Tabletop gaming, particularly board games, has gained popularity and momentum in the last decade. Board games offer players a blend of strategy, creativity, and social interaction. Whether it's the competitive nature of games like Catan and Risk, the cooperative storytelling of games like Pandemic, or the immersive world-building in games like Dungeons & Dragons, board games provide an opportunity for players to disconnect from screens and engage in face-to-face experiences. For NEK residents, tabletop gaming provides a welcome social activity to look forward to, or a break from the daily routine.
The variety of genres—from abstract strategy to thematic adventure—means there is a game for nearly every type of player, making tabletop gaming a versatile and inclusive hobby that continues to evolve with new and innovative designs.
If you, too, love board games, or are curious to start playing, you should get to know Bethany!
Bethany has lived in her current town of Derby Line since 2003, and has participated as a Host with the NEK Welcome Wagon since 2022.
Born in Newport, Bethany has been a lifelong resident of the Northeast Kingdom and now currently lives in Derby Line. Between spending her life in the NEK and driving around the NEK for work, she is very knowledgeable about Orleans, Essex, and Caledonia counties.
She loves plants, enjoys baking, reading, mushroom foraging, and is trying to learn German. Her biggest hobby is tabletop gaming and hosts Vermont's longest running public tabletop gaming group, Border Board Games, which has evolved into the NEK Tabletop Gaming Community (Facebook group and Discord server).
The first Thursday evening of each month she hosts NEK Tabletop at Whirligig Brewing in St. Johnsbury and on the 3rd Saturday of each month hosts Border Board Games at the Derby Line Village Hall in Derby Line.
She is also on the organizing board for Carnage: Vermont's Tabletop Gaming Convention. She is happy to welcome new folks to the NEK and welcomes anyone who wishes to reach out.