About the "Boston Cru"
What's this group all about?
We're an informal group of people in Massachusetts (and nearby) who love crossword puzzles. We meet up for crossword-focused events and socializing, and we sometimes discuss crossword topics by email.
What's a Cruciverbalist and who are the "Cru"?
A cruciverbalists is an avid crossword fan; it can also mean a person who makes (constructs) crossword puzzles. "Cru" is short for Cruciverbalists and was also the informal name of a onetime crossword discussion forum at the New York Times website, where many of us met for the first time.
Who's in the group?
We're a diverse, friendly bunch of avid solvers and crossword constructors. Many of us attend the annual American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, but puzzlers of all abilities are warmly welcomed at our events.
When and where do you meet?
We set up meetings a few times a year, in or around Boston. We try to make events accessible by both car and public transportation. Events range from more formal activites like a public lecture to informal get-togethers at a coffee shop. See our events page for information on recent and upcoming meetings.
How Do I Join?
We're an informal group, so we don't have membership dues, officers, or any of that. Just join the email list or our Facebook group, and you're in. (As of April 2009, our e-mail list has over 75 people and the Facebook group has 41). Who is responsible for this mayhem?
Boston Cru's founder and chief instigator is Eric Helmuth, a Boston-area crossword puzzle fan who saw the movie Wordplay in 2006 and thought that crossword people looked like they were a lot of fun to hang out with. He was right.