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The Watsonian: Inaugural Issue Arrives

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The Watsonian is Here!
We are comfortable with saying the journal has arrived in our member’s mailboxes. If you have not received your issue, give it a few more days and then let Buttons know it has not been received.We are pleased that we have had no known glitches. Our printer, G&H Soho, in Elmwood Park, New Jersey has done a superb job of printing, binding and mailing and has our thanks for working with us on this first issue to get everything right. And, the Society was well within its production and postage budget for the first journal. Visit their website:  http://www.ghsoho.com .

The Society hopes you enjoy the journal and all of the excellent articles it contains from our very talented members. We have already received many kind comments from members and, if you have good things to say, or wish to comment in a constructive manner, please contact our Editor and Publisher, Dr Joanne Yates, via email at publisher@johnhwatsonsociety.com and let her know of your enjoyment, or leave a Comment here. If you wish your letter to be published in Letters to the Editor of the next journal, please indicate at the top of your email or letter: “For Letters to the Editor.” Joanne put hundreds of hours into this issue and has given us all the great benefit of her gigantic talents as an editor and a designer.

The next issue is 15 April 2014 and the deadline for articles, papers, and miscellanea is 15 February 2014. We encourage all of our members to submit selections for the journal. We will all be richer for your talents and interests. One does not have to be an experienced, published writer to submit. Some of our finest articles are from first-time writers. After all, we all share our love of Dr Watson, Sherlock Holmes and the Sacred Canon. That is the only requirement for interesting writing. Give it a try. You may just open and discover a whole new world within yourself.

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BUTTONS CREATES CHAOS!  BLOG PAGE CHANGED!

Confusion reigns!  Buttons went and changed the Blog Page to be called Watsonian News and Events . . . and then he moved it!

The old Blog Page is now the Home Page and is renamed Watsonian News and Events.  Same old Blog just a new name and location.  When you arrive at the Society website, you automatically are on the News and Events Page (old Blog) and you can click and comment on anything you wish just like before.

Clearly, Buttons had one too many pints and made this change without thinking. He is sorry for the confusion, but believes this will be easier for all to see the constantly changing news and events of the Society.  He is, however, grateful that members noticed!

Sherlock Hallows

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Welcome to Stanley Wyllie, JHWS “Hunter” to Charter Membership

We welcome a new member: Mr Stanley Wyllie, JWS “Hunter” from Riverside, Ohio near Dayton. We suspect he is a member of the Agra Treasurers, but will await receipt of his Sherlockian biography for additional information. We look forward to Stanley’s contributions and invite him to participate in the Society’s activities.

Please welcome Stanley with our traditional greeting to new members: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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Results: Weekly Quiz #6

The fun has produced Weekly Quiz Masters! The Answers are posted below.

Taking the Individual Member Category this week is our intrepid Quiz Master James O’Leary “Pippin”, who once again was first in with 20/20 correct answers plus the 5 bonus points for a total of 25 points. Denny Dobry “Kirby” was in with 19/20, and our new member from Italy, Michele Lopez “Reggie” and Dean Turnbloom “Stoker” tied with 18/20, and Elinor Hickey “Misty” was next.

The Team Member Category once again was captured by Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy”, who maintain their Team honours for the sixth week in a row.

Congratulations to all these Quiz Masters on what was a more difficult quiz than it first appeared.  On to Week #7!

Download Week 6 Questions and Answers

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A Warm Welcome to Alice and Donald Schueler as Charter Members

The Society welcomes long-time Napa Valley Napoleons of SH members Alice and Donald Schueler, “Goldie” and “Ascoyne” respectively, as Charter Members of the Society. The Schuelers live in Napa, California where they have been professional numismatists and philatelists for many years.

Please join in welcoming them with the Society’s greeting: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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Welcome to Walter Colby, JHWS “Sammy”

Mr Walter Colby has become our 106th Charter Member and the Society extends a warm welcome to Walter who resides in Northampton, Massachusetts.  Walter writes:”My recent Sherlockian life began in 2007 when Tom Brydges introduced me to his scion society The Sherlock Holmes Club of the Upper Valley in Hanover NH.  I subsequently also joined the Baker Street Breakfast Club of Bennington VT for which I’m now acting as webmaster.  I also contribute articles to our newsletter, Groans, Cries, and Bleatings, and have a regular column, Sherlock Holmes Online, in which I write about websites of interest.

I attended with great pleasure the June 2010 Bennington conference Sherlock Holmes: The Man and His Worlds. While visiting Montreal in 2011 I was made very welcome by members of The Bimetallic Question. The 2013 Baker Street Irregulars & Friends Weekend in New York City was my first and I plan to appear again in 2014.  I have been an appreciative guest at several events of The Speckled Band. Very recently I journeyed to Connecticut and attended a dinner meeting of The Men of the Tor, whom I promptly joined.

I enjoy the writings about the writings, researching aspects of life in the time of Holmes, touring Holmesian sites in London, investigating obscure references in the canon, starting my day with Hounds-L, finding pastiches as well executed as the Solar Pons stories of August Derleth, and all the social aspects of being a Sherlockian.”

Please extend our traditional greeting to Mr Colby: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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We Welcome Marcy Mahle, JHWS “Nelle” to Charter Membership

The Society is pleased to welcome Marcy Mahle, JHWS “Nelle” to membership. Ms Mahle lives in Centerville, Ohio.

Marcy writes:

“For many years, I have been a member of the Agra Treasurers, a Dayton Sherlock Holmes group. I have served the group in many different ways. My first introduction to Holmes was as a wee little child. I am now teaching my dear little six pack (very tiny grandchildren) all about Holmes.

All members of my family, on my mother’s side, live in North Wales, Great Britain and yes I have been there many times to visit. On each visit, it is a must that I spend time in London. When not reading, I love to make cloth dolls and their clothing. I have a very large library of books on Holmes and first edition mysteries. I look forward to learning many new things about both Holmes and Watson.”

Please extend a warm welcome to Marcy with our Society greeting:  “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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Welcome to Ryan Mathews, JHWS “Kaiser”

The Society welcomes Ryan Mathews, JHWS “Kaiser,” of Royal Oak, Michigan to Charter Membership. Mr Mathews’s biography will be posted when received.

Please extend a warm welcome to Ryan: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
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Welcome to Gary Thaden, JHWS “Basil,” President, Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota

Mr Gary Thaden, JHWS “Basil,” of Minneaopolis is warmly welcomed by the Society as our 103 Charter Member. Gary is the President of the Norwegian Explorers of Minnesota and a members of The Hounds of the Baskerville (sic) and the Friends of the Sherlock Holmes Collections of the University of Minnesota.

Please join in welcoming Gary with the Society’s traditional greeting:  “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
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This Will Be Fun!  Weekly Quiz #6

You have never seen one like this before! You will love this one!  A Numeric Quiz!  Yes . . . Maths!  We need as many members- and non-members – as possible to try this because it is fun!

Please submit your answers and solution by Wednesday, October 30, 2013 by 4 pm Pacific time.  Buttons is betting two rounds of meat pies and pints on this one stumping you!

Weekly Quiz  #6

This week’s quiz is on Canonical Numbers. Determine the number or numbers that are indicated by the textual clues. Each question is answered with a number. When you have answered all of the questions with their respective numeric answers, total all of the numbers and proceed to the final division and Solution. There will be a 5 point bonus for providing all of the accurate page citations from the Doubleday one-volume edition of The Complete Sherlock Holmes, 1930.

Questions:

  1. The enumeration in his mind for Anatomy.
  2. Number of years of the unit.
  3. The final three numerals.
  4. St Luke’s scout’s tenure in rooms.
  5. Beaten.
  6. Number of inclusive years Holmes was a very busy man.
  7. White sea’s distance away.
  8. Number of lads who had supper in the kitchen.
  9. Number of free citizens.
  10. Numeric address of machinery assessors.
  11. English governess’s age thereabouts.
  12. Convert to numbers the time Holmes will be pleased to dine.
  13. The object of the idiot’s love had been at boarding school ‘x’ years.
  14. Amount of the maiden aunt’s capital.
  15. At what hour on Monday was the office closed?
  16. Page number of account in the big ledger.
  17. Number of figures in only child’s marriage inter-vivos.
  18. Shade of the elm.
  19. Whistle ‘x’ minutes before the descent.
  20. Number of the day of the month of the intrusive vicar.

Total of all Numbers:  _____

Divide the Total by 28.66: _____

Final Number Answer: _____

Note:  The Final Answer Number is your “Check” answer. If it is Canonically logical, you have correctly provided accurate numbers for all 20 questions.  If it is not logical, you have one or more answers incorrect.  This is Way Cool!

file_download.pngDownload Week 6 Questions

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Welcome to Walter Knoop, JHWS “Spot”

The Society joins in a warm welcome to Mr Walter Knoop, JHWS “Spot” who joins from his home in Jeffersonville, Indiana. We shall provide additional biographical information when it is received.

Please join in welcoming Walter with the Society’s welcome: “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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The Society Welcomes Our First Member from Italy: Signor Michele Lopez, JHWS “Reggie,” SHSL and President Uno Studio in Holmes

We are delighted to welcome our first Charter Member from Italy, Michele Lopez , JHWS “Reggie,” SHSL. He is the President of Uno Studio in Holmes, the Scion society of the BSI in Italy.

Michele writes:

“I am the current president of Uno Studio in Holmes (Italy), Scion Society to the  BSI, and also a member of the SHSL. Our society has always devoted great  attention to Dr. Watson; actually, our logo depicts both Holmes and Watson, as equally important for every serious devotee of the Canon. So I heartily approve of the idea of a John H. Watson Society.”

We look forward to Michele’s participation and his contributions to the Society and hope additional friends of Dr Watson will be attracted from Italy.  After all, it is the home of the good Doctor’s and Mr Holmes’s favourite cuisine.

Please extend a warm welcome to Michele with the Society’s welcome to new members:  “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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Weekly Quiz #5 Quiz Masters

The honours for Weekly Quiz #5 go to: (answers posted below)

Member Individual Category:  The first to submit with 20/20 correct answers plus 5 bonus points for textual citations is James O’Leary “Pippin”, who claims the honours this week.  He was followed by Denny Dobry “Kirby”, Dean Turnbloom “Stoker”, and Elinor Hickey “Misty”, who all came within two questions.

Member Team Category: Again (for the fifth week) our intrepid team of members from Seattle, Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” took the team honours with 20/20, also plus the 5 bonus points.

Congratulations to these Quiz Masters and Quizzees who continue to be difficult to stump.  They will go forward to the Monthly Quiz #2.

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Welcome to Charter Member John Foster, JHWS “Barney”

Mr John Foster joins the Society as our 100th member. John is from St Charles, Missouri. He writes:

“I started reading Holmes while working as a canoe guide in Maine. We had no electrical power, so entertainment was in the form of reading (by firelight and gas lamp I might add). I read Holmes to celebrate my English heritage and got hooked. 1977. Of course I know of Rathbone’s Holmes, but it took the book to really get me going.

I became a charter member of the St Charles Mo based Harpooners of the Sea Unicorn in 1989. Then in, conjunction, started Scrimshanders of the Sea Unicorn to fill even more of my Sherlockian need. Scrimshanders were first started as a way to discuss Holmes outside of what the Harpooners were doing and as a way for the officer to plan Harpooner meetings and events.. It is now a stand alone group starting this month. My Sherlockian blog is Sherlock Holmes Society of St  Charles , again to fill a need the Harpooners no longer provide and to have fun with the world created by Doyle.

I edited the Harpooner newsletter, The Whaling News, as well as acting as president (Blue Whale) on and off over the years. and organized most special events for the Harpooners. Created and organized the first two Sherlockian conventions to happen in the St Louis area, The Games Afloat. Both held on an old river boat.

I have done about 33 papers for presentations at the Harpooners meetings and have worked with our local PBS station to host Jeremy Brett in the early 90’s when he was on tour to St Louis. (What a pleasure that was to meet him). Starting spring of 2014, I will be teaching a course on ‘Playing the Game; a Study of Sherlock Holmes’  at our local community college.”

Please welcome “Barney” to membership:  “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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Welcome to Ron Zeiler, JHWS “Rocky”

We are delighted to welcome to Charter Membership Ron Zeiler of Boulder, Colorado.  Ron is a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and we extend a warm welcome to the John H Watson Society.

Please join in our new member welcome:  “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”
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Welcome to Carol Cavaluzzi, JHWS “Brooke”

The Society welcomes Carol Cavaluzzi “Brooke” to Charter Membership. Carol lives in Jamestown, New York. We have not received her biography and more information will be posted upon receipt.

Please welcome Carol to the Society with our member greeting:

“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”

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A Quick Visual Quiz

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Can you identify where this house that Arthur Conan Doyle occupied is located? The brass plaque commemorates his period in residence.And, if you can identify the location, can you shed any light on when and for what purpose Sir Arthur was in residence in this house?

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International Sherlock Holmes Exhibition

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Doctor Watson’s Desk

 

Doctor Watson’s Desk at the Exhibition

Pictured is Doctor Watson’s desk from the International Sherlock Holmes Exhibition at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry provided courtesy of JHWS member Jon Lellenberg, “Towser.”The exhibit which opened 10 October 2013 is a significant event in the Sherlockian/Watsonian world. It will be touring the country appearing at museums for extended periods. For full information, please take a few minutes and look through the Exhibition website:  http://sherlockholmesexhibition.com/If you have an opportunity now or in the future to see the exhibition in your area, we would recommend that you do so as it is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, especially for youth and enthusiasts new to The Game.

The International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes brings this world to life as never before as you step into Conan Doyle’s Victorian London and work side-by-side with his legendary detective.  You will become Holmes’ eyes and ears as he tackles a baffling new case in a world steeped in innovation and experimentation. Along the way you’ll see a dazzling array of original manuscripts, publications, period artifacts, film and television props and costumes.  You’ll learn to use investigative tools and techniques from Holmes himself, and test yourself with exciting, interactive crime-solving opportunities.

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Watson’s Biography by Molly Carr “Brenda”

1624930.jpgIn Search of Doctor Watson

Molly Carr, JHWS

Available from Amazon and MX Publishing   $13Fully revised and updated 2nd edition of this detailed biography of Doctor Watson. In her third book author Molly Carr has, for the moment, abandoned the Watson-Fanshaw Detective Agency in favour of discovering as much as possible about Doctor Watson. Radically different in style from her first two books, the investigation will nevertheless be of interest to students of military history, railways both Indian and British and of course all fans of Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes is a household name. But where would he be without his Biographer? Beavering away in Baker Street, unknown to everyone except Scotland Yard and a few luckless criminals. It is time to put the loyal and much put upon man, Dr. John H. Watson M.D., centre stage.