The organizer of the second annual Bainbridge Public Library’s Bainbridge Buzz Spelling Bee, Teri Weldy, says the event on September 20 raised over $8,000 for the library. The event, which was held at Bainbridge Performing Arts, pitted 42 spellers on 15 teams against one another and was vibrating with stinging puns.
The night belonged to the Reluctant ‘Rthographers who, despite their purported dedication to spelling, appeared only too willing to toss away vowels casually in the interest of alliteration. The team, consisting of Michelle McClure, Tim Gleason, and Carolyn Westphal, buzzed out Fit to Bee and Friends of Mrs. Bomblatt. Mrs. Bomblatt herself was nowhere to be seen.
Library Branch Manager Rebecca Judd served as Queen Bee, assisted by Helper Bee (and Island Treasure) George Shannon and official timer or Bee Keeper Bob Bosserman. The Honey Bee Court of Judges was comprised of a trio of people used to sitting in the Big Chair: Retired Bainbridge Municipal Court Judge Kate Carruthers, Superintendent of the Bainbridge Island School District Faith Chapel, and Retired Professor of Romance Language, Literature, and Linguistics Walter Oliver.
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Photos by David Warren.
