the one flashed on the screen. The imposing, weighty Canada’s Oxford Dictionary was consulted when results were (optimistically) challenged. Each team started with three free balloons, which a buzzing bee ceremoniously popped when a word was misspelled. More could be, and were, purchased for $25 to keep teams in the game. Everyone, especially spectators, cheered for everyone else or moaned in sympathy as balloons exploded.
All team members put their best efforts forward, struggling especially hard over words never seen or heard before. In the end, the red-costumed Canfor team happily collected its bobble-headed bee trophies and more. With good-natured joking and laughter throughout, everyone enjoyed a fun-filled evening – as will those who benefit from the money raised.