LOWVILLE — The Lewis County Fair spelling bee Friday brought a new batch of bright young spellers to the stage. The competition invites county schools to send their best spellers to the bee, but for years home-schooled children were left out

"This is the first time in a long time that home-schoolers have been in the spelling bee," said Heather W. Jennings, Lowville, adviser for home-schoolers in the spelling bee. She said home-schoolers have been involved in the competition in the past, but not in recent years.

Beaver River Central School, Copenhagen Central School, Harrisville Central School, Lowville Academy and Central School, River Valley Mennonite School and South Lewis Central School all participated in this year's competition. The schools first host their own spelling bees at each age level and send a list of top spellers to the organizers of the county fair spelling bee.

Mrs. Jennings's son, Evan A. Jennings, 12, competed in last summer's spelling bee as a student at River Valley Mennonite School. Mrs. Jennings already had planned to begin home schooling, but she wanted her son to continue to have an opportunity to participate in the spelling bees.

On the advice of Darcy J. Peterson, spelling bee sponsor and administrative assistant at Jefferson-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services, Mrs. Jennings held a spelling bee among the home-schooled students in the Lowville chapter of LEAH (Loving Education at Home). LEAH is a statewide organization for home-schoolers that provides a social network and group activities. There are more than 40 students in the Lowville chapter.

The addition of home-schoolers heated up the competition at the fair spelling bee. Home-schooler Ruth E. Haldeman, 8, daughter of Janet E. and David K. Haldeman, Great Bend, spelled her way to victory in the first- and second-grade bee. Evan Jennings placed second to Elijah N. Cross, also home schooled, in the seventh- and eighth-grade bee. Elijah, 13, is the son of Colette J. and Paul B. Cross, Martinsburg.

For the competitors and their families, however, the spelling bee was less about where the winnner is from than about enjoying a great event at the fair.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for children," Mrs. Cross said.

Like many of the other students, Evan had to chase the butterflies out of his stomach before he could step up to the microphone.

"It was fun and very, very nerve-racking," he said.

Keanna M. Proulx, 11, has been in county fair spelling bees for four years, but she arrived Friday morning expecting not even to set foot on stage. She was an alternate from Beaver River Central School, Beaver Falls, but she was called on when a fellow student could not show up. The surprise actually made her less nervous, she said, and she was able to place first in the fifth- and sixth-grade spelling bee.

"You have to be confident, because when you're really nervous, you end up spelling words wrong," said Keanna, daughter of Scott T. and Tanya L. Proulx, New Bremen.

It helps that she has a strategy to deal with those sudden attacks of stage fright.

"I just think that if I get it wrong, it's not a big deal," she said.

Another key to success for some spellers is reading.

"When she's not playing soccer, she has her nose in a book." said Katherine S. Stackel, Champion, of her daughter, Claire E. Stackel, 10, from Copenhagen Central School. Claire placed first in the third- and fourth-grade bee.

"I think because she's an avid reader, she picks up on vocabulary and it helps her spelling," Mrs. Stackel said.

Ruth Haldeman, who placed first in the first- and second-grade spelling bee, enjoys spelling, but, she said, "I like reading better."

"Anything that has words in it, she'll read," her mother said.

Today, Family Day, is the final day of the Lewis County Fair. Wristbands are available for $20 and are valid until 6 p.m. The dog show begins at 10 a.m. and the midway opens at noon.

There are two demolition derbies, one beginning at 1 p.m. and another at 6 p.m. Tickets for the first derby cost $10, $6 for children 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6. For the second derby, tickets are $12, $8 for children 6 to 12 and free for children under 6.

It is the last day to see the exhibits and free shows at the fair.

The antiques exhibit has been open every year for 10 years, but only during fair week. It has expanded into a little village full of objects and goods collected by James E. Hall, Copenhagen. Some highlights include the screening of a Carl Frink video about snowplowing on Tug Hill during the winter of 1939-40, a 1923 Ford Model T and a 1968 King Midget kit car.

"Close Encounters of the Exotic Kind," a free show that features live lions and tigers, begins at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Wild West Follies comedy act begins at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Admission to the fair is free and parking is available on the fairgrounds for $3 per day.