Tag Archives: Westport Library Crossword Puzzle Contest

Roundup: C-c-c-cold Birds, Crossword Puzzle Contest, Cortina Olympics

Posted on February 8, 2026 | 2 comments

It’s time for the “F” word.

Yep, this weather is freezing.

And it’s gone on for a loooong time.

Lou Weinberg sends along this great photo …

(Photo/Lou Weinberg)

… and reminds us: “Birds, like all living things, need water. In these frigid temperatures, drinkable water is hard to come by.

“Agriculture-grade rubber pans do the job. They’re easy to find online.”

Tracy Porosoff spotted bird tracks in the snow, and adds: “Please remind people to sprinkle some bird seed, or fill their bird feeders.”

Today’s forecast is for a high of 16, though slightly less windy than yesterday. The low tonight will be 7 — still quite cold, but better than last night.

A bit of relief is in sight. Temperatures will climb to the 30s tomorrow and Tuesday. On Wednesday we’ll be roasting, at 42 degrees.

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Speaking of the bone-chilling cold: It could have derailed Homes with Hope‘s annual “Soup-er Bowl” food drive.

The event — held every year the day before the Big Game — is sponsored by the Westport Police Department, and the Westport Rotary and Sunrise Rotary clubs. It’s an important event, timed during a traditionally down time for donations, to replenish the non-profit’s food pantry.

It would have been tough to have volunteers stand outside in single-digit temperatures. And to ask donors to linger outdoors too.

Stop & Shop’s manager quickly stepped up. He moved the group indoors, providing space in prime territory near the entrance.

Inside Stop & Shop …

We don’t know who will be tonight’s Super Bowl MVP.

But for yesterday’s Soup-er Bowl food drive, it’s Stop & Shop. And the winning team is the 2 Rotary Clubs, Police Department, and all who contributed goods and funds to Homes with Hope.

… and at the Homes with Hope food pantry.

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One more weather report: At 9 p.m. last night, Eversource reported 52 Westport customers without power.

There were another 182 in Weston.

The majority in both towns were in the Coleytown area, where wires came down (see photo below).

The good news: At 7 a.m. today, there were no outages reported in either town.

Well done, Eversource!

Wires were down yesterday on Easton Road, between Coleytown and  Berkeley Roads. (Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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Yesterday’s 27th annual Westport Library Crossword Puzzle Contest sold out almost instantly.

Despite bitter cold — or maybe because of cabin fever — 200 cruciverbalists filled the Trefz Forum yesterday.

They spent the afternoon solving 3 New York Times puzzles, and competing in a word game hosted by the Times’ longtime and revered puzzle editor, Will Shortz.

The finals pitted 3 Westport contest veterans. In an unusual twist, the winner took the longest to complete a very difficult “Thursday” crossword.

Jan O’Sullivan zipped through it in a still-gob-smacking 9 minutes — 3 minutes slower than Claire Rimkus and Glen Ryan.

23 seconds into the final round. From left: Jen O’Sullivan, Claire Rimkus and Glen Ryan. Times puzzle editor Will Shortz is far right.

But those 2 spelled “Sacagawea” with a “j,” not a “g.” That’s acceptable — but not in a puzzle with a crossing word (“girth,” not “jirth”).

Slow — relatively — and steady won that race.

Kenneth Mukamal, with a certificate as one of 2 dozen competitors to complete all 3 puzzles correctly. He did not qualify for the final round — but, playing at his table, correctly finished that puzzle more quickly than the winner. (Photos/Dan Woog)

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Mac is back!

Freestyle skier Mac Forehand grew up in Southport. His father — Ray Forehand — was on the Staples soccer team in 1976. His uncle Jack Forehand was a football star there, more than a decade earlier.

Mac was on the 2022 US Olympic ski team. He’s on it again in Cortina, competing in both freeski slopestyle and big

He’s already advanced to the next freeski slopestyle round, finishing 6th. You can watch him on Peacock (all times Eastern):

  • Freeski slopestyle final: Tuesday, February 10, 6:30-8:20 a.m.
  • Freeski big air qualification: Sunday, February 15, 1:30-3:45 p.m.
  • Freeski big air final: Tuesday, Feb. 17, 1:30-3:05 p.m.

The Fairfield resident — who attended the Stratton Mountain Ski School — has won 3 X Games medals, and a silver at the 2025 World Championships.

He made history in 2019, winning the overall World Cup title in slopestyle at just 17 years old. It was his first full season on the World Cup circuit.

Alert “06880” reader David Squires reports that his parents were shown on NBC’s coverage of the slopestyle qualification on Thursday.

For more information on Mac Forehand, click here.

BONUS RUN: For a 2016 lifestyle publication story on the Forehands’ life in Vermont, click here. (Hat tip: Dan Donovan)

Mac Forehand

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Attention, college students interested in hands-on experience in land conservation: Aspetuck Land Trust is accepting applications for a pair of paid summer internships.

Interns work flexible schedules for 8 to 10 weeks, supporting trail and habitat maintenance, invasive species removal, community outreach, and conservation education projects across their preserves and in Bridgeport. Click here for more information, and application details.

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Valentine’s Day is 6 days away.

But it came early for Lauri Weiser.

She spotted this heart outside her front door, at the Lansdowne condominiums.

It’s a natural for today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo feature.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … speaking of that heart above, what better song than:

(A heart of stone … or gold? You decide! Please click here, to support the 24/7/365 work of “06880,” your hyper-local blog. Thank you!)

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Roundup: Crossword Contest, Comedy, Drag Show …

Posted on February 2, 2025 | Comments Off on Roundup: Crossword Contest, Comedy, Drag Show …

Over 200 competitors vied yesterday, at the 26th annual Westport Library Crossword Puzzle Contest.

A first time winner out-puzzled them all.

Quiara Vasquez finished a Friday-level New York Times puzzle in just 6 minutes and 16 seconds — about the time it takes a normal solver to fill in just a few answers.

Quiara Vasquez (right), with runner-up Claire Rimkus (center) and third-place finisher Ken Stern. 

As always the Trefz Forum was filled with regulars, first-timers, and those cruciverbalist superstars who make the rest of us feel like we should have stopped playing games at Word Search.

The crowd skewed older, and came from 6 states. The furthest competitors — for the second year in a row — were from Georgia.

Times puzzle editor Will Shortz was once again on hand, and led several NPR-style games before the final round.

He was greeted with a well-deserved standing ovation. Besides coming every year — the only event he attends, besides the national tournament — he is recovering from a stroke.

He was stricken exactly a year ago — the day after he was in Westport for the 2024 Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Shortz described that event, and his rehabilitation over the past year.

Will Shortz (Photos/Dan Woog)

In addition to Vasquez, certificates were handed out to over 50 competitors who completed all 3 puzzles correctly.

Plus the 2 with the best handwriting (one pencil, one pen).

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Westport Country Playhouse’s “Season of Laughter” continues this month.

“Native Gardens” — a comedy about well-intentioned neighbors who become feuding enemies — debuts playing February 18.

Expectant parents Tania and Pablo Del Valle move next door to longtime suburbanites Virginia and Frank Butley. A dispute over the property line spirals into a war over taste, class, personal identity — and gardening.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Looking for a fun and different Valentine’s Day celebration, a few days early?

How about a drag show this Saturday, with Boston’s own Patty Bourrée?

Westport Pride is hosting the February 8 event (7 p.m., MoCA CT; 18+ only). It features songs, comedy and cocktails. All genders and orientations welcome!

Click here for tickets ($40), and more information.

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Oscar Edelman is having a great season for the Wesleyan University basketball team.

The 6-8, 225-pound freshman — a Westport resident and former Greens Farms Academy player, who won a gold medal at the Maccabi Games 2 years ago — has helped the Cardinals to a 20-0 record. They are the only unbeaten men’s team in all of Division III.

Oscar Edelman

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Westport Sunrise Rotary’s speaker most recent speaker was Edward Spilka.

The Wheel it Forward USA board member described his organization’s not-for-profit library. People donate or borrow free medical equipment and assistive technology like wheelchairs, hospital beds, toilet risers, walkers and knee scooters.

Warehouses in Stamford and Bridgeport serve 600 people every month. Donations kept over 100,000 pounds of equipment out of landfills, and saved users more than $1 million in 2024 alone.

Edward Spilka, at the Westport Sunrise Rotary meeting.

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Sorelle Gallery welcomes Carol Young next Saturday (February, 2 to 4 p.m.), for a meet-and-greet at their Church Lane gallery.

The Connecticut artist specializes in acrylic and oil landscapes. Click here for more information.

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Jeff Mitchell sends today’s “Westport … Naturally” feature. He writes:

“On a walk at Sherwood Island State Park Saturday morning, I encountered 4 different migrating birds.

“Those in the upper left are ring-billed gulls (note the black tail feathers with white dots). Under that is a rather large juvenile herring gull.

“In the upper right are 2 Brandt geese. Under them is one of a huge flock of long- tailed ducks floating too far from shore to get a good picture of on my phone.

“Below that is a stock picture of the same duck, for reference. They would dive under the water for up to a minute.

“I walk at Sherwood Island quite often. These are all rarities, which is why I’m passing them along.”

(Photo collage/Jeff Mitchell)

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And finally … Barry Goldberg, a keyboardist who was part of Bob Dylan’s famous electric set at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, died last month in Los Angeles. He was 83, and suffered from lymphoma.

He played at Monterey Pop with his band the Electric Flag; on Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels’ “Devil With a Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly”; albums by the Byrds, Leonard Cohen, Rod Stewart and the Ramones — and preceded Mark Naftalin (now a Westport resident) in the Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Click here for a complete obituary.

(If you don’t know what’s going on in Westport, you’re not reading “06880.” We rely on reader support to help us help you. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Entertainment, Library, Local business, Sports, Westport Country Playhouse

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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: The Porch, Club 203, Westport 100 …

Posted on February 5, 2023 | 5 comments

Bitter temperatures, then quick warming yesterday caused a frozen pipe to burst during lunch at The Porch @ Christie’s.

A screen shot from a video by Dylan Curran (below) shows water cascading between 2 light fixtures, down the front of a display case, and into one of several trash cans.

But nothing stops Andrea and Bill Pecoriello. The owners worked their magic tirelessly, and opened again this morning.

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Speaking of The Porch:

The popular Cross Highway deli/restaurant is the site of the next Club 203 party. Westport’s great social group for adults with disabilities celebrates St. Patrick’s Day there the night before: March 16, 7 p.m.

Westport Country Playhouse was the scene of the club’s recent Valentine’s dance party. Over 120 guests and a dozen volunteers enjoyed stacks of heart-shaped  pizzas donated by Planet Pizza, sweetheart cookies courtesy of Stew Leonard’s and The Pantry, and a jewelry-making and artful “live love” project sponsored by MoCA of Westport.

Click here for more information on Club 203, and the St. Paddy’s Day social.

Rockin’ Club 203’s Valentine’s dance, at Westport Country Playhouse.

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Yesterday’s Roundup noted that although the Norwalk Bed Bath & Beyond store is not accepting coupons — and everything is 20% off — it was not on the chain’s list of hundreds of stores slated for closing.

But Bobbie Herman — who told “06880” that both it and the Fairfield store will close — was right.

A call to the Norwalk location yesterday confirmed the news. The person who answered said the news has not yet been announced officially. The final day is “sometime in March.”

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Two years ago, Jay Norris sat with 4 other Black men. Their goal was to create a  social community in Westport for people of color.

The men would network. They and their spouses would attend cultural events, and dine out together; they’d organize beach parties and other events for their kids.

Hoping for a few more men, they chose an optimistic name: Westport 10.

They’ve met at places like La Plage, Autostrada and Hudson Malone. Their children have gotten together. By their presence and involvement in local affairs, they’re making Westport more comfortable for themselves — and more welcoming for all.

Westport 10 has grown rapidly. They’re now up to over 50 men and their families.

So Jay has announced a new name: Westport 100.

Congratulations! Here’s hoping for more name changes in the future.

At a recent Westport 100 lunch at Hudson Malone, clockwise from bottom right: Titus McDougal (wearing a cap), Alexis Johnson, Lorenzo Wyatt, Kevin Christie, Dr. Stephan Grevious, Ron Gordon, Trey Ellis, Vinny Spencer, Roy Adams, Timothy Tanksley, Jay Norris, Ted Parker, C.D. Glin,

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New York Times crossword puzzle editor and NPR puzzle master Will Shortz entertained hundreds of puzzle solvers and word lovers yesterday, at the 24th annual Westport Library contest.

The crowd worked on 3 puzzles he brought — all yet to be published in the Times — and then followed along as 3 finalists competed onstage. Before the final round, Shortz led a series of word games.

“You’re sharp!” he said, as one man took about three nanonseconds to turn one word (“mechanize”) into the name of an animal by adding another (“chimpanzee”).

The crossword champion — who won a previous contest here — was Glenn Ryan. He finished the final puzzle — an always-tough “Saturday” one — in 6 minutes, 48 seconds.

The rest of us are still working on it.

Will Shortz, leading word games at the Westport Library. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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Last week, Matt Murray’s radar detector started going bonkers at various spots it never had before.

He realized it was triggered by boxes on telephone poles. Looking closely, he saw that they’re property of the Connecticut Department of Transportation. He worried that “Big Brother” was monitoring speeds.

A state Department of Transportation traffic study box. (Photo/Matt Murray)

They are on (among other roads) North Avenue, Cross Highway and Bayberry Lane — all areas that are being studied for traffic patterns, prior to recommendations for improvement.

Westport Police Chief says, “the data is not vehicle specific. Nor is it being used for enforcement.”

Matt sends along this link, from a barcode on the radar box.

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Kat Evans is this month’s featured artist at the Westport Book Shop.

Her luminous color field paintings are on display through February 28. All are available for purchase.

Kat’s art has been shown in juried solo and group exhibitions, and hangs in collections throughout North America, Europe and Japan. She is a member of the Artists Collective of Westport.

Kat Evans, at the Westport Book Shop.

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The Westport Country Playhouse Script in Hand 2003 play reading series begins with  “As Bees in Honey Drown.”

The fun-filled, insightful social satire is set for Monday, February 13 (7 p.m.). Script in Hand eadings offer intimate storytelling. Professional actors bring words to life, without sets or costumes.

Click here for tickets, and more information.

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Readers submit many great sunrise photos.

This one — from a few days ago, at Compo Beach — makes it to the top of the “Westport … Naturally” queue. The birds add a special touch.

(Photo/Simon Gurvets)

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And finally … today is National Fart Day. No s—.

(If you click here to contribute to “06880,” I’ll keep posting final items like this. If you contribute a lot, I’ll stop.)

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Roundup: Positano, Crossword Contest, Hidden Gem …

Posted on November 28, 2022 | 13 comments

A reader writes:

The recent “06880” story about 233 Hillspoint Road [the former Positano restaurant, now being rebuilt as a private home] led me down the Google rabbit hole, to a wonderful surprise.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I had a Positano reunion at the former Chef Joseph’s son and daughter’s recently opened West Village restaurant, Ferdi.

The hospitality and food is instantly, wonderfully, familiar, while also sparkling with the imprint of the next generation of Chef Fernando and Manager Aida.

My sister and her husband were with us, visiting from Ohio. They married on the beach outside Positano 21 years ago, and had their wedding party at the restaurant. (Its first, I think.)

My adult children, who also were at this dinner with my husband and me, grew up talking to young Fernando and Aida during our countless meals at Positano.

The evening was meaningful for all of us — and we have “06880” to thank for getting the ball rolling.

Positano lives on — as Ferdi, in New York.

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What are you doing at 9 a.m. this Thursday (December 1)?

If you’re a fan of both Staples High School’s Candlelight Concert and the Westport Library’s Crossword Puzzle Contest, you’ll have to prioritize.

Tickets for both popular events go on sale — at the exact same moment. And they go quickly for both.

Click here for the December 16-17 holiday production.

Click here for the February 4 word games event.

And good luck to all!

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Aaron and Brett Fortunoff are Bedford Middle School students, with big hearts and great goals. They write:

“In the spirit of giving and being thankful, we can’t forget about those who are less fortunate and fail to receive a proper daily breakfast — the most important meal of the day.

“So we teamed up with a non-profit called Cereal4All that helps provide cereals to local food pantries. We hope ‘06880’ readers can help us with this important cause.

“For local readers, we will be by both entrances of Stop & Shop this weekend (December 3 and 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). We will then deliver the collected cereal to food pantries in Fairfield County.

“There will also be a collection box at Temple Israel in Westport, from December 2 to 16.

“For readers are not local, we created an Amazon wish list you can donate to.  Also, you can Venmo our mother, Laurie. She will buy cereal with the money raised: @lauriefortunoff. You can also click here and donate directly to the charity. The donation is tax deductible.

Aaron and Brett Fortunoff

 

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The Hidden Gem — the combination hair salon/crystal shop on Maple Avenue South, just south of the Exxon station — has closed.

A “for sale” sign sits on the property, the former site of Juljen, Bill’s and Mario & Mike’s.

The asking price is $2 million. Click here for details. (Hat tip: Chris Grimm)

6 Maple Avenue South, with a previous tenant.

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The stars are aligned. This is your chance to order a 2023 Westport Astronomical Society calendar.

It’s filled with daily astronomical data from Phil Harrington, and illustrated with astro-photography from talented WAS members.

The calendar is $15 for members, $20 for non-members ($5 shipping for 1-2; $10 for 3-5). It’s available at any upcoming event (click here for the calendar), or by email (alex@was-ct.org; include quantity and shipping address; you’ll be invoiced via PayPal).

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No matter what the season, there’s beauty at Compo Beach.

Today’s timeless “Westport … Naturally” photo comes from Lauri Weiser.

(Photo/Lauri Weiser)

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And finally … Keith Levene — a founding member of both the Clash and Public Image Ltd. — died earlier this month in England. He was 65, and suffered from liver cancer. Click here for a full obituary.

(Don’t be a punk. Please support “06880.” Click here to help. Thank you!)

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Posted in Arts, Library, Local business, Real estate, Restaurants, Staples HS, Teenagers

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It’s No Puzzle Where Cruciverbalists Were Today

Posted on February 2, 2019 | 16 comments

There are 2 ways to do the New York Times crossword puzzle:

  1. By yourself
  2. In a room with a couple hundred other people, racing the clock and all those other geniuses who know that frybread is a “Naan-like Native American food,” epee is a “sword’s name with two accents,” and that shandy is a “beer and lemonade drink.” They also know who Danny Ainge, Joni Ernst and Gotye are, plus tons of other random stuff.

All those people who enjoy option #2 gathered this afternoon at the Saugatuck Congregational Church. They competed — good-naturedly, but fiercely — in the Westport Library’s 20th annual Crossword Puzzle Contest.

Solving crossword puzzles takes concentration.

For the 20th year, it was puzzle-master-minded — and presided over joyfully and cruciverbally — by Times crossword editor (and NPR star) Will Shortz.

New York Times puzzle editor Will Shortz and Westport Library director Bill Harmer entertain the crowd. The countdown clock is at right.

Contestants came from as far as North Carolina and Illinois. Ages skewed older, though there were enough younger faces to make Gotye a legit question.

After 3 rounds of increasing-in-difficulty Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday puzzles, the top 3 contestants (based on speed and accuracy) faced off for the title. They stood on stage, solving a tough Thursday crossword as the crowd watched.

The finalists (from left): Glen Ryan, Jesse Lansner and Ken Stern.

Glen Ryan finished in 6:50. However, he got one answer wrong.

Jesse Lansner was 2nd, in 7:30. But he got one wrong too.

So Ken Stern — slow, steady and perfect, in 11:37 — was declared the winner.

It was a fast, fun day. I know, because I was one of those solvers

I did not make the finals. But I was one of a few dozen to complete all 3 Monday through Wednesday puzzles perfectly.

Though I still have no idea who Gotye is.

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Word!

Posted on February 4, 2017 | 9 comments

It wasn’t quite curling up with the New York Times crossword.

More like racing through it, trying to beat dozens of other crossword aficionados. The grand prize: A book (about words) donated in your name to the Westport Library.

Your name on a new plaque.

And — 24 hours before the Super Bowl — the knowledge that you’re a champion in a competition using (instead of destroying) brain cells.

It happened this afternoon: the Library’s 18th annual Crossword Puzzle Contest.

Jeff Wieser was ready for the Crossword Puzzle Contest. The countdown clock is in the background. There were 3 preliminary rounds, of 20 minutes each.

Jeff Wieser was ready for the Crossword Puzzle Contest. The countdown clock is in the background. There were 3 preliminary rounds, of 20 minutes each.

I was there for the 1st time. The McManus Room was filled with fellow puzzlers. Many had come to previous contests. A few had been to every one.

Eric Maddy came all the way from Huntington Beach, California (and wore shorts). He seemed to know a lot of folks. Crossword solvers have created quite a community.

But there were plenty of familiar faces. Sitting across from me was Jeff Wieser, CEO of Homes With Hope. On my right was Alan Southworth, the 2010 Staples High grad/musician/marathon runner/crossword creator (he hopes Will Shortz will select one of his puzzles for the Times).

Will Shortz: New York Times puzzle editor, Westport Library contest host, all-around cool guy.

Will Shortz: New York Times puzzle editor, Westport Library contest host, all-around cool guy.

Shortz himself — the Times puzzle editor/NPR host/Indiana University enigmatology major — was at today’s contest too. He served as the genial, wisecracking, challenging host.

The diverse, high-energy crowd was perfect for Shortz. And he had 3 strong puzzles — a Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (in ascending order of difficulty) for us.

I did not win. I did not make the cut as one of 3 finalists. I am, however, extremely proud to say that I did receive a perfect score on all 3 puzzles.

I earned a certificate for that, signed by Will Shortz himself.

A couple dozen others got certificates too. It was that kind of group.

And that kind of only-in-Westport afternoon.

PS: The 3 puzzles will be published in upcoming Times editions. Will gave us the back stories about them. One is by the youngest creator in Times history. When we heard that, no one in the room felt smart at all.

You might even call us clueless.

The 3 finalists. Andy Kravis (right) of New York City won, finishing a Friday puzzle in a blazing 4:50. Eric Maddy (center) finished 2nd. He came all the way from California -- and received ed a Westport Library tote bag in appreciation.

The 3 finalists. Andy Kravis (right) of New York City won, finishing a Friday puzzle in a blazing 4:50. Eric Maddy (center) was 2nd. He came all the way from California — and received a Westport Library tote bag in appreciation.

From now on, the winner's name will be etched on a plaque bearing the name of Howard Brody. As the

From now on, the winner’s name will be etched on a plaque honoring longtime puzzle fan Howard Brody. As the award notes, he “never had a cross word for anyone.”

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