Always 1895

Fall 2012 Sherlockian Scion Events (East Coast-centric)

Now that Summer is winding down and Autumn will soon be upon us, it’s time to begin mapping out what scion events I’ll be attending. Since I call NYC home the majority of events on my list will be on the East Coast, i.e. events occurring within approximately 5 hours or less of NYC by train or bus. Where to begin…

Hopefully many of you are familiar with that extremely valuable and indispensable resource the Sherlockian Calendar - maintained by Ron Fish (webmaster) along with Sue Vizoskie (BSI, “Mrs Saunders”) and Ben Vizoskie (BSI, “Alexander H. Garrideb”), all three of whom are prominent members of The Three Garridebs of Westchester County NY, along with various other scions. Armed with just the Sherlockian Calendar, one can easily schedule one’s Sherlockian social calendar. If anyone is interested, here are some Fall 2012 scion events I’ll be attending:

ASH Wednesdays: A mainstay of my Sherlockian life is attending the monthly ASH Wednesdays, which occur on the first Wednesday of every month. I’ve written about ASH events previously (ASH February 2011, ASH September 2011), but each one is unique in it’s own way since you never know who will be in attendance and what turns the conversation will take. “ASH” of course stands for the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, a righteous and delightful group of malcontents one could ever hope to meet. 

[Click for more information on the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, ASH Wednesdays and their journal The Serpentine Muse.]

ASH Fall Luncheon (October 20, 2012): Where as ASH Wednesdays are extremely laid back, casual affairs, the ASH Luncheons (two a year) are relatively formal affairs but with that particular flair unique to ASH: the toasts are sincere yet amusing, the presentations are erudite and thought provoking, but the cherry on top is the rip-roaring singalongs. 

Priory Scholars of NY Luncheon (October 21, 2012): In the interest of full disclosure, I am one of the PSNYC ‘faculty’ (along w/ Headmistress Judith Freeman,Nick Martorelli and the rest of The PSNYC Faculty) and also helped to re-boot this scion which was founded by Chris Steinbrunner way back in 1954. Our focus tends toward obscure canonical toasts as well as intense participatory discussion of the Canon and a quiz that is not for the faint-of-heart. The inaugural ‘re-boot’ was last June and by all accounts a resounding success. I’m looking forward to helping the Priory Scholars grow, both with the help of returning original members as well as new Sherlock enthusiasts. 

Sons of the Copper Beeches Dinner (October 26, 2012): One of the oldest scions around (founded in 1948), the Sons of the Copper Beeches are based in Philadelphia and are also one of the only all-male groups still active. I attended my first Sons dinner last Spring at the storied Racquet Club of Philadelphia (founded in 1889) and it was one of the best Sherlockian evenings of my life. Without giving too much away, I can say the Sons do a fine job balancing tradition and modernity without too much strife. Talks are given by some of the most venerable Sherlockians in the Western Hemisphere and various other vices are explored with decorum and enthusiasm. 

Montague Street Lodgers of Brooklyn (November 3, 2012): Master of ceremonies Peter Crupe - a clubbable man if there ever was one - leads this dedicated group of Sherlockians who have been in existence since 1985. Celebrating when Holmes: “first came up to London I had rooms in Montague Street, just round the corner from the British Museum, and there I waited, filling in my too abundant leisure time by studying all those branches of science which might make me more efficient.” Along with good conversation and moderately challenging quizzes, Mr Crupe excels at acquiring guest speakers who help fill in our abundant leisure time with edification and amusement. 

Mrs. Hudson’s Cliffdwellers of NJ (November 4, 2012): I have yet to attend a meeting of Mrs Hudson’s Cliffdwellers but from everything I’ve heard they are very eclectic and very musical affairs. Founded in 1976, their mission statement proclaimed them to be “dedicated to fun, silliness, and the odd bit of inspired lunacy. The present directors have stayed true to this vision” - and take a look at their History for a full account of the group’s founding and general program. I’m really looking forward to this one.

[One of the many pins released by Mrs. H’s Cliffdwellers.]

The Three Garridebs of Westchester County (November 17, 2012): Conveniently located directly off the Hudson Line of Metro-North, I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than with hosts Sue & Ben Vizoskie and the intellectually rowdy crowd inevitably drawn to an event that is packed with good conversation, a group quiz (which is more fun than punishing), Sherlockian show-and-tell (I can’t wait to show off my first edition Casebook and an original bootleg copy of Sign of Four), presentations (both formal and in-the-works) and plenty of snacks and caffeine to keep you energized. 

The Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes (December 1, 2012): While it’s true that no two Sherlockian scion groups are the same, I’d be willing to unlock my cheque book from the storied desk drawer and wager that you won’t find a more novel and refreshing approach to a large scion event than that administered (and catered!) by Peter McIntyre with the one and only Dr Bob Katz leading the discussion of not one but two canonical stories all within the confines of a Quaker Meeting House. Intrigued? Then you’ll want to pay The Epilogues a visit this December. 

The Three Garridebs - Blue Carbuncle Luncheon (December 30, 2012): Along with their ‘regular’ (more like…irregular! *sigh*) meetings and yearly formal awards dinner, the 3Gs also host an annual Blue Carbuncle Luncheon to commemorate that historic occasion when the unfortunate loss of a seedy felt hat and grey headed goose led to the recovery of everyone’s favorite yet sinister “forty-grain weight of crystallized charcoal”. Also this meeting seems like the perfect place to wish “the season’s greetings” to your fellow Sherlockians.

[Badge of The 3G’s!]

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Lastly, on September 22, 2012 The Three Garridebs (again with the 3G’s!) will be hosting, in lieu of their usual Victorian Picnic and in celebration of their 40th year as an active scion, a Sherlockian Film Festival at their usual meeting place, the Hastings-On-Hudson Library. Keep an eye on the Breaking News section of their website for further details and program information.

I hate to miss this one, but one of my oldest and dearest friends from Chicago (no, not Abe Slaney) is walking down the aisle to nuptial bliss with his boyfriend, and though it might not be ‘legal’ in the backwards state of Illinois, it’s going to be a fantastic time - rumor has it they even have a Doctor Who cake!