Dan Regan, known around St. John's as "Dan the puzzle man," has been inviting visitors at a local health facility to take a break and work on a jigsaw puzzle with him. He told CBC the effort is meant to help people.
How did the puzzle table start?
Regan visited the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive for blood work, then sat in the Jumping Bean coffee shop under the same roof. The building also houses a Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services urgent care clinic and ambulatory health hub.
He noticed people in the lobby and thought they could use a smile. He spoke to café staff, who were welcoming, and began returning to offer shared puzzles at his table.
What happens at the table?
According to CBC, Regan asks anyone who places a piece to write their name or initials inside the lid of the puzzle box. The first puzzle drew about 22 people, he said.
"I felt very rewarded by the kind of response I got from folks generally," Regan told CBC.
He estimates he completed about 26 puzzles in 18 months around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said anyone with patience and an eye can put together a puzzle, even without artistic skills.
Why does it matter?
Regan said health-care settings often involve intense moments and difficult news. A puzzle offers a brief pause for people waiting for a ride or processing a medical visit.
His effort has gained notice online, with people posting about the outreach. Regan encourages others to take moments for enjoyment where they can.
FAQ
What is the puzzle man's real name?
Dan Regan, known as "Dan the puzzle man," is the person behind the effort at the Jumping Bean coffee shop in St. John's.
Where does he set up his puzzles?
He sits at the Jumping Bean coffee shop inside the Unity Health Centre on Stavanger Drive in St. John's, according to CBC.
