Friday, April 18, 2008 Puzzle by Joe DiPietro, edited by Will Shortz Four sets of three nine-letter entries are the theme of this puzzle: Upper left, down: NETLEASES (1. Certain rental arrangements);
AQUAVITAE (2D. Spirits); BUTTEDOUT (3. Quit meddling). Upper right, across: STEPASIDE (6A. “This is how it’s really done …”); PUTABIDON (16. Tried to buy); ONTHEMEND (18. Improving). Lower left, across: LAKEHURON (57. Site of Mackinac Island); OPENSFIRE (62. Begins to attack); WENTTOBED (64. Retired). Lower right, down: APPLEPIE (34D. Americana symbols); COUPDETAT (35. Takeover); EXPOSGAME (36. Bygone Montreal event). Theme? Well, yes… it makes as much sense as any description. BRINY (29D. Ocean blue) crosses SANIBEL (38A. Florida island) in the center of the puzzle -- radiating out to the four corners -- a few clues: Across: 1. Films are shown in them, NABES; 22. You can see right through it, PANE; 33. Angel’s garb, ROBE; 37. Lac contents, EAU; 54. Weekly World News newsmaker; ALIEN. Down: 5. Films can be shown in it, SLOMO; 7. Main ingredient in tekka maki, TUNA; 32. Moving, ASTIR; 59. One might be involved in a hoax, UFO. ----------------- For today's cartoon, go to The Crossword Puzzle Illustrated.
