Literacy organization seeks teams of good spellers

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For 32 years, volunteers have been sharing basic reading, writing and language skills with those in need in the Greater Bangor area through Literacy Volunteers of America-Bangor.

For nine of those years, the major fund-raiser to continue the work of LVA-Bangor has been a spelling bee.

The ninth annual Letters for Literacy Spelling Bee is planned for Saturday, April 7, on the campus of the Penobscot Job Corps Center on Union Street in Bangor.

The event is an exciting, fun-filled one, aided by the entertaining antics of local television personality Ric Tyler, who has been serving as master of ceremonies for six years.

Another, yet-to-be-named, host will join Tyler on stage for the event, said Rachel Heath of Bangor, one of the spelling bee organizers.

However, in order for there to be a spelling bee at all, the LVA-Bangor needs a minimum of six teams of two spellers each, and the deadline for registering your team is Tuesday, Feb. 20.

The LVA-Bangor needs spellers from community or corporate organizations to take part in this fund-raiser, which features appetizers and a buffet dinner prepared by PJC Culinary Arts students, a silent auction, and other interesting treats and activities throughout the evening.

While needing a minimum of six teams for the spelling bee, Heath said as many as 10 teams could be accepted.

Heath, who has been working on the bee for eight years, is responsible for the word selection, getting the officials and mascot, and giving the participants “a little prep talk the night of the event to explain our set of rules and procedures,” she said.

The words are chosen from the “Scripps-Howard Pronouncers Guide,” which is used for the schoolchildren’s national spelling bees, she explained.

Once a team has registered with the LVA-Bangor, Heath provides the spellers with “all the words that have been used in previous spelling bees” as a practice tool, she said.

A team representing Bangor Savings Bank won last year’s championship.

If you are interested in testing your skills as a speller but, more importantly, wish to help make this major annual fund-raiser a success, call the LVA-Bangor office at 947-8451, to register.

Calais High School teacher Rick Chaffey of Dennysville wants the public to know that some “very dedicated and caring individuals” have helped “reinforce the pride of Calais High School” recently. He is grateful for that support.

Chaffey wrote that after a vandalism spree at the school last summer, groups and individuals have joined together to make improvements to the school.

Leading the way have been members of the Student Council and the National Honor Society, Chaffey wrote.

“We are currently raising money for a new speaker system in the gym,” he said, “which could also be used on the soccer field, or on outings, since it is portable.”

And while that equipment is expensive, “people in the community have, once again, dug deep into their pockets” to support fund-raisers, such as a recent rock-a-thon, which brought in more than $1,600, he wrote.

Chaffey also pointed to “two incredible acts of generosity” during recent basketball games when Edmund Delmonaco donated the $90 he had been awarded from a 50-50 draw, and Corey and Crystal McPhee donated their $93 winnings toward the purchase of the new sound system.

As a result of Chaffey’s contacting several alumni regarding the need for new trophy case for the school, John Marchese, Dick Mingo, Artie Mingo, Bob McShane, Jen Thompson and Maria Tickle sent donations that made them members of “The $100 Club.”

A local business owner, who wants to remain anonymous, contributed $900 for the school’s athletic program, and “dozens and dozens of former students” made contributions to the alumni fund “to help students attend conferences” and other activities, Chaffey wrote.

Such generosity, and the kindness of “parents, teachers and concerned citizens” that Chaffey finds occurring “on a daily basis, truly make a school and community one entity,” he wrote.

While recognizing that “education takes it on the chin” all too often, Chaffey writes, “it is heartwarming to know that this is not the case at Calais High School. Thank you for caring.”

Members of the Penobscot Valley Kennel Club can often be found at local nursing homes, bringing a gift of entertainment to the residents.

Under the leadership of Gene Nardi of Winterport, several PVKC members made a presentation at Westgate Manor in Bangor recently that included a demonstration and explanation of the therapy dog program.

Cyrille Young of Glenburn was there with her three golden retrievers to give an agility demonstration.

Agneta Rundberg of Kenduskeag brought in her standard poodle; Nola Scott of Orrington was there with her Australian shepherd puppy; and PVKC member Joan Harrigan explained the therapy dog program.

Clara Grover came all the way from East Machias to demonstrate how dogs can open and close light switches and pick things up off the floor for their masters, or let their masters lean up against them to brace themselves.

Nardi is chairman of the club’s Therapy Dog Referral Program, and he is anxious to get the word out about therapy dogs and the work they do.

If your organization would like a therapy dog presentation by members of the PVKC, or if you would like more information about the Therapy Dog Referral Program, call Nardi at 223-5578.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.