Author Archives: Sam Donaldson

2011 Oryx Awards – Best Crossword Nominees

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Sam Donaldson

On Oscar Sunday, February 26, this blog will host the 2011 Oryx Awards, honoring several of the outstanding achievements in crossword puzzle construction from puzzles published in 2011. Honors will be given in several categories, including Best Easy Puzzle, Best … Continue reading →

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Free Puzzle Contest – “My Big Fat Fun Wedding”

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Sam Donaldson

To celebrate my upcoming wedding this summer, I am pleased to offer a new puzzle contest, “My Big Fat Fun Wedding.” The puzzles are pitched at an easy-medium difficulty level, but I hope beginners and experts alike enjoy them. Solvers … Continue reading →

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Cleaner PDF Version of the Sunday NYT

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Sam Donaldson

Rumor has it that the posted PDF version of the Sunday NYT crossword is incorrect.  Jim Horne has offered this helpful link to a clean and correct version of the puzzle.  It’s a Trip Payne puzzle, so that means good … Continue reading →

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Sunday, 1/2/11

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 28:15 (Sam) Reagle 7:57 (Jeffrey) BG 18:53 (Sam) WaPo Untimed (Janie) LAT 10:24 (Jeffrey) CS 10:07 (Evad) Sporting a new tan and recharged batteries, Our Fearless Leader is on the way home from vacation. That means you get most … Continue reading →

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Sunday, 8/15/10

Posted on August 14, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT  30:30 Reagle  13:40 BG  Untimed WaPo  Untimed LAT  19:28 CS – 16:11 (Evad) Three announcements: (1) Happy birthday to our fearless leader, Amy Reynaldo! I had my first guest stint on this blog last year at this time, and … Continue reading →

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Saturday, 8/14/10

Posted on August 13, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 23:21 LAT 15:56 Newsday 38:13 CS untimed Just got done baking a Spiderman cake and a magic hat cake for a birthday party tomorrow (two brothers). Fondant and sugar and homemade buttercream are all over the place! I hope … Continue reading →

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Friday, 8/13/10

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 22:18 LAT 12:58 CHE 11:07 CS Untimed Happy Friday the 13th, everyone! As someone who turned 13 (and 30) on Friday the 13th (February, thanks for asking), I don’t suffer from triskaidekaphobia.  So I expect nothing but good luck in … Continue reading →

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Thursday, 8/12/10

Posted on August 11, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 15:16 Fireball Untimed, but 20-ish minutes Tausig 10:46 BEQ 7:15 CS untimed With Amy well on her way to New York for Lollapuzzoola 3: The Legend of Curly’s Gold, it’s me, Sam Donaldson, sitting in the captain’s chair through … Continue reading →

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Thursday, 6/24/10

Posted on June 23, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 13:49 (Sam) Fireball untimed (Sam) Tausig 8:18 (Sam) LAT 11:14 (Sam) BEQ8:18 (Jeffrey – paper) CS untimed Six puzzles and three bloggers! Jeffrey will cover the BEQ and Janie will review the CrosSynergy, while I (Sam Donaldson) have all … Continue reading →

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Wednesday, 6/23/10

Posted on June 22, 2010 by Sam Donaldson

NYT 6:47 (Sam) LAT 4:50 (Sam) Onion 8:51 (Sam) CS untimed Happy Hump Day, everyone. Sam Donaldson here to review three of this week’s Wednesday crosswords. As usual, Janie will drop in with her review of the CrosSynergy puzzle a … Continue reading →

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