Lovatts Crossword Puzzles Games & Trivia

Star Grazing — Starhunts celebrities (Issue 54)

Webmaster — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:47:37 +0000

» Code Cracker Starhunts Issue No.54 - on sale February 17!
(SPECIAL OFFER: 3 x FREE ISSUES WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE DURING MARCH ‘10 More info)

To learn more about celebrities featured in this bi-monthly issue of Code Cracker Starhunts, please make a selection:

Alice Cooper	Amanda Peet
Robert Duvall	James Franco
Thandie Newton

» Alice Cooper

Born Vincent Furnier, Alice Cooper is an American shock rocker and songwriter, known for his theatrical make-up and on-stage horror scenes including electric chairs, boa constrictors, fake blood and guillotines.

Vincent Furnier formed his first rock band, The Earwigs, as a teenager along with Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and John Spear. He changed the name to The Spiders in 1965, then to The Nazz. In 1968 the group became Alice Cooper and Furnier adopted the band’s name as his own.

The band’s breakthrough record, School’s Out was released in 1972 and sold over a million copies. Billion Dollar Babies was released in 1973 and was a number one hit in both America and Britain.

Cooper went solo in 1975, recording hits such as Only Women Bleed and Alice Cooper Goes to Hell. He made a comeback in the late eighties releasing songs such as Poison (1989), Hey Stoopid (1991), Feed my Frankenstein (1992) and Brutal Planet (2000).

Cooper has appeared in movies and television including Monster Dog, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Wayne’s World and Suck.

In 2004 Cooper began hosting the radio show Nights with Alice Cooper. He has credited golf and Christianity as having helped him overcome his alcohol addiction. » Return to celebrity index

» Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall is an award winning actor and director who has maintained a busy film career since the late 1950s.

After beginning in theatre, Duvall started appearing in television dramas including The Untouchables, Route 66, The Fugitive and The Mod Squad.

His first film was To Kill a Mockingbird in 1962, in which he played Boo Radley. This was followed by supporting roles throughout the 60s including roles in Captain Newman, M.D., Countdown, and taking on John Wayne in True Grit.

In 1971 Duvell played Major Frank Burns in the film MASH. His most famous role was as Tom Hagen, the family lawyer and adopted son of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather and The Godfather Part II for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1976 he appeared in The Eagle Has Landed.

Duvell played Lt. Colonel Kilgore in Apocalypse Now in 1979. He received both a BAFTA and Golden Globe Award for this role.

More recent films Duvell appears in include The Apostle (1997), Deep Impact (1998), Assassination Tango (2002), Kicking & Screaming (2005) and Lucky You (2007).

Duvell is often referred to as ‘The King of Action’. He is quoted as saying “I always considered myself as a character actor. I always try to be versatile to show different sides of human experience.”» Return to celebrity index

» Thandie Newton

Thandie Newton is an actress who has appeared in films including The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II and Crash. She was born on 6 November 1972 in Zambia, but moved to England when she was 5 years old.

Newton appeared in her first film, Flirting in 1991. In 1994 she played Yvette in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles. Other films include Jefferson in Paris (1995); The Journey of August King (1996), Grodlock’d (1997); Beloved (1998); Besieged (1999) and It Was an Accident (2000).

Most recently Newton played the scheming Dame Vaako in the Chronicles of Riddick (2004) and earned a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting actress in 2005 for her work in Crash. She starred opposite Eddie Murphy in Norbit in 2006 and played Condoleezza Rice in W in 2008.

Newton is quoted as saying: “I don’t put the pressure on myself to be a very successful movie star. I want to enjoy being an actor and I want to be challenged by the roles I take. What is lovely is that I’ll get sent a small movie, and you know that by virtue of me being involved they get their money and that’s fantastic.” » Return to celebrity index

» Amanda Peet

Amanda Peet is an American actress who started in commercials and television guest roles. Television appearances include Law & Order, Seinfeld, Jack & Jill and How I Met Your Mother.

Peet progressed to independent films before featuring in films such as The Whole Nine Yards, Something’s Gotta Give and Syriana.

Her most recent films include The X-Files: I Want to Believe, What Doesn’t Kill You and Important Things With Demetri Martin. She starred as Kate in the disaster film 2012, released in November 2009.

Peet is married to writer David Benioff and they have a daughter, Frances Pen, born February 2007. She is a voluntary spokeswoman for Every Child By Two, a non-profit organisation that advocates childhood vaccination. » Return to celebrity index

» James Franco

James Franco is an American actor most famous for the role of Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man trilogy.

Franco’s first role was in the comedy drama Freaks and Geeks in 1999. He was cast in the lead role but the show was cancelled after 12 months.

In 2000 he landed his first film, the romantic comedy Whatever It Takes. He went on to play the title role in 2001 biopic James Dean for which he won a Golden Globe Award.

Most recently Franco appeared in City By The Sea, Tristan & Isolde, Annapolis, Pineapple Express and Milk where he starred opposite Sean Penn, Josh Brolin and Emile Hirsch.

When asked about finding time to relax, he is quoted as saying “Never. It’s an impossibility. I don’t even like to sleep. I feel as if there’s too much to do.” » Return to celebrity index

Latest win is a Stinker!

Christine — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:28:07 +0000

I would just like to say thank you for the various prizes I have won over the years, the latest being for winning the Stinker competition in Colossus 217. The Stinker, the Demon and the cryptics are my favourite competitions. I always look forward to the crossword books coming through my letter box and can,t wait to get started. Many thanks to you and your staff for all the hard work you must do.
Pat Wilford

Code Cracker Starhunts 54 - Gremlin

Inspector Clueso — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:08:58 +0000

Page 32 - Starhunt 39

The bottom right-hand corner should be 3 for D and not 32.

Thanks to Barb Walker, who alerted us to this error.

Wordygig’s Waboom

Christine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:22:14 +0000

Thank you for the Wordygig tester “WABOOM” - ’twas hard to find the correct definition.

Well done.

But, I can’t stop laughing at your third option - “An underground explosion in an Australian iron ore mine.” Can you imagine it - “WA-BOOOMMM” - yes, I suppose you can.

Also, I’ve wanted to ask this for some time - what is the Font that you use in the Big Contest Solutions?

All the best to all.

Alan Hutchison
North Mackay Qld

Give the team a ‘high five’

Christine — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:52:42 +0000

Thank you for the years of enjoyment and challenge your crosswords give me. When I first started I couldn’t finish a simple one, now the first puzzle I turn to is the cryptic - they are fun and funny. I must admit,I find the Baffler more difficult than the Stinker, but I eventually get most of them out. Keep up the good work - give the team a ‘high five’ from another fan.

Deborah Lund
Bluewater, Qld

March BIG Crossword gremlin

Inspector Clueso — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:42:39 +0000

Page 26

Goliath

Clue 36dn ‘Persecuted (5,4)’ should be (6,4) for the answer GROUND DOWN.

Thanks to Sandra Holmes, of Waitakere, NZ.

Colossus Competition Solutions (Issue 126)

Webmaster — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:30:01 +0000

Select a puzzle to view solution

BIG Competition Solutions Feb (Issue 204)

Webmaster — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:00:01 +0000

Select a puzzle to view solution

E-nigma Crossword 24 Winners - Feb ‘10

Webmaster — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:54:25 +0000

Congratulations to the winners of the February ‘10 E-nigma Crossword Competition:

First prize - $100 Prize Cheque:
Patricia BRYANT

Runners Up - $50 Lovatts Gift Vouchers
Ashton ANTHONISZ; Madeleine STEDMAN

Prize winners, please check your inbox for notification.

Subscriber Draw Winners — Jan/Feb ‘10

Webmaster — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:49:10 +0000

Congratulations to the winners of the January/February 2010 subscriber draw who have each had their subscription outlay returned (to a max value of $150 per person):

Mrs Cecily Hansen, Alice River Qld; Mrs Pam Brown, Peak Crossing, Qld; Mrs Dianne Richards, Jannali NSW; Ms U Hurley, Chelsea Vic; Mrs Melva Versteeg, Hamilton NZ

Holiday Collection Solutions (Issue 71)

Webmaster — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:19:57 +0000

Select a puzzle to view solution

Hello - March 2010

Christine — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:52:20 +0000

Have you ever seen how much muscle is lost after a broken bone has been in a cast for several weeks due to lack of use? Similarly our brain needs to be exercised to stay in tip top condition.

Countless research studies tell us that our mind needs to remain mentally active to avoid the deterioration of brain function. Luckily, by solving crosswords, playing chess or learning a new skill, we create new pathways within our brain and can improve our neurological health.

Physical activity such as gardening or walking is another way to protect against cognitive decline, increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting cell growth. A ‘brain-healthy’ diet including protein for supplying your brain with amino acids, unsaturated fats for neurone membranes and carbohydrates to fuel neurone functioning is also important. Of course, don’t forget plenty of fruit and vegetables to supply your brain with antioxidants that protect your neurones! Finally, managing your stress and getting plenty of rest to recharge will improve your mental alertness and memory.

Regardless of age, it is never too late to sharpen your brain and expand your mind. If you can live by these golden rules, you’ll be solving Demons and Stinkers in the blink of an eye.

So laugh, learn, read, solve crosswords, eat healthily and take note of the words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old - we grow old because we stop playing.”

Happy puzzling!

Demon Aficionados - Jan BIG Contests

The Judge — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:24:51 +0000

AFICIONADO comes from the Spanish for ‘arouse affection’ and means an enthusiast or ‘Ardent devotee’ (Demon 22dn).

Most of you Demon aficionados had no trouble with this answer but a few of the less canny crossworders had AFICIANADO, AVICIANADO or even OFFICINADO. The latter caused more problems in across clues, ’Slipstream’ (21ac), which was WAKE not WORE, ‘Japanese martial art’ (29ac) was AIKIDO and ‘Heather’ (42ac) was ERICA.

If you had HILT for ‘Axe handle’ at 56ac then you also had AFICIONADO incorrect. A hilt is also called a HAFT. So it seems being an aficionado has many possible pitfalls.

Our compilers found a couple of new challenging words for our Demon.
At 18dn ‘Dealer in hides’ was a FELLMONGER, a word some of our more senior crossworders might remember from the days when carts carried skins to where the fellmonger expertly separated the wool from the pelt. FELTMONGER appeared in a few entries.

Even more of a challenge was 74dn. ‘Opera singers’ coach’ threw up a new word for many of you. Originally from French, REPETITEUR is sometimes shortened to ‘rep’. Reps are highly skilled musicians who play piano at rehearsals and advise singers on vocal technique. This word proved elusive and a few guesses and blanks were noted.

A repetiteur would probably be able to give you the answer to 45ac. ‘Resonant’ was OROTUND, which comes from the Latin for ‘with rounded mouth’ – sounds quite fitting for an opera singer.

Back at 13ac a few errors were spotted. PLAGIARISM is ‘Literary piracy’. This fitted with SKIVE for ‘Malinger’ at 4dn but if you had SCAPE or SKATE or SHAKE you ended up with the incorrect PLAGAIRISM.

Finally for The Demon, 132ac ‘Stamp of approval’ had some of you stumped. The answer which comes from the Latin for ‘let it be printed’ was IMPRIMATUR (not IMPRIMATER).

In the Goliathon 17ac clue ‘Make known’ was IMPART not IMPACT or INPART.
Clue 58ac was unexpectedly controversial. For ‘Seediest’ we had SLEAZIEST but other answers were spotted in entries. Seedy means sordid, disreputable, shabby, squalid, unwell or full of seeds. Looking carefully at these definitions we decided not to accept STEAMIEST, SNEAKIEST or SWEATIEST.

Other clues that caught out a few of you included ‘Early harp’ at 173ac, which was LYRE not LUTE and at 194ac ‘Revitalised’ was RESURRECTED not RESSERECTED.

Not much to note in the Bigcash. At 12dn for ‘Lag behind’ one entry had DRUDGE, perhaps thinking of TRUDGE, but DAWDLE was correct (not DAUDLE).

‘Mount’ at 102ac needed SCALE but a couple of entries had STAGE and we realised that this was also correct. As well as climb, mount can mean organise so you can mount or stage an event. Thanks to reader Linda Martin who emailed us to point this out as well. If our judges find an answer other than the one we expected, they always check the dictionaries to see if it is a valid alternative.

Another BIG month’s contests are waiting to be tackled so sharpen those pencils and dust off those reference books.

SUPER SUDOKU Winners (Issue 57)

Prize Manager — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:30:44 +0000

NOVICE - CONTEST 1
3 x $50
Polixeni Aroney, Wallsend, NSW; William Holgate, Holland Park, Qld; Dianne Martini, Tuart Hill, WA.

THE X FACTOR – CONTEST 2
3 x $50
S M Atkinson, Nimbin, NSW; J Gregory, Colebrook, Tas; Denise Mott, Waramanga, ACT.

CEREBRO ROYAL - CONTEST 3
3 x $50
Anthea Hays, Latrobe, Tas; Travis Morvell, Mildura, Vic; Sara Warris, Beachlands, Manukau, NZ.

ADDOKU – CONTEST 4
3 x $50
Berrie Giesen, Seacombe Gardens, SA; Marie Holmes, Bradbury, NSW; Nell Mainstone, Doonside, NSW.

FREE Puzzle Sample — New Lotus Logic

Webmaster — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:25:49 +0000

Download a free sample of Lotus Logic, the new grid on the block, which features monthly in Lovatts Super Sudoku magazine.

To solve these puzzles, apply the same principles of logic you’d use for Sudoku, but in a roundabout way (check out the grid - you’ll see what we mean!).

Lotus Logic is pure entertainment with a tantalising twist. Try it out for yourself. And please let us know what you think.

February BIG Crossword gremlin

Inspector Clueso — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:04:29 +0000

Page 28 Memory Lane

Clue 23 across reads ‘astromomer’ instead of ‘astronomer’.

Thanks to Robyn Mays, of Blackmans Bay, Tasmania.

CLUEWORDS Winners (Issue 83)

Prize Manager — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:16:13 +0000

MAXI
$500 Prize Cheque
John Montgomery, Cranbrook, Qld.

10 x $50 Gift Vouchers
Naomi Boudroukas, Preston, Vic; J Dunn, Waiuku, NZ; Max Hudson, Mount Coolum, Qld; Amy Keir, Goulburn, NSW; Fauvettte Lindrea, Long Gully, Vic; Elaine Mitchell, Oxley, NSW; A Pamplin, TeAtatu Peninsula, Waitakere, NZ; Mart Sarapuu, Camberwell, Vic; Peter Verkerk, Noarlunga Downs, SA; Caroline Whittle, Alexandra Hills, Qld.

CLUEWORDS
Wilson Tennis Pack – 2 Racquets, Bag & Balls
Patrick Meehan, Peregian Beach, Qld.

5 Go Travel Shoulder Totes & Sports F M Radios
K Gurney, Cooma, NSW; Deborah Kruger, Chartwell, Hamilton, NZ; Marje Lines, French Pass, NZ; Louise McGrath, Bega, NSW; Georgia Takes, Euchuca, Vic.

3 Prize Packs – Pepper Mill & Lovatts Tea Towel
Janet Marie, Winmalee, NSW; Barbara McArthur, Narre Warren North, Vic; Ruth Petersen, Cudal, NSW.

2 Prize Packs – Lovatts Magazine Light & Write Bookmark
Shirley McLeish, Yea, Vic; T J Moore, Gulgong, NSW.

BAFFLER
A pair of Reclining Outdoor Chairs
C Skelton, Christies Beach, SA.

5 Gift Boxed Professional Crossword Pencils
J Hayward, Berserker, Qld; Pam Millington, Bunbury, WA; C Morton, Mittagong, NSW; Sylvia Neill, Dannevirke, NZ; Michelle Norris, Pottsville, NSW.

3 Prize Packs – Leather Card Holder & Lovatts Pen
Lois Andrews, Victoria Point, Qld; Lilita Fitzgerald, Wyoming, NSW; P V Hooper, Fitzroy North, Vic.

2 Prize Packs – Thesaurus, Magnifier & Nailcare Keyring
Margaret Batge, Lewisham, Tas; David Stephenson, Leichhardt, Qld.

PUZZLE FUN FOR KIDS Winners (Issue 70)

Prize Manager — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:12:04 +0000

FILL-IN CONTEST
Solution: Claws
HD Pocket Video Camera
Casey-Anne Johnson, Hyde Park, Qld.

Cyber Gear SMS Text Messages (Set of 2)
Micah Joel Bidois, Manukau, NZ.

2 Magnetic Bumper Cars Brainteasing Puzzles
Eliza Grigsby, Snake Valley, Vic; Dylan Lester,Tuggerawong, NSW.

4 Raquetball Beach Sets
Annalise Chandler, Leanyer, NT; Keidan Treacy, Whittlesea, Vic; Tyler Grubesic, Blakehurst, NSW; Taylor Stone, Innaloo, WA.

FINDAWORD CONTEST
Solution: Fantastic
2 Portable DVD Players
Katie Baker, Coraki, NSW; Anna Wilde, Bathurst, NSW.

Cyber Gear SMS Text Messages (Set of 2)
Ieyan Edwards, Halswell, Christchurch, NZ.

2 What’s On My Head Games
Emily Brough, Esk, Qld; Daisy Semmler, Bellvue Hill, NSW.

3 Spyro Gyro motorised & oscillating pens
Hayley Goggi, Innisfail, Qld; Blake Langdon, Singleton Heights, NSW; Cameron Szeto, Epsom, Auckland, NZ.

TILLY TOKEN SEARCH
Page numbers: 25, 26, 57, 71, 75
10 Survival Kits
Harry Blake, Nyngan, NSW; Ben Davies, Wellington, NZ; Caitlin De Maria, Gawler, SA; Hannah Jones, Maida Vale, WA; Phoebe Keel, Khandallah, Wellington, NZ; Trevor Martin, Canley Vale, NSW; Laura Mooney, Sandringham, Auckland, NZ; Hayley Plunkett, Inglewood, WA; Robyn Redman, Merriwa, NSW; Matthew Taros, Dapto, NSW.

COLOUR-IN
5 Staedtler Noris Club Prize Packs
Jessica Carpenter, Seville Grove, WA; April Coleman, Coldstream, Vic; Hayley Crompton, Alice Springs, NT; Ruby Hodgetts, Napier, NZ; Matthew Hollows, Levin, NZ.

FANTASTIC MR FOX
10 Prize Packs
India de Bres, Rose Bay, NSW; Bridget Dudin, Winton, NZ; Zoe Focic, Kotara South, NSW; Madison Grayson, Far Beach, Qld; Sarah Green, Sandy Bay, Tas; Vanessa Harvey, Tenterfield, NSW; James Hoggard, Maryborough, Qld; Amelia Mackenzie, Toowoomba, Qld; Selene Patterson, New Plymouth, NZ; Jonny Williams, Gulf Harbour, NZ.

HANDY JACKPOT O4 Winners

Prize Manager — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 01:06:38 +0000

2 x $500
Alma Fernihough, Bentley, WA; Maureen Gater, Tenterfield, NSW.

10 x $50
Tammy Armstrong, Dungowan, NSW; Pamela Brown, Hallett Cove, SA; Lisa Callahan, Karana Downs, Qld; Kim Colborne, Croydon, Vic; Maureen Gutteridge, Buff Point, NSW; Lynn Joseph, Dunedin, NZ; Judi King, Woy Woy, NSW; Brankica Kotru, Whyalla Norrie, SA; D Lang, Sunbury, Vic; Jacqui Williams, Gooseberry Hill, WA.

Handy Crosswords 59 - gremlin

The Judge — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:57:39 +0000

Under the Competition Crossword, on the coupon on page 3, it reads Handy Crosswords 58 when it should read 59. All the information is correct on page 2 with the mailing address and SMS contest and all envelopes addressed to Handy Crosswords 59 will be included in the draw.

The Lovatts team

Lovatts Crossword Puzzles Games & Trivia

Star Grazing — Starhunts celebrities (Issue 54)

» Alice Cooper

» Robert Duvall

» Thandie Newton

» Amanda Peet

» James Franco

Latest win is a Stinker!

Code Cracker Starhunts 54 - Gremlin

Wordygig’s Waboom

Give the team a ‘high five’

March BIG Crossword gremlin

Colossus Competition Solutions (Issue 126)

Select a puzzle to view solution

BIG Competition Solutions Feb (Issue 204)

Select a puzzle to view solution

E-nigma Crossword 24 Winners - Feb ‘10

Subscriber Draw Winners — Jan/Feb ‘10

Holiday Collection Solutions (Issue 71)

Select a puzzle to view solution

Hello - March 2010

Demon Aficionados - Jan BIG Contests

SUPER SUDOKU Winners (Issue 57)

FREE Puzzle Sample — New Lotus Logic

February BIG Crossword gremlin

CLUEWORDS Winners (Issue 83)

PUZZLE FUN FOR KIDS Winners (Issue 70)

HANDY JACKPOT O4 Winners

Handy Crosswords 59 - gremlin