20 A. *Some fruity sandwich spreads: RASPBERRY JAMS. Fruit jam is a spread made by cooking fruit, sugar, and lemon juice (for pectin and acidity) together until thick. It can be made with fresh, frozen, or foraged fruits, providing a concentrated sweet fruit flavor. In music a JAM session is a planned or impromptu event characterized by improvisation, that can exist in a variety of music genres, including those that feature guitars.
27 A. *Criticize harshly: RIP TO SHREDS. This means to severely tear or destroy a physical object, or to harshly criticize a person, argument, or performance. It indicates intense damage or total dismantling of something. It is also commonly used to mean completely refuting someone’s ideas in a harsh way. SHRED also means to play electric guitar with extreme speed, technical precision, and high-intensity, often using techniques like rapid alternate picking, sweep-picking, tapping, and legato.
36 A. *Long-handled, long-toothed combs: AFRO PICKS. Specialized, wide-toothed combs designed to lift, volumize, and shape curly, coily, and afro-textured hair from the roots. They were symbols of black power/excellence, especially in the 70s as a rejection of euro beauty standards and showing acceptance and empowerment for black beauty standards and unity.
27 A. *Criticize harshly: RIP TO SHREDS. This means to severely tear or destroy a physical object, or to harshly criticize a person, argument, or performance. It indicates intense damage or total dismantling of something. It is also commonly used to mean completely refuting someone’s ideas in a harsh way. SHRED also means to play electric guitar with extreme speed, technical precision, and high-intensity, often using techniques like rapid alternate picking, sweep-picking, tapping, and legato.
36 A. *Long-handled, long-toothed combs: AFRO PICKS. Specialized, wide-toothed combs designed to lift, volumize, and shape curly, coily, and afro-textured hair from the roots. They were symbols of black power/excellence, especially in the 70s as a rejection of euro beauty standards and showing acceptance and empowerment for black beauty standards and unity.
Also, a PICK, or plectrum, is a small, typically triangular, flat tool held in the hand to pluck or strum stringed instruments.
49 A. *Hollow floaties: POOL NOODLES. Cylindrical pieces of flexible, buoyant polyethylene foam. Pool noodles are used by people of all ages while swimming.
56 A. Stirs emotions, or how a guitarist might interpret the ends of the answers to the starred clues?: STRIKES A CHORD. As defined - affect or stir someone's emotions, or perhaps invoke a memory. The idiom originated in the early 19th century from music, metaphorically referring to striking a chord on a stringed instrument to produce a resonant, harmonious sound that mirrors human emotions. Here is how you strike 3 basic guitar chords.
Hi Gang - JazzBumpa here - as always, delighted to have a music-related theme to conduct. [Though I must admit the guitar thoroughly defeated me.] So let's tune up and get playing.
Across:
1. Tend the garden: WEED. Here, WEED is a verb, meaning to remove weeds from the garden and reduce the competition for soil nutrients.
5. Wound covers: SCABS. A protective, dried blood clot that forms over a wound within hours, acting as a natural, temporary biological dressing, it keeps out germs and debris while allowing new skin cells to form underneath.
10. Spanish 23-Across: NIÑO. A child - most likely a boy. A girl would be a niña.
14. Sicilian volcano: ETNA. An active stratovolcano found on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania, and in many crossword puzzles. It is located above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
15. Crème de __: CACAO. A sweet, cocoa-flavored liqueur commonly used in cocktails, typically containing 20–25% ABV (40–50 proof) and made from cacao beans, vanilla, and sugar. It comes in white (clear) or dark brown varieties,
16. Superstar: IDOL. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
17. Savoir faire: TACT. The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations.
18. "Just Mercy" actor __ Jackson Jr.: O'SHEA. O'Shea Jackson Jr., [b. 1991] also known by the stage name OMG, is an American actor, rapper and songwriter. He is the oldest son of Ice Cube and, in his feature film debut, he portrayed his father in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton.
19. Unhip type: NERD. A person passionately devoted to intellectual, technical, or specific niche pursuits, often characterized by high expertise in fields like technology, academics, or gaming. While historically used as an insult for someone socially awkward or unstylish, the term has evolved into a badge of pride for intense, knowledgeable enthusiasm.
23. Lad: BOY. A male child or youth [niño] originating from 14th-century Middle English boy/boye (servant, knave).
25. Pod unit: PEA. A pulse or fodder crop, but the word often refers to the seed or sometimes the pod of this flowering plant species. Peas are eaten as a vegetable.
26. Bother a lot: EAT AT. To gradually destroy, erode, or consume something, or to cause persistent worry and anxiety.
32. WSW opposite: ENE. Compass directions : west-south-west and east-north-east.
33. Informal "but": ALTHO. "Altho" is an informal, simplified spelling of the conjunction although, meaning "in spite of the fact that," "even though," or "though". It is primarily used in informal, casual writing or sometimes in American English, acting as a shortcut for the standard spelling.
34. Hawthorne Heights music genre: EMO. A style of rock music resembling punk but having more complex arrangements and lyrics that deal with more emotional subjects. Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2001.
35. Cold War initials: USSR. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. It was the world's third-most populous country, largest by area, and bordered twelve countries. A diverse multinational state, it was organized as a federal union of national republics, the largest and most populous being the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. In practice, its government and economy were highly centralized. As a one-party state governed by its Communist Party, it was the flagship communist state. Its capital and largest city was Moscow.
40. Throw out a line: CAST. To throw, fling, or propel something with force, in this case a baited hook, lure, or fly out over the water using a fishing rod and reel.
43. Number of orbits around the sun Neptune has completed since its discovery: ONE. The eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun, located about 2.8 billion miles (4.5 billion km) away. It is a vibrant blue ice giant with a thick, windy atmosphere composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane, featuring supersonic wind speeds up to 1,200 mph. Discovered in 1846, it was the first planet located through mathematical predictions rather than regular observation. Neptune takes approximately 165 Earth years (about 60,190 days) to complete one revolution around the Sun. It completed its first full orbit since its discovery in 1846 only in 2011.
44. Beer ingredient: YEAST. Yeast is a, if not the, crucial, single-celled microorganism in brewing that converts sugars in wort into ethanol (alcohol), carbon dioxide (carbonation), and aromatic compounds. The two main types are top-fermenting Ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) for warmer, faster fermentation and bottom-fermenting Lager yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus) for cooler, slower, and cleaner fermentation.
48. Not cool: OUT. "Out" can indicate something is no longer in style, in stock, or currently available.
52. Carne option: ASADA. Spanish term meaning "grilled," "roasted," or "barbecued," commonly referring to thinly sliced, marinated beef (carne asada) in Mexican cuisine.
54. Middle-earth denizen: ENT. Ents are a race of ancient, sentient, tree-like beings in fantasy, most notably J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, known as "Shepherds of the Trees". Created to protect forests from dwarves and orcs, they are tall, deliberate, long-lived, and resemble the trees they guard. The name derives from an Anglo-Saxon word for "giant"
55. __ of luxury: LAP. In conditions of great comfort and wealth.
61. Hardy title character: TESS. Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a tragic novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1891, about a poor young woman, Tess Durbeyfield, who is victimized by two men, Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare, and ultimately destroyed by the rigid social and sexual morals of Victorian England.
62. Dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt: PLUTO. Pluto is a cold, distant dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt with a surface of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide ice. It has an average temperature of approximately --56 F. Its surface features a massive heart-shaped glacier (Sputnik Planitia) and mountains. With 5 moons, Pluto's gravity is very low, about 6% of Earth's gravity.
63. "Why the heck not" hashtag: YOLO. You Only Live Once - so why not do something profoundly stupid? It will make a good story when you get out of the hospital.
66. Actor Stoltz: ERIC. Eric Cameron Stoltz [b.1961] is an American actor, director, and producer. He's known for his roles as sensitive misfits in films like Mask, Kicking and Screaming, and The Waterdance. His portrayal of Rocky Dennis in Mask earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
67. Potpourri piece: PETAL. Potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to perfume clothing or a room. Petals are each of the segments of the corolla of a flower, which are modified leaves and are typically colored.
68. "The Celts" singer: ENYA. Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, [b. 1961] is a familiar crossword denizen and also an Irish singer and composer who has sold an estimated 80 million albums worldwide. Her distinctive style blends folk melodies, classical motifs, and synthesized backdrops, creating a sound that's closer to new age than her initial folk and Celtic influences. Here is MAY IT BE, from The Fellowship of the Ring.
Down:
1. Burrito option: WET. This is a standard burrito smothered in red or green enchilada sauce and melted cheese, requiring a fork and knife to eat. Often filled with ground beef, rice, and beans, it is baked until the sauce is bubbly, creating a saucy, comfort-food twist on the handheld version.
2. Landing hr.: ETA. Estimated Time of Arrival at the air port.
3. Secure, as 4-Down, perhaps: ENCRYPT. Convert information or data into a cipher or code, especially to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Facts and figures: DATA. Raw, unorganized facts, figures, and symbols (e.g., numbers, text, audio, images) that, when processed, provide meaningful information for decision-making and analysis.
5. Checks (out) in advance: SCOPES. To examine, investigate, or assess something carefully, particularly to gain information, evaluate a situation, or prepare for a task. It is commonly used informally to mean looking over a place or situation to understand it.
6. "Rock the __": hit song for The Clash: CASBAH. A traditional North African fortress, citadel, or fortified quarter within older cities, notably in Algeria and Morocco. Historically, these served as residential and defensive structures, often with labyrinthine, car-free streets. I decided not to link the vid from 1982. You can find it on Youtube if you're interested.
10. Big name in small appliances: NINJA. Ninja products are made by SharkNinja, an independent, publicly traded company that designs and sells innovative kitchen appliances, outdoor cooking gear, and other household items, known for popular brands like the Ninja Foodi and Shark vacuums, with manufacturing primarily in Southeast Asia.
11. Conceptualizes: IDEATES. Forms an idea of something; imagines or conceives.
12. Conquerors of England in 1066: NORMANS. The Normans were a medieval people who originated from Norse (Viking) settlers in Northern France, establishing the Duchy of Normandy in 911 under Rollo. They adopted French language, culture, and Romanesque architecture, becoming fervent Christians. Famous for the 1066 Norman Conquest of England led by William the Conqueror, they also established kingdoms in Southern Italy, Sicily, and fought in the Crusades.
13. Golden-ager: OLDSTER. An older person. Older than what or whom is not specified. At any rate, I qualify.
21. Parody: SPOOF. A humorous imitation of something, typically a film or a particular genre of film, in which its characteristic features are exaggerated for comic effect.
22. "Absolutely!": YES. For sure!
23. Honeylove purchase: BRA. They make several types of clothing and intimate apparel.
24. Substance in the Hanukkah miracle: OIL. The miracle of the oil, central to Hanukkah, tells that when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only one small jar of pure oil, enough for one day. Miraculously, this oil burned for eight days, allowing enough time to prepare new oil, representing the triumph of light and faith.
28. Yonder thing: THAT. Used to identify a specific person or thing observed by the speaker.
29. Deter: REPEL. Drive or force an attack or attacker to back or away.
30. Queen's record label: EMI. EMI Group/Records was a major British music conglomerate (the "Big Four") that launched the Beatles, Queen, and Pink Floyd. Following its 2012 breakup, its assets are now held by Universal Music Group (recorded music) and Sony Music Publishing.
31. Grumpy friend: DOC. Grumpy and Doc are two of Disney's Seven Dwarves from the Snow White movie. Tolkien hated them, and anything Disney. Still, a nicely misdirecting clue.
35. Like most Facebook Marketplace items: USED. I believe the preferred term is "pre-owned."
37. Piglet pal: ROO. From the Winnie the Pooh stories. More Disney.
38. Subject of the song "Oh Yoko!": ONO. Yoko Ono [b 1933] is a Japanese artist, musician, activist, and filmmaker who has influenced the international art scene since the 1960s. A pioneer in performance and conceptual art, Ono's work often challenges perceptions of beauty, sexuality, and femininity.
39. Former capital of Japan: KYOTO. Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It was founded in 794.
40. Bar mat: COASTER. A small tray or mat placed under a bottle or glass to protect the table underneath.
41. Spartan: AUSTERE. Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.
42. Leads the cast of: STARS IN. Said of the skilled performer who has the most prominent roll in a production.
45. "Ta-da!": ALL DONE. The project is finished.
46. Lighthouse view: SEA. The ocean, possibly with ships.
47. Abbr. on a measuring spoon: TSP. Teaspoon.
49. Intl. cricket powerhouse: PAK. Pakistan. Cricket in Pakistan has a history predating the creation of the country in 1947. The first ever international cricket match in Karachi was held on 22 November 1935 between Sindh and Australian cricket teams. The match was seen by 5,000 Karachiites. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, cricket in the country developed rapidly and Pakistan was given Test match status at a meeting of the Imperial Cricket Conference at Lord's in England on 28 July 1952 following recommendation by India,[
50. Drink of the gods: NECTAR. This refers to ambrosia and nectar, the fabled food and drink granting immortality in Greek mythology. It is commonly used as a metaphor for an exceptionally delicious drink.
51. Waiting for a representative, say: ON HOLD. The bane of anyone seeking customer service by telephone.
53. __ fries: poutine kin: DISCO. A classic New Jersey diner comfort food, consisting of crispy French fries smothered in melted mozzarella cheese and hot brown gravy. Popularized in the 1970s as a late-night snack for people leaving clubs, this dish is similar to Canadian poutine but uses shredded mozzarella instead of cheese curds.
57. Comedian Mike of "The Upshaws": EPPS. Michael Elliot Epps [b. 1970] is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and philanthropist. He's known for his roles as Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and Friday After Next, and "Black Doug" in The Hangover films. Epps is also a boxing fan who recently partnered with former World Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster to open a boxing gym in Indianapolis. The gym aims to use boxing's fierceness and footwork to help young men and teens find new paths.
58. Boatload: SLEW. It is used informally to mean a large quantity, often with "a," e.g., "a slew of issues."
59. Part of an insurance bundle: AUTO. Sometimes bundled with home owner's insurance.
60. Marbled loaves: RYES. Marble rye is a visually striking, artisan-style bread made by twisting or layering light rye and dark pumpernickel doughs together to create a distinctive marbled swirl. Known for its mild, earthy flavor and chewy texture, it typically features caraway seeds and is a favorite for reuben sandwiches, toasted with butter.
64. Soap chemical: LYE. Lye, primarily sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, is a strong, highly caustic alkaline compound crucial for soap making, drain cleaning, and food processing like curing lutefisk, pretzels, and ramen noodles. It is a white, corrosive solid that dissolves fats, requiring strict safety measures, including gloves, goggles, and ventilation.
65. Barrel wood: OAK. Oak is favored for barrels due to its structural strength, ability to bend without snapping, and unique porosity, which allows for controlled micro-oxygenation. It is watertight, durable against warping, and imparts desirable flavor compounds like vanilla, spice, and coconut to wine and spirits. It also mellows tannins over time.
1. Tend the garden: WEED. Here, WEED is a verb, meaning to remove weeds from the garden and reduce the competition for soil nutrients.
5. Wound covers: SCABS. A protective, dried blood clot that forms over a wound within hours, acting as a natural, temporary biological dressing, it keeps out germs and debris while allowing new skin cells to form underneath.
10. Spanish 23-Across: NIÑO. A child - most likely a boy. A girl would be a niña.
14. Sicilian volcano: ETNA. An active stratovolcano found on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, in the Metropolitan City of Catania, between the cities of Messina and Catania, and in many crossword puzzles. It is located above the convergent plate margin between the African Plate and the Eurasian Plate.
15. Crème de __: CACAO. A sweet, cocoa-flavored liqueur commonly used in cocktails, typically containing 20–25% ABV (40–50 proof) and made from cacao beans, vanilla, and sugar. It comes in white (clear) or dark brown varieties,
16. Superstar: IDOL. A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered.
17. Savoir faire: TACT. The ability to act or speak appropriately in social situations.
18. "Just Mercy" actor __ Jackson Jr.: O'SHEA. O'Shea Jackson Jr., [b. 1991] also known by the stage name OMG, is an American actor, rapper and songwriter. He is the oldest son of Ice Cube and, in his feature film debut, he portrayed his father in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton.
19. Unhip type: NERD. A person passionately devoted to intellectual, technical, or specific niche pursuits, often characterized by high expertise in fields like technology, academics, or gaming. While historically used as an insult for someone socially awkward or unstylish, the term has evolved into a badge of pride for intense, knowledgeable enthusiasm.
23. Lad: BOY. A male child or youth [niño] originating from 14th-century Middle English boy/boye (servant, knave).
25. Pod unit: PEA. A pulse or fodder crop, but the word often refers to the seed or sometimes the pod of this flowering plant species. Peas are eaten as a vegetable.
26. Bother a lot: EAT AT. To gradually destroy, erode, or consume something, or to cause persistent worry and anxiety.
32. WSW opposite: ENE. Compass directions : west-south-west and east-north-east.
33. Informal "but": ALTHO. "Altho" is an informal, simplified spelling of the conjunction although, meaning "in spite of the fact that," "even though," or "though". It is primarily used in informal, casual writing or sometimes in American English, acting as a shortcut for the standard spelling.
34. Hawthorne Heights music genre: EMO. A style of rock music resembling punk but having more complex arrangements and lyrics that deal with more emotional subjects. Hawthorne Heights is an American rock band formed in Dayton, Ohio, in 2001.
35. Cold War initials: USSR. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. It was the world's third-most populous country, largest by area, and bordered twelve countries. A diverse multinational state, it was organized as a federal union of national republics, the largest and most populous being the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic. In practice, its government and economy were highly centralized. As a one-party state governed by its Communist Party, it was the flagship communist state. Its capital and largest city was Moscow.
40. Throw out a line: CAST. To throw, fling, or propel something with force, in this case a baited hook, lure, or fly out over the water using a fishing rod and reel.
43. Number of orbits around the sun Neptune has completed since its discovery: ONE. The eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun, located about 2.8 billion miles (4.5 billion km) away. It is a vibrant blue ice giant with a thick, windy atmosphere composed of hydrogen, helium, and methane, featuring supersonic wind speeds up to 1,200 mph. Discovered in 1846, it was the first planet located through mathematical predictions rather than regular observation. Neptune takes approximately 165 Earth years (about 60,190 days) to complete one revolution around the Sun. It completed its first full orbit since its discovery in 1846 only in 2011.
44. Beer ingredient: YEAST. Yeast is a, if not the, crucial, single-celled microorganism in brewing that converts sugars in wort into ethanol (alcohol), carbon dioxide (carbonation), and aromatic compounds. The two main types are top-fermenting Ale yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) for warmer, faster fermentation and bottom-fermenting Lager yeast (Saccharomyces pastorianus) for cooler, slower, and cleaner fermentation.
48. Not cool: OUT. "Out" can indicate something is no longer in style, in stock, or currently available.
52. Carne option: ASADA. Spanish term meaning "grilled," "roasted," or "barbecued," commonly referring to thinly sliced, marinated beef (carne asada) in Mexican cuisine.
54. Middle-earth denizen: ENT. Ents are a race of ancient, sentient, tree-like beings in fantasy, most notably J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, known as "Shepherds of the Trees". Created to protect forests from dwarves and orcs, they are tall, deliberate, long-lived, and resemble the trees they guard. The name derives from an Anglo-Saxon word for "giant"
55. __ of luxury: LAP. In conditions of great comfort and wealth.
61. Hardy title character: TESS. Tess of the d'Urbervilles is a tragic novel by Thomas Hardy, first published in 1891, about a poor young woman, Tess Durbeyfield, who is victimized by two men, Alec d'Urberville and Angel Clare, and ultimately destroyed by the rigid social and sexual morals of Victorian England.
62. Dwarf planet in the Kuiper belt: PLUTO. Pluto is a cold, distant dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt with a surface of nitrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide ice. It has an average temperature of approximately --56 F. Its surface features a massive heart-shaped glacier (Sputnik Planitia) and mountains. With 5 moons, Pluto's gravity is very low, about 6% of Earth's gravity.
63. "Why the heck not" hashtag: YOLO. You Only Live Once - so why not do something profoundly stupid? It will make a good story when you get out of the hospital.
66. Actor Stoltz: ERIC. Eric Cameron Stoltz [b.1961] is an American actor, director, and producer. He's known for his roles as sensitive misfits in films like Mask, Kicking and Screaming, and The Waterdance. His portrayal of Rocky Dennis in Mask earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
67. Potpourri piece: PETAL. Potpourri is a mixture of dried petals and spices placed in a bowl or small sack to perfume clothing or a room. Petals are each of the segments of the corolla of a flower, which are modified leaves and are typically colored.
68. "The Celts" singer: ENYA. Enya, born Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin, [b. 1961] is a familiar crossword denizen and also an Irish singer and composer who has sold an estimated 80 million albums worldwide. Her distinctive style blends folk melodies, classical motifs, and synthesized backdrops, creating a sound that's closer to new age than her initial folk and Celtic influences. Here is MAY IT BE, from The Fellowship of the Ring.
69. City near Tahoe: RENO. Reno is a city in the northwest section of the U.S. state of Nevada, along the Nevada–California border. It is the county seat and most populous city of Washoe County.
70. Shape of some cocktail picks: SWORD. Swords are bladed weapons designed for cutting or thrusting, historically used for combat, self-defense, and as symbols of status. Cocktail swords usually hold olives or pieces of fruit.
70. Shape of some cocktail picks: SWORD. Swords are bladed weapons designed for cutting or thrusting, historically used for combat, self-defense, and as symbols of status. Cocktail swords usually hold olives or pieces of fruit.
Shards of Narsil
71. Hunt for: SEEK. Attempt to find or obtain something.
Down:
1. Burrito option: WET. This is a standard burrito smothered in red or green enchilada sauce and melted cheese, requiring a fork and knife to eat. Often filled with ground beef, rice, and beans, it is baked until the sauce is bubbly, creating a saucy, comfort-food twist on the handheld version.
2. Landing hr.: ETA. Estimated Time of Arrival at the air port.
3. Secure, as 4-Down, perhaps: ENCRYPT. Convert information or data into a cipher or code, especially to prevent unauthorized access.
4. Facts and figures: DATA. Raw, unorganized facts, figures, and symbols (e.g., numbers, text, audio, images) that, when processed, provide meaningful information for decision-making and analysis.
5. Checks (out) in advance: SCOPES. To examine, investigate, or assess something carefully, particularly to gain information, evaluate a situation, or prepare for a task. It is commonly used informally to mean looking over a place or situation to understand it.
6. "Rock the __": hit song for The Clash: CASBAH. A traditional North African fortress, citadel, or fortified quarter within older cities, notably in Algeria and Morocco. Historically, these served as residential and defensive structures, often with labyrinthine, car-free streets. I decided not to link the vid from 1982. You can find it on Youtube if you're interested.
7. Hurt: ACHE. A continuous or prolonged dull pain in a part of one's body.
8. Boxer Max: BAER. Maximilian Adelbert Baer Sr. [1909 - 1959] was an American professional boxer and the world heavyweight champion from June 14, 1934, to June 13, 1935. He was known in his time as the Livermore Larupper and Madcap Maxie. Two of his fights were rated Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine. He also acted in several movies and made many TV appearances, including his own variety show.
9. Take to the sky: SOAR. Let's fly away.
8. Boxer Max: BAER. Maximilian Adelbert Baer Sr. [1909 - 1959] was an American professional boxer and the world heavyweight champion from June 14, 1934, to June 13, 1935. He was known in his time as the Livermore Larupper and Madcap Maxie. Two of his fights were rated Fight of the Year by The Ring magazine. He also acted in several movies and made many TV appearances, including his own variety show.
9. Take to the sky: SOAR. Let's fly away.
10. Big name in small appliances: NINJA. Ninja products are made by SharkNinja, an independent, publicly traded company that designs and sells innovative kitchen appliances, outdoor cooking gear, and other household items, known for popular brands like the Ninja Foodi and Shark vacuums, with manufacturing primarily in Southeast Asia.
11. Conceptualizes: IDEATES. Forms an idea of something; imagines or conceives.
12. Conquerors of England in 1066: NORMANS. The Normans were a medieval people who originated from Norse (Viking) settlers in Northern France, establishing the Duchy of Normandy in 911 under Rollo. They adopted French language, culture, and Romanesque architecture, becoming fervent Christians. Famous for the 1066 Norman Conquest of England led by William the Conqueror, they also established kingdoms in Southern Italy, Sicily, and fought in the Crusades.
13. Golden-ager: OLDSTER. An older person. Older than what or whom is not specified. At any rate, I qualify.
21. Parody: SPOOF. A humorous imitation of something, typically a film or a particular genre of film, in which its characteristic features are exaggerated for comic effect.
22. "Absolutely!": YES. For sure!
23. Honeylove purchase: BRA. They make several types of clothing and intimate apparel.
24. Substance in the Hanukkah miracle: OIL. The miracle of the oil, central to Hanukkah, tells that when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they found only one small jar of pure oil, enough for one day. Miraculously, this oil burned for eight days, allowing enough time to prepare new oil, representing the triumph of light and faith.
28. Yonder thing: THAT. Used to identify a specific person or thing observed by the speaker.
29. Deter: REPEL. Drive or force an attack or attacker to back or away.
30. Queen's record label: EMI. EMI Group/Records was a major British music conglomerate (the "Big Four") that launched the Beatles, Queen, and Pink Floyd. Following its 2012 breakup, its assets are now held by Universal Music Group (recorded music) and Sony Music Publishing.
31. Grumpy friend: DOC. Grumpy and Doc are two of Disney's Seven Dwarves from the Snow White movie. Tolkien hated them, and anything Disney. Still, a nicely misdirecting clue.
35. Like most Facebook Marketplace items: USED. I believe the preferred term is "pre-owned."
37. Piglet pal: ROO. From the Winnie the Pooh stories. More Disney.
38. Subject of the song "Oh Yoko!": ONO. Yoko Ono [b 1933] is a Japanese artist, musician, activist, and filmmaker who has influenced the international art scene since the 1960s. A pioneer in performance and conceptual art, Ono's work often challenges perceptions of beauty, sexuality, and femininity.
39. Former capital of Japan: KYOTO. Kyoto, once the capital of Japan, is a city on the island of Honshu. It's famous for its numerous classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines and traditional wooden houses. It was founded in 794.
40. Bar mat: COASTER. A small tray or mat placed under a bottle or glass to protect the table underneath.
41. Spartan: AUSTERE. Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.
42. Leads the cast of: STARS IN. Said of the skilled performer who has the most prominent roll in a production.
45. "Ta-da!": ALL DONE. The project is finished.
46. Lighthouse view: SEA. The ocean, possibly with ships.
47. Abbr. on a measuring spoon: TSP. Teaspoon.
49. Intl. cricket powerhouse: PAK. Pakistan. Cricket in Pakistan has a history predating the creation of the country in 1947. The first ever international cricket match in Karachi was held on 22 November 1935 between Sindh and Australian cricket teams. The match was seen by 5,000 Karachiites. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, cricket in the country developed rapidly and Pakistan was given Test match status at a meeting of the Imperial Cricket Conference at Lord's in England on 28 July 1952 following recommendation by India,[
50. Drink of the gods: NECTAR. This refers to ambrosia and nectar, the fabled food and drink granting immortality in Greek mythology. It is commonly used as a metaphor for an exceptionally delicious drink.
51. Waiting for a representative, say: ON HOLD. The bane of anyone seeking customer service by telephone.
53. __ fries: poutine kin: DISCO. A classic New Jersey diner comfort food, consisting of crispy French fries smothered in melted mozzarella cheese and hot brown gravy. Popularized in the 1970s as a late-night snack for people leaving clubs, this dish is similar to Canadian poutine but uses shredded mozzarella instead of cheese curds.
57. Comedian Mike of "The Upshaws": EPPS. Michael Elliot Epps [b. 1970] is an American actor, stand-up comedian, and philanthropist. He's known for his roles as Day-Day Jones in Next Friday and Friday After Next, and "Black Doug" in The Hangover films. Epps is also a boxing fan who recently partnered with former World Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster to open a boxing gym in Indianapolis. The gym aims to use boxing's fierceness and footwork to help young men and teens find new paths.
58. Boatload: SLEW. It is used informally to mean a large quantity, often with "a," e.g., "a slew of issues."
59. Part of an insurance bundle: AUTO. Sometimes bundled with home owner's insurance.
60. Marbled loaves: RYES. Marble rye is a visually striking, artisan-style bread made by twisting or layering light rye and dark pumpernickel doughs together to create a distinctive marbled swirl. Known for its mild, earthy flavor and chewy texture, it typically features caraway seeds and is a favorite for reuben sandwiches, toasted with butter.
64. Soap chemical: LYE. Lye, primarily sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, is a strong, highly caustic alkaline compound crucial for soap making, drain cleaning, and food processing like curing lutefisk, pretzels, and ramen noodles. It is a white, corrosive solid that dissolves fats, requiring strict safety measures, including gloves, goggles, and ventilation.
65. Barrel wood: OAK. Oak is favored for barrels due to its structural strength, ability to bend without snapping, and unique porosity, which allows for controlled micro-oxygenation. It is watertight, durable against warping, and imparts desirable flavor compounds like vanilla, spice, and coconut to wine and spirits. It also mellows tannins over time.
Well, that it's for another Wednesday. This puzzle hit all the right notes, and had both a bit of astronomy and a Tolkien based min-theme. Hope it didn't give you anything to fret about.
Cool regards!
JzB
