Putting it all together
Clarence and Melinda Mickolichek of Silver Lake both spend a great deal of their spare time piecing things together — just not the same things.
Clarence puts together jigsaw puzzles. He recently put together a really big puzzle — over 32,000 pieces — the largest commercially made puzzle available.
Melinda, on the other hand, is the publicity chairman of the Silver Lake American Legion Auxiliary, and each year comprises a press book of newspaper clippings, photographs and other documents of the Legion’s and Auxiliary’s activities.
Her press books have won several district and regional awards over the years, and Melinda is currently putting the finishing touches on this year’s book. This year’s district convention is slated for May 15-16 in Hutchinson, where press books will be considered for awards.
The theme this year is “America — A Picture of Freedom.”
And that theme kind of ties back into Clarence’s latest endeavor, the 32,256-piece puzzle that depicts a good share of New York City’s skyscape, taken from the 61st floor of the Rockefeller Center.
Clarence has always enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles as a hobby, and is always looking for a new challenge. He graduated from 1,000-piece puzzles to up to 8,000-pieces, and even a 16,000-piece puzzle.
Clarence said his family is constantly picking up puzzles for him at thrift stores and garage sales.
“They never have to ask what I want for Christmas,” he joked.
His daughter spotted the 32,256-piece puzzle at Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, located on Highway 169 in Jordan.
“She called and asked if I wanted it; I said no,” said Clarence.
But he and Melinda ended up visiting the store, which also happens to be Minnesota’s largest puzzle store, and bought it for $175. He said he saw the puzzle listed online at $400.
For more, see the April 1 print ediiton of The Chronicle.
