MUSE-ings

In 1942, Vincent Starrett wrote: “How remote that age before the world went all awry…” Almost 60 years later, the world is once again “all awry.” However, perhaps Mycroft Holmes is still the British government and is working closely with Tony Blair. And perhaps a gaunt, somewhat elderly British gentleman has once again grown a beard and gone undercover -- this time residing in the caves of Afghanistan. After all, “only those things the heart believes are true.”

Certainly Muse contributors continued to play the game during the past twelve months, both before and after the horrific events of September 11th. Each year in this modest monograph, we (Muse co-editors Susan Diamond and Marilynne McKay) recognize and thank everyone who contributed to the past four issues.

As always, our thanks go first to Evelyn Herzog and the New York based production team. Evy manages the subscription list and our modest exchequer, coordinates the printing, and proofreads each issue -- a most important step, since the editors have learned the hard way that it is impossible to proofread our own work. Each quarter New York Adventuresses gather to label and stuff envelopes, ensuring that our subscribers receive each issue on time.

Adventuresses in the News

Four new Adventuresses joined our ranks during the past year. Their choices of investitures were most appropriate. Our new members are Catalina Hannan (A Basket of Coloured Silks), Dayna McCausland (Art in the Blood), Shirley Purves (The Ancient Cornish Language), and Jan Stauber (The Hotel du Louvre). Catalina, Shirley, and Jan are all familiar to Muse readers through their contributions, and Dayna is, of course, a well-known Canadian Sherlockian.

We’re all eagerly awaiting the spring publication of Paula Cohen’s first novel, Gramercy Park. And 2001 marked the appearance of Susan Rice’s superb tribute to Starrett: The Somnambulist and the Detective: Vincent Starrett and Sherlock Holmes.

ASH receiving honors during the past year included Susan Dahlinger (now a Master Bootmaker), Judith Freeman (the Hugo award for her many contributions to the Baskerville Bash), and Julie McKuras (BSI, The Duchess of Devonshire).

Stand with me here upon the terrace…”

Adventuresses mourned the loss of one very dear to us all -- Wayne Swift -- and extended our sympathy to our own Hatty Doran, Francine Swift. Wayne was a frequent Muse contributor, whose toasts at the Spring and Fall dinners were always memorable. A vintage Swiftian toast from the 1998 Watsonian dinner reminded Muse readers of Wayne’s wit.

The Dinners and their Toasts

Adventuresses do love to dine, and those dinners always yield some memorable toasts. The 2000 Fall Dinner was especially notable as we celebrated the birthday of our own Principal Unprincipled Adventuress and presented her with a hamper (well, trunk might be a more appropriate word) of Victorian goodies. Paula Perry provided Muse readers unable to attend with all the details.

That evening, American Canonical women were honored with Catalina Hannan’s toast to a principled Adventuress, Effie Munro, and Elyse Locurto’s tribute to Hatty Doran’s sense of duty. Lest anyone become bored with all this integrity, equal time was given to the “naughty ladies.” Francine Kitts concluded that Mary Holder was a Muggle under a spell, while Kate Karlson honored the avenging angel with a dirty face -- Kitty Winter. Fortunately, Evy’s mother was not in attendance as she might have been surprised to learn that her daughter is the granddaughter of Watson and Beryl Stapleton. Full credit for this revisionist history goes to Linda Anderson, who also provided the photographs that appeared in the Muse.

Watson certainly received his share of attention that evening as Dore Nash speculated about his duality and debunked his prowess as a ladies’ man, characterizing him instead as a “love-stricken naïf.” Needless to say, the evening would not have been complete without toasts to ACD (Sue Vizoskie) and the Master (Myrtle Robinson). Our thanks to all of the above for providing Muse readers with some most enjoyable reading.

The next major dining experience was the Baskerville Bash. Judith Freeman provided us with all the details, while Linda Anderson’s photographs of the Bash gave tantalizing glimpses of Shirley the Curly, Toby, Hugo the Hound, and Old Sherman.

Lest anyone feel faint from lack of sustenance, it was time for the Spring Dinner. Toasts from Mary Kate Brennan, Warren Randall, M.E. Rich, and Priscilla Ridgway entertained Muse readers. And there was Joe Fink’s talk about Moriarty’s tongue -- as with all Finkian scholarship, this paper defies description.

Toasts at non-ASH events also found their way into the Muse’s pages: Catalina Hannan’s tale of Irene Adler’s last stage appearance; Harold “Tyke” Niver’s assessment of Mrs. Hudson – yes, the Mrs. Hudson – as an adventuress; and Warren Randall’s verse honoring “the slim sibling of the massive Mycroft.”

At the Movies

Thanks go to Carl Heifetz whose idea of “casting the Canon” generated much amusing and innovative copy. Carl cast GREE as a vintage black-and-white film starring Bogart – or was it Rathbone? This motivated Julie McKuras, a film major, to provide a star-studded version of EMPT using a contemporary cast. And the irrepressible Don Izban gave us “STUD – the Musical” with Sir Alec Guinness in all roles except Holmes and Watson.

The Muse of Poetry

Our own poet laureate, Dorothy Belle Pollack, has been delighting Muse readers with her sparkling verse for 22 years. This year James Wilder and Oscar Meunier were the topics for her wit and whimsy.

While all Sherlockians are familiar with the original Aunt Clara, Ann Byerly Marlowe took the traditional tune and turned it into a tribute (of sorts) to Holmes and Watson. And the late William Schweickert took the same tune and used it to speculate on “just where in the hell Holmes answered when Nature did call.”

Art in the Blood, Off to the Races, and Something about Rats

Consulting cartoonist Stu Shiffman proved adept with a keyboard as well as a sketchpad in a memorable essay illustrated by his own drawings about why he loves Adventuresses. The feeling is reciprocated.

Kate Karlson speculated on the Master’s gambling habit and caused some of us to wonder whether her obviously extensive knowledge of the track meant that she shared Holmes and Watson’s fondness for placing a wager.

Was the giant rat of Sumatra a very large hairball instead of a ravenous rodent? That, at least, is Marilynne McKay’s theory. Marilynne’s photographs of Muse contributors and the past year’s Sherlockian events also added much to Volume 17 of The Muse. Hopefully, Muffy will not develop a Milvertonian personality and put her photographic talents to any other uses.

The Birthday Challenge 2002

Sandy Kozinn’s superb sonnet was the winning entry in last year’s Birthday challenge. Three-time winner Sue Vizoskie and new Muse subscriber Laurie Fraser Manifold were the runners-up.

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, the rules are simple. Each year we provide an essay topic in this special birthday edition of The Muse. Note that the contest is open only to Muse subscribers. Of course, you may subscribe at the same time you enter. By entering the contest, you give The Muse permission to publish your work. No entries will be returned, and Muse editorial staff and their families are not eligible.

This year’s assignment

Much has been said and written lately about “evil.” Evil, of course, abounds in the Canon: Moriarty, Moran, Milverton -- just to name a few Men. In 200 words or less, name the most evil Woman in the Canon and give your reasons for your choice.

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 book store 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