N.Y. Times Crossword Puzzle
Across
1 Croquet needs 5 On 9 Sorority sisters, e.g., in old lingo 14 Skin cream component 15 Bird in a magician’s hat 16 Muppet who co-hosted “The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland” 17 Secure 18 Marmalade ingredient 20 Stack of sheets 22 Historian’s Muse 23 Black-and-white swimmer 24 With 53-Across, a sugary treat 26 Blacktop 28 Figured out 29 Snake for a charmer 30 It might end with an early touchdown 32 “Cherry Wine” rapper 35 Purim villain 37 Ones to go pubbing with 40 Classic kitchen volume … or a hint to 18-, 24-/53- and 62-Across 43 World capital that celebrated its 1,000th anniversary in 2010 44 Surgeon’s insertion 45 Camp bed 46 Areas at rivers’ ends 48 Image of Homer, perhaps 50 Bark deeper than a yip 52 ___ Lankan 53 See 24-Across 57 “___ alive!” 59 Color of raw linen 61 Connecticut collegian 62 Sweet and tangy picnic side dish 65 Where Beethoven was born 66 Frequently 67 Voice below soprano 68 Mother ___ 69 Poker targets? 70 Sunset’s direction 71 Discharge
Down
1 Milwaukee brewer 2 Diplomat Root 3 One with zero chance of success 4 Neil who sang “Laughter in the Rain” 5 Stir 6 Commit arson on 7 Like the Kia logo 8 Display of remorse 9 Middling grade 10 Rice-shaped pasta 11 Peppy 12 “Boogie Oogie Oogie” music genre 13 Attacked 19 Egg on 21 They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids 25 Neuter 27 How telecommuters work 30 Large amounts 31 Himalayan grazer 32 To the ___ degree 33 “How brilliant!” 34 Discharge 36 Contents of the Torah 38 Musician Brian 39 York, for one: Abbr. 41 Morning beverage, slangily 42 Fairy tale starter 47 Shade provider 49 Apt (to) 50 Major manufacturer of soda cans 51 Landing spots for Santa 53 Cleans, in a way 54 What a rain cloud over a head may represent, in comics 55 Language in Bollywood films 56 Words to live by 58 Spot hit by a reflex hammer 60 Upset 63 E.R. workers 64 100° or more, say