Kimball Library Puzzle Contest deemed huge success

KIMBALL -- Three teams were crowned winners at the Friends of the Library Puzzle Contest Sunday afternoon.

The competition was one spot shy of hitting its capacity with 14 teams racing to complete a jigsaw puzzle in the least amount of time. 

First place was awarded to The Puzzle Pirates, Davina and Jacob Butler, who finished in 52 minutes.

Second place went to The Phenomenal Puzzlers, Rhonda and Andrew Hawthorne, who finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes. 

Third place was claimed by The Twistedd Sisterzz, Kelsey Brown and Cassie Meza, with a speed of 1 hour and 5 minutes.  

“All three teams demonstrated patience, problem-solving skills, and strong collaboration – key ingredients for any successful puzzle effort,” said Library Director Amber Sweetland. 

As an avid puzzler, Davina had a great time competing this year, saying that it was her favorite design she’s done so far. 

“I’ve always liked puzzles; I have pictures of me in diapers doing puzzles,” Davina said. "I’ve done it for as long as I can remember. I’d never done competitive puzzling until I moved here, so it’s taken practice to get this fast, but it’s something me and my husband love to do.” 

Jacob said although puzzles are usually not his favorite, he loves the spirit of competition. 

“I enjoyed the Kimball puzzle contest for the opportunity to spend quality with my wife doing something that she enjoys,” Jacob said. 

The Friends of the Kimball Public Library organized the event from planning and setup to providing prizes and support throughout the afternoon.

Sweetland said the annual contest serves as a reminder of the value of community-centered programming at the library. 

“Events like the puzzle contest provide opportunities for people of all ages to gather, challenge themselves, and connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming environment,” Sweetland said. “The strong turnout and enthusiastic response make it clear that events like this are a welcome addition to the community calendar."