Bill Sawisch and Sally Behary

“We were precipitated into the midst of a series of events which caused the utmost excitement.” (DEVI) That pretty much summed up our feelings as we entered New York’s Manhattan Club on Friday January 10, to celebrate the 7^th annual Baskerville Bash. “Sally, for fifteen years I’ve been an active Sherlockian and I’ve never set foot in New York, let alone attend the Baskerville Bash. Well, let’s see what I’ve been missing,” Bill whispered with excitement.

Upon entering, we were welcomed by seasoned Bashers as if we had attended for the last seven years. At the registration table we received a packet of goodies beyond Sherlockian belief that included an intricate Chinese coin key chain, colorful investigative tools with which to hunt for hounds or butterflies, chocolate playing cards, and an artistic Baskerville Bash pin commemorating this year’s event. After receiving our welcome packets, downing more than a few cocktails from the bar, and consuming more than our share of hors d’oeuvre, we were summoned to the banquet room for the festivities to begin.

A stage stood front and center in the large room surrounded by dining tables where more than 80 sprightly, spirited, (or under the influence of spirits) Bashers gathered. Three, two, one…and the show began. At a Canonical News Network (CNN, of course) anchor desk sat the famous Hortense Harker (aka: Marilyn Klatt) and Jaime Stanger (aka: Catalina Hannan) reporting the late-breaking news. These included: reports of Crocodile Hunter Jonathan Small (Jay Pearlman); Howard Cosell’s (Andrew Joffe, BSI) Canonical Sports Review “I Don’t Get No Respect!” with Hugo the Hound (Drew Thomas) and Inspector Lestrade (Peter McIntyre); and the Fogged-in Weatherman (Peter McIntyre).

Next on the Baskerville Bash agenda were “Some Untraditional Toasts.” All faithful Sherlockians can understand the respectful salute to the deceitful, the devious, the dishonest and the downright despicable denizens of the Canon without whom Sherlock Holmes might have ended up as just another drug addict. Don Hobbs toasted Isadora Klein, Laurie Manifold toasted Josiah Amberley, Linda Anderson toasted Sarah Cushing, and Roland Nicolas, Chairman, Société Sherlock Holmes de France, toasted Dr. Grimesby Roylott.

The biggest conundrum of the evening as displayed on each table’s milk carton centerpiece was “Have you seen the Missing Sherlettes?” It’s said these Sherlettes sound like angels but swear like sailors. We heard a rumor floating around that the Sherlettes may have been kidnapped by Allan Devitt and were being held in a Chicago suburb. As Chicagoans, we thought the better story might be “The Case of the Missing Allan Devitt.”

Besides the question of where the missing Sherlettes were, the only other mystery of the evening was deciding which tables would get to the bountiful buffet first as Moriarty seemed to have stolen the table numbers. After a fill of carved turkey, ham, beef and an endless array of side dishes and salads, we sat back to enjoy more entertainment. Thank heavens for the duck who came down to give us directions to the bar.

The highlight of the evening was the Baskerville Buskers’ presentation of “You Bet Your Life”. The famous host Groucho Marx (played by Jay Pearlman) and hostess Georgette Fenneman (played by Trish Pearlman) were better than the real thing. As Chicagoans, we thought the actor, Ron Hosek, who played the missing Allan Devitt, was also better than the real thing. The contestants of “You Bet Your Life” were The King of Bohemia (played by Andrew Joffe) and Mrs. Eugenia Ronder (played by Elyse Locurto). Dedicated Sherlockians will not be surprised to hear that the King of Bohemia outwitted the flamboyant Groucho by deducing the secret word: “Canon.”

Thank heavens for the “low calorie” dessert table of delectable delights—as if by this time we didn’t feel as stuffed as Mycroft Holmes. There was also a birthday cake for Maribeau Briggs’ husband John Shrawder. The meal from appetizers to dessert was fabulous!

“Colonel” Billy Fields conducted the auction, and Marilyn Klatt conducted the Hugo raffle. All proceeds of both were donated to the Dr. John H. Watson Fund. The first item in the auction was a print of Baker Street from an original painting by Chuck Kovacic, one of a limited, signed edition of 50. The high bidders were Bill and Lynda Conway. The next item was an embroidered pillow celebrating the charming Irene Adler. Catalina Hannan created and donated this delicate piece of art. The pillow gleaned an impressive $160 from Dore Nash. The final item of the auction, “The Tantalus”, as mentioned in BLAC, was a beautifully handcrafted frame made from rich cherry wood that included a key, hardwood stoppers and three glass decanters. The ping pong bidding was finally won by Jim Cox with a clever bid of $221.00. All were smart enough to let that bid stand. Finally, the raffle of a colorful Baskerville Bash 2003 Sweatshirt, donated by Cynthia Wein, was won by Trish Pearlman.

Nearing 10:30 p.m., we sadly realized that our evening was coming to an end. For a brief moment, Bill’s “… eyes full of grief and shame and a dreadful questioning…” (HOUN) turned to Sally. “When we arrived I was anxious to see what I had been missing for these past seven years. I know I can’t bring those years back but I can assure you—we’ll never miss another one.” Bill smiled—YOU BET YOUR LIFE!