A hearty congratulations to the newest investitured members of the Bakers Street Irregulars, including two of our current members:
- Michele Lopez (JHWS “Reggie”) – “Attenta, Pericolo”
- Monica Schmidt (JHWS “Margaux”) – “Julia Stoner”
BSI Honours 2019
New York, New York!
As you read this, I am on my way across the country to take part in the Birthday Weekend Festivities in New York City. I went last year, and had great fun meeting in person with Sherlockians from all over.
There may be a delay in responses to orders in the Shop while I am away from home.
If you’re also headed to New York, I hope to see you there!
Heading to New York
Next week, Sherlockians from across the country and around the world will gather in New York City to celebrate the Master’s birthday in grand style. Scheduled events include the BSI Annual Dinner, the Gaslight Gala, the Baker Street Babes Daintiest Scream on the Moor charity ball, a Distinguished Speaker Lecture presented by Martin Edwards, an informal brunch hosted by ASH, a vendor’s room, and more.
I’m very excited to be attending for the very first time. Will I see you there? Let me know in the comments! (If you’re following along from home, be sure to check our twitter feed during the Weekend!)
Congratulations to Six Members Receiving BSI Honours
The Society extends congratulations to six members on their investitures into the Baker Street Irregulars at this past weekend’s Annual Dinner in New York.
They are:
- Charles Blanksteen, JHWS “Patch”, BSI “Cavendish Square”
- Ross Davies, JHWS “Maximus”, BSI “The Temple”
- Bonnie MacBird, JHWS “Lady”, BSI “Art In the Blood”
- Charles Prepolec, JHWS “Jasper”, BSI “The Man with the Twisted Lip”
- Michael Quigley, JHWS “Roy”, BSI “A Large Brass Bound Safe”
- Christopher Zordan, JHWS “Flash”, BSI “Bunsen Burner”
All of the members of the Society join in extending our congratulations on this distinctive honour for all of you.
The Society also thanks the fine gentlemen at “I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere” – AKA Scott Monty, JHWS “Woolley” and BSI “Corporal Henry Wood”, and Burt Wolder, JHWS “Taylor” and BSI “Third Pillar from the Left” – for keeping us up to date on the goings-on via Twitter.
Robert Katz, MD, JHWS “Willow,” BSI “Dr Ainstree” to be the Society’s “Unofficial Ambassador” to the BSI Weekend
The Society is honoured to report that Robert Katz, MD, JHWS “Willow” has graciously volunteered to represent the Society as our “Unoffical Ambassador” (in true Holmesian and Watsonian “irregular unofficialness”) during the Baker Street Irregulars Annual Weekend in New York City. He will endeavor to inform BSI members and others of the worthy pursuits of The John H Watson Society and to encourage interest in our activities and collegiality.
Dr Katz is a renowned Sherlockian with a special interest in reaching out to young people with enthusiasm for the Canon. He has distributed copies of The Watsonian to young readers and encourages them to submit articles to our journal.
“Willow” has a highly distinguished Sherlockian and Watsonian history and will be a most able, qualified and enthusiastic Ambassador of our Society.
His biography follows:
“I have been a Sherlockian since my early teens, but John Watson has always seemed to be the focal point of my interests. I received my BA from Haverford College (alma mater of all three Morley brothers) and then received my MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. I trained and worked in a variety of places before settling in Morristown, NJ, in 1987, and recently retired after 35 years of practicing Pathology. In 1983, I received the Titular Investiture of “Dr. Ainstree” from The Baker Street Irregulars and in 1995 I received the Two-Shilling Award. I founded The Epilogues of Sherlock Holmes, in New Jersey, in 1990. I am also the current Headmastiff of The Sons of the Copper Beeches in Philadelphia. My ASH investiture is “Dr. Jackson”. In addition, I have served as both Commissionaire and Gasogene of The Six Napoleons of Baltimore and am a member of The Five Orange Pips. I am an active member of most of the scion societies in the New York area (including Mrs. Hudson’s Cliffdwellers and The Montague Street Lodgers).
I have had the pleasure and honor of speaking at many scion society meetings, the John Bennett Shaw workshop in Williamsburg, and at several of the Annual Dinners of The Baker Street Irregulars.
I have been published in The Baker Street Journal, The Baker Street Miscellanea, The Serpentine Muse, and various scion society publications. Most recently, I co-edited with Andrew Solberg (also a Charter Member of this group), the latest volume in the BSI Manuscript Series, entitled The Wrong Passage. Andy and I are currently working on another volume in this series.
Perhaps because of our mutual profession, perhaps because I admire his personality so much, Watson has always fascinated me. I am pleased and proud to be joining an organization devoted to his remarkable life and admirable works.”