LEMONADE DAY

Today’s theme:

62. "I Can't Help Myself" singers (1965), and hint to puzzle theme found in beginnings of answers to starred clues: THE FOUR TOPS . The first band I got a record deal for, covered this song on their second album.

17. *Hooch from the hinterlands: MOUNTAIN DEW . YUM .
MOUNTAIN TOP = TOP 1.

29. *Spears or Twain: POP SINGERS . BRITNEY and SHANIA .
POP TOP = TOP 2.

39. *Steve Forbes proposed a 17% one: FLAT TAX .
FLAT TOP = TOP 3.

48. *Place to get tickets: BOX OFFICE .
BOX TOP = TOP 4. , count them, four just like the group!

Hello all, there is no way you can enjoy this puzzle as much as I did. It is I, Across 66. Lemon ending: ADE 714 here, providing your information and entertainment. If any of you had any doubt about how powerful C.C.’s influence is, a look at this fun puzzle which includes not only my sobriquet, but also Across 34. It covers the pupil: CORNEA knowing I have had three CORNEA transplant operations, and 30. About the eye: OPTIC. The nerve of this guy; then all kinds of legalese, Across 26. Like a case before the court: AT BAR , 52. Parcel (out): METE. A favorite legal word, 53. Sale warning: AS IS . Real estate primarily is sold this way, 58. Certifies under oath: ATTESTS , 70. Property to divide, perhaps: ESTATE; it is eerie!

Anyway, it is Wednesday, so let’s get to it:


1. Country bumpkin: HICK . Tricky way to begin, as RUBE also fits, so you have to look at down: 1. Run smoothly: HUM , to get going, or at least that is how I approach solving.

5. In itself: AS SUCH .

11. When doubled, a dance: CAN . Another toughie, with CHA as an alternative.

14. Tangelo relative: UGLI . One of our common fruit responses.

15. Baum's good witch: GLINDA . If you have not seen the play WICKED it is a fabulous prequel to L. Frank Baum’s WIZARD OF OZ .

16. Livy's "I love:" AMO , More Latin and history of old ROMANS .

19. Gun: REV we can all picture Barry G. gunning the engine in his new Chrysler, or Dennis doing so in any car.

20. Sends again, as a package: RESHIPS .

21. WellPoint competitor: AETNA , insurance companies.

23. Computer list: MENU .

24. Stated: SAID . This was so easy, it was hard, he indicated.

36. __-Man: PAC . Yes, I was a fanatic!

37. Youngest Bronte sister: ANNE . She died young of TB.

38. Brian who produced some U2 albums: ENO . A MUSICIAN in his own right.

42. Lyric poem: ODE .

43. Fruit covering: RIND .

45. "Madama Butterfly" tie: OBI .

46. Hid, cardsharp-style: PALMED. Yes, be careful of dealers with big hands.

51. Deviates: VEERS .

55. Marina locale: INLET .

61. Daisy __: MAE . Al Capp’s creation.

67. Exalt: LIFT UP .

68. "Toreador Song," e.g.: ARIA . Do we ever go a week without this word?

69. Cougar or Impala: CAR . I wanted something more complicated, involving wild cats…silly me.

71. Monthly payment: RENT .

Down

2. Borodin prince: IGOR . More opera knowledge, my weak suit in all puzzles.

3. Detective's need: CLUE . Did anyone know, the GAME originated in England? Well, with Colonel Mustard….

4. Brother or father: KINSMAN .

5. "Encore!": AGAIN .

6. Err: SLIP UP , and the quick echo, 7. Errs, morally: SINS .

8. Leipzig link: UND . How to say “and” in German.

9. B followers: CDE . Easy?

10. Game show winner's destination, maybe: HAWAII .I guess they have all left us to sit on the beach.

11. Market offering: CART . It is the first thing you get when you go to the grocery store.

12. Service finale: AMEN . Any French Open Tennis fans out there?

13. Bright star: NOVA . Help me scientists, I thought this meant an explosion on a star?

18. 1994 Denis Leary comedy: THE REF , odd movie.

22. Flamboyant Dame: EDNA , another export from the Commonwealth of Nations, FUNNY? .

24. Tiff: SPAT .

25. Songwriters' org.: ASCAP.

26. Harsh: ACERB . IC? ICKY?

27. "Pagliacci" baritone role: TONIO . No clue.

28. Where the 2009 World Series was won: BRONX . No comment.

31. Garden statue: GNOME .

32. Word after East or West: ENDER . I used to watch the BBC TV SHOW .

33. Oboes and clarinets: REEDS . Are your INSTRUMENTS custom made, JzB?

35. Up in the air: ALOFT.

40. Irish Rose's lover: ABIE .

41. Missionary St. Francis __: XAVIER . Cute juxtaposition.
44. Stadium topper: DOME . They are building a new baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins with a retractable roof, but will anyone come?

47. Light cigarette ad claim: LESS TAR . Wow, a real blast from the past.

49. In fine __: fit: FETTLE . Nice word, and alliteration!

50. Enjoy a bistro: EAT OUT.

54. Knucklehead: STUPE . Really?

55. Apple with an electronic core: IMAC .

56. Zilch: NADA . Finally, some Spanish.

57. Lewd look: LEER . Okay, maybe this one applies to me also.

58. Aqua Velva alternative: AFTA . But neither of these two, ever!

59. Ripped off: TORE.

60. Turn in a kissing game: SPIN . The bottle; where are you Lo-li-ta?

63. Towel word: HIS .

64. Newt, at one time: EFT . Yes, again; try and work this word into a conversation.

65. Made a lap: SAT . Love them BABIES .

Thanks for letting me in your homes, have a great June and be careful.