To the editor:

The Bainbridge Public Library has so many people to thank after hosting the Bainbridge Buzz, the Island’s second annual adult spelling bee!

We had a great turnout on Sept. 20 at Bainbridge Performing Arts, where the competition was tough, spirits were high and money was raised for our beloved Bainbridge Public Library. We are glad to say we raised over $8,000!

Fifteen teams, 42 brave spellers, stood before their friends and neighbors and spelled word after word. We finally had the winning team, The Reluctant ‘Rthographers, consisting of Michelle McClure, Tim Gleason and Carolyn Westphal, after stiff competition with Fit to Bee and the Friends of Mrs. Bomblatt. All 15 teams deserve a huge round of applause for their participation!

We also want to thank the Queen Bee (Rebecca Judd), Helper Bee (George Shannon), the judges, aka the Honey Bee Court (Kate Carruthers, Faith Chapel and Walter Oliver), the official timer, aka Bee Keeper Bob Bosserman and photographer David Warren. These wonderful folks kept the evening buzzing along.

We are so grateful to our AWESOME Queen Bee sponsors: Susan Wiggs, Windermere Real Estate, PHC Construction, Cook Family Funeral Home, Town & Country Market, The Brainerd Foundation, Inside Bainbridge and the Kitsap Regional Library.

The TERRIFIC Honey Bee sponsors also came through for us: Thanks to Hanley Roofing and Wells Fargo Bank. We also had many other local businesses and island friends who helped out; thank you all!

The friendly competition will continue next year. Bainbridge Public Library will look forward to seeing you then!

TERI WELDY

For the BPL Buzz Committee