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The 2025  headliner for Miliwaukee Summerfest is revealing in early hours of Wednesday, but Organizers of Milwaukee music festival don’t want participants to wait longer and they are giving out some clues.

This Monday a puzzle was posted on Summerfest’s instagram and it included some hints with clues about 6 headliners.

Not long after the fans started posting their guesses about who they would be.  Some comments on the thread

Our guesses are

Rick Springfield is

“Australian born singer & actor starred on ‘General Hospital.'”

Offset (migos) is

“Atlanta based hip-hop artist known for a high-profile marriage.”

Aly & AJ is

“Sister pop duo formerly known as 78Violet.”

Can you guess the rest?

Anna Shechtman has also authored a book called ‘The Riddles of the Sphinx: Inheriting the Feminist History of the Crossword Puzzle’ which is available on Amazon too.

Anna was a in early adolescence when she found out that here are are real people behind puzzles that she played after seeing a documentary called Wordplay. She then went home and started experimenting with puzzles in her math class papers. Later she started sending puzzles to the New York times Crossword Editor Will Shortz (who was featured on the documentary). Even why the initial puzzles were up to par with the quality needed, Shortz encouraged her and eventually she got her puzzle published on The New York Times Crossword at around 19 years of age. Later Anna ended up getting the role of becoming Will Shortz assistant and as of right now she makes crosswords regularly for The New Yorker.

Last year she did an interview on Shannon Henry Kleiber podcast about the women in the puzzle word and how crosswords are a common language between different groups of people the podcast is available on Apple Podcasts in the link below

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/57-do-more-crosswords-the-sexual-politics-of/id1680330412

Some interesting questions that Anna Shechtman answered in the podcast.

q: Did you include words that were not previously used in Puzzles?
a:Every puzzle created its a reflection of ideas of its maker and somehow it showcases their fields of interest and worldview. Some of the early puzzle words she introduced were
vine-ripe, gay anthem, and she tried to include male-gaze but it was not approved by shortz at the time.

a:Was there any debate about what clues were puzzle-worthy?

q:There is always some debate because it has to do with the anticipated puzzle audience. Will has always been trying to make the puzzle as inclusive as possible. But I am sure the inclusiveness concept has changed and evolved for him as time has passed. Will wanted to allow as many people as possible to solve the puzzles without much frustration. This has always been his line of thought and the reason why Will did not often approve of words that were called ‘niche’ at the time and very few could comprehend some of these niches were for example Black Culture,Queer, Women’s etc. For reference we are talking about the time around 2010-12.

q: So is the job of a crossword puzzle to entertain and to challenge?
Is the goal of a crossword puzzle to challenge and to entertain the player?
Or is it to help the audience create a common knowledge together that in a sense helps people feel a connection?

a: Both are equally important and should be the goal of a puzzle maker. You try to imagine a puzzle solver. What they like? How they feel about certain topics? My personal experience while solving a puzzle that I like is only if I put an effort to play with words to get to the answer. A clue Anna wrote is ‘Media icon with an en eponymous Starbucks Beverage’ and the answer is ‘Oprah’. This refers to the The drink – called the Oprah Chai  which was a product made by Oprah + Starbucks to raise money for her eponymous Leadership Academy Foundation.

It is also a nice surprise to see a phrase that you did not expect to see in a puzzle like it happened to me when I was listening Soulja Boy on the radio and I saw a reference of him in the puzzle I was playing. I found that so strange at the time.

There is a mix of experiences and expectations as well as a sense of identification. Because maybe thousands of other players are having the same experience while playing it.

The Art and Science Behind Puzzlemaster Jacqueline Zawistowski’s Daily Commuter Crosswords

For over two decades, the Daily Commuter Crossword has been a staple of newspapers across North America, serving as a mental warm-up for readers during their morning routine or commute. However, 2023 marked a new era for the popular puzzle as Jacqueline “Jackie” Zawistowski took up the mantle on January 8th from long-time cruciverbalist Jacqueline Mathews.

As the new steward of the Daily Commuter tradition, Brooklyn-based puzzlemaster Zawistowski brings her distinct style honed over years crafting crosswords for major outlets while aiming to maintain the familiar vibe. Balancing novelty with accessibility, she sprinkles modern pop culture references amongst classic clues, constantly tweaking difficulty based on reader feedback. Her ultimate measure for success? Solver satisfaction in cracking the grid.

We explore Zawistowski’s passion for puzzles, approach to clueing, and insights on the art and science of crossword construction.

An Early and Enduring Love Affair with Crosswords

For most cruciverbalists, the obsession starts by just solving casual puzzles, but quickly snowballs into tournament competition and even composition. Zawistowski traces her origin story to finding crosswords as a stress reliever during college.

“I would do the crossword puzzles for a little break, almost as like a palate cleanser between subjects,” she recalls.

In 2001, she attended her first competitive solving event – the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, Connecticut after qualifying by cracking their sample puzzle in under 15 minutes. Though initially intimidated as a novice, the camaraderie and gentle pace eased her into the addictive world of competitive puzzling.

“I was surrounded by people who were just clearly having so much fun doing this activity together. It was very comforting and welcoming,” Zawistowski says.

This community spirit coupled with her nearly instant aptitude drove Zawistowski to start constructing her own crosswords for top tier publications over the next decades. Now, she has hit over 100 published puzzles with her name in major outlets like The New York Times, USA Today and The LA Times.

Channeling Creativity into a Daily Grid

Unlike themed puzzles adhering to particular days, holidays or events, the Daily Commuter offers complete creative freedom to the constructor. Zawistowski shares that anything from a snippet of overheard conversation to current affairs could spark her vision for the next grid.

“I might latch on to something small in pop culture. I was watching the new Lord of the Rings show, and I had a couple clues about hobbits and Middle Earth and things like that,” she gives as a recent example.

With this blank canvas for inspiration, the core guidelines are ensuring solvers feel satisfied yet pleasantly challenged daily without repetitive clues week to week.

“It’s almost like writing little stories. I’m essentially writing about 72 10 to 15 word stories once a week,” Zawistowski quips about her clueing rhythm.

Mastering the Insightful Art of Clueing

Indeed, the clues make or break any crossword which transforms staring at boxes of letters into an engaging experience. Zawistowski likens it to cracking insight into the human psyche.

At its core, clue-writing involves predicting how groups of people interpret everyday things from pop icons to idioms slightly differently. Constructors intuit what phrasing, specificity and selective context will guide the majority to the right wavelength.

But irreverent, trickier clues peppered judiciously also appeal to the solver’s playful side without overwhelming them. It’s an art Zawistowski continues honing across over 100 published grids now.

Staying Sharply In-Tune with Your Audience

However, tailoring a puzzle to particular solvers over time requires being acutely receptive to feedback, especially with a multi-generational readership. Zawistowski recognizes her relative youth presents distinct advantages and challenges here.

“Some references might be on the younger side than previous constructors used, so I’m also trying to bridge that gap by having different cluing styles,” she explains.

So Zawistowski actively solicits impressions from test solvers across age groups to achieve that sweet spot between novel and familiar for this audience. She also monitors reactions to gauge difficulty curves, adjusting things like multiple four-letter words accordingly.

“I don’t think the crossword itself has changed dramatically. But I do fewer things that seem to trip people up. I’m still finding my footing,” she asserts.

Fostering an Inclusive, Intergenerational Community

Beyond creating a fun solving experience, Zawistowski hopes to nurture the intergenerational, collaborative spirit that drew her into competitive puzzling initially. She suggests teaming up families across ages to co-solve her Daily Commuters with gentle guidance towards unusual words.

Not only does this build vocabulary and cultural literacy for children in a screen-free manner, it forges heartwarming bonds too! She also emphasizes the universality of crosswords reaching different demographics.

“You would be surprised at the things you might have in common with another solver. We all converge on this one space,” Zawistowski notes earnestly.

By mindfully crafting more accessible grids with entry points for both older and younger solvers, she continues making that convergence space more inclusive.

The Evolution of a Puzzlemaster

Through her early competitive years to securing dream publications like The New York Times and now spearheading the Daily Commuter legacy, Zawistowski has deeply understood what makes crosswords universally appealing puzzles.

More than showing off linguistic dexterity through $10 words, creators must move solvers emotionally through a-ha moments under clever or witty clues. As much as perfectionist writers seek elegance, the joy of discovery engages brains across skill levels.

While still discovering her own niche within existing audience expectations, Zawistowski stays true to her ultimate barometer for success – satisfied solvers smiling at cracking the daily grid. Rather than overly tricky ambiguities, she weaves playful bridges between generations under this common language of crisscrossing words.

By continuing to fine-tune her clues based on feedback through the lens of inclusion, Zawistowski shoulders the Daily Commuter legacy with her distinct generational flavor as its new head puzzlemaster.

What defines a superbly satisfying crossword puzzle? For prolific constructor Joon Pahk, the answer lies in crafting solve experiences uplifting solvers through incremental challenge, collective “aha” revelations and ultimate puzzle completions delivering satisfaction, not ever impossible barriers frustrating purely.

“My creative aim is that solvers complete puzzles happily having enjoyed the deciphering journey filled small wins built strategically in sequence ultimately revealing full vision imagined as the clues converge perfectly.” says Pahk. “Puzzle solving at its best feels more like collaborative discovery than combative conquest disempowering alone.”

Based in Brooklyn merging both technology and artistic melting pot cultures daily, Pahk brings decades professional passions towards crossword puzzle designs brilliantly executed through smart layered wordplays woven artfully across deceptively intricate grids rewarding solvers willing examining entries closely, then realizing intersecting genius finishing triumphantly together.

Her obsession with words games and puzzles addiction started harmlessly dabbling casual crossword breaks relieving heavy academic studies stresses back in college years initially. But once competing the eminent American Crossword Puzzle Tournament event 2001, fervor shifted fiercely determined besting iconic grid legends, even holding records solving certain puzzles under 15 minutes extraordinarily across tournament event history, now spanning 21 years participating still today amazingly.

After years honing competitive solving speeds, constructor curiosity struck attempting building crossword grids from the creative side wondering ??how hard that seems truly?’ while appreciating hundreds worked through already from solver lens alone traditionally before. But transitioning constructor roles shifting perspectives revealed eye-opening learning curves better understanding intricate stackings cleverness and deduction chains subtly embedded inside the black and white squares artistically that elicits audiences “ah-ha” reactions delighted finishing tremendously co-created journeys shared together wordplays revealed little by little gratifyingly.

“If you solve enough puzzles over years, pattern curiosity studying construction methods emerges naturally wondering ??Can I create challenging yet fair artistic works respecting solvers this way too?’” reflects Pahk. “The building obsession strikes eventually if true passion exists continually seeking pushing creative possibilities across the craft forever onwards.”

After collaborating respected crossword constructors community early years appreciating tricks trade immensely, Joon eventually published esteemed puzzles across premium publisher outlets like New York Times, USA Today, and the venerable Los Angeles Times solo credit during the 2010s. But even receiving accolades successfully placings tier one outlets long term demands unrelenting excellence continually besting yourself topping previous puzzle performance scores expectations yearly.

After years intensifying grid grind successes while numerous other creative passions filled schedule busier as acclaim arose sufficiently satiating constructor egos overall, understandable extended hiatus from obsessive puzzling focus followed surrendering joyfully seasons welcoming different artistic challenges occupying thinking horizons broadly once again wonderfully recently until 2020 arrived fated.

But seeing wide calls accelerating Female crossword constructors representation missing equality still yet today, inspiration returned paying-it-forward becoming vocal advocate mentor guiding next generation creators appreciating doors opened skillfully doing so same way decades ago pioneers assisted newcomers alike. Comebacks arrived full circle.

For Joon, each new crossword baby starts with basic framework blueprint drafted first – innocuously placing initial single entry ??anchor word’ new blank grid which remains fixed seed position around fully symmetric puzzles expand radiating outward multidirectional carefully after. But rather rigid daily ??theme puzzles’ rules structuring creative limitations like Sunday editions notoriously impose constructor imaginations crafting, Pahk embraces freeform styles celebrating unexpected seasonal delights or random news curiosities encountered across life events driving passions further only limited vocabulary sizes finite nearly.

The daily puzzle constructing flows demands perpetual fresh inspiration sourcing plus meticulous editing perfectionism ensuring no overused “crosswordese” answers appear offered too frequently boring veteran solvers anticipating overt patterns by this point. This daily dance managing creative consistency output volume respecting experienced player preferences intimately remains underappreciated skill itself mastered doing look easy consistently to audiences who attempt rarely fully realizing such prowess rarity attained after decades toiling love bringing joy awe tiny puzzling moments connection time again. But true constructors art perseveres forever onward.

Now adapting signature styles translating towards newer Daily Commuter Crossword syndication partnerships reaching locals audiences directly into hometown newspapers daily, Joon acknowledges melding both previous generation preferences familiar decades with sprinkled modern subtle references keeping solving engagement enjoyable across widest demographics together – a gentle persistence slowly transitions community towards continuity futureproofing while paying patient respects longstanding supporter wisdoms accumulated over many years loyally as well properly.

Occasional player complaints increased puzzle complexity uncomfortable at times actually confirms properly challenging mental muscles exists growing sharper together politely. But Pahk believes compassion and wisdom lift all tides rising ships together navigated skillfully as equals on journeys destined uniting humanity little moments time daily consistently going forward inside hearts and minds awakened.

“I encourage puzzled fans proactively involving family members or friends when stumped collectively brainstorming next word possibilities differently. By collaborating across generations perspectives sharing clues ideas, solving transforms feeling more rewarding collectively no longer isolated vacuums disconnected socially like historical norms dictated so stoically for too long past. Instead new bonds formed friendships realized wordplays decoded together succeed delivering uplifting satisfaction afterwards onlyteams unified ever achieve on their own ultimately.”

In Pahk’s passionate perspectives, constructing crosswords purpose extends beyond any singular grids published purely transactionally immediate moment towards establishing sustainable enjoyment, camaraderie and genuine human connections discovered collectively through shared joy unraveling linguistic challenges woven so artfully across worlds connecting lives in service promoting compassion cooperation little moments time magnified Rippling society-wide waves unifying world reaching Shores only dreamed generations prior but manifesting realities today wonderfully during lifetimes committed intentionally creating delightful wonderment experiences joyfully elevating all willing opening eyes pondering possibilities across skies no limits once paused appreciating amazing reach vast interconnections exist across humanity even Inside tiniest puzzle traversed together wordplays reveals itself Undeniably little daily awakenings matter Unlimited profoundly afterwards. Such is true magic great art conveys sometimes patiently quiet under rapt radars. But patient puzzlemaster artisans know understand worthwhile waits rewards.