1 / 1 Literacy Society of North Okanagan Adult Spelling Bee queen bees Wendy Aasen (seated, left) and Debbie Nurse, join presenting sponsor Kal Tire and its Bee team of Robert Foord (from leftO, Christina Wolliams, Nikki Kinakin, Michelle Erickson, Jamie Shillingford, Jeremy Spruston, Dan Mezynski, and Corey Parks (kneeling) to promote this year's event. The Adult Spelling Bee runs Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Prestige Vernon Lodge.Roger Knox - Morning Star Advertisement

The buzz around the Literacy Society of the North Okanagan's 16th annual Adult Spelling Bee is building.

The fun team building event that raises awareness for literacy and supports not-for-cost literacy programs in the North Okanagan is set for Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 a.m. at the Prestige Vernon Lodge.

"Literacy skills are the foundation for lifelong learning that affects the quality of life and the health and social economic well-being of individuals, families and communities," said Literacy Society North Okanagan executive director Debbie Nurse, who was joined by colleague, outreach director Wendy Assen, in donning bee outfits to promo the event with the spelling bee's main sponsor, Kal Tire.

"We're proud to support the Adult Spelling Bee Team Challenge, a fun community event that raises awareness to the importance of literacy," said newly minted Kal Tire president Corey Parks, expected to make his Spelling Bee debut this year.

"Literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning and contributes to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Supporting this event helps ensure free literacy programs continue to make a difference right here in the community."

The tire company puts in a Bee team every year and, like the Morning Star News Bees, has never won the event. The News Bees have been runners-up on multiple occasions. The only two teams who have their names on the championship trophy are the Okanagan College Eggheads and the Queen Beez.

The Eggheads are the defending champions but rumours persist they are, er, scrambling to enter a team in 2025.

The Bee consists of three rounds of five words each. If teams are tied after three rounds, a special tiebreaker is used.

Teams of eight and/or individuals are welcome to register for the Adult Spelling Bee. For more information, email info [email protected].

The Literacy Society continues to "Raise Readers" of all ages in the community.

Thanks to the success of last year's Postmedia Raise-a-Reader campaign, the society reached hundreds of children, families, and seniors across the Greater Vernon area.

The Literacy Society is grateful to be a recipient of the Postmedia Raise-a-Reader campaign, supported by the Vernon Morning Star, Decoda Literacy Solutions, and the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Every donation received during the campaign is topped up, making your gift go even further. Donations made by Oct. 31 count toward the campaign total.