I probably would have eventually figured out the theme without the reveal, but it was a clever addition:
61-Across. Cocktail garnish, and a hint to letters hidden in the answers to starred clues : LEMON TWIST.
17-Across. *Serious swearing : SOLEMN OATH.
24-Across. *Hunt's rival : DEL MONTE.
37-Across. *Brunch choice : WESTERN OMELET.
51-Across. *Camera attachment : ZOOM LENS.
Across
1. "Elementary" network : CBS.
4. Eponymous obstetrician Fernand : LAMAZE. I needed the "Z" before this name popped into my head. His "natural" childbirth method was very popular in the '70s, but I think it has gone out of favor now.
10. "Oh, go on!" : PISH.
14. __ provençale : À LA. Prepared in the style of Provence - usually with olive oil and garlic.
15. Part of the plot : IN ON IT.
16. Gardening tool : RAKE.
19. Banded gemstone : ONYX.
20. Dorm room item : TWIN BED.
21. Really trouble, with "at" : EAT.
23. Help on the way up : RUNG.
29. 31-Down, for one : OPERA. And 31-Down. "Habanera" singer : CARMEN.
31. Former Honda model : CRX. Immediately followed by 32-Across. Honda division : ACURA.
33. Perform for : PLAY TO.
36. Target of some sprays : ODOR.
41. Ref. book : DICT.ionary.
42. Come to light : EMERGE.
43. Not from a bottle : ON TAP.
45. Expected amt. of repairs : EST.imate.
46. It may be blessed : EVENT.
53. Hip bones : ILIA.
54. Modern detective fiction pioneer : POE.
55. Captain's heading : DUE EAST.
58. Shade similar to bright turquoise : AQUA.
64. Managing ed.'s concern : CIRC.
65. List closing : ET ALIA.
66. Burns negative : NAE. Robert Burns.
67. Adjust for space, say : EDIT.
68. Webster's shelfmate : ROGET'S.
69. Come to a conclusion : END.
Down
1. Longtime maker of convertibles : CASTRO. Couches and ottomans provide extra sleeping room for the in-laws. And they are usually uncomfortable enough, so that they don't visit too long.
2. Have a tantrum : BLOW UP. See 48-Down.
3. Solution for contacts : SALINE.
4. Trunk projection : LIMB. Oh my. My first thought was bathing trunks...
5. Actress Heche : ANNE. Probably more noted for her relation with Ellen DeGeneres than any of her supposed acting skills.
6. Attitude : MOOD.
7. Santa __ : ANA.
8. Proactiv target : ZIT.
9. Great-aunt of Drew : ETHEL. The famous Barrymore family.
10. Diplomatic code : PROTOCOL.
11. John, in Scotland : IAN.
12. __ blue : SKY.
13. Bewitch : HEX.
18. MIT grad, often : ENGR.aver?
22. Doctor's org. : AMA. American Medical Association.
24. Sarcastic quality : DRYNESS.
25. Use a threat to get : EXTORT.
26. Like Botticelli's Venus : NUDE. I have seen it at the Uffizi in Florence. Breathtaking.
27. Easy pace : TROT.
28. Place for a plug : EAR.
30. Rental ad abbr. : APT. "Apt to rent"
34. Jeans giant : LEE.
35. "Wow!" in texts : OMG. "Oh My Gosh!"
37. Skid row regular : WINO.
38. Plasm lead-in : ECTO.-plasm.
39. Statute opposed by the Sons of Liberty : STAMP ACT.
40. Wide size : EEE.
41. Dairy dept. quantity : DOZ.en
44. Mideast initials : PLO. Palestine Liberation Organization.
47. Mountaintop allure : VIEW.
48. "Airplane!" heroine : ELAINE. Funny movie.
49. Xterra maker : NISSAN.
50. Covered in ink, with "up" : TATTED.
52. Conger catcher : EELER.
55. Former North Carolina senator Elizabeth : DOLE.
56. Cohesive group : UNIT.
57. Cockpit announcements, briefly : ETAs.
58. Solitaire base card : ACE.
59. Four times a day, in an Rx : QID. Quater In Die.
60. Ocean State sch. : URI. University of Rhode Island.
62. WWII arena : ETO. European Theater of Operations. I just finished reading the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner "All the Light We Cannot See," by Anthony Doerr. I highly recommend it!!
63. GQ, e.g., briefly : MAG.azine. I remember when MAGs referred to these.
Time for LEMONade!
Marti
Speaking of which, Lemonade714 stopped in to visit me last week while he was here for his reunion. Here's a pic of us relaxing on the deck.
