About a decade or so ago I started reading my hometown newspaper, The Columbus Dispatch, again after years of getting my news from the newer internet sources like Google. The primary reason for the switch was one of nostalgia: I could read the print edition format right on my iPad which reminded me of when I used to spread the actual print edition wide open – especially to read the comics.
It was then that I started to do the Jumble puzzle again which was also quite nostalgic. My ‘Jumbling’ started my senior year of high school in my afternoon study hall. I had already been accepted to Ohio State so studying was the last thing on my mind. Given this mindset, it was near impossible for me to sit still and so I caused a bit of mischief. The teacher in charge of study hall was Ms. Hebert and she’d had it with me after I’d floated a paper airplane across the cafeteria where study hall was held.
She said to me, “Mateo, up here now. You’re sitting with me from now on.” Then she sat me directly in front of her.
At first it was a serious punishment indeed as she had me face down in my books. But over time we developed a rapport and there was a few minutes of soft conversation. She would always do the Jumble and eventually allowed me to help her, especially when she was stuck. This progressed to us doing it together and with our combined efforts we always solved it pretty quickly.
Eventually, other seniors got in trouble as well and joined me at Ms. Hebert’s table. Before you knew it we were the only table that was allowed to chat a bit and we had excellent conversations while the rest of study hall had to be quiet.
Eventually, this wonderful time came to an end with graduation. Ms. Hebert had become one of my favorite teachers and she planted a kiss right on my cheek in the teacher line at graduation. It was a pleasure doing that Jumble with with you Ms. Hebert, and I really enjoyed your company in that study hall. It was then that my reading a physical copy of the newspaper and doing the Jumble ended for the next 20 years.
When I started to read the ‘print edition’ of the Columbus Dispatch circa 2015 it was only natural to start doing the Jumble again. There have been moments where I thought I’d switch to the crossword puzzle but the pull of nostalgia and given that the crossword would take more time than the Jumble I’ve never made a change.
My morning routine for many years now has been to make tea, prepare coffee for my wife, put away dishes and then sit down to read The Columbus Dispatch, The San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times in that order, with our doggie on my lap. Time permitting I read them all but the Dispatch, the Jumble and the Dispatch comics are a must.
It has been a very long time since I couldn’t solve a Jumble puzzle but there have been times, and it was then I stumbled upon the website Jumbleanswer.com which was managed by Angela. I didn’t need it for the answers, but enjoyed reading Angela’s daily write-ups, the poll on which aspects readership had trouble with, and especially the comments from a core group of Jumblers, who always left a little blurb. Jim, Terry, Paul, Professor, Chuck, Stan, Helen: I always enjoyed your comments. I especially liked Jim’s comments; he ended every sentence with an exclamation mark and reminded us all if it were Taco Tuesday, No Hump Wednesday, or Thirsty Thursday. It was his comment that I looked forward to the most, even more than everything else on the page.
Angela would also take the time to respond to us. Most often it was just in the form of a few emojis and perhaps a word or two but we felt heard. She also provided a nice link to the Kid’s Jumble on Sundays which is always behind a paywall – except for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, but you have to give them your e-mail.
Unfortunately, now I fear I won’t be able to read Jim’s comments ever again, nor anyone else’s because the page suddenly switched to a different format and is now written by Mike instead of Angela!
The format is different and comments are closed! It is like we were all just ghosted by an old friend. No forewarning, no goodbye! That was my little morning community of fellow Jumblers, my virtual Breakfast Club who, over the years, I learned little tidbits of information about and felt like I somewhat knew, kind of like a neighbor I don’t really speak with but know a bit about. Mike – How could you vaporize our friendly little Jumble group so suddenly? Perhaps we could do a Jumble puzzle of words that describe this sudden silencing?
1. saere
2. zear
3. ekun
4. tsalb
Just like my high school study hall, and the experience of using a physical newspaper to do the Jumble with Ms. Hebert became a faded (but fond!) memory, I’m afraid Jim, Terry, Paul, Professor, Chuck, Stan, Helen and Angela herself will become a faded memory. Who now is going to give me a small smile by reminding me every week if it is ‘Taco Tuesday,’ ‘No Hump (or Hump!) Wednesday,’ or ‘Thirsty Thursday?’
I don’t mind Mike’s format at all, in fact I think it is quite good, but it is just an unfeeling, sterile wall of information. There is no community and it was the community which had me read ‘jumbleanswer.com’ every morning. I didn’t often comment but I always read the page, and looked for Jim’s comment. I hope Angela is OK and should anyone from the jumbleanswer.com read this, a simple explanation would be nice. Reopening comments would be even better.
