Puzzle Notes

Dear Friends:

Byron Walden's "We're On a Roll" is 4.5/5 difficulty.

Thanks to everyone who sent in stories/pictures of charitable things they've done in recent weeks. Scott Richie and Benjamin Hassenger's submissions were chosen at random, and each will receive a copy of Adrienne Raphel's amazing new crossword history book, Thinking Inside the Box. Both of them gave kind and needed gifts to, respectively, homeless friends and people who have lost their jobs. The litany of stories from people who wrote in was lovely and a needed lift, so thank you. Situations like this, far from pushing us toward the individualist fantasies of "prepping," reveal the ways that we need one another at our very core.

Really exciting combo construction coming next week.

Be well,

Ben and the AVCX crew

avxwords.com // @avcxword