Monday, June 11, 2007

Summer Meeting Notice

“It may be that you are not yourself luminous, but you are a conductor of light.”
— Sherlock Holmes to Dr. Watson, “The Hound of the Baskervilles”

You are cordially invited to the Summer 2007 meeting of the Amateur Mendicant Society of Detroit at which Dr. David Mohan will attempt to shed light on a little-known scandal of Baskerville Hall.

Sunday, July 22, 2007
Fox & Hounds, 39560 Woodward Ave., Bloomfield Hills
(just south of Long Lake Road)
Restaurant phone: (248) 644-4800
Libations at 12:30 p.m.; buffet lunch at 1 p.m.

For the main course, Dr. David Mohan will dissect the most famous and most popular Holmes’ story penned by Dr. Watson, examining the clues of another chilling mystery arising from the tale (tail?) of the Giant Hound. Called “Three Knights Upon the Moor: The Secret of Baskerville Hall Revealed,” this presentation is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Also, the afternoon’s brief Canonical discussion concerns the case of tea broker Bob Ferguson, who was alarmed at the behavior of his wife – and with good reason – in “The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire.”

All in all, this meeting of the Mendicants is sure to bring a welcome chill to the summer’s sultry swelter.

For the Mendicant meal & merriment, send a check for $25 per person by Monday, July 16 to:

Edward F. Stein, A.M.S.

The buffet lunch will include the house specialty: Chef-carved prime rib, broiled salmon filet, soup or salad and potatoes. Rolls, dessert, coffee/tea are included. There will also be a cash bar.

Respectfully submitted,
Robert Musial, Tantalus

"Come at once if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same"

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

From the Gasogene



From the Gasogene:


I recently traveled to London on business. My stay was a brief one, only four days, and business took me to a non-descript office complex on the outskirts of Heathrow Airport. But one must eat (and drink) after work, and one evening, my travel companion (i.e., a non-Holmesian) and I traveled to the small city of Windsor. Some of you may recall that a castle may be found in Windsor often occupied by The Queen and her progeny. As we walked the main street, a winding, meandering lane, the 1200 foot wall of the castle towered on our left. On the right, a variety of shops, pubs, and restaurants. And, about midway down the street, we found the Royal Windsor Theatre. On the marquee, “The Hound of the Baskervilles” starring Peter Egan and Phillip Franks (!) no less. The advertisement poster suggested that it was “Sherlock Holmes Greatest Adventure”. Further, we were informed, the play was “The theatrical event of the year”. Certainly, I would not challenge either statement.

Two days later, after our business was concluded, we traveled by fast train to central London. A brief Tube ride took us to Piccadilly Square. And there is was…The Criterion (Bar). We, of course, entered and enjoyed a drink at the bar. I was not allowed to take pictures of the interior as the unique mosaic ceiling has been copied from (unauthorized) photographs in the past. However, I did copy the words on the famous plaque near the front of the restaurant:

Here, New Years Day, 1881
At The Criterion Long Bar
Stamford, Dresser at Barts
Met
Dr. John H. Waston
And Led Him to Immortality
And
Sherlock Holmes

Properly inspired (and lubricated), I convinced my friend to travel cross-town to The Sherlock Holmes Public House and Restaurant. I’ve described the pub in past articles, so I won’t bore you with the details again. It is a joy to visit the eclectic pub, and on this Friday, it was jammed with patrons. My travel companion and I had a sandwich and a pint. The atmosphere was vibrant, certainly reflective of the energy and fame of the pub’s namesake, Sherlock Holmes. I highly recommend the ale named after him and served only at this establishment.

Finally, may I recognize our former Tantalus, Ray Mandziuk. Ray recently resigned from the position so he may more fully enjoy other aspects of his busy life. Ray was one of four inspired people (i.e., the others are Roy Pilot, Walter Young, and Ed Stein) that resurrected the Amateur Mendicant Society from its last hiatus. Our scion had been dormant for some time, and Ray helped breath life into our little organization. Further, he served as Tantalus (i.e., secretary) for seven years. His articles, presentations, and letters were distinguished by style, wit, and reverence. Ray will continue to attend meetings as Tantalus Emeritus. The mantle has been passed to Rob Musial, a professional writer by trade, and we have high expectations for Rob.

Yours in Holmes,

John Kramb, Gasogene.