Coleman Foundation
265 W. Main St., Suite 103, Kent, Ohio 44240
Phone: (330) 676-6876

Trip to National Bee, Tickets for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Top Prizes

The buzz is building for the fourth annual Northeast Ohio Senior Spelling Bee set for May 3 at Coleman Adult Day Services in Ravenna. The Kentucky Derby, also on May 3, offers a theme to put fun and humor into the Bee for adults 55 and older.

Win, place or show prizes will be awarded top spellers. First prize of win is a round-trip to the National Senior Spelling Bee on June 13 and 14 in Cheyenne, Wy. Second prize of place is two tickets to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Cleveland Playhouse Square. Third prize of show is a set of gift certificates to Wal-Mart and Applebees. >>More>>

Now in its fourth year, the Bee attracts contestants from Portage and surrounding counties in northeast Ohio. The Bee begins with registration at 10:30 a.m. followed by the Bee at 11 a.m. and light refreshments. Coleman Adult Day Services is located at 6695 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna. The Coleman Foundation sponsors the Bee.

No fee is required to compete, but advance registration is recommended. To register, call (330) 678-9210 or e-mail cha@en.com.

Paula Hartman-Stein, Bee organizer and pronouncer, has attracted national attention for the Bee and spelling as a way for older adults to keep socially active and mentally alert.

The 2007 Bee and Hartman-Stein were prominently featured in Mature Living, prompting inquiries from fellow professionals on healthy aging. Hartman-Stein, a clinical psychologist specializing in the care of older adults, is the founder of the Center for Healthy Aging in Kent.

"We received 30 information requests nationwide as result of the article. This is a trend and our Bee is the only one in the immediate area. I truly see our Bee as being in the interest of public health because it combines social connectedness for older adults along with challenging, mind-building exercises," Hartman-Stein said.

"Of course good-natured and spirited fun make our Bee a good time for contestants as well as family and friends who come to cheer them on," she added.

Spelling words will be taken from Valerie’s 2008 Spelling Bee Supplement from Hexco Academic and other sources. The Bee consists of a written preliminary round followed by an oral round. Information for the National Senior Spelling Bee is available at http://www.seniorspellingbee.com/; information for the Northeast Ohio Bee is available at http://www.centerforhealthyaging.com/.

The Coleman Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports children, families and older adults facing mental health and rehabilitation challenges. The Foundation supports Coleman Professional Services and organizations that provide advocacy, leadership and education in mental health and rehabilitation services.