By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Completing a Sudoku puzzle is usually a challenge for oneself.
Some people can complete the 81-square game of logic and reasoning in less than an hour. Others may need much more time.
Each 81-square puzzle is made of nine smaller 3-by-3 sub-boxes. The puzzle starts with some of the boxes already numbered with numerals ranging from one through nine.
The goal of the Japanese-based game is to fill in all 81 boxes using the numbers one through nine without using repeating numbers in any column or row.
This weekend people can test their talents against other Sudoku players and help a local organization at the same time.
The Sudoku tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 at 1:30 p.m. at the newest location of the Homeschool HUB of Niles, 103 E. Main St. First prize is $100 with $50 going to second place.
But, the real winner of the day will be the non-profit organization hosting the event. Homeschool HUB is a four-year-old organization focused on providing resources, support and group educational opportunities for home-schooled students in the Michiana area.
Joyce said the organization provides three main services. First, the HUB is a source of information for home-school families and other similar support groups in the area.
The HUB produces a monthly newsletter that is sent out to nearly 750 homes, Joyce said. In the publication, the HUB lists upcoming activities such as field trips to Chicago and group enrichment classes, which are the second type of services offered through the HUB.
Joyce said the organization invites students to participate in the field trips, as well as Shakespeare enrichment classes, robotics classes, choir and art and craft lessons.
Finally, Joyce said the HUB is a source for textbooks so home-schoolers can purchase used material instead of buying elsewhere at full price.
In case “I'm a home-schooler and a type that likes to use textbooks,” Joyce said while humorously motioning with a finger down the throat.
The HUB also has its students involved in monthly community service activities. Once a month, Joyce said the organization puts together boxes of food filled with meat, soup, vegetables and other goods. Joyce said the boxes usually contain about $50 worth of products but the HUB sells the food-stamp eligible boxes for $25, with the profits going back into the HUB fund.
The community will have a chance to help the HUB with the Sudoku tournament. Any money left after the prizes are paid will go to benefit the organization.
Plus, funds from an instructional Sudoku class at the same time and location of the tournament will go toward the Homeschool HUB as well.
Those wishing to pre-register for the tournament can call 683-2372.