In a quaint little town of Jackson, New Hampshire, back in 1978, two ambitious friends embarked on an entrepreneurial journey. Their small poster company, born the same year as Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, gradually morphed into what we now cherish as White Mountain Puzzles. The evolution wasn't swift like the ice cream duo, who shot to national fame but was steady and meaningful. Today, it's a brand synonymous with quality puzzles, standing tall among the top puzzle brands in the United States.
The charm lies not just in the puzzles they craft but also in the hands that craft them. The founders, Cronan Minton and Ted Wroblewski, handed the reins to their sons, keeping the business within the family. This transition wasn't just about passing down responsibilities but preserving a legacy of creativity, community, and quality. The picturesque village that houses White Mountain Puzzles is part of their enchanting narrative, an element as integral as the puzzles themselves. From a small poster company to a beloved puzzle brand, the journey of White Mountain Puzzles is a tale of passion meeting purpose.
The Family Legacy
The magic of White Mountain Puzzles isn’t just in the colorful, fun puzzles they create but also in the family bonds that hold the company tight. The story didn't end with Cronan Minton and Ted Wroblewski, the original founders; it got a new chapter when their sons, Sean and Colin, stepped in. They took over the daily grind, ensuring the family’s vision continued soaring high. It's like passing the baton in a relay race, ensuring the legacy sprints forward, across the finish line, into the future.
The essence of White Mountain Puzzles lies in its ability to bridge generations, both within the family and the community. The brand signifies unity, collaboration, and the joy of creating something beautiful together. It's not just about fitting pieces together; it’s about piecing together memories, experiences, and a rich legacy as enduring and intricate as the puzzles they craft. Through every puzzle sold, White Mountain Puzzles shares a part of its family, history, and community-centric values, inviting puzzle enthusiasts to become a part of a larger narrative, a larger family.
Quality and Craftsmanship
White Mountain Puzzles takes the cake when it comes to quality. Every puzzle piece results from careful crafting, ensuring that when you pick one up, it fits perfectly with its neighbors. The process starts with sturdy blue chipboard on recycled paper, making sure each puzzle is not just fun but also eco-friendly. The magic continues as they transform these materials into interlocking pieces, each waiting to find its place in the picture.
The designs aren’t just about pretty pictures; they are stories waiting to be pieced together. Whether it's a nostalgic scene from the past or a beautiful landscape, each puzzle is a door to a different world. Through meticulous design selection, they ensure there’s something for everyone, making puzzle-solving a cherished pastime for all ages.
The Puzzles
Whether you are into vintage signs, historic landmarks, or nature's beauty, there's something for everyone. The categories are as diverse as they are captivating, offering a unique blend of educational and entertaining themes. The puzzles cater to various age groups and interests, making them a perfect family activity. With each puzzle, you uncover a new theme, a new adventure.
Now, let's talk specifics. The top-reviewed "Barn Quilts" puzzle is a beautiful exploration of rural life, a tribute to the simplicity and beauty of the countryside. On the other hand, the best-selling "Cereal Boxes" puzzle is a nostalgic journey back to the breakfast table of our younger days. And the anticipation is building for the upcoming "Christmas in the City" puzzle, promising to deliver a slice of holiday cheer. Each of these puzzles represents what White Mountain Puzzles is all about – quality, nostalgia, and endless fun. They are not just puzzles; they are memories waiting to be pieced together, one beautiful image at a time.
Impact and Recognition
White Mountain Puzzles isn't just a local company; its excellence is nationally known. One shining moment was when they got an invitation to the Made in America Showcase at the White House in 2018. It was a proud moment, standing as one of the 50 companies representing the spirit of American entrepreneurship, one from each state. This spotlight wasn't just a pat on the back but a testimony to their quality and dedication.
Over the years, the accolades have continued pouring in. They've been named one of the top family-owned businesses in New Hampshire by New Hampshire Business Magazine, not once, but for five straight years. And in 2021, they were listed among the top 5 fastest-growing private companies in the state. Each award is a nod to their relentless pursuit of quality, community, and customer satisfaction. It's a journey marked with hard-earned recognition, reflecting the brand’s commitment to delivering nothing but the best, one puzzle piece at a time.
Learn More
White Mountain Puzzles is more than a brand; it's a warm, welcoming community. The enduring appeal lies in its quality puzzles, rich themes, and a legacy rooted in family and community values. Every puzzle is an invitation to become part of a larger story, a bigger family. So, why wait? Dive into their diverse puzzle collections, find the ones that speak to your heart, and start piecing together your own beautiful memories. With White Mountain Puzzles, every piece brings joy, every completed puzzle is a celebration, and every day is a perfect day for puzzling!
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There's a reason why some people can perfectly copy accents, and others can't
Turns out, there's a neurodivergent link.
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Have you ever had that friend who goes on vacation for four days to London and comes back with a full-on Queen's English posh accent? "Oooh I left my brolly in the loo," they say, and you respond, "But you're from Colorado!" Well, there are reasons they (and many of us) do that, and usually it's on a pretty subconscious level.
It's called "accent mirroring," and it's actually quite common with people who are neurodivergent, particularly those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). According Neurolaunch, the self-described "Free Mental Health Library," "Accent mirroring, also known as accent adaptation or phonetic convergence, is the tendency to unconsciously adopt the accent or speech patterns of those around us. This linguistic chameleon effect is not unique to individuals with ADHD, but it appears to be more pronounced and frequent in this population."
Essentially, when people have conversations, we're constantly "scanning" for information—not just the words we're absorbing, but the inflection and tone. "When we hear an accent, our brains automatically analyze and categorize the phonetic features, prosody, and intonation patterns," writes Neurolaunch. For most, this does result in copying the accent of the person with whom we're speaking. But those with ADHD might be more sensitive to auditory cues. This, "coupled with a reduced ability to filter out or inhibit the impulse to mimic…could potentially explain the increased tendency for accent mirroring."
While the article explains further research is needed, they distinctly state that, "Accent mirroring in individuals with ADHD often manifests as an unconscious mimicry of accents in social situations. This can range from subtle shifts in pronunciation to more noticeable changes in intonation and speech rhythm. For example, a person with ADHD might find themselves unconsciously adopting a Southern drawl when conversing with someone from Texas, even if they’ve never lived in the South themselves."
People are having their say online. On the subreddit r/ADHDWomen, a thread began: "Taking on accents is an ADHD thing?" The OP shares, "My whole life, I've picked up accents. I, myself, never noticed, but everyone around me would be like, 'Why are you talking like that??' It could be after I watched a show or movie with an accent or after I've traveled somewhere with a different accent than my 'normal.'
They continue, "Apparently, I pick it up fast, but it fades out slowly. Today... I'm scrolling Instagram, I watch a reel from a comedian couple (Darcy and Jeremy. IYKYK) about how Darcy (ADHD) picks up accents everywhere they go. It's called ADHD Mirroring??? And it's another way of masking."
(The OP is referring to Darcy Michaels and his husband Jeremy Baer, who are both touring comedians based in Canada.)
Hundreds of people on the Reddit thread alone seem to relate. One comments, "Omfg I've done this my whole life; I'll even pick up on the pauses/spaces when I'm talking to someone who is ESL—but English is my first language lol."
Sometimes, it can be a real issue for those around the chameleon. "I accidentally mimicked a waitress's weird laugh one time. As soon as she was out of earshot, my family started to reprimand me, but I was already like 'oh my god I don’t know why I did that, I feel so bad.'"
Many commenters on TikTok were shocked to find out this can be a sign of ADHD. One jokes, "Omg, yes, at a store the cashier was talking to me and she was French. She's like 'Oh are you French too? No, I'm not lol. I'm very east coast Canada."
And some people just embrace it and make it work for them. "I mirror their words or phrase! I’m 30. I realized I start calling everyone sweetie cause my manager does & I work at coffee shop."