Dena R. Verkuil

San Francisco

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Dena R. Verkuil née WitkesSan FranciscoJun 30, 2025, 7:43 AM2025-06-30neutral64%

Leaving my constructor notes here, since I didn’t get them in on time to Sam, due to time differences mixed with a heavy dose of jet lag: I have been solving crossword puzzles constructed by the inimitable Andrea Carla Michaels since I was a kid (first in the TV Guide and eventually graduating to the NYT) but we did not meet until 2023 at which time we became fast friends. Collaborating with Andrea is a quick way to learn how to construct a classic Monday puzzle like this one. Hope you enjoy!

100 recommendations7 replies

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoAug 15, 2025, 2:53 AM2025-08-15positive98%

@Striker Best compliment ever!

33 recommendations

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoSep 14, 2024, 2:52 AM2024-09-14positive98%

Best Saturday puzzle in a long time! And it was the final part of a Christina Iverson triple header (after doing strands and the mini). I knew I was in for a good time when I saw her name on the xword.

24 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoOct 2, 2025, 3:51 AM2025-10-02positive62%

Mine-d blown!

13 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoJul 17, 2025, 3:39 AM2025-07-17positive89%

Diabolical without skimping on fun. Kudos to Sam!

11 recommendations

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoOct 25, 2024, 5:09 AM2024-10-25positive70%

Today I learned….a new acronym.

9 recommendations

Dena WitkesSan FranciscoMay 16, 2024, 4:01 AM2024-05-16positive99%

Brilliant! And a debut! Kudos!!!

6 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoAug 16, 2025, 4:49 AM2025-08-15neutral81%

@Emma “Back in my day” is definitely applicable here, but also, that was a NYT edit to my clue [like some agreements]

6 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoAug 27, 2025, 2:38 AM2025-08-27positive96%

Brilliant!

6 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoJul 3, 2025, 9:10 PM2025-07-03positive96%

Brilliant!

5 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoNov 14, 2025, 5:04 AM2025-11-14positive97%

I enjoyed solving this puzzle so much that I started slowing down because I didn’t want it to end! (and still ended up with a 6 minute solve time)

4 recommendations

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoNov 25, 2024, 2:47 AM2024-11-25neutral52%

@Strudel Dad FWIW I (rightly) raised my eyebrows at FIREMEN too but could find a satisfactory way around it!

3 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoAug 22, 2025, 5:07 AM2025-08-22neutral69%

That’s two Fridays in a row for Samuel Chase.

3 recommendations2 replies

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoNov 25, 2024, 2:56 AM2024-11-25neutral50%

*could not

2 recommendations

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoAug 29, 2024, 2:39 AM2024-08-28positive62%

@Rich in Atlanta Not quite what you’re talking about but check out Simeon Seigel’s 9/17/20 puzzle for great use of punctuation in a theme!

1 recommendations

Dena R. WitkesSan FranciscoNov 25, 2024, 9:21 PM2024-11-25negative79%

@JohnWM Ha! What a missed opportunity!

1 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoMar 3, 2026, 6:05 AM2026-03-02positive99%

Thanks for the SHOUTOUT! Looking forward to seeing more from you!

1 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoAug 23, 2025, 3:48 AM2025-08-22neutral70%

@Steve L D’oh! I stand corrected.

0 recommendations

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoNov 24, 2025, 7:36 PM2025-11-24neutral75%

Am I going crazy or did the constructors notes on this puzzle change overnight?

0 recommendations5 replies

Dena R. VerkuilSan FranciscoNov 25, 2025, 4:51 AM2025-11-24positive87%

@Steve L Last night, the constructor’s notes in Wordplay were what now appear only on xwordinfo! I’m so curious about the switch.

0 recommendations

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