The Third Annual Granby Puzzle Slam attracted a record high 256 competitors on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Granby Memorial Middle School, 100 more contestants than assembled at the first year of the Drummer’s only recurring fundraising event.
A blistering 31 minutes and 48 seconds after the crowd was permitted to open their boxes, the winners placed their 500th piece into the cozy bookstore image the puzzle displayed.
Melissa Godere, Andrea Salcius, Karen Godere and Danny Mulligan took first place, finishing 11 minutes faster than a table of their friends, Kim Machi, Patricia Schlosser, Laura Tignonsini and Samantha Perry, who took second at 42:04. Three of the four 2026 champions had previously been a part of the winning quartet at the 2024 and 2025 Granby Puzzle Slams. The group explained they do puzzles together regularly at other events in the region, as well as over Zoom to compete with other puzzlers virtually.
The event has grown—and sold out—each year. One of the most rewarding characteristics, according to the organizers, is the number of repeat teams that compete each year. A second satisfying aspect is the two carloads of puzzles that participants brought to the Slam and donated for the Friends of the Granby Public Library annual puzzle sale.
The inspiration and execution of the Puzzle Slam stems from former editors Rita Isaacson and Jen Bell. The Citizens for a Better Granby Board and numerous friends and family members step up and provide logistical support.
Planning begins in late August and a key component to the overall success is the continual support of the event sponsors. Returning sponsors include: Squadron Line Capital, Necker’s Toys, Granby Public Schools, Friends of the Granby Public Library, Farmington Valley YMCA and Granby Congregational Church. New sponsors for this year’s event are the Granby Lions Club and Evans Automotive Center.
A key component to the Slam’s success is the tea-cup style raffle, which is spearheaded by Terry Spak. Other contributors who helped ensure the event’s success are Rick Orluk, the “voice” of the Slam, pictured below, and the high school’s Fine Arts Booster Club that sold concessions while promoting its March performance of The Little Mermaid. Long-time Granby Camera Club members Ed Judge and Jay Harder returned this year to photograph the Slam. This truly was a community effort. In addition, more than 30 local businesses contributed items for the raffle (see ad below). The Drummer remains strong thanks to the support it receives from the people it informs.
