Gainesville to host crossword puzzle tournament Saturday

Source: The Independent Florida Alligator: News
Date: February 1, 2008
Byline: Kristen Huff

Gainesville to host crossword puzzle tournament Saturday

Gainesville residents are sharpening their pencils and their minds in preparation for the second annual North Florida Crossword Puzzle Tournament, which will take place Saturday.

Doors at the Savannah Grande, 301 N. Main St., will open at 8:30 a.m., and the competition will begin at 9 a.m.

Entry fees are $40 per person and $100 for teams of three. For students and seniors, it is $30 per person and $75 for teams of three. Walk-ins can register at the door. Spectators are asked to make a donation.

The price includes a continental breakfast and lunch.

This year, the grand prize is a trip to the American Crossword Tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Will Shortz, the crossword puzzle editor for The New York Times, has created a welcome video for the competition.

"For anyone that knows puzzles in the puzzle world, Will Shortz is our superstar," said Alyson Adams, crossword tournament committee chair and program coordinator at the UF Lastinger Center for Learning.

Helen Hovanek, American Crossword Puzzle Tournament director, is also scheduled to attend the tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit The Generation Connection, a one-week day camp that brings seniors and kids ages 8 to 12 together.