The following article was written by Tim Gadzinski, the Marketing Associate for the Manitowoc Public Library.
Your mouth is dry. A little too dry. Definitely drier than it typically should be at 6:27 PM on a Wednesday evening in July. You try to give yourself an internalized pep talk, reminding yourself that John McClane ran barefoot across broken glass after Hans Gruber and his despicable band of terrorists shot out some windows in an effort to stop his heroics. But, John McClane doesn’t even know how to spell “stop.” Because John McClane gets the job done. And now it’s your turn to step up and show the world that an NYC PD detective hoping to reconcile with his estranged wife during a holiday party being thrown by the Nakatomi Corporation isn’t the only one with moxie. You’ve got moxie, too, dagnabbit! Bucketloads of the stuff!
So, if you want to be known as the John McClane of Spelling, it’s time for you to step up to the mic and decide if “zucchini” is spelled with one “c” or two. You ask yourself without a hint of inner irony, “How would McClane spell this?” You ask for your word to be used in a sentence to stall for a little more time as you take another sip of Schnitzky hefeweizen, which may just provide you with the inspiration you’re looking for. It couldn’t hurt, right?
While the scenario I presented may ratchet-up the drama a wee bit, the nuts and bolts of it—Bruce Willis’s iconic character notwithstanding–is precisely the situation one is likely to encounter at “Brew N’ Bee III: Spell Harder!”, an ages 21+ event taking place in partnership between Manitowoc Public Library and PetSkull Brewing Company as a part of MPL’s Summer Reading Program. All the action takes place on Wednesday, July 19, at PetSkull Brewing Company, 1015 Buffalo Street, Manitowoc, at 6 PM. This year’s Bee will keep the orthographic action outside in PetSkull’s Beer Garden for a more expansive atmosphere from which the spelling shenanigans can transpire.
Tim Gadzinski
PetSkull is the ideal spot to hold a competitively-friendly adult spelling bee as the focus at this excellent microbrewery is twofold: they produce a superior product and they have created an establishment known for generating unparalleled camaraderie. It’s this communal aspect with a focus on drawing people into closer contact with one another that really appealed to me. In the pre-pandemic era, we organized two successful bees before COVID forced a hiatus. But, now it’s time to unleash the bee once again!
Fortunately, PetSkull’s owners—the unexpectedly soft-spoken, yet shockingly limber, Paul Hoffman, and his sasstastic wife, Kathi—were on-board for partnering for this third go-round. And keeping things outside just makes sense—who doesn’t enjoy an ice-cold beverage and a little friendly competition out-of-doors on a balmy summer evening? Should the weather take an unexpected turn for the inclement, PetSkull has more-than-adequate space to bring the proceedings inside, but hopefully that won’t be necessary.
“Brew N’ Bee III: Spell Harder!” is a Single Elimination event. In other words, if you spell a word wrong, you’re out! However, “Cheats” (such as “Ask a Friend,” “Trade-A-Word,” “5 Seconds with Your Phone” or a flat-out Mulligan) will be available for purchase on a cash-only basis before the competition begins. Space is Limited, so head to www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/brew-n-bee3 starting on June 1 to register! PLEASE NOTE: there is a $20 participation fee associated with this event and payment must be made at PetSkull Brewing Company prior to the start of the “Spell Harder” on July 19.
Here’s what you get for that $20 fee: two pints of amazing PetSkull beer (or soda/water if you prefer), a Certificate of Participation suitable either for framing or using as a placemat for your Brews the night of the Bee, and a chance to score fabulous prizes as one of the Top 3 finishers with an amazing trophy generously donated by Manitowoc Trophy going to the Champion. Also, a “Very Special” prize will go to the first person eliminated from the competition!
Register starting June 1 at www.manitowoclibrary.org/event/brew-n-bee3! Should you have any questions regarding “Brew N’ Bee III,” please feel free to contact me at tgadzinski@manitowoc.com. There’s a very solid chance that I’ll have the info that you’re seeking.
Because let’s be honest—you can’t spell “bee” without spelling!
