Wednesday July 10, 2019 Alan Olschwang

 Theme:  DEUCES WILD (58. Card game declaration, and a hint to what can be found in the four other longest answers) - Anagram of "Deuce" are hidden in each theme answer.

 18. *Soft material: SUEDE CLOTH.

 23. *Supply support for a claim: PRODUCE EVIDENCE.

 36. *"Coming Home" and "Nebraska" Oscar nominee: BRUCE DERN.

 50. *Like many new job seekers: COLLEGE-EDUCATED.

Boomer again, filling another blogging gap.

Hello everyone. I can relate to this theme because I really like playing the deuces wild version of draw poker machines at the casinos.  You don't win a lot but also you can play a while without losing much. I did hit a royal flush (no wild cards) for $200, on a five nickel bet at Treasure Island. The one in Minnesota, not the one on the Strip in Vegas.

Boomer, Treasure Island, 2013

Across:

1. Chopped garden clods: HOED.  Easier than pulling weeds, but careful around the tomatoes .

5. Wash: BATHE.

10. Thailand neighbor: LAOS.

14. Basketball Hall of Famer Donovan: ANNE.  We met Lindsey Whalen once.  She was a star Minnesota Gopher and Minnesota Lynx guard.  She now coaches the Gopher women's basketball program and I expect will be elected to the Hall of Fame. She is from Hutchinson, MN, a city 40 miles west of Minneapolis and was founded by my great, great, great grandfather Asa Hutchinson.  Leader of the Hutchinson Family Singers, but no relation to the governor of Arkansas.  (I asked).  

Anne Donovan (November 1, 1961 – June 13, 2018)

15. Dislike to the max: ABHOR.

16. Foot part: INCH. Toe did not have enough letters and heel didn't work either.

17. Rose and ruby: REDS.  Cincinnati baseball team.  I wish they could have taken a game or two from Cleveland last weekend.

20. "Downton Abbey" actor Stevens: DAN.

21. Ph.D. hurdle: DISS. Dissertation.

22. Quarterback Manning: ELI.  Brother of Peyton.  "Nationwide is on your side." 

29. Absolute: UTTER.

30. Cork's land: Abbr.: IRE.

31. "Mazel __!": TOV. Congratulations and best of luck!!

32. Ancient city on the Nile: THEBES.  The Nile River does not get enough credit.  I believe the source is either the Red Sea or the Mediterranean and winds its way through Egypt.  It forms a few lakes south of Cairo, reminds me of the Mississippi in Missouri.

34. "That scared me!": EEK.  Monday we had EKE, now we are treated to EEK.

35. Many a map dot: ISLE.  Reminds me of Lake of the Isles, featured on the intro of many Mary Tyler Moore episodes.

Mary Tyler Moore House, August 16, 2017

39. West Point team: ARMY.  Hup, Sarge.

42. It's never free of charge: ION.

43. E-tailer: DOT COM.

47. Life story, briefly: BIO.

48. Spike TV, once: TNN.

49. Candle emanation: AROMA. That's odd, I never realize an aroma from a candle.  How about "Outhouse emanation"?

55. Filming site: LOT.  It is said his wife was turned to a pillar of salt.

56. Phnom __, Cambodia: PENH.

57. Ancient times, poetically: ELD.

62. Tire swing support: TREE.  Brings back memories.  I have not seen a tire swing for years.

63. "A Beautiful Mind" mathematician: NASH.  I have not seen one of them for years either,  My Mom drove a 1952 sedan.  (Not a Rambler).  I owned a 1975 Pacer before AMC went under.

64. Numbered market section: AISLE.  Home Depot has numbered aisles, and I swear every store employee knows exactly which number everything is in. 

65. Is in session: SITS.

66. Slow-moving boats: ARKS.

67. Old Renault: LE CAR.  Never owned or drove one of these.  Is Renault still in business?

68. 38-Down, e.g.: PEST. 38D. Orkin target: ROACH.

Down:

1. Barely able: HARD PUT.  Add a "T" and you have the Hard putt made on the 18th green by Matt Wolfe at the 3M Open Sunday.

2. The heck: ON EARTH. Peace ON EARTH finally, now that July 4th has passed.

3. Back-of-the-book explanatory comment: END NOTE.

4. Paris' Pont __ Arts: DES. 

5. Like 101 courses: BASIC.

6. Vituperation: ABUSE.

7. This and this: THESE.  Life Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness.

8. Brick carrier: HOD.

9. Prior to, in verse: ERE.

10. De Gaulle's birthplace: LILLE.  Charles De Gaulle was a key ally for the U.S. in World War II and was still President of France when I was in high school in the sixties.

11. Applies holy oil to: ANOINTS. Our sick parishioners receive this monthly in church.

12. U.N. Day month: OCT.  The 27th is my birthday.

13. "Be quiet!": SHH.

19. Relinquish officially: CEDE.  Hairlines must cede twice, because they RECEDE.

21. Engraver Albrecht: DURER.

24. "You Light Up My Life" singer Boone: DEBBY.  I see her on infomercials with Peter Marshall selling old time greats CDs.  Her dad PAT was a legend, now he sells bathtubs.

25. Competed: VIED.

26. Ticked: IRKED. See also 46. Superlatively 26-Down: MADDEST.

27. KFC title: COL.  Good old Colonel Sanders.  We visited the very first KFC in Corbin, KY about 17 years ago on our way to Myrtle Beach, SC.  A great historical stop.

28. Biblical garden denizen: EVE.  Please pass me an apple.

33. Acting litigiously: SUING.

34. Poetic twilight: EEN.  Oh I'm just eightEEN, got a ruptured SplEEN and I always carry a purse, (Draft Dodger Blues.  Chad Mitchell Trio)  

35. IV part: INTRA.

37. Cold Stone Creamery buy: CONE.  Former Mets pitcher David.

39. "The Rookie" network: ABC.  I don't watch ABC too much anymore.  Maybe if they had "Law & Order" reruns.

40. __ Grande: RIO.

41. Oyster or clam: MOLLUSK.

44. Social circle: COTERIE.

45. Brunch buffet station fare: OMELETS.  Great name!  I think it is Latin for three scrambled eggs, grilled flat, then rolled up around ham and cheese.

48. Beret's perch: TETE.

51. Highland waters: LOCHS. Home of the Ness Monster?

52. Protestant denom.: EPISC.

53. Street in a law office: DELLA.  I used to watch Perry Mason all the time.  Now I hardly ever tune in a rerun.

54. Sedated: UNDER.

58. Paternity identifier: DNA.  Had this on Monday.

59. Musical gift: EAR.  I have heard that a person might have a good ear for music.  What do they do with their other ear?

60. "Do the Right Thing" pizzeria owner: SAL.

61. LPGA golfer Michelle: WIE.  She was in Chaska Minnesota at Hazeltine several weeks ago.  However it seems she has injured wrists, and was not able to make the cut.

62. Dose meas.: TSP.

Boomer