Today’s Saturday Stumper

Today’s Newsday  Saturday Stumper, by David P. Williams, is a delightful puzzle — sometimes surprisingly straightforward (37-D, letters, “Shadow in the sky”), sometimes unexpectedly tricky (2-D, four letters, “Half the alphabet”). I started with 1-A, five letters, “Source for ‘kiwi’” and 3-D, four letters, “City that thanks London with an annual Christmas tree,” then dropped down to 57-A, ten letters, “Non-nutritive food for thought” and 55-D, four letters, “‘I wish to tune my quivering ____’: Byron.” And then jumped from place to place.

The one cross that had me baffled for a while: 12-D, four letters, “Big sports bet” and 16-A, four letters, “Moniker for those with no id.” Yow.

Some clue-and-answer pairs of note:

10-A, four letters, “Person who’s short and lacks credit.” Clever.

10-D, six letters, “Aww-ful assessment.” Knowing someone who hates the word helped me get it.

16-A, fifteen letters, “Misdirection metaphor.” Every day in these Untied States. (Not a typo.)

21-D, four letters, “Best Score Oscar nominee name for Gandhi.” I’ve never seen it, but I guessed (correctly).

24-D, four letters, “Drop a line.” My first thought was SEND. My second was FLUB.

30-D, five letters, “Seasonal concern?” ALLERGIES doesn’t fit.

35-D, four letters, “Tavern’s light reading.” Oof.

My favorite in this puzzle: 49-A, fifteen letters, “Person who grew up on the Oregon Trail.” A term I know from my kids, who find it hilarious.

No spoilers; the answers are in the comments.