Teams, both new and returning, are buzzing about the Community Spelling Bee, a fundraiser for The Free Library of New Hope & Solebury, on Oct. 4.
“It’s not about competition,” said Christopher Whitney, whose team, the “Fount of All Knowledge” (F.O.A.K.), was the 2018 winner. “It’s about participation and supporting our wonderful local library.”
F.O.A.K. is back, ready to face a swarm of challengers, including the Solebury Supervisors Mark Baum Baicker, Robert McEwan and Kevin Morrissey, and the Bee’s Knees, the New Hope Borough Council team with new members Tina Rettig, Ken Maisel and Laurie McHugh.
Library patrons Sherry Baker, Jill Talarico and Mary Flamer will reprise their team, the “Let It Bees,” and 2018’s “Who Let the Moms Out,” with Kelly Money, Jeanine Brinkley and Kara Gasiorowski, will take the stage with a new name, the “Buzzy Mombees”
Local businesses are joining the fun, too. Jane Vitart, who runs C’est La Vie French Bakery with husband Joel, is back with her sisters on team “C’est La Bee.” And the “Fox & Hound Bee & Bee” is another family effort with teammates Lisa Menz, Michael Cheung and Colleen Menz.
Judging the Bee are New Hope Mayor Larry Keller, Bucks County Herald Publisher Bridget Wingert and Superintendent of the NH-S School District, Dr. Charles Lentz. Michaela Murphy of the Bucks County Playhouse returns as the event “em-bee.”
Promising spellbinding fun for all, the Community Spelling Bee will be held at the Stephen J. Buck Memorial Theater at the New Hope-Solebury High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a bake sale and raffle, both featuring donations from local businesses.
Tickets ($10 for adults and $5 for students 18 and under) can be purchased at the library, at the door or at nhslibrary.org, where Bee attendees can also sponsor their favorite teams.
The Community Spelling Bee is sponsored by Penn Community Bank, Always Advancing and First National Bank & Trust of Newtown. Supporting sponsors are McCaffrey’s Food Markets and Golden Blossom Honey.
