Saturday, May 5, 2018, Samuel A. Donaldson and Erik Agard

UN PUZZLE THEMELESS POR SAMUEL A. DONALDSON Y ERIK AGARD DE CINQUO  DE MAYO!

Ay caramba, Sam and Erik have provided us with a lovely puzzle to help celebrate on this Cinco de Mayo. I'm sure if I asked you 43. "¿Cómo __?": ESTAS (How are you?) after you finished this puzzle, you would say "muy bien" (very good). 

I wrote to Sam and he very graciously responded that he met Erik at the 2017 ACPT and proposed collaborating with him and said he has truly enjoyed doing so. Sam said of Erik - In Erik’s case, I relished the chance to work with one of the best crossword constructors around. I think he consistently writes the best clues, and the fill in his puzzles is fresh, erudite, playful, and diverse. Happily, Erik agreed to work with me, and we’ve made a few puzzles since. 

Samuel A. Donaldson              Erik Agard

Now let's explore south of this border and see the wonderful work done by this duo!


Across:

1. "This is so humbling": I'M HONORED - A man who felt neither humbled nor HONORED and showed it by staying home

10. One skilled in moderation: HOST - Every political debate has a HOST who is supposed o be an unbiased moderator for the event

14. Literally, "something for something": QUID PRO QUO - Is much more elegant than "tit for tat", don't  you think?

16. "Once more __ the breach": "Henry V": UNTO - At the Battle Of Agincourt on St. Crispin's Day

17. Backup: UNDERSTUDY - When the UNDERSTUDY tells the star to "break a leg"... 

18. "Deadwood" actress Jewell: GERI - She played a disabled woman working in a very tough town

19. Chiller: ICE 

20. Good kick: FIELD GOAL - Blair Walsh may never live down this missed short FIELD GOAL that cost the Vikings a 2015 playoff game

22. Virginia senator Kaine: TIM.

23. Firing site: KILN - No one's KILN produces more lovely work than Dale Chihuly's

25. "__ Meenie": Kingston/Bieber hit: EENIE - Go ahead and google it if you're interested 

26. Certain fisher: EELER - An EELER with a very effective EEL catching device - The Willow Eel Hive

28. Not following anyone: OUT FRONT - If you're not OUT FRONT like the lead sled dog, the scenery never changes

31. New York home of the Himalayan Highlands: BRONX ZOO - I wonder how many Yeti they have 

33. Duck Hunt platform: NES - A 1984 Nintendo video game

34. Southwestern plant whose oil is used in cosmetics: JOJOBA.

36. "It's out of my hands": I TRIED  and 39. "Okay, here's the deal": SO LISTEN

38. Rival of SEA and OAK: LAA - Los Angeles Angels (often referred to here as the halos)

41. Design that's just over a foot: ANKLE TAT - My DW's twin got a butterfly there at 65 yrs old

46. Back at the track: BET ON - Here are the odds in the today's big race that will have been run already if you are reading this late  Bolt d'Oro is named for Gold (ORO in Spanish) Medal sprinter Usain Bolt, so since this is Cinqo de Mayo... BTW, how'd the handicappers do late, bloggers?

47. Dali contemporary: SERT - Jose' Maria SERT and his "Dining Room?"

49. Subtle signal: NOD - In the original case below is a 1951 Gibson Ukulele that my SIL intended to buy for $300 but he kept NODding until he bought it for $975

51. Coolidge is famous for it: TERSENESS - He wasn't called Silent Cal for nothin'

54. Sched. uncertainty: TBA - To Be Announced

55. What contacts may help: EYES - I'd like some contacts but my optometrist, uh, can't, see it

56. Irreverent one: BLASPHEMER - This "BLASPHEMER" had some issues with his church

60. Algonquian language: CREE - In the CREE language, Hello is TANISI

61. Drink with a croissant, maybe: CAFE AU LAIT - Much more elegant than simply "coffee with milk" 

62. Toy truck name: HESS.

63. What's often on the following page: NEXT MONTH - Cool clue!



Down

1. Short notice?: I QUIT - A good answer today to, "Do you want a 4th Margarita/Mint Julep?" 

2. Ball State University city: MUNCIE - Their most famous alum

3. Fugitive's plea: HIDE ME - Rick refused to HIDE Ugarte in this classic movie most of you will know

4. Often flowery words: ODE

5. "Ask Me Another" co-producer: NPR

6. Hosp. areas: ORS - Grandson thinks he wants to be a surgeon but felt woozy when their anesthesiologist neighbor gave him an OR tour

7. Texter's "Too funny!": ROTFL - Rolling On The Floor Laughing

8. Semiannual astronomical event: EQUINOX  - Equal day/night (4 days sooner than the recognized day here at 41N Lat)

9. "C'mon, bro!": DUDE  - Here's a meaningful monosyllabic exchange

10. Affectionate sort: HUGGER  - Awww...

11. Interview, often: ONE-ON-ONE - Lance said admitting to Oprah that he doped and lied about it cost him over $100M

12. Hardly harmonious: STRAINED 

13. Going places?: TOILETS - What a great clue Sam and/or Erik!

15. Thimble Theatre name: OYL - There she is!

21. Clear-cut, as for lumber: DEFOREST - Planting replacements is now required

23. Lamp filler: KEROSENE

24. 1950 story collection including "The Evitable Conflict": I ROBOT - Asimov's tale of how intelligent robots can save humans from conflicts among each other

27. Voting Rights Act pres.: LBJ - Just months after JFK's death LBJ used his unique legislative skills to get this historic Act passed

29. Action movie pieces: UZIS.

30. Walk unsteadily: TOTTER - Too many Margaritas or Mint Juleps and...

32. One of the original singers of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight": NALA - Our frequent crossword lioness visitor 

34. Novel first credited to Currer Bell: JANE EYRE - Charlotte Bronte first wrote under a male pseudonym (but preserved her initials - as did her sisters) because her mode of writing was not considered feminine

35. Symbols of strength: OAK TREES - Jimmy Dean sang of Big Bad John - "Like a giant OAK TREE, he just stood there alone, Big John"

37. Safety's stat.: INT - Here's an INTerception in the end zone (by a cornerback not a safety...)

38. Test giver: LAB TECH.

40. "You can come out now": IT'S SAFE - or the opposite of that seen below

42. They can be eaten or absorbed: LOSSES - Paramount Studios had to absorb/eat a huge loss on the 2016 remake of Ben Hur 

44. Scott Lang, when in costume: ANT-MAN

45. "Very well": SO BE IT 

48. Newark's county: ESSEX - A 1905 map

50. Title for Sidious: DARTH - DARTH means Dark Lord and here you see DARTH Sidious next to the more familiar DARTH

52. "Superstore" airer: NBC - A sitcom that has not graced my flat screen

53. Dash: ELAN.

57. Record-setting Lady Vols basketball coach Summitt: PAT - She won more basketball games than any college man or woman. Early onset Alzheimers forced her 2011 retirement but she lived five more years demanding "no pity party for me".

58. Go smoothly: HUM - How Pat Summit's teams played

59. "Shine a Little Love" band, to fans: ELO - Ah, we finish with an old friend


Por favor siéntase libre de añadir sus propios comentarios sobre este 5 de Mayo (Please feel free to enter your own comments on this May 5). Muchas Gracias Sam and Erik!

DA GRID

Note from C.C.: 

Argyle's sister Klista has been looking through her photos to put on a photo board at the celebration of his life at the Argyle Fire Department on Saturday, May 12, 2018. She kindly sent me these four to share with our regulars. How I wish I had discussed with him about the Santa Clause cut-out!

 

Here is a YouTube clip I made with all the Santa photos I have. Or you can click here.

Friday, May 4, 2018, David Alfred Bywaters

Title: F-f-f-f-friday!

A little déjà vu as David is back again with an add a letter puzzle. This variation has the letter "F" added to the first word in a two word in the language phrase. We have five themers plus a reveal using 62 squares. This placed many restrictions on the grid, and there was little room for long sparkly fill. But there was quite a bit of humor in theme fill and cluing.  FLAB COAT and FACTION FIGURE  both tickled my Fancy and I did not feel ANTZY, or is it ANTSY?

Not feeling all that sparkly myself as the reality of Scott's passing hangs heavy. But as melissa said, the show must go on.

17A. Origami academy?: FOLD SCHOOL (10). A bit of foreshadowing. The owl and the humor.

23A. Exhaust from the carnival food tent?: FAIR POLLUTION (13).
You can watch this VIDEO.

32A. Scary beach phenomenon?: FIN SIGHT (8).
You can watch this VIDEO.

41A. Garment tailored to flatter your waist?: FLAB COAT (8). Well, flatter is asking too much. VIDEO.

47A. Divisive politician?: FACTION FIGURE (13). No politics, no link.

59A. Boldness, and a hint to five long puzzle answers: EFFRONTERY (10). I like this reveal. with EFF (the word for the letter F) which is put on the front.

Okay, to work.

Across:

1. Like many superheroes: CAPED. And crusaders. I watched AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR last Friday. No spoilers but we enjoyed the 2 1/2 hours.

6. Paper items: NEWS. I struggled with this at first, trying to think of things made of paper especially after the Origami clue/fill.

10. Rock-blasting equipment: AMPS. I nailed this; all the years on the road paid off.

14. Kind of acid used in food flavoring: AMINO. You like reading, here is the LINK.

15. Dos x dos x dos: OCHO. Spanish multiplication.

16. Indian garb: SARI. This picture wraps up this garment.

19. Chimney liner: SOOT. How true, and deceptive.

20. Victorian, e.g.: ERA.

21. Erelong: SOON. Before long.

22. Physicist who left Italy in 1938 to protect his Jewish wife: FERMI. The "wife" was a remarkable woman in her own RIGHT.

27. Hand over: CEDE.

28. Small wake maker: OAR. Another simple, but cute clue/fill.

29. Cowboy, at times: ROPER. Mmm.

37. Pitcher with no arms: EWER. The old baseball misdirection. My grandmother had some Roseville.

38. Backbone: SPINE.

40. Forest grazers: DOES. A heteronym.

43. Growing things: FLORA.

44. Quotable boxer: ALI.

45. Story: TALE.


53. Filmmaker born Konigsberg: ALLEN. Better know as Woody. Based on the virulent hatred of this man, I am surprised he is still in puzzles.

54. Barbarian: OGRE.

55. Nickname derived from "Mortgage Association": MAE. FNMA. GNMA. SLMA. When my grandmother retired she had very little in savings and minimal Social Security. My father helped her put the money into GNMA stock which was paying 10% monthly dividend, it really helped her.

58. Glasses, in adspeak: SPEX. Not wrong, just meh.

62. Yonder thing: THAT.

63. Hawaiian island: MAUI.

64. She turned Odysseus' crew to swine: CIRCE. The inspiration for Game of Thrones?

65. Antoinette preposition: SANS. We had this "without" this week.

66. Highland hats: TAMS. This would fit in the hat puzzle.

67. Toys on strings: YOYOS. I go up and down on this toy.

Down:

1. Tea and cake purveyor: CAFE.

2. Deity with a bow: AMOR. The same number of letters as EROS.

3. Rice dish: PILAF. Stir in onion and cook until onion becomes translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Mix in the rice and chicken broth. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed - 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Finish: END.

5. Set of related documents: DOSSIER. This is late 19th century: from French, denoting a bundle of papers with a label on the back, from dos ‘back,’ based on Latin dorsum. Various.

6. Optimism opposite: NO HOPE.

7. Prefix suggesting affordability: ECONO.

8. Journalist's question: WHO.

9. Fa-la link: SOL.

10. Factory equipment, e.g.: ASSET.

11. "The Piano" extra: MAORI.

12. Publicity video: PROMO.

13. Peaceful protest: SIT IN. My brothers and I were in graduate school in Storrs for the EVENTS depicted here. But we never considered a 47D. Some protests: FASTS.

18. Electrical supply: CORD. Fun, as without the cord it will not get there.

22. Symbols of wealth: FURS.

24. Bitter: ACERB. I like acerbic better.

25. Meat cut: LOIN. Pork loin is a cut of meat from a pig, created from the tissue along the dorsal side of the rib cage. Various.

26. Exit __: LANE.

29. Penalty caller: REF.

30. Talkative "Winnie the Pooh" character: OWL. Like Rabbit, he was not a stuffed animal that was brought to life, just a character created by Milne. He has been voiced by Craig Ferguson (Winnie the Pooh); Hal Smith (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh); Jack Warden (Alice in Wonderland) and Andre Stojka (The Tigger Movie). The shadow fell.

31. Edible sphere: PEA. A nice mental picture.

32. Able: FIT. I may not be fit, but I go to the gym three days a week now, I do not want to be an...

33. Lazybones: IDLER.

34. Unappealing viscous material: GOO.

35. The Beatles' "I Saw __ Standing There": HER.

36. Org. using wands: TSA. Transportation Security Administration. And, 60D. Airport org.: FAA. Federal Aviation Administration.

38. Aria, usually: SOLO.

39. Royal annoyance?: PAIN. Rhymes with...

42. Biblical brother: CAIN.

43. Orator's skill: FLUENCY.

45. Fertile Crescent waterway: TIGRIS. No love for the Euphrates?

46. Farming prefix: AGRO. Sounds like 56D. With the bow, on a score: ARCO. A musical score; usually used as a direction in music for players of stringed instruments. Various.

48. Top dog: ALPHA.

49. Unarmed, to a cop: CLEAN.

50. Modern messages: TEXTS.

51. End of a giant sequence: FO FUM. Fee fi

52. Nail-filing abrasive: EMERY. I am board with this clue/fill. It rubs me the wrong way.

57. Watchers: EYES.

59. Life-saving pro: EMT. Emergency Medical Technician.

61. Spanish uncle: TIO. My grandchildren have learned some Spanish, and call some of their uncles Tio.

I found this a fairly fast finish. I hope you enjoyed it and welcome to May. Still hard to focus on humor. Thanks, David. Lemonade out.

Thursday, May 3rd 2018 Jeffrey Wechsler

Theme: Dessert Mix - can't explain it better than the reveal:

59A. Ice cream features found, in a way, in this puzzle's circles: CHOCOLATE SWIRLS

Scrambled "CHOCOLATE" highlighted by the circles in the theme entries:

16A. Natural analog of sonar: BAT ECHOLOCATION. That's why they can flit around in bat caves and not smack into the walls in the dark. Truly, Nature is a wonderful thing. I walk into walls in hotels in the middle of the night going to the bathroom. I need a bat assistant.

32A. Ones who have class?: SCHOOL TEACHERS. The unsung heroes of our world. Let's have a "Buy Our Teachers Chocolate Swirl Day". BOTCWD. Aghh, need a better acronym!

36A. Old General Motors model: CHEVROLET COACH. From 1931 - I felt bad when I didn't know this, but thank you crosses! A quite lovely automobile. It looks a lot like a 30's Rolls-Royce.

This was a puzzle masterclass - thank you, Jeffrey. Wonderful theme, grid-spanners, 14's, and look at those blocks of 3x7's in the NE and SW.  Awesome.


Across: 

1. Liberty __: BELL. Shoddy merchandise. Cracked on delivery. I'd have sent it back, free returns with Amazon Prime. When you order a Liberty Bell, you expect the best.

5. Troublesome types: IMPS

9. Cleaning tool: SWAB. Surgery tool too. Count 'em in, count 'em out!

13. Any number: ONE OR MORE. Is zero a number? If so, if not .... clue accuracy. Your essays are due next Thursday.

15. River through Florence: ARNO

18. Toyota RAV4, e.g.: UTE. Shorthand for "Sports Utility Vehicle".

19. The best policy, so it's said: HONESTY. Good advice.

35. Developing, biologically: IN UTERO. I had IN VITRO first. Then thought about that.

43. Literary award with a spaceship logo: HUGO. I *think* I knew this. Look up Hugo Gernsback on Wikipedia.

44. Head for the hills: RUN

45. Nothing new: OLD HAT

47. Billiards concern: ANGLE

49. Phantasy Star game maker: SEGA. I didn't know this, but SEGA seemed a good stab with the "S" in place

50. Big name in ATMs: NCR. I tried IBM first, because I had "EDAMAME" confidently in place at 38D. I love great construction and cluing when I get sent up a blind alley. This was a classic case. It was only when nothing would work around that section that I had to rethink everything in the area.

51. Egret habitats: MARSHES

58. Braggart's abundance: EGO.

62. Hard to control: EELY.Slipperly too.

63. Harley-Davidson Museum city: MILWAUKEE. Home of the knucklehead, the flathead and all other great innovations.

64. Cholesterol nos.: LDLS. I think my levels are OK. LDL is the "bad" cholesterol level. Pay attention.

65. Presently: ANON. This is one of those words I love, and I'm determined to keep "in the language". I have people who I work with, or I have worked with, who enjoy using it, just for the curiously factor.

66. Scrip items: MEDS. Where are you, HeartRX?

Down: 

1. Hats like Maurice Chevalier's: BOATERS. I tried to find a musical link worthy of the blog, but failed. Here's the signature hat though:

2. Intestinal: ENTERIC.Crosses all the way. I will learn this.

3. Director with three Oscars: LEE. Ang Lee. Amazing talent. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Brokeback Mountain and The Life of Pi.

4. Welsh : llyn :: Scots : __: LOCH. I'm not sure I knew this. It made sense when I filled it in though.

5. "__ your side": I'M ON

6. "The Wind in the Willows" figure: MOLE. I loved this book as a small child. I remember falling in love with the illustrations of E.H. Shepard. Then came Winnie the Pooh. What a wonderful man.

7. They know the ropes: PROS

8. Schism group: SECT

9. Wasn't used: SAT, Sat down, rode the pine. watched from the bench. Tough.

10. Squirm: WRIGGLE

11. "And __ thing ... ": ANOTHER

12. Fish that sound good in Spanish: BONITOS? Not sure about the plural here. Fish singular - Fish plural.

14. Density symbol, in physics: RHO. Tough stuff.

16. Like bodybuilders: BUFF

17. Right at sea?: AYE! Right? Aye, sir to starboard! Yes, maybe, but right? Not sure.

22. Book before Esth.: NEH. The Old Testament. Learn your three-letter abbreviations of the Bible books if you want to solve crosswords.

24. Hessian pronoun: ICH. This was nice. Hermann Hesse, German novelist. "Ich" = "I".

26. Crime movie genre: NOIR. Watch LA Confidential for a great example.

27. Name on a museum wall: DONOR

28. When some news shows begin: AT TEN

29. Sugar source: BEET

30. Half of a call-and-response game: MARCO. Polo. One of the most annoying games in the annals of child-watching. Enough said.

33. Whopper: LULU. A BIIGGGG one!

34. "Very nice!": COOL

36. Area around the altar: CHANCEL. This took me way to long. The SW corner was tough for me.

37. Bent (over): HUNCHED

38. Asian appetizer: EGG ROLL. Yeah, I see your EGG ROLL and raise you EDAMAME - and then I lose.

39. Remote control abbr.: VOL. I just looked at mine. Indeed, it has VOL right there.

40. Cause of a paper weight increase: ADS. Think your Sunday print edition of your local newspaper. If mine delivered just the sports section, the literary review and the crossword, I'd save the trees, the delivery guys and my recycle

41. Brightened: CHEERED

42. Tries for a better price: HAGGLES

46. New Mexico county bordering Colorado: TAOS

48. Punk rock subgenre: EMO. Always. Three-letter rock genre - fill it in and move on

52. Diva Gluck: ALMA. Thank you crosses, Jeffrey is always fair.

53. Dust Bowl deficiency: RAIN

54. WWII invasion city: ST LÔ. If you have a chance to read any of the various narratives about this city in 1944, I'd encourage you to do so.

55. Cut: HEWN

56. Spanish "that": ESA

57. Like many laps: SWUM. I'd love to count my lifetime laps in the pool. It's been a lot. I love the "zen" times when you can only hear the water while you pull through each lap.

60. Pitcher Young and painter Twombly: CYS

61. Presidential nickname: IKE. I had the "E". Went went with "ABE", was wrong.

Like all of us, I am very sad about Argyle's decision to shuffle off the mortal coil. He was a wonderful man and gave great pleasure to many, many people. I would like us all to look in his mirror and feel that when our time comes we can hope everyone says that about all of us. The world would be a very better place.

And ... the grid!

Steve

Notes from C.C.:

1) OK, a real time "Happy Birthday" to Dave (D4E4H), who turned 74 today. I misunderstood an email he forwarded to me last Sunday. Hope you get in time the birthday gifts you boldly asked from my siblings.

Here is a clearer picture of Dave and Mr. Romeo. He said "I am helping him with his social media "Muzzle book" because he is all paws. He has 4,000 "licks.""

Dave (D4E4H)

2) Please click here to view Santa's obituary. Thanks for the information, Spitzboov!

Wednesday, May 2, 2018, C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Get IT?

17. *Mother of Donald Jr. and Eric: IVANA TRUMP.

26. *Laurence Fishburne's "What's Love Got to Do With It" role: IKE TURNER.

35. *With 41-Across, two-time NBA All-Star named for an NBA Hall of Famer: ISAIAH.

41. *See 35-Across: THOMAS.

51. *Swimmer with five Olympic gold medals: IAN THORPE.

60. *Early 20th-century muckraker: IDA TARBELL. Awesome.

48D. Expert computer operations group ... to which the answers to starred clues belong?: IT TEAM.

Melissa here. I come, like all the regulars, with a heavy heart today, but I know Santa would want the show to go on. I'm guessing that C.C. consulted with him on this puzzle, which feels a bit comforting. Do you feel him? I do.

Across:

1. Low-pH compound: ACID.

5. Creighton University city: OMAHA.

10. Silly: DAFT.

14. Running behind: LATE.

15. Spanish bar food: TAPAS.

16. Falls back: EBBS.

19. Pacific Rim continent: ASIA.

20. Disney collectible: CEL.

21. __ anglais: English horn: COR. -->

22. "Casablanca" actor Peter: LORRE.

24. Dublin residents: IRISH.

30. Dried chili in Mexican cuisine: ANCHO.

31. Tiny tunneler: ANT. Dig the alliteration.

32. Colorful tropical fish: TETRA.

33. Cause of red cheeks: ROUGE. Or joy.

36. Biol. or geol.: SCI.

38. Spa treatments: PEELS.

40. Courthouse figs.: DAS. District Attorneys.

43. Woody thicket: COPSE.

45. Extends a tour: REUPS.

46. Sunbather's goal: TAN.

47. Place for a Fitbit: WRIST. My daughter and I just got each other one for an early Mother's day gift. Nifty little devices.

53. Perfume compound: ESTER.

54. Take a pass: SAY NO.

55. Buccaneer's domain: SEA.

57. __ chi: martial art: TAI.

58. "The Boss Baby" voice actor Baldwin: ALEC.

63. Sport with periods called chukkers: POLO.

64. Intoxicating shrubs: COCAS.

65. Fidel's successor: RAUL.

66. Throw out: TOSS.

67. Contest submission: ENTRY.

68. Band boosters: AMPS. Nice clue.

Down:

1. Keys on a keyboard: ALICIA.

2. Luray attraction: CAVERN. Cool video on this page. Anyone been?

3. Slanted, in a way: ITALIC. Ohhh.

4. La-Z-Boy room: DEN.

5. Aptly named "Airplane!" autopilot: OTTO.

6. Two-party system?: MARRIAGE. Haha.

7. "The Simpsons" storekeeper: APU.

8. Village: HAMLET.

9. __ of tea: A SPOT.

10. Start of a message to magazine subscribers: DEAR READERS.

11. What some vote in: ABSENTIA.

12. Christopher A. Wray's agcy.: FBI.

13. Bag-checking org.: TSA.

18. "Gesundheit!" evoker: ACHOO.

23. Well-worn tracks: RUTS. See here.

25. Tex-Mex seafood dish: SHRIMP TACOS.

27. Patella: KNEECAP.

28. Periods of history: ERAS.

29. Root word?: RAH.

34. FedEx alternative: UPS.

35. Many a cable co.: ISP.

36. __ butter: cosmetic moisturizer: SHEA.

37. Gives legal advice: COUNSELS.

39. Symbol of the second-largest state: LONE STAR.

41. Prefix with angle or cycle: TRI.

42. Pallid: ASHY.

44. Use foul language: SWEAR.

46. Walked all over: TROD ON.

49. Make airtight: SEAL UP.

50. Quavering musical sounds: TRILLS.

52. In reserve: ON ICE.

56. "Child's play!": EASY.

58. On point: APT.

59. Bath bathroom: LOO.

61. Pretend to be: ACT.

62. Push-up top: BRA.

D. Scott Nichols (Argyle/Santa/Cid) In Memoriam

I'm sad to let you know that Scott, our dear Santa, passed away last night (April 30, 2018). He was 73.

Argyle had various health issues, but he always bounced back to the blog. The amputation was just too much for Santa physically.  He was tired when I last talked to him, but he kept his wits, humor and cynicism. The classic Santa I knew and loved.

Argyle covered 840 puzzles for our blog. He also made seven puzzles for the L.A. Times and two puzzles for the New York Times. It was always fun working with him. Challenging too, as Santa could be very stubborn.

Off the blog, he was my advisor and close friend. Seldom did I make any blog or life decision without consulting Santa: "Santa, I don't get this theme"; "Santa, my blood pressure is low again"; "Santa, did you see that comment at 10:00am?". His replies were always short, succinct, to the point and quick.  He was always just one email away.

I still can't believe he won't be back. He left a big hole in my life. I just can't stop sobbing. But I feel very lucky to have had him in my life for almost 10 years. A few months ago, he surprised me with an email I sent to him in 2008. He saved every email.

Santa, rest in peace. You'll always be in my heart. Thanks for all you've done for me and this blog.

I also want to thank Argyle's adopted niece Jennifer Ballard for taking good care of him while busy with her own job and family life. She patiently answered all my questions and kept me updated on Santa's progress. Thank you, Jennifer!

Our condolences to Argyle's sisters Kalista Nichols, Laura Manitta, Sheilla, Claire and all his family.

Our Beloved Santa (Feb 20, 1945-April 30, 2018)

Santa and His Four Sisters

Santa and Jennifer at Jennifer and Dave's Wedding, June, 2011

You can send sympathy cards to this address:

Jennifer Ballard
188 West Rd.
Argyle, NY 12809

Thank you so much!

C.C.

Added later:

1) More Argyle remembrances and memories can be read on Tuesday May 2 puzzle post. Just scroll down to Comments Section.

2) Please click here to view Santa's obituary.

3) Please click here for all Santa's pictures. Or just click below YouTube clip I made. Sorry, Santa, I did a poor job cropping some pictures.