A sequel is considered better than the original when it builds on its audience’s existing knowledge and takes it to the next level.
Participants in the award-winning, all-volunteer Granby Drummer’s second Puzzle Slam, conducted on Saturday, Feb. 1, unanimously agreed that this year’s fundraiser delightfully surprised them.
Twenty tables were added to last year’s 40, accommodating 80 more puzzlers. Granby Memorial High School’s fine arts boosters were on hand selling refreshments, and a bigger and more diverse raffle entertained guests before they got down to the serious business of completing a 500-piece puzzle within 90 minutes.
This year’s puzzle resembled a scene from Granby Center in summer. “The building reminded us of Beman’s Hardware,” said Jen Bell, the Drummer’s managing editor, who along with former editor Rita Isaacson, the Citizens for a Better Granby board of directors and members of the Drummer staff, presented a seamlessly organized event.
Emceeing the Slam for the second year was Rick Orluk, president of the Granby Land Trust, who exchanged last year’s puzzle-themed shirt and hat for a colorful puzzle tie. “Think new and fresh,” Orluk said, grinning.
Terry Spak of Granby purchased 12 tables, exceeding last year’s 10. Her son Sam Spak, a UConn graduate, brought a dozen college friends, all fellow engineers, to enjoy the fun. Some Spak Pak puzzlers wore red shirts to honor Terry, who recently underwent heart surgery.
Among this year’s newcomers, Jan Marnicki of East Windsor, Kristen Thompson of Somers, Joyce Feeney of East Windsor and Lebo Lyle of Manchester met for the first time just a few weeks ago after seeing the 2025 Puzzle Slam flyer on Facebook. Strangers who enjoy puzzling, they agreed to meet up before the big event to get to know each other and to plan their strategy.
Four teachers from the Powder Mill School in Southwick heard about last year’s Slam, registered for this year’s event and ordered blue Puzzle Queens T-shirts to distinguish their team.
“I always have a puzzle going in my classroom,” said Leslie Clark of Avon. “Puzzles provide students relaxation, are a visual learning tool, and teach them patterns and patience. They have a sense of gratification when they find a piece that fits. We can all benefit from these skills.”
Granby Public Library Director Amber Wyzik’s table boasted three generations: Wyzik, her daughter Kayla, her father-in-law Michael, and her mother, Linda Goulet.
“I couldn’t come last year because it was ‘Take Your Child to the Library Day,’” Wyzik said. “This year’s library event was morning only, so we could spend the afternoon enjoying the Puzzle Slam together.”
While puzzlers were allowed 90 minutes to work, the first-place team completed the challenge in just 35 minutes, 10 seconds. First-timers to the event, Karen Godere of Norwich, Laura Tighonsini of Manchester, Danny Robillard of Clinton and Therese Wilson of Norwich surprised themselves with their win.
Just seven seconds later, Robbin Smith of West Hartford, Russ Delemos of Granby, Alessandra Mitrano of Canton, N.Y., and Marisa Mitrano of Granby placed their final puzzle piece, taking second place. “We didn’t think we’d have a chance,” Marisa Mitrano said. “We were here last year and had so much fun we just had to come again. It’s a tradition in our family every summer to finish a 1,000-piece puzzle, so puzzling is a part of life for us.”
Others took longer to complete the challenge, working until the very end of the event. Before leaving, they claimed raffle prizes and sugar cookies, courtesy of The Whisk.
Christiane Pimentel, member of the Friends of Holcomb Farm board, traveled from Glastonbury to compete in the Slam. Pimentel claimed not one but two raffle prizes, making the long trip well worth her while. “This entire afternoon has been simply amazing,” she said, beaming.
Dave Pelizzon, president of Squadron Capital, which was among the event’s sponsors, observed that the difference between a town and a community is that a community is a place where people help each other. Indeed.
Friends of the Granby Public Library were the happy recipients of three carloads of puzzles, donations from those who came to compete. Look for them at the library’s next puzzle sale, with proceeds benefiting the Granby community.
Finally—and happily—the Drummer will continue to deliver town news to Granby residents and businesses for another year, thanks in no small part to a successful community fundraiser.
Photos by Ed Judge, Jay Harder and Nicole Muller