Tag Archives: New York Times crossword puzzle

Puzzling Day At The Library

Posted on February 4, 2024 | Comments Off on Puzzling Day At The Library

Over 150 people — from right here in Westport, and as far away as Georgia — crammed the Westport Library yesterday.

They brought pencils (and a few pens), a competitive yet comradely spirit, and their wits, to the Library’s 25th annual Crossword Contest.

With less than 2 minutes remaining, many puzzlers were still working hard on the third crossword.

In some ways, it was no contest.

Defending champion Glenn Ryan picked up his 6th title, beating former winners Ken Stern and Peter Rinkus. He finished a New York Times Sunday crossword in a lightning-fast 6 minutes, 7 seconds.

That’s the time it takes many people to figure out the first few answers.

Just 11 seconds into the finals, competitors (from left) Glenn Ryan, Ken Stern and Peter Rinkus had already filled in several answers.

The trio qualified for the finals by completing 3 puzzles — a “Monday,” “Tuesday” and “Wednesday,” in ascending order of difficulty — perfectly, in the least amount of time.

Winner Glenn Ryan is interviewed by New York Times puzzle editor and contest host Will Shortz.

But everyone was a winner.

Some contestants got a certificate for finishing all 3 puzzles correctly.

Mark Gilrain earned a certificate, for 3 perfect puzzles.

Two won for “best penmanship” (one in pencil, the other pen).

All were entertained before the final round with word games, courtesy of Times puzzle editor (and contest puzzle master) Will Shortz.

Many puzzlers are veterans of previous Library contests. Some were first-timers.

Midway through the contest. In the background: Library director Bill Harmer and puzzle master Will Shortz.

Many finished one crossword. Some finished all three.

The Moore family came from Atlanta. Clockwise from right: Rebecca is a veteran puzzler (and finished all 3 correctly). William is a sophomore at Wesleyan University. Randy just started solving 2 weeks ago. Their friend Jim Dray (blue) traveled a shorter distance. He lives in Guilford.

“Across” the board, all had fun. No one left feeling “down.”

Word!

The most important elements of yesterday’s contest: the crossword puzzles, and pencil sharpeners. (All photos/Dan Woog)

(If it happens in Westport, chances are you’ll read about it on “06880.” Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Home Sales, Crossword Contest, Oyster Boat, More

Posted on December 9, 2020 | 7 comments

Wesetport’s real estate market continues to sizzle.

44 houses closed in November, up 63% from November 2019. The average closing price was 101.1% of the list price.

The average home spent 148 days on the market, down 38% from November 2019.

There were 72 houses pending (properties with signed contracts) on November 30, with an average list price of $1.96 million. (Hat tip: Chuck Greenlee)

Getting a spot for the Westport Library’s crossword puzzle contest can be tougher than solving a Saturday in the New York Times.

This year, it’s easier than a Monday.

The 22nd annual event is set for Saturday, February 6. This year it’s virtual — so there’s no limit to the number of attendees.

But some things never change. Times puzzle editor Will Shortz will again host. In addition to the puzzles, he’ll offer original word games and answer everything-you-always-wanted-to-know questions.

There are prizes for the winners. And this year — as you solve at home — you won’t have to look at everyone around who has already finished and think, “Wow, I might be the stupidest person here.”

Click here to register.

A small portion of the 130-plus puzzlers last year.

Recent “06880” stories and photos about the Catherine Wedmore oyster boat have intrigued many readers.

But she’s not the only oyster vessel in Long Island Sound.

The S.W. Sheppard regularly plies our waters, near Cockenoe Island. Here she is, hard at work:

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

The Westport Police Department, Westport Human Services Department and Mental Grit Fitness are partnering for a holiday food drive scheduled. The dates are Thursday and Friday, December 17 and 18 (12 to 4:30 p.m.). The site is the Imperial Avenue parking lot. Contactless drop-off is available, from the trunks of cars.

All donations benefit needy families through Homes with Hope, and those affiliated with the Norwalk chapter of the NAACP.

Non-perishable items needed include:

  • Canned, jarred and boxed goods including chicken, salmon, Spam, tuna, fruit, applesauce, vegetables, soups/stews, peanut butter, jelly, pasta sauces, pasta, macaroni and cheese
  • Breakfast items like granola, breakfast bars,  cereal
  • Toiletries and cleaning products like paper towels, tissues, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, sponges, sanitizing wipes, laundry detergent.

For more information, contact Andrew Berman: 203-733-1194; andy@mentalgritfitness.com.

And finally … on this date in 1851, the first YMCA in North America opened its doors — in Montreal.

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Pics Of The Day #1020

Posted on February 1, 2020 | 8 comments

The Westport Library was quieter than usual today — some of the time.

The 21st annual Crossword Puzzle Contest drew a record 130-plus cruciverbalists, from as far as Pittsburgh and Illinois. 

A small portion of the 130-plus puzzlers.

Led by New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz — the host and grandmaster for all 21 years — the contestants tackled 3 crosswords. 

That was the quiet part. During breaks, there were loud, animated conversations — about puzzles, the genius of Will Shortz, and life. 

The judges at work.

After those preliminary rounds, the finalists took the stage. Glenn Ryan of Norwich dethroned defending champion Ken Stern, finishing a “Friday puzzle” without a mistake in a blazing 4 minutes, 50 seconds.

Finalists,just minutes after the championship round began.

He won a book about the origins of words — and an hour test drive in a Maserati, courtesy of the Westport dealer.

From left: finalists Ken Stern, Jesse Lansner and champion Glenn Ryan, with Westport Library executive director  Bill Harmer and New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz.

That may the only thing faster than Glenn.

Not to brag, but — well, okay, a little. (Photos/Dan Woog)

 

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The Puzzle Of Alan Southworth

Posted on January 18, 2018 | 11 comments

Westporters have a special relationship with the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Every year, puzzle editor Will Shortz hosts a competition at the library. (The upcoming 19th annual event is February 3.)

When library director Maxine Bleiweis retired in 2015, Shortz showed up — and presented her with a specially created, “MB”-themed puzzle.

Two months ago, “Westport” was even the answer to a clue — “Affluent Connecticut town” — in a Times crossword puzzle.

But our special relationship goes only so far. To be published by the paper, a puzzle must be good. Very good.

Alan Southworth’s is. Which is why — ta-da! — the 2010 Staples High School graduate makes his debut today as a New York Times puzzle constructor.

Alan Southworth (left) and Will Shortz, at last year’s Westport Library crossword puzzle contest.

The best constructors know a lot, about a lot of things. They have varied interests. Southworth definitely does.

At Staples he sang with the Orphenians, joined the jazz band, competed on the math team, and played freshman basketball.

At Princeton he majored in geosciences (and was certified in sustainable energy and environmental studies). He works now as an energy market consultant, in a Manhattan firm run by 2001 Staples grads Gabe Phillips and Jonathan Spivak. In his spare time, he plays singer-songwriter gigs around the city.

Southworth always loved words. He grew up playing Scrabble and Boggle with his mom, and relaxed before bed with Sudoku and KenKen.

In college, he discovered crosswords. He and his friends challenged themselves with the Times puzzle in the dining hall.

After graduation, he commuted nearly 2 hours each way. Vowing to be as productive as possible, he spent his train rides writing song lyrics. That soon morphed into crossword theme ideas.

His college friend Ryan McCarty had a couple of puzzles accepted by the Times. He wanted to collaborate. So Southworth devised themes. McCarty did most of the grid construction. Together they wrote clues.

They’ve kept a Google Doc of puzzle ideas ever since.

Their first 2 puzzles were rejected. This one was accepted, Southworth thinks, because the theme answers were a  bit “cleaner,” and the grid more open (fewer black squares in the middle).

Having a crossword accepted is quite an accomplishment. Having your first one run on a Thursday is remarkable. That’s the toughest day for a themed puzzle. (Monday is the easiest; Tuesday and Wednesday are a bit harder. Friday and Saturday are reserved for themeless — but more difficult — puzzles.)

Southworth has a digital subscription to the Times. But today he’ll buy a dead-tree copy of the paper — and make copies for his co-workers.

Here in Westport, his parents have promised to save their copy for him too.

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And The Answer Is …

Posted on November 22, 2017 | 3 comments

Today’s New York Times crossword puzzle starts easily.

1 Across:  “Home to Santa’s workshop.” 4 letters. Hmmm…”North Pole” doesn’t fit. So…just “Pole,” right?

Okay. 1 Down: “Affluent Connecticut town.” Also 4 letters.

Wow. I can’t think of any towns that start with “P.” Or even any 4-letter affluent Connecticut towns. Well, maybe Avon…

On to 5 Across, to the immediate right:  “Popular outdoor clothing brand, with ‘The.'” The only one I can think of is “North Face.” But there are only 4 squares. Leave that for later…

I’ll try the next one on the top line. 9 Across:  “Minnesota NHL team from 1967 to 1993.” That’s simple: “North Stars.” But wait — there are only 5 letters. So…just “Stars,” no?

Aha!

Every answer on the top is missing “North.”

Why would that be?

Oh yeah! Because they’re on the top line — in other words, the “North”!

So that must mean, um — the bottom line would be “South.”

Let’s check it out. 67 Across is “Country hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.” I haven’t paid attention yet, but I’m guessing it’s not South Africa. What about…South Korea?

Yep — there are 5 squares. Bingo!

So back to the top — 1 Down. I’m betting every answer on the left side starts with “West.”

Which would make that “affluent Connecticut town” — the one with only 4 letters, starting with a “P” — “Westport”!

It’s a clever crossword. And I’ll be sure to thank Times puzzle editor Will Shortz for it personally, next February.

You know — when he makes his annual appearance at the Westport Library Crossword Competition!

Will Shortz at the Westport Library, last February.

(Hat tip: David Schwartz)

 

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Ryan Milligan’s New York Times Success, Puzzlingly

Posted on March 28, 2017 | 2 comments

Two years ago, Ryan Milligan had his 1st crossword puzzle published in the New York Times.

Today he’s got his 2nd.

Not bad for a 27-year-old.

Ryan Milligan

Long before he graduated from Staples High School in 2008, Ryan was solving Times crosswords with his dad.

In 11th grade he began creating his own. He’d print 150 copies, and leave them in the lobby. By lunchtime, they’d be gone.

His first puzzles, he admits, were “truly terrible.”

Today’s is a typical Tuesday one. It’s clever, but not unsolvable. Clues and answers range from pop culture and sports to Edgar Allen Poe and commercial names.

Ryan says that this puzzle required “significantly less editing” than his debut.

I won’t give away the theme. But if you want a “clue,” check the headline of this story.

(To read what the New York Times crossword community is saying about Ryan Milligan’s puzzle, click here.)

Today’s puzzle

 

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Ryan Milligan’s Puzzling Life

Posted on July 8, 2015 | 4 comments

The New York Times is the gold standard of crossword puzzles. If you can solve one, you feel pretty good.

If you can actually create and sell one to Times puzzle editor Will Shortz, you feel even better.

Ryan Milligan did just that. His crossword puzzle was published today. Not too shabby for a 25-year-old.

Ryan Milligan

Ryan Milligan

Then again, while at Staples High School he was already making crosswords. He got the bug helping his dad, Marty, solve the Times puzzle before school each morning (Ryan’s specialty was French clues). Soon, he was solving them on his own — on the bus, or during free periods.

Starting as a junior, the Class of 2008 member created one crossword a week. He’d print 150 copies, and leave them in the lobby. By lunchtime, they’d be gone.

His first puzzles, he admits, were “truly terrible.” Over the years, he honed his craft. He learned to fit the Times standard: 180-degree symmetry, fewer than 40 black squares, fewer than 78 words, no 2-letter entries, etc.

Ryan submitted his 1st puzzle to Shortz as a senior. It was rejected. So were the 10 or so that followed.

But the puzzle editor has been “an incredible mentor” over the past 8 years, Ryan says.

Shortz always gave full explanations for the rejection. Usually the theme was tired, or had been used before.

This time, Ryan hit paydirt. (Actually it was a year ago. Shortz has a long waiting list for publication.)

SPOILER ALERT: Today’s theme is “Hidden in plain sight.” The word “hidden” is hidden in the 1st long across row. The words “in plain” are hidden in the 2nd long row; the word “sight” is hidden in the 3rd one. The 4th long across row reveals the overall theme.

NY Times crosswordRyan thinks Shortz liked it because it was “really different. Constructors often take standard phrases and change a letter or 2 around to make them wacky. But this is something that has really not been tried before.”

Shortz is a hands-on editor. He changed some of the long across answers, then pulled in Frank Longo to rework the puzzle a bit more.

Ryan is not resting on his laurels. He creates a crossword every couple of weeks, submitting those he feels are print-worthy.

The Dartmouth graduate works in marketing for Wayfair.com, an online furniture retailer. He lives in Boston.

Today he’ll walk around the city. Perhaps he’ll see someone trying to solve the puzzle he made. Few people read the constructors’ names; even those who do won’t know they’re working on “his” puzzle.

Ryan Milligan will be hidden in plain sight.

(To read what the New York Times crossword community is saying about Ryan Milligan’s puzzle, click here.)

Today's puzzle, by Ryan Milligan. (Copyright/New York Times)

Today’s puzzle, by Ryan Milligan. (Copyright/New York Times)

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Will Shortz Gets Booked

Posted on May 27, 2010 | 2 comments

Will Shortz is sharp.

When asked what the title of his autobiography might be, he replied:  Times Square.

If that pun falls a bit flat, you’re 1 of the 3 Westporters who haven’t at least tried the New York Times crossword puzzle.

Will Shortz at the Westport Public Library tonight.

The rest of the town flocked to the Westport Public Library last night to honor Will Shortz at the 12th annual Booked for the Evening celebration.

They were not disappointed.

After music by the Doughboys; a Shortz-themed crossword puzzle by Times constructor Patrick Merrell; introductions by Phil Donohue and library director Maxine Bleiweis (battling pneumonia), and praise from Bill Clinton (via letter), the Times crossword editor/NPR puzzlemeister/Indiana University enigmatology major took the stage.

He led an audience participation word game whose rules are too complex to repeat here.  The key point is that — after some solid brain-twisting — the answer emerged:  “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”

If I was half as clever as Will Shortz, I’d be a very happy man.

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Word

Posted on May 14, 2010 | Comments Off on Word

Tom Brokaw, E.L. Doctorow, Calvin Trillin, Wendy Wasserstein, Pete Hamill, Martin Scorsese, Doris Kearns Goodwin, David Halberstam and Will Shortz.

If that was a clue — a long one — in a New York Times crossword puzzle, the answer would be:

Westport Library honorees.

The list is broad and diverse:  authors, historians, a TV newsman, a playwright, a film director.

On Thursday, May 27, the Library adds “crossword puzzle editor” to the list.

Will Shortz

Like previous “Booked for the Evening” honorees, Shortz loves words and language.  His forte is unique — games — but he is adored by millions of Americans for the joy he takes in puns, puzzles and wordplay.

He is sui generis — the only person in the world with a degree in enigmatology (“the study of puzzles”).  He also earned a law degree from the University of Virginia, a factoid that must delight hard-core fans (and puzzle his parents).

Shortz — who in his spare time is puzzlemaster for NPR’s “Weekend Edition Sunday” — has a long relationship with libraries in general, and Westport’s in particular.

Though he amassed many reference works in his Pleasantville, NY home — from the OED to specialized works covering opera, poetry, art, baseball, whatever — and he now uses the internet for most research, Shortz still frequents his local library.  He considers it “a friend, a place I can use whenever I want.”

In 2001 he agreed to provide puzzles for the Westport Library’s 1st crossword championship.  Ten years later, he’s still at it.  The “great time and great people” keep drawing him back.

On May 27, Shortz will talk a bit, then play interactive word games with the Westporters honoring him.  “We’ll test people,” he says.  “We’ll have fun.”

And if he were to clue “Westport” into a puzzle?

On a Monday, he says, it might be basic:  “Connecticut town on Long Island Sound.”

For a Saturday, though, he’d “find a fact that would be interesting to many people, but not well known. You’d need a lot of crossing letters to solve it.”

Sort of like:  Town whose library honored a puzzlemaster in 2010.

(Click here for tickets to the Westport Public Library’s “Booked for the Evening” benefit event.)

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