B-E-E a part of annual Winter Carnival

If you can control your vowels and concentrate on consonants, then the third annual Winter Carnival Adult Spelling Bee should be just up your alley.

Time is running out to register teams of four for this fun-filled event. There are only 13 slots left for the Jan. 18 event that will be held at Sandpoint's historic community hall.

Don't worry if you can't spell your way out of a paper bag, there is also an award for the best team costumes.

The entry fee per team is $100. All proceeds from the event go to the Daily Bee's Newspapers in Education program. NIE provides newspapers to any educator in Bonner County at no charge to the schools.

Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce Director Amy Little said the adult spelling bee is one of the most popular events during Sandpoint's Winter Carnival and she is glad to the funds going to NIE.

While she lived in Boise, Little was the NIE coordinator for the Idaho Statesman.

Panhandle State Bank won the traveling trophy and prize money last year. Century 21 won the year prior. The Panhandle Alliance for Education team won the best costume award and the public is hoping Judge Heise wears her Superwoman outfit again.

One of the lighter moments last year came when a deputy stopped by the spelling bee to get the judge's signature on a warrant.

He asked an audience member where the judge was and the deputy's jaw dropped when he saw the judge in her tights and cape.

"We are going to have lots of fun," said Bee publisher David Keyes. "The teams have fun and the audience has fun spelling right along with those in the bee."

There will be food and drinks available. There will also be a silent auction. The event is free and starts at 6:30 p.m.

Please see the application form in today's paper. Space is limited but the fun isn't.

Contact Keyes at dkeyes@bonnercountydailybee.com for more information.