According to current puzzle editor Will Shortz, this was the first of over 150 puzzles from her the NYTimes would subsequently print.
In 1993, Maleska was succeeded by Will Shortz, who remains New York Times crossword editor to this day.
In addition to her books Hovanec is involved in the grown-up puzzle world, mainly through her connection to Will Shortz.
However, Will Shortz, a crossword compiler for the New York Times, discovered that Garns's name appeared in the list of contributors at the front of the magazine whenever Number Place appeared, and was absent from all other editions.
Will Shortz called it an "amazing" feat, and said it's his favorite puzzle.
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He is well known for having designed Will Shortz's favorite puzzle, the 1996 "Election Day" crossword in The New York Times.
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He is best known for designing many crossword puzzles for The New York Times, starting in the 1970s for Margaret Farrar, and then continuing to design new puzzles after the department was taken over by Will Shortz.
Puzzle professional Will Shortz (whose "nom", WILLz, is a play on his name - Will+"short Z") is a long-standing member and officer of the NPL, currently serving as its historian (since 1992).
The name has become a word for "neighbor whose house is on fire," and Will Shortz, editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle, has stated that it's his favorite word in the English language.
The 2006 documentary Wordplay, directed by Patrick Creadon, focuses on Will Shortz and the 2005 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.