Whyville Times readers!

Welcome to the Whyville Times Crossword Puzzle! To solve the puzzle, you'll need to read the Times -- you'll find most of the answers buried in the articles written by your fellow citizens. The more you read, the easier the puzzle will be.

Once you've filled in every Up and every Down, the "Submit" button should highlight on your screen. Hit submit and you're home free!

The first ten people to solve and submit the crossword will receive at least 100 clams. Everyone else who correctly answers the puzzle will get a 30 clam bonus!!!

Okay, enough talk... time to crossword!

#whytimes_xword( 272 13 17 "13|17|10|***.......******.***.*.******.***.*.****..........***.*.***.*.***.....****.****.*.**********.************.*********.**.*.*******.**.*.*******.*.............*.*.*******.**.*.*******.*..........*.****.************.*********|a1|1 He wrote the legendary 'A Christmas Carol.'|a4|4 A game where you can play an instrument virtually.|a5|5 The number of syllables in the second line of a haiku.|a8|8 Santa Claus's other name.|a9|9 The type of economy in the United States.|d1|1 What you spin for the new game on Christmas Lane.|d2|2 How many days you celebrate Hanukkah.|d3|3 A long-term disease you can get from not staying healthy on WhyEat.|d4|4 Where you can go to play Letter Squash.|d6|6 Giggler01 was Whyville's first.|d7|7 You can decorate one on Christmas Tree Lane." )