Doug Heller, R.I.P.

We have the sad duty to inform you that Doug Heller, for years one of the top officials at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, has died of cancer. Doug's illness had been known within the puzzle community and many ACPT attendees last March used the tournament as an opportunity to say goodbye and thanks for his many years of service to the tournament. More information as it becomes known to us.

New Wrinkles In Scoring System

The actual scoring method hasn't changed, but what has is the way the papers are being processed.

The corrections to the papers are now being done with special green and yellow pens. Then, each paper has a special sticker attached which includes a bar code corresponding to the contestant's number. The papers are scanned and the score table is automatically updated. The score tables will be updated online for those using computers, but I still expect to see papers taped to the walls with everyone's scores.

Moreover, the contestants can now look at the scanned puzzles online by providing their contestant number, and see exactly where they screwed up without having to bother the judges or send endless emails to Will.

The technology to do this is all housed in the Jackie Gleason ballroom. Kudos to Matt Ginsberg and Doug Heller for making this work.

Crossworders & Politics: Not Such Strange Bedfellows

It's Commissioner Heller and Councilwoman Gamache.

In elections held today, Doug Heller, who assists Will Shortz with the administration of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, was elected Commissioner in Springfield Township, which is in Montgomery Township. Paula Gamache, a constructor who has recently done some great puzzles for CrosSynergy, was one of three candidates who ran unopposed for seats on the Rye, New York city council. Congrats to both successful candidates!