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Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:27 pm
by Cap'n Rick
Ahoy, Muggles!
"'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.
The meta answer is a 7-letter word.
Once Upon a Time
Crosshare*
PUZ
PDF
Nudges are
here.
Solution is
here.
Good luck!
Cap'n Rick
Off Topic
*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!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2024 11:50 pm
by benchen71
Sssolved! Nice one, Rick.
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!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 6:58 am
by Eric Porter
Sssolved! Thanks for the puzzle, Rick.
I didn't get it instantly, but it took less time than the WSJCC. I've only looked at MikeyG's level 4, which I'm not getting.
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 8:15 am
by Schmeel
Sssolved. Thanks for the puzzle!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 9:18 am
by Wendy Walker
SSSolved! This is a classic Cap'n Rick. Thanks for the fun!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:12 am
by LarsCaine
SSSolved! SSSweet one!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:12 am
by ky-mike
Sssolved. Thanks @Cap'n Rick
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:25 am
by Dave C
Sssolved after initially trying to make it more difficult than it was.
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 10:25 am
by Meg
Very nice and ssssmooth!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 11:12 am
by KayW
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 11:50 am
by Cap'n Rick
Sunday Nudges
It's about "time" I post the Sunday nudges.
► Show Spoiler
The title is one of the most literal I've ever used.
► Show Spoiler
"Once": A single occurrence of a letter...
► Show Spoiler
"Upon": positioned atop ...
► Show Spoiler
"a Time": a symmetrically-placed entry that can be preceded by the word "TIME"
► Show Spoiler
That's it! End of story. What are you looking here for?
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:04 pm
by hcbirker
Sssolved sans nudges. Nice one Cap'n!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:16 pm
by woozy
Oog. Didn't need nudge one but needed nudge two. Shouldn't have.
So Xxsolved.
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:48 pm
by Qmark
SSSolved (no nudges needed)...Thanks Cap'n Rick!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 12:59 pm
by schmidzy
Nudgeless sssolve. Thanks, cap'n!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 1:23 pm
by Berto
Sssolved!
Of course! Should have seen it sssooner.
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 2:16 pm
by jhseeman
SSSolved....
should have gotten it from the first nudge, was lazy got the second one.
Really fun puzzle and meta
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 2:42 pm
by Bob cruise director
SSSSolved. Finally got to this with my CBC activities
@Al Sisti puts in Utica so the Cap'n goes one up and puts in first Al's alma mater and then included his wife's name (I think I remember it)
I needed more spoilers than I should have.
Great meta Cap'n - thanks
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:12 pm
by CPJohnson
Sssolved; NNN! Thanks, @Cap'n Rick! I could do this one in even with guests in the house!
Re: Once Upon a Time
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2024 3:28 pm
by Jeremy Smith
Sssolved sssans nudges. Another nice one. Thanks, Cap'n!
SSSolved. Nice one, thanks Cap'n!