July 2nd Bee Winners

Congratulations to the Winners of the July 2nd Bee

1st) Marcus Bones

2nd) Maddy DeLeon

3rd) Ben Kusmin

Also a hearty honorable mention to Karolina Lempert!

See you at the next bee on August 6th.

Strip Spelling in Portland

I have been informed that Portland, OR has a "Nearly Naked Bee" (Willamette Week):

The Nearly Naked Bee [SPELLING] Combine the rules of strip poker with a spelling bee, and you've got the Nearly Naked Bee: every time a contestant spells a word incorrectly, they must remove an item of clothing. The winner gets a cash prize, but the losers can also perform a striptease to win swag for themselves. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave. 8:30 pm. Free for competitors, $3 for spectators. 21.

Er, no plans to change the rules here in Brooklyn.

Congratulations to Our June 4th Bee Winners

1st: Robert Moy
2nd: Marcus Bones
3rd: Ben Kusmin

A very special honorable mention to Janani, who made it into a runoff for 3rd place.

More photos here.

See you Monday, July 2nd at 7pm for our next bee!

Next Bee: Monday, June 4

Monday, June 4

The Williamsburg Spelling Bee
Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn
(Lorimer St. between Frost and Richardson / L or G train to Lorimer)
7:30pm (signup begins at 7)
Free


From "broccoli" to "triskaidekaphobia," come test out your spelling in a bar backroom filled with smart people and beer. Free, open to all (21+). Signup begins at 7pm -- first 18 people get to play. Three-strikes-you're-out policy means more participation for everyone. Hosted by founder bobbyblue and comedian Jen Dziura. Winners get nerdy prizes and qualify for the annual Finals.

Pete's: 718-302-3770
www.williamsburgspellingbee.com
www.petescandystore.com

Grand Prize courtesy of Fred Flare

Thanks to Bee Sponsor Fred Flare!

Thanks to Fred Flare for supporting the English language -- and those who choose to celebrate it in bars -- by offering these lovely prizes to our bee winners.

One exemplary participant will win the Scrabble Refrigerator Magnet Set, for all your fridge Scrabble-playing needs!

Another distinguished candidate will win the Scrabble Coaster Set, because if there’s one thing we stand for at the Williamsburg Spelling Bee, it’s combining word games and alcohol.

FredFlare online store here. 

Congratulations to the Winners of the May 7th Bee

1st Place: Robert Moy
Tied for 2nd Place: Wilson Southerland, David Zheng, Drew Levitt

Thanks to Paige Bourassa Acupuncture for the prize donation!

More photos here.

April 2nd Results

1st Place: Wilson Southerland
2nd Place: Marcus Bones
3rd Place: David Henry Haan

Pictures coming soon! Congratulations to our winners, all of whom qualify for the December 3rd Finals!

See you next month.

Next Bee: Monday, April 2nd

Monday, April 2nd

The Williamsburg Spelling Bee
Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn
(Lorimer St. between Frost and Richardson / L or G train to Lorimer)
7:30pm (signup begins at 7)
Free



From "broccoli" to "triskaidekaphobia," come test out your spelling in a bar backroom filled with smart people and beer. Free, open to all (21+). Signup begins at 7pm -- first 18 people get to play. Three-strikes-you're-out policy means more participation for everyone. Hosted by founder bobbyblue and comedian Jen Dziura. Winners get nerdy prizes and qualify for the annual Finals.

Pete's: 718-302-3770
www.williamsburgspellingbee.com
www.petescandystore.com

Grand Prize courtesy of Vine Wine

March 5 Winners

First place went to Marcus Bones!



Second place was Maddy DeLeon. Many people tied for third place, so we did not officially award a third place. Also, bobby is making an interesting hand gesture and I am wearing my pi shirt. Just saying.



Here are some words that various contestants spelled this evening:
malmignatte
degringolade
mustelidae
aguahi
brail

That last one is not a misspelling! A brail is "One of several small ropes attached to the leech of a sail for drawing the sail in or up, or a small net for drawing fish from a trap or a larger net into a boat."

(For anyone considering attending, I assure you that the above words were from the finals! In the first round, contestants spelled words such as rhinoceros, mayonnaise, pistachio, accommodate, and stiletto. We're not here to frighten anyone!)

More photos here.

Next bee, April 2nd! See you then!

Monday, March 5: The Williamsburg Spelling Bee

Monday, March 5

The Williamsburg Spelling Bee
Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn
(Lorimer St. between Frost and Richardson / L or G train to Lorimer)
7:30pm
Free



From "broccoli" to "triskaidekaphobia," come test out your spelling in a bar backroom filled with smart people and beer. Free, open to all (21+). Signup begins at 7pm -- first 18 people get to play. Three-strikes-you're-out policy means more participation for everyone. Hosted by founder bobbyblue and comedian Jen Dziura. Winners get nerdy prizes and qualify for the annual Finals.

Pete's: 718-302-3770
www.williamsburgspellingbee.com
www.petescandystore.com

Grand Prize courtesy of Vine Wine

February 6th Winners

1st Place: Ben Kusmin
2nd Place: Tamara Glenny
3rd Place: David Henry Haan

Congratulations! All three winners qualify for our annual Finals (date TBA).

Anecdote: I Cared About Spelling Before You Were Even Born

I just realized how many years it's been, and I'm still mad at my third grade teacher, who corrected "ice cream sundae" to "ice cream sunday" in at least eight spots in my "My Favorite Thing" essay that she handed back on the very last day of school so I didn't have a chance to complain.

YOU ARE STILL WRONG, MRS. E!

Here's Wikipedia on the "sundae", not to be confused with sundae, "a Korean dish made generally by boiling or steaming cow or pig's intestines that are stuffed with various ingredients."

I'm sure most people who elect to attend an adult spelling bee have some kind of similar tale of childhood pedantic rage.

- Jennifer