MUSE
BIRTHDAY EDITIONS:
1998, 1999,
2000, 2001,
2002, 2003,
2004,
2005,
2006,
2007 and
2008.
The Serpentine Muse
Birthday Edition 2001
A Review of Volume 16, 2000
“If you have a fancy to see your
name
in the next honours list…”
This
modest monograph is The Serpentine Muse’s equivalent to an honours list.
Each year, we (Muse co-editors Susan Diamond and Marilynne McKay)
recognize and thank everyone who helped make the last four issues possible.
While we realize that, like Holmes, our contributors play the game for the
game’s sake, not for recognition or honours, still it would be most ungracious
to ignore the efforts made.
First, our thanks go to Evelyn Herzog and the New York based production team. In
addition to managing the subscription list and the always important exchequer,
as well as coordinating the printing, Evy is now our proofreader par
excellence. She is ably supported in the production area by New York
Adventuresses who gather quarterly to label and stuff envelopes while imbibing
“something a little choice…in wines.”
During the past year, the list of Muse contributors, as well as
subscribers, continued to expand. Old friends reappeared in our pages with new
insights into matters Sherlockian, and talented new contributors joined their
ranks. In addition, we recorded another year of Adventuress history.
Once
again we stood “upon the terrace” and mourned Adventuresses who have crossed the
Reichenbach. 1999 ended sadly with the death of a very dear friend --
Dorothy Rowe
Shaw. Most appropriately, another Dorothy (Stix) shared with Muse readers
her recollections of their long friendship and Dorothy’s many contributions to
the Sherlockian world.
Then
on August 10, 2000, Adventuress Margaret B.T. Hoffman (The Hoffman Barcarolle)
died of leukemia. Margaret was a charter member of the Hansom Wheels in
Columbia, South Carolina.
On a
happier note, three new Adventuresses joined our ranks. Frequent Muse
contributors Jane Hinckley and Sandy Kozinn are now known as Flora Millar
and Esmeralda, respectively. And Julie McKuras of Minnesota became The
Compliments of the Season, in recognition of her shared enthusiasms—the
Canon and Christmas.
Other
honours came our way as well. In January, Jean Upton became a member of the BSI
with the investiture of Elsie Cubitt and S. E. Dahlinger received the
Morley-Montgomery Award for her BSJ article on William Gillette. Later in the
year, Marina Stajic was made an honorary member of La Societe Sherlock-Holmes de
France with the investiture Madame Fournaye and Margaret Smedegaard
received the Old Campaigner award at the Watsonians’ Regimental Dinner. Finally,
frequent Muse contributor Sue Vizoskie received the Three Garridebs’ Amick award
for the best scholarly paper presented at a meeting during the past year.
On
April Fools Day, 41 Adventuresses and friends came from points near and far to
attend the Spring Dinner. A highlight was the distribution of the new ASH
directory, once again ably compiled by Marilynne McKay with the assistance of
Sue Vizoskie and Evelyn Herzog.
Those
unable to attend were able to read some of the more memorable presentations in
the Muse. These included toasts by Pj Doyle, Marilynne McKay, and Jan Stauber,
as well as Joe Fink’s paper “The Turkey Feather Tickle.” Pj’s toast to Canonical
Fools took a few liberties with the gospel of Matthew, while Marilynne gave us
the Great Dermatologist’s insights on Godfrey Emsworth. Jan Stauber proved
Watson was the perfect “10” as a spouse. (Does this make Al an “11”?)
Joe’s
riff on Holmes, Houdini, Doyle, spiritualism, noses, and feathers was so
astonishing that even dinner attendees needed to revisit it in the Muse to grasp
all its complexities (or perhaps absurdities would be a better choice of words).
The paper was enhanced by Stu Shiffman’s delightful illustrations. We’re pleased
to report that Muse readers will see more of Stu’s art, as well as his prose, in
an upcoming issue.
Two
of the more memorable papers from the 1999 Spring Dinner also appeared in the
Muse this year. First came The ASH Constitution and Buy Laws -- a paper
presented by Bill Vande Water, who resolutely denied all responsibility for its
contents claiming he received the document anonymously. This claim brought to
mind Holmes’ remark in SUSS: “We must not let him think this agency is a home
for the weak-minded. Of course, it is his...” Linda Spessotti set the “science”
of numerology back some 2500 years as she linked Stonehenge, the Magna Carta,
the Musgrave Ritual, and the Five Orange Pips through the Tallahassee area code
and other equally plausible deductions.
Startling yet scholarly insights were not limited to Linda and Joe Fink. Sandy
Kozinn’s research proved clearly that Holmes is Jewish, while Susan Diamond
found a new site for Watson’s mysterious wound. Sandy also won first prize in
the annual Muse birthday competition. The assignment was to write an
uncharacteristic, corrupt, non-Watsonian, reprehensible opening to a Holmes
case, and Sandy’s entry was delightfully appalling, as were those of runners-up
Warren Randall and John Russo.
Readers were also kept up-to-date on events they may have missed. Linda
Spessotti chronicled the doings at Baskerville Bash 2000, while Sue Vizoskie
gave us a first person report on the unveiling of the Baker Street statue.
Our
Principal Unprincipled Adventuress, Evelyn Herzog, defended our honor in a
spirited exchange of correspondence with well-known mystery writer Susan Conant.
Ms. Conant is literary agent for Holly Winter. In one of her recent works, Ms.
Winter had referred to us as the “ladies’ auxiliary” of the BSI. Ms. Conant
apologized most graciously for Ms. Winter’s gaffe and assured Evelyn that
Adventuresses would appear in a more favorable light in the next Holly Winter
work. It should also be noted that while Ms. Winter was indeed confused about
Adventuresses, her writings have done much for animal welfare -- especially through
her exposure of “puppy mills” and other forms of animal abuse.
As
you can tell, the Muse editorial staff is partial to dogs -- four provide able
assistance in the preparation of each issue. So it was with great pleasure that
we received a paper from one of the most famous Canonical canines -- Toby. Thanks
go to Susan Cohen for sharing his recollections of his Master with us. Judith
Freeman made sure we did not forget the feline point of view as she argued that
a cat was indeed the perfect companion for the perfect detective.
The
Muse has always been noted for poetry, as well as prose. Dorothy Belle
Pollack continued to delight readers with her humorous verse. We also enjoyed
the last two parts of Joan Brieaddy’s superb “Holmesian Quartet,” Ben Vizoskie’s
“Sherlock, Sherlock, Burning Bright,” Jane Hinckley’s “Tri-Cycle” on Violet
Smith, and Al Gregory’s “Toast to the Goose.”
Both
Al and Jane appeared twice this past year. Al mused on Selden’s unsuitability,
while Jane introduced us to the other ASH -- Alternative Short-term
Home-care-giver, also known as the BSI -- Baby Sitting Industry, when she explained
why she could not be found at the Spring Dinner.
Finally, the water-stained oilskin packet from the Sherlockian cruise on the
Zenith continued to provide memorable reading. Irv Kamil gave us an adventure in
serendipitous research which undoubtedly inspired many readers to go on their
own similar adventures. Marilyn MacGregor punningly updated us on Violet Hunter,
while Philip Shreffler provided the latest “info” on another hunter -- Leon Sterndale. We understand that Philip is now resting comfortable in the same
institution that houses Joe Fink and Linda Spessotti.
A Challenge to Present and Future Readers
The
Birthday Challenge has become a Muse tradition. Admittedly the Muse
editors are not altogether altruistic in sponsoring these little contests. Our
goals are, of course, to generate copy and to encourage new subscribers. On the
other hand, those of you who are not already Muse subscribers will
benefit by receiving four informative and enjoyable issues for a mere
pittance--ten dollars, to be exact. As in the past, this contest is FOR
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY. Of course, you may subscribe at the same time you enter
the contest.
This
year’s competition is loosely based on an idea submitted by Sue Vizoskie. As was
the case with last year’s competition (a suggestion by Linda Spessotti), Sue is
eligible to enter the contest. Needless to say, the Muse editorial staff and
their families -- both two and four legged members -- are not eligible. Also by
entering the contest, you give The Muse permission to publish your work.
No entries will be returned.
This
year’s assignment is:
In SCAN, Holmes
says: “When a woman thinks that her house is on fire, her instinct is at once to
rush to the thing which she values most.” We would point out that this statement
is equally true for the male of the species. In 200 words or less, if 221B Baker
Street were on fire, what one item would Holmes and Mrs. Hudson each rush for
and why?
The
winning entry and runners up as appropriate will appear in The Muse. In
addition, the winner will receive a $30 gift certificate for the bookstore of
his or her choice.
The Serpentine Muse is copyrighted by
the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes, and written permission must be obtained for
reproduction of an article in another publication or website.
Contact the Webmaster at mmckayATL@comcast.net
