Wonderful World of Words

Packet of Puzzles
When you register at the front desk, pick up your packet of word puzzles and contests created by Will Shortz and Greg Pliska. There will be a submission box across from the Front Desk in the lobby. Prize winners will be announced on Sunday morning.

The Grammar Table at Mohonk 

During the weekend, Ellen will be at her Grammar Table answering grammar questions and shooting the linguabreeze with visitors. Come say hi!

The Complaint Box at the Grammar Table

Ellen Jovin has traveled to all 50 US states with her traveling pop-up grammar advice stand, called the Grammar Table. She has, as a result, heard many complaints about grammar, word choice, pronunciation, and more. These complaints have arrived not only via her real-life visitors but also through email, social media, text messages, and the U.S. Postal Service! What do people care about most, what gets their grammar goat, and above all, are they right? For the grammatically intrepid, there will be quiz questions.

Scramble Scrabble

Gloria and Larry Rosenthal, the founders of Words weekend, invented Scramble Scrabble as an exclusive, annual event for this special weekend. Seven-member teams scramble to form words using giant tiles. Prizes will be awarded to the members of the team with the highest cumulative score after all three rounds!

How What You Know About People and the World Helps You Understand Language with Nicole Holliday

What do you “know” when you “know” a language? Most of us focus on elements such as word meanings, grammar, and pronunciation, but our ability to interpret language relies on much more than that! Our knowledge of the world informs our ability to interpret meaning, especially in interactions with other people. In this talk, we will discuss the concept of “sociolinguistic competence” or how speakers and listeners utilize everything they know about the world to both understand others and to be understood themselves.

Into the ̶W̶o̶o̶d̶s̶ WORDS – A Puzzle Hunt by Eric Berlin

Puzzlemaker and author Eric Berlin has created an original suite of puzzles designed for team solving. Come with your own team of four or join a team when you arrive. Be amazed!

Game Night

Come gather in the Parlor for an evening of games with old friends, or make new ones. Play one of the brand-new games curated by David Feldman—winner gets to keep the game!—or enjoy a classic from past Words weekends. We have a stock of games available, and Words regulars are encouraged to bring their favorite board and party games as well.

Live Music with Wind & Stone

Enjoy the intimate setting of our Carriage Lounge with a cocktail and smooth sound from one of Mohonk’s favorite duos, Wind & Stone.

Puzzle Packets Due!

All puzzle packet items for all groups must be turned to the submission box across from the Front Desk in the lobby in by 12am tonight.

Juliana Pache, creator of Black Crossword

Explore the fascinating world of words with dual meanings that hold significance in AAVE and Black culture. Delve into the heart of centering Blackness in this medium, as we uncover the connections weaving through diverse Black diasporic cultures. It’s a unique celebration of cultural interplay that you won’t want to miss.

Awards

Greg Pliska and Will Shortz lead the awards program, revealing solutions to the packet puzzles, reading the wittiest entries in the creative competition, and naming the winners of all the weekend games. Triumphant winners will choose prizes from a wide array of puzzle books from St. Martin’s Press and assorted word games. Leave room in your suitcase!