At Home on the Sound Team
Wins 8th Annual Spelling Bee
Winning team, “The Spellbinders,” representing At Home on the Sound, left to right: Nedra Gillette; Wendy Vega; Carol Loomis.
By Stephen E. Lipken
Larchmont Temple was the scene for the 8th Annual Larchmont Spelling Bee, on Sunday, April 23rd, the first one since 2020 Covid, presented by Friends of the Larchmont Public Library and sponsored by Ray Catena Lexus and Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate, represented by “Houlihan Homespellers.”
The Program was Emceed by former CBS journalist Lou Young, now a Village of Mamaroneck Trustee. Spelling Bee Judges were Westchester County Executive George Latimer; Larchmont Mayor Sarah Bauer and Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney.
Spelling Bee Co-Chairs were Teddi Becker and Diane Abrams; Becker was the wordsmith who selected the words.
The contestants displayed their words on white boards with magic markers. Some words the participants had to contend with included “tonsillectomy;” “somnolence (drowsiness)” “acquiesce, (staying silent)” and “emollient, (soothing to the skin).”
A small bell signaled a 10-second warning; a gong, “time’s up.” Competing teams of three members each were divided into “Swarms,” including Swarm 1, “Spell Binders;” “Beehives” and “Garden Bees;” Swarm 2, “Larchmont Mamaroneck Lions Club;” “Spy Bee-loon;” “Houlihan Homespellers;” Swarm 3, “The Beliebers;” “AOD Crew;” Swarm 4, “TLB;” “Bee’s Knees;” “Team Compass 2”.
Spell Binders was the winning team, representing “At Home on the Sound.” Each winner received two Word Puzzle Books.
Friends of the Larchmont Public Library was established in 1976 to provide financial and volunteer support for the Larchmont Public Library. It is an independent 501C(3) not-for-profit that provides funding for specific library projects and sponsors numerous cultural enrichment programs.
“We also maintain a free bookshelf at the Larchmont railroad station and help home-bound patrons borrow library materials.” Other items the Friends have funded include self-serve stations in both the main library and Children’s Room; passes for 18 museums, allowing library patrons to visit for free; iPad and telescopes for the Children’s Room and an upgraded Wi-Fi network.