Boston Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

“Charlie Cards were introduced in 2006. They are reusable cards that can be loaded with cash value or passes to pay bus and subway fares.” And a bit more history: The card is named after the lead character in the 1948 protest folk music song, “M.T.A.” It was written to protest a fare increase in the form of an extra five cent exit fare for longer rides. It was later made popular by the Kingston Trio in 1959. “He may ride forever,” the chorus goes, “'Neath the streets of Boston, He’s the man who never returned.” Poor Charlie, but the perfect card name!

There was no such thing when I was in college and used the MTA all the time! Well, that was in the last century, times have certainly changed!

I opted to do the MBTA map side anyway. It was the memory that inspired me to get the puzzle.

Quality: The one and only minus is loose piece fit. With 100 pieces, not much of an issue. Otherwise, the very small, sturdy, take anywhere with you, box has the full illustration of the map on the top. Inside, there is only a sealed bag of pieces. As for any two sided confusion, the map side is smooth with a slight sheen, the Charlie side is dull, plain paper. There was no puzzle dust. The pieces are solid; none were damaged or together uncut, and none were missing.

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. I sorted out the green headline box, the water, and pieces for each of the red, green, orange and blue lines. Most text was near impossible to read, but visible enough to tell if it was right side up.

Construction: I built the frame and filed in the Boston signage at the bottom. Then I added the ocean. Next, I put in the colored subway routes and built around them. I pieced the puzzle together on s small foam board so I could put another on top and flip it over. The people in the windows on side 2 would have been the hardest part, but in total, that was certainly the easier side. I did not break up the pieces and try to build it. For the time being, I was calm enough. Amazing what a little puzzling can do!

Final thoughts: I think 100 piece puzzles have a place in any puzzle collection for the reasons above and more. They are portable - throw some in a travel bag, and relax after a long day of work away or vacation play. They make great little gifts. Some mini puzzles mean tiny pieces and a tiny finished size. The ones from this company have a presence when completed. There are even 9” x 7” ready made frames available. Tape the puzzle on the back (loose piece fit, remember?) and display them. The selection of categories is large and varied. Frame a memory, a favorite city, a national park, even a childhood book title. I can, without hesitation, recommend these little puzzle gems.

My Grades: Quality A-, Fun Factor A+