Pelham Based A.G. Williams Painting Company Helps Raise $16,300 at the Friends of Scarsdale Library 2015 Adult and Teen Spelling Bee

Several local businesses teamed up to support the 5th Annual Friends of the Scarsdale Library Adult and Teen Spelling Bee, bringing needed funds to support the village’s public library.

The Spelling Bee recently took place in the auditorium at Scarsdale High School, where nearly 60 of Scarsdale’s most competitive spellers took to the stage. More than 350 people were in attendance to cheer on families, friends and neighbors that made up the 17 participating teams. Judges included NY State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Library Director Beth Bermel, and Margaret Smith, a member of the Spelling Bee Committee.

A.G. Williams Painting Company, with locations in Pelham and Greenwich, Rachele Rose Day Spa located in Hartsdale, and The Rey Insurance Agency of Sleepy Hollow, NY, were three of the many sponsors of the Spelling Bee this year (see full list of Platinum, Diamond and Gold Sponsors below). The continued effort of these sponsors and loyal community outreach contributors resulted in the $16,300 raised this year.

“We always make an effort to contribute to local community events,” said Paul Viggiano, Director of Business Administration at A.G. Williams Painting Company. “We’re very proud to be able to give back the community that supports us, especially when it means giving back to a truly fun event like the Spelling Bee. It’s great to see everyone excited about a competition which also has educational value to it.”

Beth Bermel, Director of the Scarsdale Library, is grateful for the support of the community and Spelling Bee Sponsors year after year. “I love that the Scarsdale community really enjoys the Spelling Bee and is so supportive of their library,” Bermel commented. “It is a perfect event for Scarsdale – the right combination of fun competition, intellect and philanthropy.”

Renu Lalwani, one of the co-chairs of the event, further noted, “Our annual Adult and teen Spelling Bee fundraiser for Scarsdale Library is not only a fun-filled and spellbinding diversion in middle of winter doldrums, but also a great way to foster awareness of our library and our commitment to education and literacy. Hosting the event at Scarsdale High School with involvement of students and an eclectic group of individuals from Scarsdale and nearby towns gives the Bee a great sense of authenticity and a feeling of community spirit that makes Village of Scarsdale and its library so special. As one of the contestants from Team Library Trust Bees, Michelle Lichtenberg, President of the library board, says it so eloquently, “I wish everyone could experience the Bee from the vantage point of a contestant on the stage. Yes, it is a competition, but the feeling in the room is more of a sprightly and energetic quest for the right answer, with eager and quizzical faces shining in the glow of the lights, accompanied by playful banter. It is a great collective enjoyment of the mind and the social space (with real people present!) It is great gift”. I second that; it is not only an event for L-o-g-o-p-h-i-l-e-s, but for everyone!”

The winners this year were the Library Trustbees: Barbara Josselsohn, Michele Lichtenberg and Terry Simon. Though Terry Simon is the only returning team member from 2014, this defending champion team will ‘bee’ the ones to beat in 2016.

The full list of 2015 Annual Spelling Bee Sponsors include:

· PLATINUM SPONSORS:

o Thomson Reuters

· DIAMOND SPONSORS:

o Mercedes Benz

o Richard & Sara Werder

· GOLD SPONSORS:

o Country Bank

o Linda & Jonathan Flaxer

o Houlihan Lawrence

o Dr. Renu & Anil Lalwani

o Laurence & Margaret Smith

All proceeds raised at the Spelling Bee—which also included an evening of trivia games, a silent auction, raffles and music—will benefit the Friends of the Scarsdale Public Library. Formed in 1968, with the primary goal of supporting the library as it serves our community, the Friends strive to focus public attention on the library’s services, facilities and needs.

Scarsdale Public Library is located at 54 Olmsted Rd, Scarsdale, NY, http://scarsdalelibrary.org

A.G. Williams Painting Company is located at 411 Pelham Avenue, Pelham, NY, Toll-Free: 1-800-227-1906; with offices at 500 West Putnam Ave, Suite 400, Greenwich, CT 06830, Ph: (203) 618-0058, http://www.agwilliamspainting.com

Rachel Rose Day Spa is located at 110 S Central Ave, Hartsdale, NY, Ph: (914) 948-7500, http://www.rachelerosedayspa.com

The Rey Insurance Agency is located at 219 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY, Ph: (914) 631-7628,
http://www.reyinsurance.com