Richard & Bonnie Simonds

BY JACK SHORT - Bonnie and Richard Simonds have been married for more than 50 years, traveled to over 75 countries together and raised a family. Lately they enjoy some quiet time working with hobbies like bridge, reading, needlepoint and what is perhaps the most unusual among them – wooden jigsaw puzzles.

“We’re interested in seeing if people want to exchange them. We’d like to trade,” Bonnie said.

Despite an impressive list of accomplishments, they’re shy but good humored about answering questions.

“I feel like we’re in one of those police things,” she laughed.

Originally from Kennelworth, Ill., the Simonds now travel back and forth between Chicago and Boca Grande where they spend January, February and March. They have three sons in their 40s; Richard Jr., Randall and Thomas.

They first came to Florida in the 80s, and bought a place on Boca Grande in 1995.

“I read a lot of books, do needlepoint and watch Netflix. I volunteered at the Johann Fust public library for a while. And puzzles! But puzzles are at the top,” Bonnie said. They prefer wooden puzzles made by Liberty, Wentworth, Stave and Victory.

“The Wentworths we do are 1,000 (pieces) and 500. A Liberty is only 500 plus, usually. And Staves, whatever we can borrow.”

Liberty puzzles, Bonnie’s favorite, are made in Boulder, Colorado. The Wentworths are made in England and the Staves in Vermont. The Victory puzzles were made in England, but are no longer produced.

Most are available online with a little searching.

Bonnie prefers Libertys for several reasons, but mostly because she likes to buy something made in the United States.

“Probably made by underpaid students at the university,” Richard joked.

 

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