Archive: Around Town

The scene in Ithaca High School's Bliss Gym on Sunday Nov. 14 afternoon was anything but typical: Adults dressed as clowns and bees spelled aloud words such as "hoomalimali" (something designed primarily to attract favorable attention), "perestroika" (a Soviet political movement) and "anschluss" (annexation, specifically that of Austria by Nazi Germany).

But one thing was familiar about the Ithaca Public Education Initiative's 12th annual Adult Spelling Bee -- the winners. The Spellicans won the contest for the second consecutive year. "It was really fun," Spellican team member Beth Howard said. "There were more tough teams this year, so it is getting more serious. But it is just a really great event."

The event raised about $10,000 for its Teacher Grants program. IPEI is a community-based not-for-profit organization that develops supportive community and private sector relationships with the Ithaca City School District.

Twenty-four teams competed for more than two and a half hours. The spelling bee was the the group's first fundraiser and has become a staple. "It is a great mix of fun and academics," said Mary Grainger, a member of IPEI's board of directors. "It brings out a diverse group and is really our core fundraiser."

Three members of the Hangar Theatre's production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" joined forces on one team. Though Jamie Amos, Andrew Karl and Monique Huff didn't make it to the final round, they received cheers after they sang a song from the play.

After an 11-word final between The Spellicans and The Bee-Attitudes, it was "bobadil" (braggart, windbag) that tripped up The Bee-Attitudes. The Spellicans -- Howard, Melissa Smith and Russ Charif -- have competed for six years and won three titles. The trophy, with a stuffed-bee attached to it, will stay at Smith's house this year.

"We all like words, so studying is fun," said Charif, who said the group started studying at the last minute this year. "We also like to support IPEI. We will have to come back next year to try and win again."

Chemung Canal Trust Company was the 2010 event sponsor covering all event expenses so that all team sponsorships directly support Teacher Grants; last year 27 teachers received grants totaling $35,000 for innovative classroom projects involving a community partner.  Cayuga Radio Group was the Spelling Bee’s media sponsor again this year broadcasting the event live on one of its seven radio stations, WNYY 1470 AM.

Admission is not charged as the public is encouraged to attend as audience members or to listen to the competition on air. Some teams bring their own cheering sections, but there’s always room in the gym for more fans.  There were complimentary refreshments from local businesses such as Subway, the Cornell Orchards, Ludgate’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Edgewood Bakery, and Buzz Coffee.

Attendees supported Teacher Grants by purchasing chances to win exciting raffle prizes including education or bee-related items from The Cat’s Pajamas, Hangar Theatre, Jewelbox, Quilter’s Corner, Buffalo Street Books, and more.

Spelling Bee teams chose fun names that are clues to their affiliation such as the Hil-Loehr-ious Spell-Loehrs, Code Red Robobees, Fine Arts Word Boosters and Fall Creek Stingers. The Lake Street Liaisons included Superintendent Judith Pastel and Board of Education members Josh Bornstein and Brad Grainger. Teams were sponsored by spellers themselves and by a wide range of businesses from Hair Etc. to Kionix and eCornell to Wegmans (see full list of sponsors in Laurel below).

IPEI Board members organize the Bee with the assistance of specialists from Calf Audio and Ithaca High; as well as Pronouncer Chris Allinger, Timekeeper Stuart Basefsky, and Judges Ralph Jones, Susan Mittler, and Paulette Manos.

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