MARSHALL: Crossword, Cryptoquote: Beginning Monday, they're ba-ack!

We heard you -- loud and clear.

Many of you loved the old crossword puzzle and the Cryptoquote, which we removed in favor of a new crossword and puzzles from a vendor that didn't offer the old features.

Phones rang, emails flew and tempers flared.

What had we done? Why had we removed your favorite feature? Why had we disturbed your morning routine?

"Fix it," you told us.

If I had ever wished for more time to talk with readers, that wish has been more than fulfilled.

"I don't have time to do anything else. I don't even have time to read a book," one reader told me, complaining that the new crossword puzzle took all her spare time to complete.

Others complained that they and their neighbors weren't quite up to the challenge of the new puzzle, which apparently has driven some enthusiasts to distraction.

"We don't know anything about Russian novelists," one caller huffed.

As for the Cryptoquote: My word! Who knew there was such a fan club?

As I said, we heard you.

Beginning Monday, the old crossword and the Cryptoquote return. They will appear in the Classified section Monday through Saturday.

For those who called or emailed to say you liked the new crossword precisely because it was more demanding, it and the other new puzzles will remain on the main puzzles page. The Page One index will guide you to both crossword puzzles. (The page number next to crosswords will also get you to the Cryptoquote).

We can't always unring the bell or turn back the clock, but in this case, we dropped puzzles favored by some of our most dedicated and loyal readers. We appreciate your loyalty and your business and hope our decision to reverse course is but a small token of that appreciation.

And just for good measure, we offer a bonus Cryptoquote to the right. Enjoy!

Sherrie Marshall is The Telegraph's executive editor. She can be reached at (478) 744-4340 or via email at smarshall@macon.com. Also follow her on Twitter@shemarsh.

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 7:44 PM with the headline "MARSHALL: Crossword, Cryptoquote: Beginning Monday, they're ba-ack! ."