Melissa Anderson “Faith” has posted a significant comment on the Weekly Forum of September 30 concerning Doctor Watson and his military service. It is concise, well-stated, thoughtful and goes to the core of the Canon. Well worth reading. Thank you, “Faith.”
Treasure Hunt Honours
The Second Annual John H Watson World Invitational Canonical Treasure Hunt was held during the entire month of August, 2014. Individuals from the Society and non-members competed and, for the first time, Teams from France, Italy, and the US took part in the Treasure Hunt.
Team Category
The Team category High Honours this year went to Team SOB of Seattle’s Sound of the Baskervilles comprised of Melissa Anderson JHWS “Faith,” Margie Deck JHWS “Gwen,” Sheila Holtgrieve JHWS “Daisy,” and Ariana Maher JHWS “Carla.” This team were first in with 100% correct answers; in fact, they developed numerous additional answers to the questions which were equally correct to the original solutions. Team SOB has members Margie Deck and Sheila Holtgrieve who achieved High Honours in last year’s Treasure Hunt. Ariana Maher and Melissa Anderson added talents in both Canonical knowledge and research to this year’s competition. It is reported by the Team that they invested nearly 400 hours collectively in finding the solution to the Hunt. Well Done, Seattle Sound of the Baskervilles!
Team Uno Studio in Holmes from Italy achieved Honours and was comprised of Michelle Lopez, JHWS “Reggie,” Stefano Guerra, JHWS “Lucus,” Enrico Solito JHWS “Devon,” Alessandra Calanchi, JHWS “Bianca,” Roberto Vianello, Gabriele Mazzoni, and Ambrose Scott.
Team La Fayette of La Société Sherlock Holmes de France comprised of Alexis Barquin JHWS “Olivier,” and Thierry Saint-Joanis JHWS “Tristan” achieved Honours.
Individual Category
The Individual category High Honours went to Denny Dobry “JHWS “Kirby” of Reading, Pennsylvania who successfully repeated his 2013 High Honours. Denny also found numerous additional answers to the questions and reached the solution after many hours of tenacity and superb work. Well Done, “Kirby.”
Other participants gave it a great effort but were unable to complete the grueling 150 question romp through the Canon.
Congratulations to All
We congratulate all who were successful and all who participated. Both the Individual and Team High Honours will be presented with attractive commemorative awards.
The announcement of the 2015 Third Annual World Invitational Treasure Hunt has been posted on the Treasure Hunt page of the website. The Game is Afoot!
A Doctor Watson With a Twist, Please
Weekly Quiz 2014: 29
Results: Our Seattle SOB Team of Margie Deck “Gwen,” Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy,” Ariana Maher “Carla,” and Melissa Anderson “Faith” were the sole honor-takers this week. Congratulations! Answers are below.Seven days to the Treasure Hunt!
This week’s quiz is random but with a few twists. Please submit your solution to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by 4 pm 23 July 2014.
And, remember: The Treasure Hunt begins in 13 days!
The Summer Solstice Quiz!
Weekly Quiz 2014: 25
Results: You all got this quiz in one! Submissions were received within hours. Congratulations to Elinor Gray “Misty,” Beth Gallego “Selena,” Melissa Anderson “Faith,” and our team of Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen” for their successes. Must have been the Solstice! Answers are below.
In celebration of the Summer Solstice tomorrow, we have this week’s quiz to delight you. Illuminations and solutions may be sent to Arthur Uther Pendragon via the usual mail: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Come to think of it . . . I fail to recall the mention of the Summer Solstice–or any solstice–in the Canon. We have equinoctial gales, but no solstice. No Druids either.
“Can there be anything lovelier than a tree . . .?”
Weekly Quiz 2014: 24
Results: The review of submissions for this week’s quiz reveals very fine research being done by a number of our Members. This quiz was subtle: there is more than one answer depending on interpretations. Our Members found all of the standard solutions, but also found many more alternative solutions that are as correct as those found in the usual reference works on the Canon. This was pure textual research and all of it was first rate! For the first time, we see a spotlight on new analyses and scholarship concerning the Canonical flora. Congratulations to Beth Gallego “tbn,” Melissa Anderson “Faith,” and our team of Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen” for their superb research skills.Buttons has to believe that there is a wonderfully enlightening monograph somewhere in this quiz. Perhaps something like: “Sunlight and Shade: On the Various Canonical Trees and Bushes.” Maybe our intrepid researchers and Quiz Masters will collaborate!
The answers are below, albeit not the definitive answers.
We look at Trees in the Canon for this week’s quiz. Please submit your answers by 7 pm EDT Wednesday, 18 June 2014 to: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Enjoy!
Dr Watson’s Quotes Quiz
Results: This week we had successes by: Melissa Anderson “Faith;” Beth Gallego, Loyal Member; and Elinor Gray “Misty.” Our team success was submitted by the stalwarts: Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy.” Well done! Answers are below.
This week’s quiz is about quotes by Dr Watson. Please fill in the blanks and cite the book or story in which the quote is found. Please email submissions to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com by 7 pm ET, Wednesday, 11 June.
Early Today due to Guests Arriving
Weekly Quiz 2014: 22
RESULTS: Cheers to Melissa Anderson “Faith,” and our team members Airy Maher, Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen” on this week’s solution. All were perfect and several alternative answers were discovered. Answers below.
This week’s quiz is about Canonical small things: physically and philosophically. Good Luck!
Please submit solutions by 12 noon on Wednesday, 4 June 2014 to: buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Weekly Quiz 2014: 21
Results: Melissa Anderson “Faith,” Denny Dobry “Kirby,” Elinor Gray “Misty,” and our team of Margie Deck “Gwen,” Airy Maher LM, and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” all had perfect scores on this week’s quiz. Melissa was, once again, in first in a matter of hours after the quiz was posted. Congratulations Quiz Masters! Answers below.
This week’s quiz is about water. Please submit solutions by 7 pm Wednesday, 28 May 2014 to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com.
Diabolical Quiz This Week
RESULTS: We have some VERY talented Quiz Masters! Within hours, Melissa Anderson “Faith” submitted a perfect 30/30 and Elinor Gray “Misty” was in next with 27/30 for this most obscure quiz. Team honours go to Airy Maher, Loyal Member, Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” with a perfect 30/30. Well done! Answers below.
Here it is . . . the wicked one! Good Luck. Submissions by noon Wednesday please.
Weekly Quiz 2014 – 19
RESULTS: First in and 10/10 was Melissa Anderson “Faith” with Elinor Gray close and second in. Team honours continue with Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” with 10/10. Well Done! Answers below.
This week’s quiz is a Study in Absence of Colour
Please submit solutions to these questions by 7 pm Wednesday, 14 May 2014 to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
Weekly Quiz: 2014-18
RESULTS: You are all SO good at this! First in again was Melissa Anderson “Faith” from Peoria with 20/20 and a couple of alternative answers that expand the horizons. Perfection also from Denny Dobry “Kirby” and our Team members from Seattle, Margie Deck “Gwen,” Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy,” and Airy Maher, Loyal Member. Ever so close were Elinor Gray “Misty” and Michele Lopez “Reggie.”
Buttons is behind his time! Too many patients to see the Doctor. Sorry. Please submit solutions by 7pm Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
This week’s quiz is about dates. It’s a tough one! Good Luck!
Weekly Quiz 2014: 17
RESULTS: Melissa Anderson “Faith” was first in and 25/25. Elinor Hickey “Misty” was spot-on. Denny Dobry “Kirby” was very competitive again. Michele Lopez “Reggie” was also spot-on. The team honours, once again, go to Margie Deck “Gwen,” Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy,” and Airy Maher, Loyal Member, of Seattle’s SOBs. This was a difficult quiz and several of our “intrepid” Quiz Masters commented on the difficulty. You all did well. Answers are below.
What is the address? That is your quiz for this week. Fifteen difficult and challenging questions about Canonical addresses and their identification.
Please submit your solutions by 7 pm Eastern Wednesday, 30 April 2014 to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com.
Weekly Quiz 2014: 16
A quiz on Canonical tools. Please submit by 7 pm Eastern on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 to buttons@johnhwatsonsociety.com
RESULTS: Once again, you are good! Quiz solutions were all 10/10 and received in this order: Individuals: Melissa Anderson “Faith;” Denny Dobry “Kirby;” Elinor Gray “Misty;” and Michele Lopez “Reggie.” Team: Margie Deck “Gwen;” Shiela Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Airy Maher, Loyal Member.
Congratulations to all and especially for finding the many alternative answers that you uncovered. Great work! Answers are below.
Weekly Quiz 2014-7
This week’s quiz has to do with Canonical character inferences. Enjoy!
RESULTS: A high participation quiz! Five members with 7/7 and all receive the week’s honours:
Michele Lopez “Reggie;” Michael Ellis “Lobo;” Melissa Anderson “Faith;” Denny Dobry “Kirby;” and our Team: Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” and Margie Deck “Gwen.”
Congratulations! Well Done!
Answers below:
Weekly Quiz 2014-6
Everyone did so well on the palindromes last week, here is one more. Good Luck!
RESULTS: The honours go to Denny Dobry “Kirby” with 25 points; Melissa Anderson “Faith” with 25 points; Dean Trunbloom “Stoker;” and our Team SOBs Margie Deck “Gwen” and Sheila Holtgrieve “Daisy” with 25 points.
ANSWER: Sherlock Holmes and Nero Wolfe = e-o and o-e, a palindrome of vowels frontwards and backwards.
Welcome to Melissa Anderson JHWS, “Faith” to Charter Membership
The Society extends a very warm welcome to Melissa Anderson of Peoria, Illinois to Charter Membership.
A Sherlockian since age 13, Melissa is a former Instructor of English Literature and Writing Composition at Bradley, University. She has most recently written and produced a play featuring Sherlock Holmes and is completing a novel of Watson and Holmes titled The Mystery of That Woman.”
Melissa also has the distinction of being the winner of the 221B Cellars essay contest on the topic “Beeswing.” Her entry is an absolute gem of concision and insight packed into 400 words. She won the prize and her essay will be published in the forthcoming inaugural issue of The Watsonian in October. She has also received an offer from another scion group for its later publication.
When not writing about Dr Watson and Mr Holmes, Melissa is a Ministry Assistant at a Peoria church. She is a member of The Sherlock Holmes Society of London and The Hansoms of John Clayton.
Please welcome Melissa with our traditional warmth and Canonical greeting:
“You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive.”