The January Putnam Puzzler Competition winning team was comprised of Katie Hammett of Frazier’s Bottom, and Bryn, Chris, and Katie Tokarz, all of Winfield.

Participants raced against the clock to complete a winter-themed jigsaw puzzle during the Putnam Puzzler Competition, which was held on Thursday, January 22, at the Valley Park Conference Center. Using various strategies, teams of two to four players attempted to complete 500-piece puzzles within two hours. At the end of the event, participants were allowed to take the puzzles home with them.

The winning team of the January Putnam Puzzler Competition was Katie Hammett of Frazier’s Bottom, and Bryn, Chris, and Katie Tokarz, all of Winfield. They finished the puzzle in 51 minutes. The prize was 25% of the entry fees for the event. Twenty-five teams were registered for the January competition.

The Putnam Puzzler Competition is a monthly event at Valley Park. Each competition features a different puzzle, often with a seasonal theme. While participants have two hours to finish their puzzles, most teams are usually done within 45 minutes. The fastest time so far has been 39 minutes.

The competition is a way to get people out of the house and beat winter according to Rita Meadows of Putnam County Parks. “January through March have the highest turnouts,” she said.

In addition to the competition, there is a puzzle swap at each event. Participants bring puzzles to share with others, and perhaps take home a puzzle of their own.

The next Putnam Puzzler Competition will be held on February 26. For more information, go to the Valley Park Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/putnamcountyparks