Here are the possible solutions for honoree of the puzzle and the starts of the theme answer words clue
Answer
Clue
Relevancy
mama
Clue
Honoree of the puzzle (and the starts of the theme answer words)
Definition
a child's name for mother, also MAMMA, MAMMIE, MAMMY
stpat
Clue
March 17 honoree, as well as this puzzle's honoree
earth
Clue
Today's honoree (and the focus of the recycling in each theme answer)
Definition
to cover with soil
info
Clue
Theme word inside this puzzle's theme words
Definition
(short for) information
baseballdiamond
Clue
It starts at a plate (and a hint to this puzzle's theme)
coffee
Clue
Starbucks energizer, and a hint to the starts of this puzzle's theme answers
Definition
a powder made from the seeds of a tree of the madder family; a drink made from this
musicalscale
Clue
Parts of it appear at both the starts and ends of this puzzle's eight theme phrases
four
Clue
Number of times this puzzle's theme word appears diagonally in the grid (to complete the puzzle, shade those words plus the Down answers that begin where they meet)
