Tree takes Week 6 as PTI players move into finale

Images of Frederick Douglass, George Eastman, Phillis Wheatley and other famous figures in local history filled the photo galleries on the Picture the Impossible site last week, as teams rallied in the Week 6 library portrait contest and uploaded about 125 entries.

“Theyus” team member Jack Yu, 39, of Brighton, and his family were among winners of the Picture the Impossible Portrait challenge, which led players to visit local libraries.

“We definitely wanted the kids to be doing something other than just appearing in the picture,” Yu said, so they displayed George Eastman portraits.

Week 6, about Famous Figures in Rochester’s History, also featured an intriguing one-hour scavenger hunt into Mt. Hope Cemetery, perhaps the most popular hunt of the game. The Tree, which represents Golisano Children’s Hospital, finished the week with an impressive fifth win, while the Watch — Wilson Commencement Park — played hard and finished second, a comeback from last week’s third-place finish. The Forge, winners in Week 5 and the only faction to beat the Tree, finished third for Foodlink. Each charity will get donations Saturday at the Halloween gala at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

More than 2,400 players and households are part of the first-of-its kind game that inspired people to visit the city, tap into its rich culture and history — and pick up a newspaper.

The final days of play will decide which 150 players will be invited to the party. Week 7 focuses on Social Justice. Highlights include a video challenge; a scavenger hunt into Susan B. Anthony’s old neighborhood; a Wegmans “Check Out Hunger” challenge, plus a special challenge to help make your charity’s wishes come true. Go to picturethe?impossible.com. to join in.

— Cynthia Benjamin
Social networking editor