Tony Suschil of Hudson, Muriel Breyley of Streetsboro and Guenveur Burnell of Kent were the top three finalists in the Northeast Ohio Senior Spelling Bee held May 3 at the Coleman Adult Day Services Center in Ravenna.
Suschil has two reasons to celebrate his winning the Bee. Suschil's first-place prize is a trip to Cheyenne, Wyo., to compete in the AARP Magazine National Senior Spelling Bee June 14. The weekend will coincide with his and wife Katherine's 40th wedding anniversary. Breyley and Burnell won second- and third-place gift baskets, respectively.
The top three spellers were among the 20 senior spellers -- age 55 and older -- competing in the fourth annual Bee sponsored by the Coleman Foundation. Having 20 spellers compete was just one of the record-breakers, according to Paula Hartman-Stein, Bee organizer and pronouncer.
"Sharpening your spelling skills, whether for competition or just for the fun of learning new words, is a great way to stay mentally and cognitively alert. Our competitors in this year's Bee certainly demonstrated that spelling bees can be both a social and intellectual outlet," Hartman-Stein said.
Other firsts are on record for the event. The oldest competitor and elder statesman for the event was Clinton Hobbs of Kent, age 93.
Sisters Shirley Wilmoth of Warren and Sharon Church of Niles were the first set of identical twins to compete.
The fun part of the Bee centered on a Kentucky Derby theme. Hartman-Stein, attired in riding togs of breeches, boots, and jacket kept the Bee going at a lively pace.
William E. Childers, executive director of the Coleman Foundation, served as master of ceremonies.
"Having 20 spellers is a record and the 50 other attendees had a great time. The energy for the event was also a great showcase of Adult Day Services," Childers said.
Derby-themed decorations and refreshments organized by Kimberly Benner, Madeline Hakin, Michele Kairis and Sandy Myers of Coleman Professional Services added a festive touch to the competition.
The first half of the Bee consisted of a written round from which the field was narrowed to 11 contestants. In addition to Suschil, Breyley and Burnell, those advancing to the oral round included Grace Rymer, Bob Stevenson and Judge Barbara Watson of Kent; Dotty Kosinski of Ravenna; and Eleanore Hudgeon, Dave Garvin, Marjorie Steffen and Gerry Jones of Hudson.
Laurel Lake Retirement Community of Hudson had the most enthusiastic cheering section for their residents.
Suschil, fresh from knee replacement surgery three weeks prior to the Bee, put his recuperation time to good use.
An avid reader, Suschil also does crossword puzzles and enjoys a good game of Scrabble.
He is a former magazine editor for Modern Casting trade magazine. He is retired from Foseco Foundry and Steel in Brookpark.
Judges for the event included M.J. Albacete, director of the Canton Museum of Art; Katherine Blackbird, Department of English at Kent State University; Garnet Byrne, retired teacher and second-place winner of the 2007 Bee; and Mary Fals Spencer of the Center for Healthy Aging.
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Kentucky Derby-themed regalia of a run for the roses horseshoe and win, place and show ribbons added to the fun of the Fourth Annual Northeast Ohio Senior Spelling Bee. Seated is Bee winner Tony Suschil and standing, from left, are Paula Hartman-Stein, Bee organizer and pronouncer in riding togs, and Muriel Breyley and Guenveur Burnell, second- and third-place winners.
William E. Childers, executive director of the Coleman Foundation and master of ceremonies for the Senior Spelling Bee, and Garnet Byrne, one of the Bee judges, showed up in high style for the Derby Day themed event.