Monday, February 10, 2020

2020 Library Fundraiser Bee is a spelling bee for all ages

--EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO LIBRARY CLOSURE--

Registration is now open for the third Annual Library Fundraising Bee, and this year’s event will test participants’ spelling prowess – and pit all ages against one another.

Scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 28, in the Belt Branch Upper Story, the bee is a spelling contest open to all ages. Participants are encouraged to put together teams of friends and family members. Teams can register and pay their fees at Books Revisited, the Friends of the Library bookstore.

The contest is limited to 10 teams of four to eight spellers. The entry fee is $15 per person, and spectators can purchase $5 tickets at the bookstore or at the bee. Sponsored by the Friends and the Rolling Hills Library Foundation, the event will benefit the library’s endowment fund.

Teams will face eight rounds of spelling. Words spelled correctly are worth four points, while words spelled with the help of mulligans are worth three points. MIsspelled words earn one point. The team with the most points will be the winner.

A variety of mulligans will be available for spellers or their fans to purchase and use in case they run into trouble spelling. The mulligans include a “team huddle” to consult with team members and “15 seconds with a dictionary” to look up a word but then spell it correctly without looking at the dictionary.

Because minors could be participating or attending the bee, non-alcoholic beverages along with snacks will be offered for sale at the concession stand. A 50-50 drawing will be the event’s other money-making effort.