Finally, in this puzzle from May 27, every Across answer in this puzzle is thematic. It took the most time to make of any Mini this year, because of all of the constraints on the Down answers. But after a couple days of fruitless effort, I happened upon this configuration, much to my delight. — Joel Fagliano

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27D. I thought that the [Stick by a fireplace] might be a poker, but my crossings told me I was wrong. (Yes, my puzzle talks to me — what of it?) In this puzzle, the stick is a MATCH.