Puzzle competition raises funds for Hastings Memorial Library

The “Very First Ever” Hastings Memorial Library Puzzle Competition was held on Saturday, April 2 at the Perkins County Senior Center.
Upon the blow of a whistle at 1:30 p.m., an array of youth and adult, individual and team puzzlers began piecing puzzles with goal of being the fastest in their division to complete a puzzle within a four-hour time limit.  
Twenty-nine puzzles were assembled throughout the course of the afternoon. Puzzlers from three different states participated and ages ranged from five to 70+ years old.
With such a wonderful response to the inaugural contest, the competition will become an annual event in the county with the next competition already being planned for February 2023.
Youth results
The youth competition consisted of 13 entries-12 competing as two person teams and one competing as an individual. Results:
Cute Kids Doing Puzzles Division (First Grade)—piecing 100 piece puzzle:
1) “Team On Fire” Abby Gengenbach and Easton Colglazier
2) “M and M”  Miona Stepanovic and Max Kulibaba
Second / Third Grade Division—piecing 150 piece puzzle:
1) “Bruns Boys” Jonathan Bruns and Andrew Bruns, 19’55”
2) “Dream Team” Natalija Stepanovic and Vera Stepanovic
3) Alpaca Puzzlers” Alexa Kraus and Corali Seger
4) Molly Day
5) “Tjaden Girls” Jordan Tjaden and Cami Tjaden
Fourth / Fifth Grade Division—piecing 200 piece puzzle:
1) “Perfect Puzzlers” Carmi Regier and Kinley Bottom, 50’15”
2) “Trouble Twins” Emmie Bishop and Rowan Lee
3) “The Grizzley Bears”  Easton Ellison and Maci Brush
Sixth / Seventh / Eighth Grade Division—piecing 300 piece puzzle:
1) “The Inbetweenies”  Madi Swesey and Eric Swesey, 48’45”
2) “Sassy Sisters” Cecilia Putnam and Brenna Colglazier
3) “Puzzlin’ Cousins” Hanna Colglazier and Taryn King
Adult results
The adult competition consisted of 16 entries—five competing as individuals, ten competing as two-person teams and one competing as a four-person team. Results:
Individual—piecing a 300 piece puzzle:
1) Carol Cornelius, 49’45”
2) Mariana Arrondo-Velez
3) Janie Colglazier
4) Angela Gloy
5) Darlene Hastings
Two Person Team—piecing a 500 piece puzzle:
1) “Legal Aliens” Ana Stepanovic and Ruslana Kulibaba, 1:55’45”
2) “Missing Pieces” Shelby Day and Connie Thompson
3) “The Puzzled Ladies” Roxie Lampmann and Alissa Lampmann
4) “Cuz We are the Real Deal” Jennifer Baumgartner and Suzie Rosentrator
5) “Colorado Girls” Mary Fulscher and Jody Fiscus
6) “Golden Plains Girls” Deb Jantz and Karen Giesbrecht
7) “Twisted Sisters” Jorge Geisert and Jackie Urdahl
8) “Elsie NW” Cheri Sis and Pat Vapenik
9) “Wandering Puzzlers” Shawnda Ducker and Donna Dill
10) “Library Foundation” Ronda Lawyer and Jorja Gloy
Four Person Team—piecing a 750 piece puzzle
1) “Four Amigos!” Olga Dunn, Haley Dunn, Issiah Dunn, Angie Patrick
resources
Snacks were provided by members of the Library Board, Foundation and Friends of the Library. Competitors were also invited to bring snacks to share.
Volunteers for the competition included: Deb Marshall, Josie Hughes, Dan Thompson, Connie Thompson, Kris Long, John Long, Robin Quinn, Val Foster and Ashley Colglazier.  
Prizes were awarded to first, second and third in each division. Every puzzler received a grab bag for competing.
Sponsorships were requested for all the youth competitors so they could puzzle for free. Donations were also accepted for those who wished to further support the library.  
Puzzles were sourced from Country Supply True Value and online. Various local business gift cards, chamber bucks and other treats were included in the prizes.
After expenses, the event raised approximately $1,500 for the library. Puzzles from the competition are on display at the library and are available for purchase.