Adult spelling bee (and drinks) to benefit Sherburne Library

Saturday, Feb. 10, 6 p.m.—KILLINGTON— The Sherburne Memorial Library presents Sip & Spell: A Spelling Bee for Adults (18 years and older) on Saturday, Feb. 10 at The Summit Lodge, 200 Summit Road, Killington. Registration begins at 6 p.m., and the spelling bee starts at 7 p.m.
The library will be pulling all of the big words out of the dictionary for Sip & Spell. Come and show off intellectual prowess or cheer on all of the brave contestants while enjoying a beverage and food from the Summit Lodge. A prize will be awarded to the winner.
Contestants in the bee may register at the library or at the Summit on the day of the event. Registration is limited to the first 50 registrants and will begin that evening at 6 p.m. The bee will begin promptly at 7 p.m. There is a $5 registration fee for contestants that may be paid by cash or check during the registration period. Sip & Spell is free to watch and all ages are welcome in the audience. Drinks and a pasta station dinner will be available for purchase the night of the event.
“Cheats” may also be purchased at the time of registration and on stage during competition. Contestants may only have one of each cheat in hand at any given time. After a cheat is used, a contestant is eligible to purchase that same cheat again at a higher fee. Contestants may only purchase a cheat on stage during the competition if they are going to use it immediately.
Cheats may not be used in final rounds. Final rounds are declared at the judges’ discretion.
The following cheats are available to purchase. Please note that prices will increase as the competition progresses:
$5: “Ask a friend.” Contestants may ask someone in the audience to spell the word. The friend may not use any reference materials, including phone, books, or computer.
$5: “30 seconds with a smartphone.” Contestant will be given 30 seconds to use their phone to look up anything that will help them spell the word.
$10: “Next word, please.” Once a word is given to a contestant, and before starting to spell, contestant may ask for the next word.
$15: “Mulligan.” Contestant may remain in the contest after misspelling a word.
$30: “Big cheat deal.” Get one each of the four cheats.
All proceeds from this event benefit the Friends of the Library and will support the 2018 Vermont Viking Invasion to be held at the library on Sept. 22.