
More buzz about our GRATE BEE-vent
Sandra Wiebe, Judge
Sandra Wiebe is the sole owner and publisher of Routes magazine, an arts and culture magazine for southern Alberta. She began the magazine almost 5 years ago after completing a bachelor of communications in journalism at Mount Royal University.
As a journalist and lover of the printed word, Sandra is pleased to be supporting this fundraiser for Literacy for Life.
Jessica Patterson, Judge
Jessica Patterson is the editor of Okotoks Living magazine. She has been spelling properly since Grade 4, when she misspelled “area” and lost the class title of “Best Speller.”
Jessica is also an experienced freelance writer, columnist, photographer and proofreader. She has written hundreds of articles on a wide range of subjects and has seen her byline appear in print and online.
She is supporting this fundraiser for literacy because she believes everyone has it in them to be good at spelling. Literacy is one of the most important life skills and a tool of personal empowerment.
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And also…
According to the International Board on Books for Young People, “literacy is born from the human need to tell stories, to tell stories about one self or about others, to tell stories about the world to better understand our existence, the others and the universe we live in. All the stories, the myths, the fables and the novels, including those addressed to children are, in fact, the result of this wish and this basic need: they help us to live, to survive; they help us grow and develop.”
I support Literacy for Life as it strives to further the sharing, reading, and telling, of stories.
Doris Daley, Judge
Doris Daley is a self-described lover of words and makes her living on stages throughout North America as one of the Canada’s leading writers and reciters of western poetry. Many part time jobs keep her hopping, all related to the written word: proofreading, freelance writing and shifts at the Sheep River Library.
“Literacy is to my life what breathing is to my lungs,” she says. “I’d surely tip over if I couldn’t read.”
Currently on her bedside table is a collection of Australian poetry classics, a cupcake recipe book, Beau Geste by PC Wren, the Bulk Barn coupon flyer, a thesaurus, a rhyming dictionary and the current issue of Horses All.
Pat Fream, Time Keeper
Pat Fream is a freelance writer and copy editor for Routes Magazine. When she’s not writing from her sunny hilltop home near Dewinton, Pat is cooking endlessly for her ravenous teenagers, reading splendid books, volunteering at hospice or traversing the countryside on foot with her pal Tucker. Pat has a communications degree and nearly a quarter of a century of writing experience.
Pat is excited to be a part of this fun event for Literacy for Life.
A big thank you to our media sponsors

Go West Video Productions
How can you help your community win the prize?
You community will be going head to head against groan-ups in your rival community in a Spelling Bee competition that will raise funds to support literacy and learning programs in the Foothills. For the teams that raise the most donations, 2nd place, and third place, a significant prize will be awarded to the local library of their choice.
Each of these 5 teams represents a Municipal Council which includes Okotoks, High River, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and the MD of Foothills #31.
Go to your team’s giving page and support your team
- Town of High River
- Town of Black Diamond
- Town of Okotoks – The Big Rockies
- Town of Turner Valley
- MD of Foothills #31
Want more information contact s.stegmeier@litforlife.com or call Sue Stegmeier at 403- 652-5090.
All proceeds from the Grate Groan-Up Spelling Bee go to our Literacy Programs
47% of Albertans have difficulty with literacy that interferes in their day to day life. You can help us make a difference.
We rely on fundraising activities, grants and donations to meet the needs of our community. You can help by making a pledge, being a sponsor, setting up a giving page, supporting a team.
Donate now through Canada Helps
Thanks for getting involved with Literacy for Life
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