tin dispatch-box with my name, John H. Watson, M.D., Late Indian Army, painted upon the lid. ..."
- The Problem of Thor Bridge, March 1922
of Ellicott City, Maryland
A scion society of The Baker Street Irregulars - Founded 1988
Omnibus rebus impossibilibus remotis, quidquid relictum sit, quamvis improbabile, debet esse veritas.
SEPTEMBER 2009 MEETING
7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, 2009
at HoulihanŐs (click for map)
8240 Gateway Overlook Drive, Columbia/Elkridge, MD (Across from Best Buy & Lowes off Route 175)
The Adventure du Jour: The Veiled Lodger
Newsletter & Calendar | Map | Weather
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WTB founder Paul Churchill on 13 Sept 2008 at Reading, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Laura Klotz)
PAUL G. CHURCHILL, B.S.I. ~ 31 July 1945 - 7 Nov. 2008
Paul Churchill, a co-founder of Watson's Tin Box, teacher, father, veteran and friend, has passed "beyond the Reichenbach."
A memorial service was held Nov. 15, 2008, at Burrier-Queen Funeral Home
~ Paul's Baltimore Sun obituary | Paul as a U.S. veteran in Mark Churchill's Blog | Tribute at The Baker Street Blog ~
Our assembly of Sherlockian friends meets monthly
to promote literacy ... knowledge ... fellowship ... and grand fun!
| Are you new to Watson's Tin Box? Perhaps you enjoy detective stories ... appreciate the Victorian era ... share a love of the realm of Sherlock Holmes and his adventures ... or perhaps just want to know more about them. If so, we invite you to join us!  * Who we are: People of many ages, from many walks of life - students, hobbyists, professionals, collectors and much more. Our group - founded in 1988 by the late Paul Churchill, B.S.I., the late Steve Clarkson, B.S.I., and Rod McCaslin - today includes Sherlockian newcomers as well as members of the "parent" Sherlockian organization, The Baker Street Irregulars of New York City. Click on the image at left to view our official scion certificate. Some of our writings have appeared in major Sherlockian publications, including The Baker Street Journal. Each of us enjoys learning and talking about the world of Sherlock Holmes, the writings of John H. Watson, M.D., and - by extension - those of a man well known in his own right, Watson's literary agent, the late Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.Our goals:To gather at least monthly for friendship, conviviality and the promotion of Sherlockian literature - and literacy in general.  * Where and when we meet: Recently, we've gathered at 7 p.m. on the final Monday of each month, although there are exceptions when holidays conflict. Past meetings have found us at China Chef's, Rocky Run Tap & Grill and Bertucci's Brick Oven Ristorante, all in Columbia, and The Luna C in Clarksville, MD. On a Sunday in mid-January, we meet to observe Holmes's birthday, eat a potluck brunch and take a challenging quiz. Other gatherings occur for special events. Important: The Gasogene must know beforehand if you intend to come, as seating must be arranged. * What happens at meetings: The Gasogene [the president] usually conducts some business, but our gatherings are informal and laid-back. There's no need to "dress up" and there are no "dues." After a round of toasts, we eat dinner ... chat over our meal ... share Sherlockian news ... listen to a member give a talk ... take a quiz devised by the Tantalus [quizmaster] focusing on the "Adventure du Jour" (there are prizes!) ... then pool our resources to cover the check (roughly $23 per person). Meetings typically last about two hours, but some members often linger a bit, sharing the joy of their mutual interest. Participate as much - or as little - as you wish!
* Student essay contest: Congratulations to Emily Espey, Allison Cable and Jonathan Schonfeld, the winners of the first, second and third prizes, respectively, in Watson's Tin Box's 2008 essay contest! See a report in our newsletter. This joint project with local schools intends to foster literacy among young people. The contest for 2009 is already under way! Seventh-graders who participate will read The Adventure of The Speckled Band and write an analytical essay. Download the poster and the program notice. Watson's Tin Box also enthusiastically supports the educational work of The Beacon Society.
During the annual Baker Street Irregulars Weekend in New York City in January 2008, Watson's Tin Box received the annual award of The Beacon Society for its literacy projects - the first B.S.I. scion society to do so. Click on the image above for a better view. * "An Evening with Sherlock Holmes": These programs at Howard County Library are offered about twice a year in connection with the essay contest. * "The Mycroft": On a Sunday in mid-January, we meet for a celebratory potluck honoring Sherlock Holmes's birthday - 6 January 1854 - and a challenging quiz in honor of Sherlock's elder, smarter brother Mycroft - who probably would enjoy the sumptuous meal, too. The quiz winner receives the WTB traveling plaque for "Canonical Omniscience." * Annual dinner and auction: The Master himself, Sherlock Holmes, joins us for a special formal dinner gathering late in the year. The auction focuses on Sherlockian memorabilia that members may wish to pass on to others, with half the proceeds supporting the WTB. The 2008 event was held in October, and we had a wonderful turnout! We fully expect the 2009 dinner to be even better! Click to learn more! * "A Saturday with Sherlock Holmes": On a Saturday each November, Watson's Tin Box joins with other regional Sherlockian societies to host a public presentation at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. The day begins with morning coffee in The Edgar Allan Poe Room, and extends into the afternoon with talks and entertainments. What's really wonderful is - it's free! See the 2005 program. |
"Great heavens, Holmes! This month's meeting of Watson's Tin Box is tonight! Grab your deerstalker, my good fellow, and I'll call a hansom. We must be off!" UPCOMING EVENTS ~ Monday, 21 Sept.: Regular meeting, Houlihan's: The Veiled Lodger Remember! Let the Gasogene know beforehand if you intend to come, as seating must be arranged. If you wish to be placed on the WTB's e-mail list to be notified of meetings, contact this year's leaders, who jointly bear the title of Gasogene: Joel and Karen Ballard.  A look at Watson's Tin Box ... - in the 'Sherlockian Who's Who' - at Google Our Sherlockian Web neighbors The Denizens of The Bar of Gold in Cambridge, MD The Society of the Naval Treaty in Annapolis, MD The White Rose Irregulars in Reading, PA Mycroft's League in Philadelphia
Past & present Gasogenes 1990: Kem White, I 1991: Paul Churchill, B.S.I. [co-founder], II 1992: Bruce Eberle, III 1993: Steve Clarkson, B.S.I. [co-founder], IV 1994: Diane Knoth, V 1995: John Wenstrup, VI 1996: Lana Santos, VII 1997: Andrew Solberg, B.S.I., VIII 1998: Deborah Clark, IX 1999: David Hatch, X 2000: Jacquelynn Morris, XI 2001: Beth Austin, XII 2002: Ralph Adams, XIII 2003: John Baesch, B.S.I., XIV 2004: S. Brent Morris, XV 2005: John C. Sherwood, XVI 2006: Fred Campbell, XVII 2007: Andrew Solberg, B.S.I., XVIII 2008: Jacquelynn Morris, XIX 2009: Joel and Karen Ballard, XX Past & present Tantali 1988-93: Steve Clarkson, B.S.I. [Torquemada], I 1993-99: Paul Churchill, B.S.I. [Archivist], II 1999-2006: David Hatch, III 2007-present: Beth Austin, IV
The best Web sites about Sherlock Holmes External links open up a new browser window. We do not necessarily endorse external links' content. * WTB's Web-link bibliography! The Sherlockian Calendar
Webmeister: J.C. Sherwood Webrunners: P. Churchill, D. Clark, D. Hatch, S.B. Morris, A. Solberg * Original contents copyright 2005-2009 Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City, Md. * Updated 11 May 2009 |
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at "Dinner with Sherlock Holmes" 31 March 2007,
at East Columbia Library. (Photo by Bruce Eberle)
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