Beacon Society Publishes Senter Contest Winners  It’s always refreshing to be reminded that the world of Sherlock Holmes is populated by friends of all ages. The R. Joel Senter Essay Contest, administered by our friends at the Beacon Society, showcases student observations on the Great Detective, with essays written by young people in the fourth through twelfth grades. The 2022 winners have been announced, with their perceptive perspectives published for all of us to enjoy. You can read them here, and we recommend them highly.

 

Jerry Margolin's Art highlights Red Circle Meeting  From his home-cum-museum in Oregon, Sherlockian art collector Jerry Margolin headlined a fascinating Red Circle Zoom meeting on March 26. Jerry's collection of images numbers in the thousands, so it was only possible for him to show us a few of the gems among his holdings. But what a revelation--and not just the art itself. Jerry confided one of the secrets to his collecting success: "If you don't ask, you don't get!" He pointed out that the simple act of asking has led to warm and lasting friendships with a number of the artists represented on his walls. To amplify on the artistic theme, the Red Circle's quizzer-in-chief Dana Richards presented an "Art in the Canon" quiz that gave us a comprehensive tour of the art mentioned in Sherlockian adventures. All that and more is available on the video of the meeting. To watch it, just click the screen.  3/30/22 AR

 

  The March 26 Red Circle meeting with Jerry Margolin was fun for one and all. Carla Kaessinger Coupe's Meeting Notes are here.

 

Peter Blau receives inaugural Susan Rice Mentorship Award  At its gala luncheon reception in New York on January 15, the Baker Street Irregulars debuted a new award, to be presented annually to someone who has enriched and enlarged the world of the Great Detective by helping aspiring Sherlockians find their unique ways to keep green the Master’s memory. It is called “The Susan Rice Mentorship Award,” and our own Peter Blau was chosen as its first recipient.

 

Introducing the award, Curtis Armstrong, BSI, reflected on the standard set by the late Susan Rice as a teacher, friend and presiding genius to hundreds of Sherlockians, going back to the late sixties. “She not only knew how to unlock doors,” said Curtis, “she could break them down, if need be, and leave them open for everyone who came after her.”

 

Naming Peter Blau as the first recipient, Curtis noted that Peter’s welcoming qualities of openness, enthusiasm and generosity are equally inspiring. Whether resurrecting the dormant Red Circle, supporting the Baker Street Irregulars and its scions, or encouraging the upstart women of ASH to start up, Peter personifies the true meaning of “mentor.” Curtis concluded by quoting Bev Wolov: “Here’s the key to Peter: he collects more than books. He collects experiences. He collects memories. He collects friends.”  Congratulations, friend. And thank you.  Full text of Curtis Armstrong's remarks here  Photo: BSI Archive / Ben Vizoskie  1/21/22 AR

 

Our own "Best-read resident"  According to a new article in Bethesda Magazine, the Red Circle's Michael Dirda qualifies as Montgomery County's best-read resident. And the title probably does not exaggerate. After all, Mike has been writing book reviews for the Washington Post for 45 years. Mike has just returned from the Sherlock Holmes birthday weekend in New York, where he was spotted scouring the Merchant's Room for still more things to read. Mike tells Peter Blau that he finds it "cringe-making" to read about himself. He adds, "The photo shows the book-lined steps up into my book-packed attic. Alas, there are also books in the garage, the basement and on shelves in the living room and master bedroom. As the button on my desk says, "Life? Of course I have a life. It's a life filled with books." Read the article here. Photo: Louis Tinsley 1/18/22 AR

 

Red Circle Pins Available  The pin has been proudly worn all over the Sherlockian world, from Rockville to the Reichenbach, so Red Circle members (which includes everyone who's ever been to a meeting) will treasure having their own. The price is $14.95 each, which includes shipping anywhere. Send an email to Tom Fahres to order.

 

Scuttlebutt: One Fixed Point in a Changing Age  Our own Peter E. Blau's monthly Scuttlebutt from the Spermaceti Press has endured for some 50 years, and has a permanent home right here on our website. It's the most remarkable collection of Sherlockian news and notes anywhere, and your webmaster recommends a monthly visit. The very latest edition is available now, as are past numbers. It's just a click away--use the "Scuttlebutt" button at the top of the page.