"There Is Nothing New Under the Sun" [STUD]

Evidently, Sherlock Holmes was onto something. Today's Wall Street Journal (that other journal) column "The Informed Reader" had a writeup of a feature in November's National Geographic: Remember This: Forgetting Can Be Beneficial (subscription may be required):

The brain's habit of remembering past traumas in vivid detail, while, say, losing track of where one put the car keys, actually serves people well. "If we remembered everything," writes journalist Joshua Foer, "we'd be drowning in irrelevant information."

In the short story "Funes the Memorious," Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges described how a character's inability to forget anything meant he couldn't prioritize the events of his life or make generalizations. "To think is to forget," wrote Mr. Borges. Science is backing him up. Harvard University psychologist Daniel Schacter tells National Geographic that forgetting is the price individuals pay for being able to interpret the world around them.

Does that ring a bell? It immediately reminded me of Holmes telling Watson (in A Study in Scarlet) that it was part if his responsibility to ignore facts that were irrelevant to his career, such as the fact that the Earth revolves around the Sun:

“You appear to be astonished,” he said, smiling at my expression of surprise. “Now that I do know it I shall do my best to forget it.”
“To forget it!”
“You see,” he explained, “I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skilful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
“But the Solar System!” I protested.
“What the deuce is it to me?” he interrupted impatiently: “you say that we go round the sun. If we went round the moon it would not make a pennyworth of difference to me or to my work.”

"The Very Man as a Witness" [WIST]

Today we have a report from the field - that is, one of our readers who went to an event and reported back on what happened. I suppose this is in the spirit of the Baker Street Irregulars, who were authorized by Sherlock Holmes to "go everywhere, see everything, overhear every one."

In this instance, it's a report on the unveiling of William Gillette's old locomotive at Gillette Castle on October 6. My friend and Sherlockian colleague Jeff Bradway was there and here's what he wrote:

The Restoration Celebration for Gillette's locomotive at Gillette Castle State Park on October 6 was a splendid event. The day was splendid, an unseasonable 84 degrees; with the breezes prevalent atop the hill, however, it was delightful. As best as I could estimate, about one hundred people were present to view the restored locomotive, view the Castle and grounds, and engage in liberal wine-tasting and hors-d'oeuvre sampling, all products provided by local wine shops, restaurants and inns. There was also a silent auction for some lovely items, donated by various individuals and groups, including David Letterman and Jay Leno. On hand were local newscasters and dignitaries, including state Attorney-General Richard Blumenthal. As night fell, the winners of the auction were announced, and the crowd waited, some patiently, some not, for the fireworks display over the Connecticut River, which was delayed about 3/4 of an hour, but which was well worth the wait.

The locomotive has been beautifully restored - all gleaming black enamel, with shining brass dials and glorious oak cow-catcher. It is currently on display in the center hall of the visitors center. Plans are to build a structure for it out on the grounds of the Castle, apparently with overhead type doors that can be lifted to reveal it to park visitors.

Watching fireworks from Gillette Castle? Sounds like quite an evening. I remember going to dinners at the Castle for the Men on the Tor. But since the Castle is a state park now, there are precious few opportunities to be there after dark. One of Jeff's photos is a shot of the Castle lit up in the darkness. Below is a badge featuring 10 shots from the event. The full set is available at Flickr.

www.flickr.com

"A Presentation, I See" [HOUN]

A few weeks ago I wrote about The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, a play that is being produced by Shakespeare & Company out in Lenox, Massachusetts. In conjunction with the month-long performance, this weekend, October 19 - 21 there will be a special celebration honoring having Sherlock Homes in our lives for 120 years.

You can check out the full details of the Weekend of Sherlockian Discovery, which feature speakers such as Sally Sugarman, Leslie Klinger, Peter Blau, Dick Riley (author of The Bedside, Bathtub & Armchair Companion to Sherlock Holmes), and me. Tickets are still available, and I seriously recommend this series of events. One plus - you can purchase tickets a la carte, so if you don't want to or can't attend everything, you can select those events that are of the most interest to you. The venues themselves look like a reason to attend:

• Gateways Inn
• Cranwell Resort & Spa
• The Lenox Library
• Ventfort Hall

Oh, and if you're wondering about my presentation, it's called Sherlock 2.0: Discovering the Great Detective in the 21st Century. In it, I'll explore how Sherlockians around the world have been connecting since the early part of the 20th century, how drastically it has changed in the last 15 years alone, and what it means for Sherlockians of future generations.

I hope to see you there.

Update: the press is starting to pick up on the events.

"One Theatre Party" [MISS]

Friend and fellow Irregular Paul Singleton ("Covent Garden") does his fair share of acting. With letters like SAG, AFTRA and AEA after his name, he's obviously serious about it. He even has a web site to prove it.

If you've ever been to the BSI Weekend festivities and attended the Gillette Luncheon, you will have seen Paul performing after the meal, usually with some combination of Andrew Joffee, Sarah Montague and Elyse Locurto. And occasionally I get notices from Paul about his theater appearances in New York.

Paul just sent an announcement about an evening of O. Henry and Sherlock Holmes:

The Blue Carbuncle with Sherlock Holmes & The Gift of the Magi
Adapted from stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle & O. Henry
By Andrew Joffe
Directed by Kathleen Brant
Musical Direction: Jeffrey Buchsbaum
With Paul Singleton as Sherlock Holmes
Dec. 6 - Dec. 22, Tues thru Sat.
At: The WorkShop Theater Company
312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY

I have no doubt that this will be an excellent show, as Andrew's works are always engaging and entertaining, and Paul's performances are thorough, accurate and believable. In preparation for the production, the company is holding an event:

A Fundraising Party For the upcoming production of The Blue Carbuncle & The Gift of the Magi
(Two great stories, rooted in the Holiday season, with music)

Suggested Donation $30 (cash or check at door; tax-deduction receipt is available)

At: Moran’s Chelsea
146 Tenth Avenue (at 19th St.)
Monday, October 22, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

There will be food: passed hors d’oeuvres of Sesame Chicken, Steak Kabob, Vegetable Quesadilla, Mini Crab Cakes / stationary hors d’oeuvres table of fresh fruit and cheese board, vegetable pasta, fried Calamari

And don't forget the music & entertainment: a scene from The Blue Carbuncle, design presentations

Raffle: Free tickets to the show and other prizes!
Rub elbows with the actors, designers & director!
Special visit from Sherlock Holmes!

Cash Bar; free soda/juice/coffee/tea

Sounds like a great opportunity to hob-nob with some glitterati of the Sherlockian stage.

"Whom Would you Recommend Then?" [HOUN]

The Beacon Society is a Sherlockian group that was founded some 5 years ago to support and recognize exemplary educational experiences that introduce young people to Sherlock Holmes. I have been fortunate to be involved with that group, which is comprised of some very dedicated and resourceful people. For example, you can find teaching tools, course curriculum examples, lesson plans and quizzes about Sherlock Holmes. Teachers should have a field day with this.

This is the time of year when we open nominations for the Beacon Award, which is our way of recognizing individuals who have done their part in bringing Sherlock Holmes to children. The benefits are obvious:
- they're doing their part in encouraging childhood literacy, which is critical today;
- they're helping to plant the seeds for the next generation of Sherlockians.

As such, we typically bestow the Beacon Award on one or more individual or group who sets themselves apart. The nominations process is open until October 31, so please act now - get your nominations in to the committee. The previous link will take you to the nominations page, which includes a nomination form.

Nominations Guidelines

1. One or more Award(s) for excellence in introducing young people to Holmes may be granted each year. An Award may go to a person or an organization. The person or organization may or may not be Sherlockian.
2. Anyone can make a nomination. The Awards Task Group has the right to reject a nomination that is frivolous, incomplete, or otherwise deemed inappropriate.
3. No one can nominate himself/herself.
4. Nominations for Awards open on October 1 and close on October 31. Early or late nominations will be not accepted and will be returned to the person making the nomination.
5. All Beacon Society members will be invited to join in the vote on final recipients. The list of nominees will only be distributed to Awards Task Group Members and other members of the Beacon Society who have responded to the invitation via email or some other way that they
6. want to vote.
7. The only restriction on voting is that a person cannot vote for himself/herself.
8. Ties in voting for the award will be brought up for at least one other vote limited to the tied nominees. After the second round of voting, the Committee can decide to give two awards if, at that point, the Committee chooses, or it can vote again.

Each Award consists of:

• A Certificate
• A 1 year BSJ subscription to a school/organization of the recipient's choice, and
• A short feature on the recipient in the BSJ and/or the Serpentine Muse.
• A cash award will only be given if the Beacon Society has the resources to do so.

The Beacon Award is typically announced and granted during the BSI Weekend in New York.

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"One Day in the Autumn" [REDH]

If you've never been to Autumn in Baker Street, you're really missing out. Commonly referred to as "The Great Sherlockian Sleepover," it is one of the best Sherlock Holmes events you can attend, in terms of the level of scholarship, entertainment, fun and intimate conversations.

And the man behind it all Bob Thomalen, BSI ("The Three Garridebs") has been the driving force for 25 years. He started AIBS from scratch, just because he wanted an opportunity to get like-minded people together to do something fun. Well, his instincts and his organizational abilities paid off, because people have been flocking there ever since.

In the latest episode of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere, you can hear Burt Wolder and me interview Bob about his experiences. He shares some wonderful memories of events and people, and he even has tips for those of you who might be thinking of starting your own society or event.

Head on over to the podcast page and take a listen. Even better, please consider subscribing for free and tell your friends, family and colleagues about it.

"She Is Swift" [NOBL]

One of the most difficult tasks I undertake with this blog is reporting on the deaths of fellow Sherlockians, and this one is no exception, as I knew her personally. Francine Morris Swift, BSI ("The Wigmore Street Post Office") has passed beyond the Reichenbach. She died this morning after a brief illness.

Those who knew Francine remember a woman who could be at times outgoing, at at other times quietly pensive. She was a true Sherlockian, being a long-time member of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes ("Hatty Doran") and having received her investiture in the Baker Street Irregulars in 1994. I don't know about any of her local involvements - perhaps those who lived near her could fill in the gaps.

What I do know is that she found her perfect mate when she met Wayne Swift, BSI ("The Giant Rat of Sumatra"). The two made up one of those rarities in Sherlockian circles: a couple comprised of two individuals who equally enjoy the Canon. Wayne wrote about a great many subjects that he and Francine enjoyed, including trains, music, P.G. Wodehouse and horse racing, to name a few. In fact, he authored the 2000 Baker Street Journal Christmas Annual: History of the Silver Blaze, in which he recounted the first 50 years of the horse race associated the BSI. While Wayne himself was the historian behind the Annual, he noted in his Acknowledgements:

"Overall, my wife, Francine Swift, the real Swift family authority on horses as animals, has been a central bulwark throughout the effort."

When Wayne passed away suddenly following the BSI Weekend in 2001, I remember how difficult it was for Francine. The following year, as I manned the table in the vendors' room, she came by the stacks of BSJ Christmas Annuals new & old and lovingly passed her fingers over Wayne's contribution. I could see the tears welling up in her eyes and her lip began to quiver before she quickly moved away. Clearly, Francine had lost the great love of her life.

Francine continued in her own right in the Sherlockian world, contributing to the Baker Street Journal from time to time, but in the end, it seemed as if her heart wasn't in it quite the same. I recently received a number of orders from her for the BSI's Manuscript Series and International Series, so I inferred that she was getting back into the game in full force.

It is my sincerest hope that she and Wayne are together again, eternally blissful and at peace.

If you have any personal memories of Francine, or if you can fill in any relevant details about her life, I invite you to share them in a comment below.

Photo credit: Dorothy Stix

"Quite a Little Parlour Game" [3STU]

Last month, I wrote about a PC computer game that had just been released in the U.S. called Sherlock Holmes: the Awakened. Well, the guys over at Frogwares evidently aren't resting on their laurels, as they've got something else up their sleeves.

First, let's recall that they've already had two other successful computer games related to Sherlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Mummy and The Silver Earring. And their latest creation, the aforementioned The Awakened, has been well received in the gaming world: IGN (I would imagine International Gamers' Network) has proclaimed in a recent review: "This is how adventure games should be made," giving the game an 8.1 out of 10. And Gamespot.com showed their praise by giving the game and 8.3 and lauding "An engaging story, logical puzzles, and nice visuals combine to make The Awakened a great adventure game."

So, I would imagine then, that the next game out will be equally as fun and exciting, as it has Holmes meeting up with Arsene Lupin. If you're not aware of Lupin, he is the gentleman thief created by Maurice LeBlanc, who himself was a contemporary of Conan Doyle. In fact, LeBlanc had the two characters meet in a story he wrote in 1906, but Conan Doyle, who was hot on the comeback trail with The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Return of Sherock Holmes series, objected and LeBlanc changed the detective's name to Herlock Sholmes.

The summary of Sherlock Holmes vs. Arsene Lupin, the game that pits the master detective and the genteel criminal, goes something like this:

It's the end of teh 19th century and an amazing battle of wits and wills
is going to take place between two great figures: Sherlock Holmes, armed
with his vast crime-fighting experience, and Arsène Lupin, the ultimate
criminal mind and gentleman thief. Lupin has announced that he plans
to rob the capital of five objects of immense value over the course of five
days. The objects are housed in highly prestigious locations such as the
National Gallery, the British Museum, the Tower of London and even
Buckingham Palace! Sherlock Holmes will have to muster all his courage
and ingenuity to save England from terrible humiliation.

If the copy doesn't move you, then perhaps the just-released trailer will:

Click on any of the above links for more information about this fascinating series.

"We Do All Our Correspondence with This Machine" [IDEN]

Darlene Cypser made this discovery and shared it with the Hounds-L list yesterday. I thought it was worth showing here. If Sherlock Holmes owned a computer, this is what it might look like.

If you'd like to see additional photos or read how it was done, please click on the image to be taken to the site. Here's a quick video of how it turned out, via Steampunk Workshop.