POTSDAM — David W. Beekman practices what he preaches.

A remedial reading teacher at Parishville-Hopkinton Central School, Parishville, Mr. Beekman uses Scrabble to make learning about words fun. On Sunday, he was a member of the winning adult team from Hopkinton at the fifth annual Scrabble tournament for Literacy of Northern New York at Kellas Hall on the campus of SUNY Potsdam.

In years past, Mr. Beekman has been a member of a team with some of his students. This year, he joined a team of his neighbors. The winning strategy to come up with 1,997 points was "effective communication," Mr. Beekman said.

The trophy will stay for the year in his classroom, a testament to what can be done.

"The kids really enjoy Scrabble," Mr. Beekman said. "The big thing is 'stump the teacher.'"

A youth team from the Potsdam Elks Club successfully defended its title, coming up with a score of 634 points.

Parker R. Meashaw, Parishville, a member of the team for the second year, said the tournament game isn't as rigorous as regular Scrabble.

"It's easier because you have as many letters as you want," he said.

Each team of two to four players uses one board and works together to come up with as many words as it can within 30 minutes. At the beginning of the game, each team started with the word "read" to build on.

Scrabble and literacy make a perfect match.

"It's a fundraiser, so it seems like a good way to do it," said Bobby K. Gordon, coordinator. "We have eight teams. We've had as many as 15, but that was when we started it. They pay $100 per team. It's fun, but I would love to have more people participate. Everything is being cut because of the financial mess in the country. It's really critical this year we get donations."

Wayne C. Major, his wife, Linda A., Canton, and Christine A. Laquier, Rensselaer Falls, came with the attitude of helping out and having fun. Mrs. Major and Mrs. Laquier work in the office of Dr. Sebastian A. Mazzotta, whose wife, E. Anne, is a literacy tutor and assistant program manager.

"We don't have the killer instinct," Mrs. Laquier said.