Do you remember the spelling bees of our childhood? Dressed primly in our best, we sat in straight-backed chairs arranged in a row, facing the audience and we left the stage when we missed our word. My husband remembered this well and wouldn’t accompany me to the first Moore County Literacy Council Spelling Bee.

Well, he missed an evening of hilarious theater. Visored bankers threw money at the judges when they disagreed with a ruling. Costumed witches stirred a brew that wasn’t too helpful to their team, and there were even singing spellers who entertained us.

During this mayhem, teams’ cheering sections waved their flags and pennants while failed teams had their balloons pricked by a pretty “spelling bee.”

The show stopper was the petite lady who dropped her prim jumper to reveal a bright red leotard during the final round.

Don’t miss this year’s show. My husband won’t. Donations at the door go directly to support the Moore County Literacy Council. The date is Thursday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater.

Elsie Hurter

Pinehurst