N.Y. Times Crossword Puzzle Clue is Easy in Sea Isle City

By DONALD WITTKOWSKI Normally, the New York Times Crossword Puzzle can be a challenge even for the most skilled of word sleuths. Yet for puzzle players in Sea Isle City, one clue may have been the easiest ever to solve. The clue for 20 across in last Sunday’s puzzle was, “New Jersey’s Sea ___ City.” Yes, the answer was “Isle.” Mayor Leonard Desiderio was quick to point out Sea Isle City’s recognition in one of the most famous crossword puzzles in the nation. “We all know that Sea Isle City is a very popular place, and we are reminded of this whenever we see large crowds gathered on our beaches or at one of our many community events, such as our festivals, concerts, and fireworks displays. However, our town’s popularity can also be witnessed in more subtle ways -- as was the case when Sea Isle City appeared as a clue in a recent New York Times Crossword Puzzle,” he said in a statement Thursday. For good measure, Desiderio added that for “those of you who love this town and saw that particular puzzle, I am certain that you quickly recognized that the answer to 20-Across (“New Jersey’s Sea ___ City”) was, indeed: “Isle.’”