17-Across. *Hobby shop purchase : MODEL TRAIN. Some people get carried away with the hobby.
21-Across. *World Wildlife Fund symbol : PANDA BEAR. Timeline.
55-Across. *Florida city with over 400 miles of canals : CAPE CORAL. Nice to look at, but aren't they full of alligators?
61-Across. *"Movin' Out" choreographer : TWYLA THARP. I couldn't find a link that had decent sound and light to do this musical justice.
The reveal is found at 37-Across. Common sports injuries ... and a hint to hidden words that span both parts of the answers to starred clues : PULLED MUSCLES. DELToid, ABdominal, PECtoral and LATissimus muscles are all prone to injury...just ask me! I like how C.C. "stretched" them across the two words.
It seemed pretty easy for a Thursday, but I guess I was on C.C.'s wave length today!
Across
1. Stick on the ground : TWIG.
5. "Notes on a Scandal" Best Actress nominee : DENCH. Love that Dame!
10. Legal suspension : STAY.
14. "How awful!" : OH NO! Mr. Bill!
15. Villa on the Volga : DACHA.
16. After the bell : LATE. Not what some teen girls ever want to be.
19. Rte. 66 goes through it : OKLA.homa, where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!
20. African capital with a metro : CAIRO.
23. Health care org. : AMA. American Medical Association.
24. Matter, in law : RES.
26. Burning sign : ASH.
27. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" channel : CNN. He's a bit raw around the edges, at times.
28. Glittery strand : TINSEL.
30. Utter : STATE.
32. Sweet and sour : TASTES. Nice misdirection.
36. Extremely dry : ARID.
41. Die down : WANE.
42. Kenyan's neighbor : SOMALI. I almost did a double take when the second "A" went missing. Oh, but it is the natives of the countries who are neighbors!
43. John of England : ELTON. "Loo" was just too short.
45. Spurred : GOADED.
49. Showy wrap : BOA.
50. Yale alum : ELI.
53. Batteries for mice : AAs.
54. Something to grind : AXE.
58. Lets up : EASES.
60. European range : ALPS. We're making plans already for next year's trip.
63. Flight unit : STEP.
64. Movie toy in a cereal box, e.g. : TIE IN.
65. Inner: Pref. : ENTO. Hands up for "endo?"
66. Hoopla : TO DO.
67. Early stage : ONSET.
68. Sauna phenomenon : MIST. I like mine with steam.
Down
1. Alley prowler : TOMCAT.
2. End of many a riddle : WHO AM I? This one definitely dates me:
"I give milk and have a horn. WHO AM I?"
(Answer appears after 62-Down.)
3. Mauritius' ocean : INDIAN.
4. Movie trailer? : GOER. Moviegoer.
5. Banned pesticide : DDT.
6. Notable Old West brothers : EARPS.
7. Sweet Sixteen org. : NCAA. National Collegiate Athletic Association.
8. Holiday dishes? : CHINA. HaHa, fun misdirection!
9. Ones working around the clock? : HANDS. Cute clue!
10. Disorderly sort : SLOB.
11. "Be well!" : TAKE CARE.
12. Its 2011 landing marked the end of the Space Shuttle program : ATLANTIS.
13. Pined : YEARNED.
18. "Because we're worth it" sloganeer : L'OREAL. Cosmetics.
22. Relaxed remarks : AHs. In the 68-Across.
25. "Anything __?" : ELSE.
29. Fla. University named for a pope : ST LEO. "The Great." He makes a return visit this week.
31. Actress Shire : TALIA. In "The Godfather" she played Connie Corleone.
33. Vikings seek them, briefly : TDs. Touch downs. C.C.'s home team!
34. Rock genre : EMO.
35. Total : SUM.
37. Silicon Valley city : PALO ALTO.
38. Yet to be used : UNTAPPED. Brand new or pristine would also fit. Just sayin'...
39. Epic tale : SAGA.
40. Hanger hangout : CLOSET. My mind was on the type of hanger Dudley stores his planes in.
41. Online program : WEBCAST. Does anyone here listen to "Ted Talks"? Very informative, interesting, and sometimes funny.
44. Japanese electronics giant : NEC. Nippon Electric Company, Ltd.
46. Aquafina rival : DASANI.
47. Puts forth : EXERTS.
48. Coup target : DESPOT.
51. Game most people lose : LOTTO. How true. Even the winners often end up in bankruptcy.
52. Novelist Shaw : IRWIN.
53. Kate's sitcom pal : ALLIE.
56. Old Bruin nickname : ESPO. Phil Esposito, one of the world's greatest hockey players.
57. Shouts of support : AYES.
59. Polite interruption : AHEM.
62. Raid target : ANT.
*Answer to riddle: A milk truck. Do you remember when they delivered to your house?
(I do.)
Marti
Notes from C.C.:
George Barany and Dave Hanson constructed this fantastic puzzle for the Minnesota Crossword Tournament in June. You can download in puz or PDF or solve on line. Let me know what you think. I loved it!
George also hosted this puzzle from Alex Vratsanos, who made today's NY Times.
