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Scrabble Challenge returns to North Bay

Patty Fedeli (left) and Jane Jackson visited the Scrabble Challenge on Friday. Jackson orginally organized the Challenge and it's now a yearly event for Nipissing Literacy.

Patty Fedeli (left) and Jane Jackson visited the Scrabble Challenge on Friday.  Jackson orginally organized the Challenge and it's now a yearly event for Nipissing Literacy.  PHOTO BY CHRISTINE ROY

On Friday morning, Patty Fedeli visited the Northgate Shopping Centre and wore earrings and a name tag made of Scrabble tiles while stopping by this year’s Literacy Nipissing Scrabble Challenge.

Six tables with ten game boards total were set up, available for anyone interested in playing.  Patty greeted many of the people already seated.

“She’s very supportive of the literacy activities,” stated Vandra McQuarrie, executive director of Literacy Nipissing.

McQuarrie organized this year’s Scrabble Challenge.  She invited and encouraged everyone who passed by to stop and play a game.

“We want to just show that learning can be fun and it happens in places we’re not thinking it’s possible.  It’s a fun way to improve your skills by playing Scrabble,” McQuarrie said.

“Scrabble is becoming popular again.  It’s not just a board game, it’s learning how to spell,” she added.

Radio personality Dean Belanger and BayToday's Jeff Turl square off in a friendly game of Scrabble. Photo by Dennis Chippa.

Literacy Nipissing, formerly known as the North Bay Literacy Council, is dedicated to helping adults improve their reading, writing, spelling, math and computer skills.  The Scrabble Challenge adds an enjoyable twist to a lesson.

Ken Peters, current director of the North Bay Scrabble Club, was there to participate in the Challenge.  The Scrabble Club is having a tournament on Saturday against Sudbury.  Their tournament will also be set at the Northgate Shopping Centre.

“I play by the rules,” Peters reassured this reporter.  “I don’t make up words.”

Needless to say, Peters won that game.

For those interested in competing, the tournament has a $20 entry fee and they should appear at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning and be ready to stay until 4 p.m.

During the tournament, free Scrabble tables will still be available for those preferring to just play for fun.  The tables are located near the mall entrance by Future Shop.