Bonnie Leach

When I saw Rebecca & Will listed as the constructors my first thought was "YAY!" I'm often on Rebecca's cluing wavelength and was sure Will would do something clever with the grid. They did not disappoint! (And it was reassuring to know that even master constructors like the two of them needed a few passes to make a grid as clean and awesome as this final product.) I mis-read 44A as "tiled windows" and my brain went down the path of stained glass mosaics. When I came back to that clue I corrected myself and read "titled windows" but that made no sense so I move on to another section. Finally, the third time I returned to that clue I only was missing 2 letters, and said thank you to Downton Abbey for knowing DOWAGER. Some of my other favorite parts included seeing RESPAWN in a grid, reference to SACHAR's "Holes" and the clever clues in 15A: Quick second? 62D: One hopping on the band wagon? 89A: Sour grapes drink? and 100A: Sub domain. :)

Well, Sam, you indeed nailed your resolution with this one! Fun facts, misdirects, groaners and overall brilliant cluing! I am looking forward to more from you this year! And thank you for prioritizing the solver. It's a bit sad to complete a puzzle with a gimmick that appeared challenging for the constructor to weave in which did little or nothing to enhance the experience for the solver.

Way to go, Jackson! I enjoy Friday puzzles like this one, when they are quite tricky and require me to take breaks and return with a different mindset throughout the day. I was definitely started out on your wavelength filling in 1D with no crosses, but your clever clues provided plenty of aha moments, especially needle on a thread? and throw for six? Looking forward to your next one!

Kudos Seth and Jeff for such a fun and clever dreidel puzzle. Fun fact - the dreidel was not originally associated with Hanukkah, just a gambling toy in Europe. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2024/12/28/nx-s1-5238291/how-one-hanukkah-tradition-originated-in-european-gambling" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2024/12/28/nx-s1-5238291/how-one-hanukkah-tradition-originated-in-european-gambling</a>

Yay Jess and Amie! What a fun Monday to kick off the week. The Little Red Hen brought back memories of the Little Golden Book hardcover from my childhood which I then read to Spencer. Will seek you out to say hi at ACPT in April! :)