Sheine Wizel, Tom Gutheil, and Leslie Warner, representing the Coolidge Corner Community Chorus, won first prize in the 2009 Adult Bee.

Toni Oberholzer, Lisa Frost, and Sue Senator, 'The B- 52s,' won the prize for best costume.

The 2009 Adult Bee Winning Word ...
The winning word was 'phrontistery,' which is a place for thinking or study.

How does the Adult Spelling Bee work?
Teams of three adults compete against each other in rounds of up to eight teams. There are eight rounds in the Bee. The winner of each round will then compete in the Championship Round. For details, see the Brookline Education Foundation Spelling Bee Rules , Team Procedures , and Instructions for Pronouncers and Judges . Prizes are awarded to the members of the overall winning team, the runner-up team, and the team wearing the most creative costumes.

How do I sign up for the Adult Spelling Bee?
Teams can be sponsored by individuals, groups, and businesses. Sponsors can pull together their own team members or sponsor another group of individuals, such as police, fire officials, reading groups, neighborhood or school groups, or clergy. All teams and sponsors are listed in the program. The entry fee for each team is $300, which is tax deductible. To sign up, print and send an entry form along with a check to the Brookline Education Foundation, P.O. Box 470652, Brookline, MA 02447.