2011 BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
ASH played a prominent role throughout the weekend, beginning with the traditional ASH Wednesday gathering at O’Casey’s attended by over 50 enthusiastic Sherlockians. The next morning a jaunty Doré Nash was the Morley Walk’s “New York Connection,” providing insider landmark information as well as donuts at Grand Central Terminal.
Friday came the Gillette luncheon hosted by Susan Rice in conjunction with Mickey Fromkin. The Friends of Bogie (ASH Sarah Montague and Andrew Joffe, along with Paul Singleton) presented a skit involving Holmes and Watson in social networking. The trio also performed at the BSI dinner in a tribute to “The Game.” Al Gregory announced that ASH Elaine and Joseph Coppola won the 2011 Jan WHIMSEY award for their piece “The Fayetteville Fairies” which appeared in Vol. 26, No. 2 of the Muse. Elaine and Joe received a handsome certificate and a check for $221.17. The Jan WHIMSEY Award in memory of Jan Stauber was established and funded by Jan’s husband Al Gregory. It is given to the author writing the most whimsical piece during the Muse volume year (i.e., from the December to September issues). All articles, verse, etc., appearing in the Muse are eligible except for the entries in the Birthday Challenge and pieces written by the judges (the Muse editorial board, Francine Kitts, and Sue Vizoskie) or their spouses. Our sincere thanks to Al for sponsoring the award and to Elaine and Joe for delighting us and our readers.
Another ASH joined the ranks of the BSI in January when Sherlockian author Lyndsay Faye received the investiture of “Kitty Winter.” Congratulations also go to Michael Pollak, husband of ASH Laurie Fraser Manifold, for winning the BSJ’s Morley-Montgomery Award!
The Beacon Society meeting was held on January 8 at the Roosevelt Hotel. For those of you unfamiliar with the society, it was founded by ASH Maribeau Briggs to support educational experiences that introduce young people to the Canon and to recognize exemplary efforts that do so. All of the Beacon Society officers and committee chairs are currently ASH. The website, BeaconSociety.com, has more information on how you can become involved in the society’s efforts.
