Something's fishy!

A brand new crossword, a piscine puzzle!

Puzzle people and magic meeple!

In this fishy newsletter:

• Feast of the Seven Fishes

• Tropical Fish Matchstick Puzzle

• Video: Mac King performing Aerial Fishing

• A brand new crossword! Feast of the Seven Fishes

• Tropical Fish Matchstick Puzzle Answer

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Feast of the Seven Fishes

Happy holidays everyone! Greetings from Northern Michigan, where I’ve spent the holidays with my wife and little girl. Somehow she is now 9 months old!

I recently learned of a celebration called Feast of the Seven Fishes and it inspired this newsletter. This Italian-American tradition is also known as La Vigilia, or The Vigil. “Rooted in Roman Catholicism, which calls for abstaining from meat on the eve of any holiday, La Vigilia tends to be a bounty of seafood.” (New York Times) The meal features seven or more seafood dishes, often including baccalà (salted cod fish), fried smelts, and calamari. (Did you know that the word calamari comes from calamus, which means pen? Because of the squid’s ink. Sorry I couldn’t help myself! Words!)

Apparently The Bear Season 2 features The Feast of the Seven Fishes as well. But I haven’t seen it because I basically haven’t watched a movie or tv show in 9 months (see above).

Enjoy this fishy issue of Enigmatology!

Tropical Fish Matchstick Puzzle

Here’s a matchstick puzzle from Japan’s legendary puzzle maker Kobon Fujimura. Give it a shot! (though the answer is below)

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Aerial Fishing

I think I first saw this trick performed on a VHS tape. It was probably Mac King, whose video I’ve included below. To my knowledge, I believe he still performs it in Las Vegas to this day. I saw his show about seven years ago and was treated to his signature witty, family-friendly banter. He’s the best!

“The Gold Fish Trick” is also known as Aerial Fishing. According to the always reliable Magicpedia, it was created by Walter Mingus Hopler, aka Professor Mingus in 1893.

The trick consists of the magician displaying an empty hook at the end of a fishing pole line. He then casts the line over the audience and hooks a goldfish in midair. The conjurer then removes the goldfish from the hook and plops it into a fishbowl, proving that the wriggling little swimmer is real. Here’s Mac’s version with a twist!

Chung Ling Soo, whom I am endlessly fascinated with, also performed the trick.

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Feast of the Seven Fishes crossword

Another brand new crossword for you to solve. Play it now! Would love to hear your thoughts below in the comments!

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Events

Interested in booking me for your next event? More info here on private parties, corporate speaking & performances and team-building puzzle hunts.

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Upcoming Shows

After a sold out run at The Kennedy Center, The Enigmatist next moves to Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier in May 2024. The Windy City, get ready for the puzzle party! More info here.

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Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards

Enigmas: Puzzle Hunt Playing Cards. Included within this unique deck are four very special puzzle cards. Solve them all to unlock an online Puzzle Hunt! Available here.

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Tropical Fish Answer

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