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 18^th 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 15^th 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 1^st or 3^rd 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.

Reading Now: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith (Back to PBS’s Great American Read list)

Listening to Now: David Copperfield by Charles Dickens (Time to compare it to Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead. Hopefully it won’t take as long.)