The Open and Inclusive Worldwide Online Sherlockian Society (Really, We're about Having Fun)
We look forward to Michael’s participation and contributions to the Society’s activities and journal. Please extend welcome with our new member greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Stephen writes:
“I’ve always associated my love of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson with family. As a youth in the 1980’s, I was introduced to Sherlock Holmes through the Ian Richardson Holmes portrayals in movies of that era. This started me on my Sherlockian path. One of the fondest memories of my entire life was my Dad calling around to local bookstores to find me a volume of Sherlock Holmes for my very own. Receiving some good advice from a bookseller, he put in a special order and purchased me a copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes.
Years later, I now have the opportunity to pass along my fascination with Holmes and Watson to my children. Several years ago, I had the pleasure of introducing my eldest daughter, Hannah, to the canon. More recently, I have happily exposed her to the new Sherlockian renaissance through the BBC Sherlock series. Seeing elements of the original canon stories re-interpreted to current times has hooked her on that series and, more importantly, on those original stories themselves. I’m proud that she wishes to be part of this worthwhile Society and will be joining with me as a charter member.
I am a member of An Irish Secret Society at Buffalo and the Hounds of the Internet (The Nonconformist Clergyman). I also enjoy taking part in Sherlockian social media including Twitter and the Sherlock Holmes community on Google+.”
Please welcome Stephen with the Society’s traditional greeting, now extended to 114 Founding and Charter Members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
“I live in Silver Creek, New York, and attend Silver Creek High School. I was first introduced to Sherlock Holmes when my dad suggested I read the stories a few years ago. He also recently introduced me to BBC’s Sherlock. I am very interested in Watson’s relationship with Holmes, as Holmes is so secluded, yet allows Watson into his life fairly quickly. I feel that being a member of this society will help me to further discover what is so special about their relationship.”
We extend to Hannah a warm welcome and invite her to participate in the Society activities and to consider articles for the journal, The Watsonian. We also would like to encourage Hannah to consider creating a Consulting Room branch of the Society at her high school. The Society will help her with that and offer support to that endeavor if desired.
Please extend a warm welcome with our greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Until then, please welcome Flora with our greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Weekly Quiz #8
Monthly Quiz #2
8 November 2013 to 13 November 2013
RESULTS: Congratulations to our members who successfully participated in the weekly and monthly quiz: Denny Dobry “Kirby” scored 22/25 to take the Weekly Quiz Master Member Individual honours, followed by James O’Leary “Pippin” and Michele Lopez “Reggie”.
Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” retained the Member Team Category for the week with 25/25, as well as the Monthly Team Quiz Masters. They are invincible!
The Monthly Quiz Master goes to James O’Leary “Pippin” with 80/100 points. He was followed closely by Michele Lopez “Reggie” of Italy who is working without the benefit of most of the Sherlockian scholarship and reference books.
The answers are posted below.
The Weekly Quiz #8 is also our Monthly Quiz #2. The theme is Scholarship Easily Researched. One of the hallmarks of some Sherlockians and Watsonians is their knowledge of the scholarship of the past 80 years. The sources for the questions this week are from publications found in most enthusiasts’ libraries.
Each question (there are only five) is answered in a book of scholarship that is widely known or readily available. Identify the original scholarly writer, the book where the reference appears, the object where called for, and the story referenced. Each accurate answer is worth 5 points.
Questions:
The Society welcomes Ashley Mayo, JHWS “Argos,” and Sherlock Holmes Society of London where he is on the Council of SHSL. Ashley lives in Winchester, Hampshire, England.
Last year Ashley played Dr Watson on the SHSL’s pilgrimage to Switzerland and he became quite fond of the good Doctor.
Please welcome Ashley with our new member greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
I am a member of: The Norwegian Explorers; The Red-Throated League; and The Consorts of the Kings of Scandinavia. Founding Member and “Stage Manager” of The St. John’s Wood Accomplices. Online member of WelcomeHolmes and HOUNDS of the Internet (“Maud Bellamy”). Owner and Editor of 221T Press; editor and co-translator of the first Klingon edition of “The Adventure of the Blue
Carbuncle.” Co-creator of the Loving Cup Teas© line of Sherlockian teas. First recipient of the Norwegian Explorers’ Sigerson Award for Poetry. Actor, lyricist, tea-lover, staunch Watsonian.
Please join in welcoming Karen with our new member greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Weekly Quiz #7
1 November to 6 November 2013
RESULTS: Elinor Hickey “Misty” was second in with 16/20; Dean Turnbloom “Stoker” was third in and tied with 16/20; and James O’Leary “Pippin” was first in with 15/20. They go forward to the Monthly Quiz on 8 November 2013.
Watson used colour sparingly in his writing with only a few exceptions. Compared to imagist writers, however, he was not a “colourful” writer. “Colour in the Canon” would make a superb research paper for The Watsonian (any takers?).
This week’s quiz is concerned with those few colours. Identify the object being described by the colour and an associated word or two in the text, the story, and all the accurate page citations (5 point bonus) in the Doubleday one-volume edition of 1930 (the “W” edition).
Colour – – – – Object/Person – – – – Story – – – – Page
The Society hopes you enjoy the journal and all of the excellent articles it contains from our very talented members. We have already received many kind comments from members and, if you have good things to say, or wish to comment in a constructive manner, please contact our Editor and Publisher, Dr Joanne Yates, via email at publisher@johnhwatsonsociety.com and let her know of your enjoyment, or leave a Comment here. If you wish your letter to be published in Letters to the Editor of the next journal, please indicate at the top of your email or letter: “For Letters to the Editor.” Joanne put hundreds of hours into this issue and has given us all the great benefit of her gigantic talents as an editor and a designer.
The next issue is 15 April 2014 and the deadline for articles, papers, and miscellanea is 15 February 2014. We encourage all of our members to submit selections for the journal. We will all be richer for your talents and interests. One does not have to be an experienced, published writer to submit. Some of our finest articles are from first-time writers. After all, we all share our love of Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes and the Sacred Canon. That is the only requirement for interesting writing. Give it a try. You may just open and discover a whole new world within yourself.
The old Blog Page is now the Home Page and is renamed Watsonian News and Events. Same old Blog just a new name and location. When you arrive at the Society website, you automatically are on the News and Events Page (old Blog) and you can click and comment on anything you wish just like before.
Clearly, Buttons had one too many pints and made this change without thinking. He is sorry for the confusion, but believes this will be easier for all to see the constantly changing news and events of the Society. He is, however, grateful that members noticed!
Sherlock Hallows
Please welcome Stanley with our traditional greeting to new members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
The fun has produced Weekly Quiz Masters! The Answers are posted below.
Taking the Individual Member Category this week is our intrepid Quiz Master James O’Leary “Pippin”, who once again was first in with 20/20 correct answers plus the 5 bonus points for a total of 25 points. Denny Dobry “Kirby” was in with 19/20, and our new member from Italy, Michele Lopez “Reggie” and Dean Turnbloom “Stoker” tied with 18/20, and Elinor Hickey “Misty” was next.
The Team Member Category once again was captured by Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy”, who maintain their Team honours for the sixth week in a row.
Congratulations to all these Quiz Masters on what was a more difficult quiz than it first appeared. On to Week #7!
Please join in welcoming them with the Society’s greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
I attended with great pleasure the June 2010 Bennington conference Sherlock Holmes: The Man and His Worlds. While visiting Montreal in 2011 I was made very welcome by members of The Bimetallic Question. The 2013 Baker Street Irregulars & Friends Weekend in New York City was my first and I plan to appear again in 2014. I have been an appreciative guest at several events of The Speckled Band. Very recently I journeyed to Connecticut and attended a dinner meeting of The Men of the Tor, whom I promptly joined.
I enjoy the writings about the writings, researching aspects of life in the time of Holmes, touring Holmesian sites in London, investigating obscure references in the canon, starting my day with Hounds-L, finding pastiches as well executed as the Solar Pons stories of August Derleth, and all the social aspects of being a Sherlockian.”
Please extend our traditional greeting to Mr Colby: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
Marcy writes:
“For many years, I have been a member of the Agra Treasurers, a Dayton Sherlock Holmes group. I have served the group in many different ways. My first introduction to Holmes was as a wee little child. I am now teaching my dear little six pack (very tiny grandchildren) all about Holmes.
All members of my family, on my mother’s side, live in North Wales, Great Britain and yes I have been there many times to visit. On each visit, it is a must that I spend time in London. When not reading, I love to make cloth dolls and their clothing. I have a very large library of books on Holmes and first edition mysteries. I look forward to learning many new things about both Holmes and Watson.”
Please extend a warm welcome to Marcy with our Society greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
You have never seen one like this before! You will love this one! A Numeric Quiz! Yes . . . Maths! We need as many members- and non-members – as possible to try this because it is fun!
Please submit your answers and solution by Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by 4 pm Pacific time. Buttons is betting two rounds of meat pies and pints on this one stumping you!
Weekly Quiz #6
This week’s quiz is on Canonical Numbers. Determine the number or numbers that are indicated by the textual clues. Each question is answered with a number. When you have answered all of the questions with their respective numeric answers, total all of the numbers and proceed to the final division and Solution. There will be a 5 point bonus for providing all of the accurate page citations from the Doubleday one-volume edition of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, 1930.
Questions:
Total of all Numbers: _____
Divide the Total by 28.66: _____
Final Number Answer: _____
Note: The Final Answer Number is your “Check” answer. If it is Canonically logical, you have correctly provided accurate numbers for all 20 questions. If it is not logical, you have one or more answers incorrect. This is Way Cool!
Please join in welcoming Walter with the Society’s welcome: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
