Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

March 6, 2008 issue

 

Bee Ready: Seventh Annual Spelling Bee for Grown Ups Is March 11

Story by Corinne Saunders

The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and Education Committee will host the seventh annual Spelling Bee for Grown Ups at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11.

Up to 35 teams of four people each can compete, and registration costs $60 per team. “Proceeds are split between the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Watauga Education Foundation,” said Lori Inman, manager of marketing and member services for Boone Area Chamber of Commerce.

About $1,100 from the competition went to the Watauga Education Foundation last year, Inman said.

“We encourage teams to ‘bee’ creative with their team name and costume [and table decorations],” Inman said.

The best-spelling team receives a trophy; prizes are also awarded for teams with the best costumes and the best table decorations. Prizes include gift certificates and the annual surprise prizes by George Brudzinski, owner of local Blue Horse Promotions.

“People tend to dress up and get pretty elaborate,” Inman said.

The Mast General Store “Spellunkers” won best table decorations last year, converting their table area into a cave and wearing cave hats and lights, she added.

The defending champions called themselves the “Grand Ole Broads at the Easter Parade” last year and wore Easter outfits and bonnets. They will compete again this year, possibly with a new team name.

Teams so far this year include Makoto’s “Spellbound,” Mast General Store “Alphabet Souper Spellers,” Caldwell Community College “To Bee or Not To Bee,” High Country Bank “Don’t Worry, Bee Happy,” Bandana Barbeque “Piglets,” BREMCO “Power Spellers,” Kiwanis Club “Killowatts,” Grandfather Mountain “Frosted Juncos” and Precision Printing “PJ’s Spellcheckers.”

Chuck Watkins will serve as the presiding Beekeeper, as he has from the spelling bee’s inception, calling out the words and definitions to contestants.

In the spelling bee, each team collaborates during each round and writes down their final spelling of a word that the panel of judges checks. A team that misspells a word will be eliminated, but has the option of remaining in the competition by purchasing Bee Bucks for $10. After the third round or so, the option to purchase Bee Bucks is cut off, Inman said.

Drinks and light refreshments will be provided by the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center.

The team entry deadline was Monday, March 3, but spectators are welcome to attend. The event is free for spectators; donations are always welcomed.

For more information, contact Lori Inman at 828-264-2225 or loriinman@boonechamber.com.

 

Want To Go?

Date: Tuesday, March 11
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Broyhill Inn & Conference Center
Cost: Free for spectators