Birthday Weekend 2007

Sherlock Holmes Birthday Weekend 2007

Our report will focus on events involving Adventuresses as the rest of the weekend is covered in other publications. Over fifty Adventuresses and friends gathered at O’Casey’s on Wednesday night for what was probably the largest ASH Wednesday ever.

From this rousing start, we moved on to the Gillette luncheon on Friday with over one hundred and fifty Sherlockians in attendance. As always, Susan Rice and Mickey Fromkin did a superb job of organizing and conducting the event. One of the high points was the presentation of the Jan WHIMSEY Award to Regina Stinson for the most whimsical piece published in Volume 22 (2006) of the Muse. The annual award—a handsome certificate designed by Laurie Fraser Manifold and Marilynne McKay and a check for $221.17—was presented by Al Gregory in memory of his wife, Adventuress Jan Stauber. Adventuresses Elyse Locurto and Sarah Montague assumed prominent roles in the program—a humorous depiction of the telephone’s place in the Canon.

Elaine Coppola reported on the first Gaslight Gala, which has replaced the Baskerville Bash.

Congratulations go to ASH Dayna McCausland, who received her shilling as Lady Clara St. Simon at the BSI dinner. And it was the night of the Susans as Sue Vizoskie gave the toast to the Master, while Susan Diamond and Susan Rice were members of the two opposing teams for a version of Sherlockian Jeopardy. It was a closely-fought battle, but Susan Rice’s team emerged victorious. Marina Stajic provided comic relief as the scorekeeper, and Peter Blau was one of the judges. Peter was also honored with a newly created “editor’s award,” and Teddie Niver carried her tray high as one of the singers in the clever “Waiters” musical skit.

At the BSI cocktail party, ASH Mary Ann Bradley introduced The Women. Then Betsy Rosenblatt and her father Al gave the traditional poem detailing the events of the weekend. Susan Rice and her team members received a trophy for winning the BSI Challenge the night before. ASH B.J. Rahn won the raffle, while Francine Kitts had the winning auction bid for six Sherlockian pillows, and Muse editor Marilynne McKay had the winning bid for the Silver Blaze pillow which she then presented to co-editor Susan Diamond.

The weekend concluded Sunday with forty-six Sherlockians from seven countries (Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.S.) in attendance at the Sunday brunch hosted by Judith Freeman.