A dozen wordsmiths faced off at the Castlegar and District Public Library on Sunday, Mar. 10 in an annual Scrabble tournament organized by the Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBAL).
Heather Maisel, library director of Castlegar and District Public Library, came in first with a high score of 393 and high total of 1038. Second place honours went to Margaret Sutherland with a high score of 362 and high total of 981.
Alana Murdoch, community literacy coordinator for the CBAL, said it was the ninth year the event has been held.
Murdoch wanted to send a special thank you to all local businesses who sponsored the event and donated food and prizes for the contestants.
The entry fee for the tournament was by donation, with all funds being used to support adult literacy programs in the community.
A draw was held at the start of the tournament to decide the first round pairings, and judge Steve Sutherland was on hand to settle challenges arising from word disputes.
In the first five minutes of play, the word "sprite" was already brought before the judge.
"They take it pretty seriously," said Sutherland. "Sometimes you have to act as a referee."
Murdoch wanted to send a special thank you to all local businesses who sponsored the event and donated food and prizes for the contestants.