THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120233
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mr. Roberts' Neighborhood
SOURCE: Frank Roberts
LENGTH: Medium: 81 lines
A Suffolk native makes good in spelling. The Suffolk Department of Parks, Recreation and Facility Management makes good on a promise.
Carolyn Andrews has a few words for you - words to leave you spellbound.
She is an education consultant for the annual Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee, a member of its Word Panel.
``We help select the words that are used in that competition,'' Andrews said in an interview from her Oliver Springs, Tenn., home. ``We use Webster's Third Unabridged Dictionary.''
The panel then creates those ``read-it-slowly'' sentences containing the words the young participants have to spell.
The Spelling Bee lasts a spell. It will be held May 29 and 30 this year and, for whatever reason, part of it will be seen on ESPN. Can you spell - Shaquille?
Andrews' oldest son can spell just about anything put to him. In 1994, Ned, with mom in the coach's seat, won the national championship.
It was his third attempt, so that made her a familiar figure in the spelling bee world - familiar enough for Scripps Howard to decide she would make a good educational consultant.
Her background helped. Andrews was a technical editor and writer working on publications associated with research and development.
She is still writing - on the Internet. Her corner of the screen, ``Carolyn's Corner,'' has to do with - right - words, and this philosophy: ``Knowing the meanings and spellings of various prefixes can help you increase your vocabulary and make you a better speller.''
Andrews and her husband, W.H., have three boys. A 1972 Suffolk High School graduate, she lived on Deer Park Road. She is the daughter of Maryvonne and the late C. Clarence Brinkley. Mom still lives in Suffolk.
If you want to catch up with your old friend, or if you'd like to learn a new word or two, get in touch with Carolyn on Internet: http://www.spellingbee.com/. Click on study tips.
Kudos to the new guys in town - the year old regime at the Department of Parks, Recreation and Facility Management.
In an article in The Sun a few months ago, they promised bigger and better.
The events have been better, the crowds have been bigger.
Halloween, for instance: There was a Happy Forest for the wee ones at Lone Star Lakes Park, and a haunted trail for older children and adults.
``We had more than 1,000 participants,'' said Tim Smith, recreation superintendent. ``Publicity sent to the schools - that was our big advertising campaign.
``It was the only such event in Suffolk,'' he said, with modesty. ``If this kind of thing was held in the past, it was not on the level we did.''
It was not a fluke success. Lunch with Santa at the Birdsong Recreation Center attracted more than 100 little believers.
``In the past, we had about 30,'' Smith said ``that was because of space limitations. It used to be at the Senior Citizens Service Center.''
The biggie was the Easter Eggstravaganza March 30 at Bennetts Creek Park.
``We had about 1,300 - more than ever. The location had a lot to do with it,'' said Smith. ``Also, there were a lot of activities including a petting zoo, pony rides, moon walk, Easter egg hunts, bubble making, face painting and a penny in the haystack contest.''
The Department is not resting.
``We're planning TGIF. That starts June 7,'' Smith said, referring to the every-other-week entertainment at Constant's Wharf. ``We drew about 5,500 last year. This year, we`ll get that many, if not more.
``This year we'll have bands with local ties,'' Smith said, rattling off such names as 32 South - the opening act - Jim Newsome and the PorchRockers, Firestar, Cumberland County Line, Rumours, The Maxx Brothers and The Rhondells.
The Wooden Nickel Band will provide the entertainment for a special July 4 show.
Smith, and all but one of the department's employees, came to town about a year ago. They've been going to town with enticing activities galore and, this time, participants galore. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Carolyn P. Andrews
by CNB