You can't spell 'bee' without f-u-n

The Boys and Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts held its annual spelling bee last Thursday, bringing together some of the better (and worse) spellers in the region for some friendly competition. For State Rep. Stephen DiNatale (D-Fitchburg), Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, State Rep. Jennifer Flanagan (DLeominster) and State Sen. Robert Antonioni (D-Leominster) it was all fun and games until their first-round exit (photo left). The team from Aubuchon Hardware Store watches the rest of the competition after they also lost in the first round (photo right). Sadly, the team from The Community Journal Swashbuckling, plank-walking, yard arm-hanging, deck-swabbing, booty-hiding, chantey-singing, Davy Jones' Locker-filling, bilge rat-loving, doubloon-stealing, Jolly Roger-flying, spelling pirates of the Seven Seas (and the Montachusett area) was bounced in the first round. The good news? The spelling pirates were bounced by the Medical Associates Pediatric Stellar Spellers, who defended their 2007 title with another crown last week. They also won in 2004. How do you spell "dynasty?" JOURNAL PHOTOS/LINDSAY SAUVAGEAU AND CAITLYN KELLEHER