Glen Hartle, reporter

Funded by the Local Journalism Initiative

Ten teams of four to six people competed against each other and the clock to complete different jigsaw puzzles at the aptly-named Pieces of Bristol event hosted by the Bristol Community Association (BCA) at the Jack Graham Community Centre on Saturday. Each puzzle was a mosaic of 12 different art pieces contributed by locals and consisted of photographs and both watercolour and acrylic paintings. Photographers Jan Eastaugh, Bonnie Tubman-Zimmerling, Cheryl Bezoine and Brian Beattie made contributions as did artists, who had also participated in the fundraising calendar project from 2023, Debbie Kilgour, Betty Chamberlain, Peg Gareau, Edith Campbell, Nicole Forge, Elsie McIntosh, Bonnie Beveridge and Elva Stark. Organizer, and president of the association, Anne McConnell shares “we wanted to do something different” and, by every measure, they succeeded at that. McConnell’s daughter, Kelly, served as emcee for the event and also ran the popular canteen where a variety of options were available. Stalwart volunteers, and new members to the association, Barb and Peter Haughton covered the door, where donations were accepted and tickets for door-prizes were doled out, as well as the nibbles counter, where complimentary chips and the like were delivered to the tables upon request. What wasn’t all that different from most events undertaken by the hard-working BCA was the large group of people gathered around tables throughout the Jack Graham Community Centre enjoying an afternoon of fellowship and laughter. The winning team nearly lapped the competition by completing the 500-piece puzzle in a pulse-quickening 38 minutes. Self-titled the Jigsaw Junkies, Wesley Mawer and his wife, Libby, were joined by Libby’s mom, Marlene Daly, and brother, Joe Daly, and they already look forward to competing again next year. The BCA next hosts Cabin Fever Day on Feb. 17 with an afternoon of board games and a euchre tournament followed by a hot supper. Details can be found on their Facebook page.