09.07.11 — Follow

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Puzzle by Jim Hilger / Edited by Will Shortz

FOLLOW (54A. Word missing from the answers to 17-, 23-, 29-, 40-, 47- and 62-Across), THE BOUNCING BALL (17A. Sing-along direction), ORDERS (23A. Obey), THE LEADER (29A. Children’s game), THAT CAR (40A. Chase scene shout), ONE’S HEART (47A. Pursue a passion) and IN ONE’S FOOTSTEPS (62A. Do as a mentor did, say) constitute the interrelated group of this well-made and very pleasant Wednesday crossword.

Other — AGE GROUP (39D. Demographic division), APRILS, ASK FOR, CHARADES (12D. Game with many “points”), EXHORT, HAG and UGLY (16A. Cauldron stirrer; 13D. Like a 16-Across), JAGUAR (43A. Figure of many a Mayan deity), METROS, OLDEST, PRINCE, ROEPER, ROOKIE, SPEEDY, STAPLE, TAKE TO, TERROR (15A. Wild child), TWISTY (52D. Like pretzels, typically).

Five-letter — ALTAR (26D. The constellation Ara), ANTON (21D. Writer Chekhov), BARAK, CAPRA, EARLY, FATES (54D. Clotho and sisters), GELDS, HATER, KARAT, OSSIA (33A. Direction to an alternative musical passage), PEARL, SHRED, STAHL, STUNS, USE ONE.

Short stuff — AOKI, ARCO, ARMY, ASET, CAT, CPU, “Agnus DEI“, ENYA, ERA and ERG, ETE, EXO and EXPO, GAP, ITRY, LON, NYU, MESS, OAR, OJO, OTS, OVA, PALM, ROE and ROZ, ROIL, “SEZ who?”, SOB and SOP, SORT, STYX, TAI and TIA, Oxygen TENT, VAN, YSL, ZERO and ZING.

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Puzzle available on the internet at

THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.

Remaining clues — ACROSS: 1. Job for a cleanup crew; 5. Fasten, in a way; 11. PC “brain”; 14. Place for a pavilion; 20. Massago, e.g., at a sushi bar; 22. Team nicknamed the Black Knights; 25. Frank with six Oscars; 28. River ferried by Charon; 36. Become fond of; 37. Fertility lab stock; 45. Before dawn, say; 47. Pursue a passion; 49. Spreadsheet function; 53. Neuters; 56. Worthless sort; 58. One of 22 in a Krugerrand; 68. Home of the Tisch Sch. of the Arts; 67. First time; 68. Play ___ (enjoy some tennis), 69. Longtime mall chain; 70. Times for showers; 71. Modest response to kudos. — DOWN: 1. Some urban transit systems; 2. Urge on; 3. Quick; 4. Turn on the waterworks; 5. Knocks for a loop; 7. Sacramento’s former ___ Arena; 8. Singer whose “name” was once a symbol; 9. Chaney of film; 10. Dyne-centimeter; 11. Game with many “point”; 12. Lifeline’s location; 18. Thole insert; 19. Netanyahu’s successor, 1999; 24. Prefix with biology; 27. Cultured gem; 29. ___ Maria (liqueur); 30. Misanthrope, e.g.; 31. Balmy time in Bordeaux; 32. “Frasier” role; 34. Lesley of “60 Minutes” 35. Tiny bit; 37 Acapulco “eye”; 38. Transportation for many a rock band; 41. Whiskas eater; 44. Apply to; 46. Fashion monogram; 48. Invite, as trouble; 50. Guinness superlative; 51. Richard with a much-used thumb; 55. Game extenders: Abbr.; 56. Throw a barb at; 57. “And Winter Came …” singer; 59. Isao of the Golf Hall of Fame; 60. Stir up; 63. Sports stat that’s best when low; 64. Bribe; 65. ___ chi.