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Scrabble tourney draws wordsmiths

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By Dale Huffman, Staff Writer 12:05 AM Thursday, July 30, 2009

What’s the good word in Dayton? Well, in coming days it will be “Scrabble.”

If you happen to be downtown in the next few days, you may come in contact with some of the good folks from around the nation who are taking part in some serious Scrabble competitions.

One will take home the national Scrabble championship trophy and a $12,000 by the time the competition, the largest major championship in North America, is completed.

The championship competition is at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., with games set to begin Saturday, Aug. 1, at 9 a.m. and lasting through Aug. 5. Registration is set for Friday, July 31.

According to one of the contestants, Lois Greene of Dayton, 493 players have currently registered to take part. “We are hoping to surpass attendance records,” Greene said.

Greene retired as director of the Dayton Convention Center a year ago in July 2008. But she was instrumental in bringing the national competition to Dayton for the first time in 2007 and has been assisting Chris Cree and Mary Rhoades of Texas, organizers of the 2009 tournament. The 2008 national tournament was held in Orlando, Fla.

Greene played Scrabble as a child, and took it quite seriously, she said. “I think it was in 1997 that I was in the library downtown when I saw a group playing Scrabble, and was curious, inquired, and soon joined the Dayton Scrabble Club.”

In recent years, the Dayton players have been meeting at Panera Bread, 1203 Brown St., for regular competitions.

“It is a fascinating pastime,” Greene said. “Once you get involved, you can’t seem to get enough.”

Greene said she is pleased the national organizers chose Dayton for the tournament for a second time.

“When the organizer Chris Cree, of Dallas, announced they are coming to Dayton I was overjoyed,” Greene said. “This means there will be hundreds of people in downtown Dayton, and patronizing Dayton hotels, restaurants and businesses this coming week. It will mean a big boost for our area and the economy. Who would think that Scrabble could help our local economy?”

When the Scrabble group was here in 2007, the city of Dayton Convention and Business Bureau subsequently presented Cree with a special Ambassador Award for helping bring business to the city. Any individual or group who helps promote Dayton as a destination place for large meetings, conventions or competitions can be eligible for special recognition, which includes a leather Dayton flight jacket.

Greene said participants from 43 states, Canada, Great Britain and Thailand are among those expected to face off. And current champ Nigel Richards of Malaysia is expected to return to defend his crown.

“We are pleased to host the event,” Greene said. “Dayton has a wonderful way of making sure everything works for us.”

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He’d like to share a story about you, your family, or a friend. This column is for you. Send e-mail to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St. Dayton, OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.

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