Chilmark library puzzlers
About 20 puzzle solvers turned out on Feb. 23 for the Chilmark library's second annual crossword puzzle contest, sponsored by the Vineyard Gazette. This year's contest was expanded to include a Sudoku competition and youth divisions in both crossword and Sudoku.
Steve Auerbach of Oak Bluffs won first place in the adult crossword with a time of 28 minutes, including a one-minute penalty for an incorrect square. Skip Petersen, who was second last year, was second again at 30 minutes, also including a penalty minute. Dan Cabot of West Tisbury, last year's winner, finished third. Kyle Joba-Woodruff won the youth crossword title.
The numbers game drew more contestants than the crossword competition. George Balco of Tisbury was first in Sudoku, despite six penalty minutes for incorrect squares, over Jean Cargill, who got the puzzle right but was more than six minutes slower. Margaret Joba-Woodruff was the youth Sudoku champion.
The prizes were $25 gift certificates at the Bunch of Grapes bookstore. Chilmark librarian Ebba Hierta promises another competition next year.
