Thursday, March 2, 2023 - A crossword with a lot of PLUCK (and one 👻)

Malaika Handa has created a terrific puzzle, and congrats are in order because this is her debut NYTimes crossword!! There were many gems in the grid, such as 23A, Child-oriented non-profit group, PTA; 3D, Hopping spots?, LILYPADS (😀); and the cheeriest of the lot, 31D, Jaunty greeting, HIHO -- just reading that word brings a smile to our lips. Definitely a 5 squares on the JAMCR scale, we hope to see many more crosswords from Malaika very soon! We love feedback! Send us a text... Cont...