Happy Haunting!

A weekly meta crossword created by members of the forum. Difficulty levels will vary. Hints are usually available starting Wednesday, and solutions are posted on Sunday.
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Cap'n Rick
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Happy Haunting!

#1

Post by Cap'n Rick »

Ahoy Muggles!

I had a lot of fun last week working with @Wendy Walker and @Abide on "What's In Your Pocket?". Let's do it again sometime, guys!

Speaking of fun, today is Halloween and we're expecting all sorts of ghouls and goblins to pay us a visit later tonight. Coincidentally, today also marks the 25th anniversary of our moving into our house. I can still remember the awkwardness back then when some trick-or-treaters showed up while we were carrying in boxes. For some strange reason they weren't interested in our music CDs or silverware. Talk about "tricky treaty" negotiations, eh @whimsy?! :D Below is the jack-o'-lantern I carved to greet our little visitors, and yes, we'll have plenty of treats to make them happy!

2022 Jackolantern.JPG

The meta answer is a familiar six-letter Halloween figure.

Happy Haunting - Crosshare

Happy Haunting - PUZ

Happy Haunting - PDF

Happy Haunting - Spreadsheet


Image


Difficulty:

Gentle Ripple.JPG

Nudges are here.
Reveal is here.

Good luck!
Cap'n Rick

PS - I'd like to thank @Abide, @Al Sisti, @whimsy, @boharr, @MarkWoychick, and @Joe Ross for pretesting and technical help.
Last edited by Cap'n Rick on Sun Nov 06, 2022 8:52 am, edited 2 times in total.
Ahoy! Check out my meta puzzles here! Check out "Smooth Sailing Sundays" here!
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benchen71
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#2

Post by benchen71 »

Off the couch! Fun puzzle, thanks @Cap'n Rick!
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Qmark
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#3

Post by Qmark »

Off the couch too...I really enjoyed your wordplay...thanks Rick!
Dave C
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#4

Post by Dave C »

Off the couch - a good one.
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KayW
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#5

Post by KayW »

:couch_and_lamp: :crossed_swords: :rabbit:

Image
Off the couch. Fun!
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 metapuzzles created to help raise money for cancer-related charities. It is available at CrosswordsForCancer.com.
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Dannyvee
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#6

Post by Dannyvee »

Nice one Cap’n!
I can be found in Sheridan, NY, veejaying. (8)
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hcbirker
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#7

Post by hcbirker »

Another fun one from the Cap'n! Keep 'em coming!
Heidi
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DrTom
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#8

Post by DrTom »

Ego restored a bit. Thanks Cap'N for something I could actually solve!

Maybe I'll head to a favorite haunt?
Tonic Room.jpg
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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DrTom
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#9

Post by DrTom »

KayW wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 11:38 am :couch_and_lamp: :crossed_swords: :rabbit:

Image
Off the couch. Fun!
Well it may be old and worn, but it looks like it has good bones....
NUDGES!I am always willing to give nudges where needed; metas should be about fun, not frustration. Send me what you have done so far because often you are closer than you think!
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oldjudge
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#10

Post by oldjudge »

🛋Nice job Cap'n--puzzle was a scream
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Eric Porter
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#11

Post by Eric Porter »

Off the couch, thanks Cap'n!

My track record on the MMM puzzles has been rather poor so far.
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MarkWoychick
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#12

Post by MarkWoychick »

Great fun a second time around, Rick - I remembered that I tested it, but I didn't remember how to solve, so it was like a brand new puzzle :)
Contest Crosswords Combating Cancer (CCCC) is a bundle of 16 contest-style (meta) crosswords that we've created to help raise money for cancer-related organizations - get the bundle at http://crosswordsforcancer.com
Schmeel
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#13

Post by Schmeel »

Off the couch!
Thanks for the puzzle.
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woozy
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#14

Post by woozy »

What on EARTH are you guys seeing that I'm not?

I'm sitting on the couch minding my own business while an elephant is jumping up and down on my head grinding me down into the crevice taunting "Ha, ha. Twelve people got it so it really is something obvious. You have no excuses this week. ha-ha." Maybe with luck I will have find enough things by Weds work my way up onto the couch but right now things are grim.
Latest meta: Never forget... and never mind (A WSJ retaliation)
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Anita
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#15

Post by Anita »

Off the couch! Happy Halloween!
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rjy
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#16

Post by rjy »

woozy wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:00 pm What on EARTH are you guys seeing that I'm not?
Right there with you, woozy
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Ray
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Cap'n Rick
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#17

Post by Cap'n Rick »

rjy wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:40 pm
woozy wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:00 pm What on EARTH are you guys seeing that I'm not?
Right there with you, woozy
Hang in there, guys! You'll get it.

Your photo reminds me of one I once used for Wordle.

witch legs.jpeg
Last edited by Cap'n Rick on Mon Oct 31, 2022 7:39 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Ahoy! Check out my meta puzzles here! Check out "Smooth Sailing Sundays" here!
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edestlin
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#18

Post by edestlin »

Off the couch! Thanks, Cap'n Rick, this was fun once I saw the first step!
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Darth
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#19

Post by Darth »

Last seen on the couch. :o
images (17).jpg
Dplass
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#20

Post by Dplass »

woozy wrote: Mon Oct 31, 2022 5:00 pm What on EARTH are you guys seeing that I'm not?

I'm sitting on the couch minding my own business while an elephant is jumping up and down on my head grinding me down into the crevice taunting "Ha, ha. Twelve people got it so it really is something obvious. You have no excuses this week. ha-ha." Maybe with luck I will have find enough things by Weds work my way up onto the couch but right now things are grim.
Same. I guessed it correctly but only have a small smidgen of an idea, from the comments...
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