6-20-2025
Summer seems like an odd time for this article about a
puzzle competition, but I didn’t schedule it. The competition is officially
called the Prairie Lakes Puzzle Masters’ Tournament and is entering its second
year. That means I wrote sketchy articles about it last year with little detail
or used it as filler. This year I have history to draw from. History is very
helpful.
The competition is sponsored by our library system; that’s
the Prairie Lakes portion of the name. It involves teams of 2-4 working their
way through three levels of competition for full bragging rights; that’s the
Puzzle Master portion of the name.
The first level of competition takes place at individual
libraries to select up to three teams to represent them at the regional level.
A shortened version of the rules would include the amount of time allowed for
assembling the puzzle (I’m thinking 1 hour at this level) and the number of
pieces (500 at this level). Other rules apply that can be summarized here as
don’t cheat or distract other teams and participants under 16 years old need a
parent involved. The full list will be provided to anyone interested. All teams
will be given the same puzzle. A date will be set for September.
East Troy’s best puzzlers will then move onto the regional
competition on October 18th at Walworth Memorial Library.
Competitors at this level will have 2 hours to complete a 750-piece puzzle. The
top 3 teams will continue to the 1000-piece systemwide competition on November
15th at Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay. Therein lays the true
glory.
Given the number of events happening at the library this
month, it may seem odd to write about a September/October/November event now.
Most of us will be lucky to remember these details tomorrow. However, true
puzzlers and competitors need time to create their teams and should block out
those dates early. They are also welcome to meet at the library, preferably the
1st or 3rd Saturday of the month to hone their skills and
team work.
Will they complete the edges first? Sort pieces by color?
Divide the puzzle by sections assigned to specific team members? Well oiled
team work takes practice.
The library has a large selection of puzzles in our Puzzle
Swap to use as practice in preparation of each level. It is separated onto two
different shelving units: 750+ pieces and -750 pieces. The former collection is
in a side room that is usually locked. We are happy to open it for anyone,
competitor or not, to borrow/swap a puzzle. The later is in the programming
space near the television for easy accessibility for children and families.
We’d love to hear from anyone interested in competing. Look
for more specific information about a local competition when the fall Park
& Recreation Guide is available. Even if we don’t have a page in the guide,
we’ll have our fall calendar available.
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