ZALMA RESIDENT WINS ON TV'S `WHEEL'

ZALMA -- When Barbara Lemons of Zalma won a dream vacation to the Bahamas two years ago, she never dreamed it would land her a spot on "Wheel of Fortune."

But Lemons spins the wheel on tonight's program. She's a winner, earning $8,600 and a trip to New England for cash and prizes totalling $13,020.

"I work for Famous Barr in the cosmetics department for Elizabeth Arden," Lemons explained. "With Elizabeth Arden, we're given promotional goals and occasionally they have a dream vacation for us. Two years ago, we went to the Bahamas and while we were down there we stay at Merv Griffin's resort.

"They arranged for tryouts for the `Wheel of Fortune.'"

Lemons was one of 10 selected from that tryout to appear on the show. "I did have to take a test and play the game," she said.

But after two years, Lemons had nearly given up hope of really competing on the game.

"I was told that after a year you were off the list, so after a year I called the studio. But they said they were running behind."

Lemons traveled to California May 5-10 to tape the show.

"It's completely different at the studio than at home," she said. "It's sure not as easy."

While she's a wheel watcher when she can, Lemons said she never considered herself particularly good at the game.

"We weren't allowed to talk to anyone but three people. But Vanna is beautiful. She looks like a Barbie doll and she's even prettier in person than on TV. Pat well he's Pat."

Lemons said she concentrated on the puzzle and never watched the wheel, prompting Pat Sajak to comment that she was allowed to check her spin.

The puzzle gave her trouble. "I knew all the puzzle, all but the last word," she said. "It's `Midnight Train to Georgia,' but I couldn't think of where it was going."

Lots of friendly advice accompanied her to California. "A lot of people said don't buy vowels, you're just wasting your money. But it's good to buy vowels."

But Lemons, an admitted klutz, said the best advice was not to trip or fall over onto the wheel. She didn't.

A resident of Zalma, a community of just about 100 residents, Lemons said the biggest question in town was what town she named as her home. She said Zalma, of course.