Formerly known as the “Sunday Summer Substitute”, editor Cap'n Rick now takes the helm for 'Smooth Sailing Sundays'. As The Commodores sang about Sunday morning, the SSS will focus on easier metas. SSS will also support smaller grids and will mentor new constructors on request. Puzzles released each Sunday around 8am Eastern. Nudges released same day at Noon Eastern. New constructors are welcome.
"'Tis the season" again, and one of my favorite holiday activities is getting together with family and friends and telling stories. Like the time I caught that humongous 60-lb striped bass during a nor'easter in 9-foot seas on 10-lb test line. (Ahem) Speaking of fairy tales, I got the inspiration for today's puzzle from those four little words that start many memorable accounts - "Once Upon a Time." I hope that you will enjoy solving as much as I enjoyed weaving this little tale. I'd like to thank @boharr, @DavyGravy, @MarkWoychick, and @Joe Ross for testing and technical help.
*I'd just like to remind everyone about @miked's request for donations for the awesome Crosshare site that several Muggles use for both constructing and solving metas:
!
Message from: MikeD
"You've probably seen the note on the homepage by now, but this month Crosshare is running our annual fundraising campaign. We are 100% donation supported and rely on contributions from crossword fans to keep this site alive! Please consider making a donation - monthly recurring donations are especially appreciated as they allow us to plan for recurring expenses in the year ahead. I'd also like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all of the contributors who donated in 2024 - you're the reason Crosshare continues to grow!"
Crosshare is the only tool I use to construct my meta puzzles, and I'd sure like to see it continue well into the future. Please consider making a donation to this very worthy site.
Thank you!
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Last edited by Cap'n Rick on Sun Dec 22, 2024 11:00 am, edited 3 times in total.
I needed a win after struggling with every meta over the weekend: WSJ, MGWCC, and now 2 MikeyG metas - including the one that's supposed to be level 2!
Check out "The MOAT Mini Pack of Marching Bands" here. US$5 gets you 7 Marching Bands which, hard enough on their own, now contain metas too. And once again there's a mega-meta!
I'd like to thank @boharr, @DavyGravy, @MarkWoychick, and @Joe Ross for testing and technical help.
SSSolved. Nice one, thanks Cap'n!
