Watson's Tin Box meeting summary - February 16, 2026

On the third Monday of each month, the Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City scion meets at Union Jack's in Columbia MD and we gathered on February 16 for another great gathering of members - 28 in total - and it was a rowdy bunch! 

As always I took a census of where people were attending from, and Columbia MD was the winner, and we had two first-time visitors! Al Hafner lives locally, and decided it was time to convert his lifelong love of Sherlock into sitting around with a group of Sherlockians and talking about it! and our guest speaker Emily Miranker was also a first-time visitor to WTB. Wonderful.

The story of the meeting was Norwood Builder.

After introductions, we moved to the toasts. Evy Herzog have the toast to 'The Woman' (Irene Adler), and Liane Luini presented a toast written by April Curnow and published in Irene’s Cabinet Vol 9, 2011.

Another Medical Minute, Circa 1895 To Brandy
by April Curnow

Not the gin of the slum
Nor the docksider’s rum,
It’s highly respectable: brandy.
A drink most restorative,
Nothing pejorative
In a delectable brandy.
So let’s drink to brandy! It’s really quite handy
For treating the faint and the weak and the ill.
It revives the dulled senses at modest expense
And it’s far more relaxing than taking a pill.
A medicinal tot will just hit the spot.
Administer one shot, or possibly two.
Any doctor of worth keeps a flask of the stuff
In his little black bag. No mere tonic will do.
So let’s drink again! Fortifier of men
And ladies with vapours and delicate souls
Most in need of support. If you haven’t got port
Or claret on the sideboard, try brandy.

Tom Fahres then delivered his traditional Haiku for the story:

A bloody thumb print

Is the key to solve the case

For Lastrade, or Holmes?

We then moved on to Announcements - (I hate to say I've lost a page of notes so these are limited)

• The BIG NEWS from Liane Luine is that the 2026 Irene's Cabinet will be available for purchase at the March WTB meeting, then available more widely (while issues last). We are all SO EXCITED that our annual journal is back.
• The DC Whiskey and Sodality meeting will again take place again soon. As always, contact Terry McCammon for details. "Excellent ventilation, excellent pub type food. Good whisky and draft beer list. I have cigars to share." Smoking optional ; ventilation excellent.
• The next Red Circle next meets on Saturday March 14 - details here - I will be speaking.... about the Dancing Miners.

OK the next part of our meeting is becoming a wonderful tradition. The exceptionally creative Michelle March shared a range of new Sherlockian creations. Some were inspired by Watson's Tin Box, some by the canon - and all are amazing.

 

 

This is a lamp, the shade is a deerstalker. Hanging from the lamp are 20 prisms each with three sides, and these 60 spaces contain an artwork from each of the sixty canonical stories! Attached is a magnifying glass so that you can examine those illustrations closely, and underneath is a pipe, with a glowing light installed. It is AMAZING.

Next was a fantastic t-shirt design for 'Norwood Builder' which was a prize for the quiz:

Jonas Oldacre

Lower Norwood

1 star out of 5

Would not recommend. Drafting department only does suspicious wills. Design department only does malicious schemes. Attic seems smaller. Sounds like a rat's nest in wall. Door handle installed without door. Billed twice, second time by a "Mr. Cornelius, who never even showed up."

Michelle also shared a new Rubix cube, with Sherlockian designs on each square:

Finally, for every person present, Michelle had made a personal Watson's Tin Box (!!!). Inside was a hammer, the first of many charms that will be added as we discuss the stories. We also received a BRAIN if we attended the recent Mycroft quiz.

We thrill and we marvel at Michelle's creativity. There is a book in Michelle's future that captures all of her Sherlockian creations.

Speaking of the Mycroft Quiz, we were able to present Victoria Wood with her 'Strangers' Room' prize, which she will care for till 2027. Victoria was THRILLED :

We next moved on to our story for the month: Norwood Builder. As always, Debbie Clark presented the contents of the evidence box. This box had a LOT of documents, some very original. I've placed here a layout of all the items from the evidence box - you can look at all the items here in detail at the Watsons Tin Box website.

There are some wonderful items here: a mutilated photograph of a young woman, telegrams, a very small horse-drawn fire engine, an original (not faux-original) will, cheques (or checks), and of course a thumbprint in wax.

The story discussion was a good one!! We all decided we wanted to know a lot more about Jonas Oldacre's colluding housekeeper... she was arrested at the end of the stories, but how involved was she? Did she kill the rabbits? Start the fire? What else?!?!?? There was a lot of discussion about the hidden room.... how do you not see a door, and well.... did he go to the bathroom in there?

The new fingerprint, and the method of creating it, was disputed. Luckily for us Al brought his career to the meeting as a crime-scene expert and confirmed that yes, it is absolutely possible to create a copy of a fingerprint from a mould (or mold). 

Emily Miranker was our guest presenter for the evening. Emily is a second generation Sherlockian, tagging along to scion societies until after college when she started attending ASH and Priory School meetings and the Birthday Weekend, getting her shilling in 2015. She is in the first cohort of women members of the Speckled Band of Boston; an erstwhile attendee of Sons and Daughters of Copper Beeches of Philadelphia, Norwegian Explorers of Minneapolis, Scowerers and Molly Maguires of San Francisco, and her local Scion is the Red Circle in DC. 

It was a wonderful presentation. I do not describe the details of our presenters - they are usually evolving into articles. Emily spoke about American women in the canon, and drew on examples from other Victorian and mystery literature. Emily's slides were amazing, and she spoke about the Victorian view of America - it's space and the social freedoms it provided compared to class-restricted British life.

I can't wait to read Emily's article, and I'm exceptionally thankful for her taking the time to spend an evening with us.

We ended with with traditional quiz, set by our torquemadae Olivia Millunzi. Olivia's wonderful quiz is shown below.

And so under - where the giants rest

I was listening to the latest IHOSE episode this morning, interviewing Peter Eckrich and Rob Nunn on their new anthology of articles on impactful Sherlockians. The book is available from Wessex Press, and is titled 'On The Shoulders of Giants: Great Sherlockians Remembered'. 

I started reflecting on where these Sherlockians rest now, and a previous post of mine on the resting places of prominent Sherlockians (titled 'There Was No Mistaking It For Anything But A Newly Dug Grave'). There is already some overlap between the interments I'd included, and Rob/Pete's new book. One difference is that my list included British people also, and some of my list included actors and illustrators who were impactful on the popularity of Sherlock without being Sherlockians/Holmesians themselves.

So I thought it might be nice to create a list of graves that complemented the Table of Contents of the new book. As I put the list together I hope to crowd-source a couple of solutions. One that still lingers from my previous post is: where is Edith Meiser resting? I still don't have an answer to that question.

I often wonder whether brass Sherlock markers would these graves. Then I remember that they'd likely be stolen.

1. Christopher Morley, written by Steven Rothman

The grave of Christopher Morley (1890 – 1957), the man who founded the Baker Street Irregulars, and well-known author and journalist. Morley is buried in Roslyn Cemetery, Roslyn, Nassau County (Long Island), New York, USA.

Christopher Morley

Born Haverford, Penna.

May 5, 1890

Died Roslyn, New York

March 28, 1957

2. Edgar W. Smith, written by Rich Krisciunas

The grave of Edgar W Smith (1894 – 1960), the man who wrote early influential articles, self-published via his imprint 'The Pamphlet House', led the Baker Street Irregulars, founded the Baker Street Journal and was its first editor. In 'real life' Smith was prominent as Vice-President of General Motors. Smith is buried in New Vernon Cemetery, New Vernon, Morris County, New Jersey, USA.

Edgar Wadsworth Smith

Apr 1 1894 - Sept 17 1960

To me, this is an eminently American grave marker, with minimal information and no biographical details. It is in some ways surprising that someone as successful as Smith would have such a modest marker.

3. Ben Abramson, written by Bruce Harris

The grave of Ben Abramson (1898-1955), first publisher of the Baker Street Journal and founder of the Argus Bookshop in Chicago and then New York. Abramson does not appear to have a grave. The Chicago Tribune gives a clue that he was cremated - which may or may not have been taken place:

Chicago Tribune - Sun, Sep 25, 1955 ·Page 207

Ben Abramson made a final request which may be unique even among bibliophiles... He asked that his body be cremated and his ashes strewn on the steps of the Newberry library.

4. Vincent Starrett, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Charles Vincent Emerson Starrett (1886 – 1974), the man who wrote 'The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes', Sherockian, bibliophile. Starrett is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Ray Betzner created a lovely blog post on the cemetery, Starrett's grave, and other nearby important graves (such as Alan Pinkerton).

There's also a wonderful book by Don Izban titled 'Sherlock Holmes Visits a Cemetery' (Battered Silicon Despatch Box, 1999) that highlights graves in Gracelands Cemetery. The centerpiece is Starrett, but it also includes the Allan Pinkerton grave among others.

5. James Montgomery, written by Burt Wolder

James Montgomery (1898-1955), a renowned singer, released a recording of Baker Street songs and created Christmas annuals. Stephens is interred at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA.

Montgomery

James Stephens

1898-1955

6. Katherine McMahon, written by Tamar Zeffren

The grave of Katherine McMahon (1907-1999), one of the original solvers of the Sherlock Holmes Crossword Puzzle, and among the first women welcomed into the BSI. McMahon completed the puzzle correctly in 1934, but she was not extended an invitation because she was a woman. Her resting place is at Sunset Memorial Park Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, USA - Sec RG Wall 1, lot 7. I am yet to source a photograph of the cremation plaque.

 

NO PHOTO

7. Edith Meiser, written by Erika Dowell

The grave of Edith Mesier (1898-1993), the woman best-known for creating the first Sherlock Holmes radio play series from 1930 onwards. Her resting place is:

NOT KNOWN

8. William Anthony Parker White, pen name Anthony Boucher, written by Terence Faherty

The grave of Anthony Boucher (1911 – 1968), mystery writer, critic, and writer of Sherlock Holmes radio dramas. Boucher is buried in Mountain View Cemetery Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. Currently

NO PHOTO

9. William Baring-Gould, written by Phillip Bergem

The grave of William Baring-Gould (1913 – 1967), the man who created the first annotated Sherlock Holmes,  chronologist, and author of a fictional biography of Holmes. In real life, he was a creative director at Time Magazine. Baring-Gould is buried in Pound Ridge Cemetery, Pound Ridge, Westchester County, New York, USA.

NO PHOTO

10. Frederic Dannay, one half of the pen name Ellery Queen, written by Ira Brad Metetsky

The grave of Frederic Dannay (1905 – 1982), half of the team that made up the famous Ellery Queen mystery writer and compiler. Dannay is buried in Mount Hope Cemeterym Hastings-on-Hudson, Westchester County, New York, USA.

Frederic Dannay

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather

(Seeking translation of Hebrew)

Oct 20 1905 - Sept 3 1982

11. E.W. McDiarmid, written by Erica Fair

The grave of Errett Weir McDiarmid (1909 – 2000), librarian and academic who volunteered for and donated to the University of Minnesota Special Collections unit, and founded the Norwegian Explorers scion. McDiarmid is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, USA. Currently resting place:

NOT KNOWN

12. Lenore Glen Offord, written by Sonia Fetherston

The grave of Lenore Glen Offord nee Glen (1905 – 1991), literary critic, mystery writer and the first female member of the Baker Street Irregulars. McDiarmid is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA. 

Robert A. Glen 1855-1955

Lenore G. Offord 1905-1991

Ann Mary Offord 1931-1995

13. John Bennett Shaw, written by Matthew Hall (me!)

The grave of John Bennett Shaw (1913 – 1994), the man who made evangelized, corresponded, and collected Sherlockiana. Shaw is buried in Rosario Cemetery, Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA.

SHAW

John Bennett Oct. 10, 1913 - Oct. 3, 1994

Dorothy Rowe Apr. 29, 1924 - Nov. 24, 1999

Catherine Mary Nov. 20, 1951 - Dec. 6 2010

14. Ely Liebow, written by Ray Betzner

The grave of Dr. Ely Liebow (1924 – 2007), academic and Sherlockian who wrote a definitive biography of Dr. Joseph Bell. I believe Ely is interred at Shalom Memorial Park, Arlington Heights, Cook County, Illinois, USA, plot 4 CARMEL / 1089 / 4:

Beloved husband, father, grandfather

Ely M.

(translation required)

May 23, 1924 - March 30, 2007

15. Francine Morris Swift, written by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

The grave of Francine Morris Swift (1938 – 2007), Sherlockian and long-time member of the Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes. I believe Francine is interred at St. Alban's Columbarium, Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW, Washington DC. As of now I have:

NO PHOTO

16. Paul Herbert, written by Mike McSwiggin and Ralph Hall

The grave of Paul Herbert (1938 – 2018), Sherlockian author and scion founder. Paul is buried at Arlington Memorial Gardens, Mount Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio, USA. The lovely touch is that this headstone bears a Sherlockian reference:

HERBERT

The best and wisest man whom I have ever known

Paul D 1938-2018

To him she was always "the woman"

Barbara A 1941-

21. Helen Elizabeth Wilson, written by Vincent W. Wright

The grave of Helen Wilson (1878 – 1902), the first Sherlockian and chronlohist. Helen died in Manhattan, but is buried at Grove Cemetery, Bath, Steuben County, New York, USA with her family:

Helen E Wilson

Only daughter of B.C. and Martha D. Wilson

Born Oct 4 1878

Died Nov 14 1902

The searching continues..... this post will be updated.

17. Gordon Speck, written by Joe Ekrich

18. Susan Diamond, written by Marsha L Pollak

19. Jon Lellenberg, written by Julie McKuras

20. Susan Rice, written by Curtis Armstrong

Watson's Tin Box meeting summary - January 26, 2026

On the third Monday of each month, the Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City scion USUALLY meets. This month, things were a little different as we met on the FOURTH Monday of he month. Why virtual? Well, because of a whole lot of snow that fell all through the weekend before our Monday meeting. Understandably, our regular venue (Union Jack's) closed in anticipation, and so virtual was the only option!

"It was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer passengers than usual." The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet

And so, we gathered on Zoom - for our annual Mycroft Prize. We had guests from all across the US, including a significant number of former WTB members, for reasons that will be understood. Karen Wilson provided a toast to The Woman, and Liane shared one also.

Tom Fahres delivered his haiku for the month:

2026  (Twenty, Twenty-six)

"The Mycroft Quiz" Zoom only

The devil needs socks

Loss is never easy, and rarely expected. At this meeting, we had two members to 'Stand on the Terrace' for. Furthermore, the BSI dinner paid tribute to Ken McQuage who passed away in 2025.

Lynn Whitall passed away unexpectedly on January 7. Lynn had attended WTB meetings, and was also a regular attendee at events in Baltimore - many of us saw Lynn at the recent Sherlockian Saturdays at the Pratt Library event in November. Lynn had been Gasogene of the Society of the Naval Treaty scion (TNT, of Annapolis, MD) for almost 30 years since its founding in 1997. A number of WTB folks have attended TNT meetings in recent times. Such was Lynn's passion for the great detective, she even taught Sherlock Holmes courses at Anne Arundel Community College! Our thoughts are with all the TNT members.

Megan Homme, a long-time member of The Naval Treaty paid tribute to Lynn, and shared fond memories, describing her as a vibrant and energetic member who was deeply involved in the Sherlockian community.

The WTB community was shocked to learn of Jacquelynn Bost Morris' sudden death on Thursday January 15th. Less than a week earlier, we had been with Jacquelynn and Brent at the BSI weekend, and Jacquelynn in typical fashion gave gifts to fellow WTB members who were there. Jacquelynn was a center of Sherlockian activity all of her own. Along with being a member of BSI as 'Baroness Gruner', and ASH, Jacquelynn was a member of many scions in our area, was a Six Napoleon, and launched the 'Scintillation of Scions' meetings that brought so many people together. And of course, Jacquelynn was Watson's Tin Box Gasogene XIX (in 2008). Jacquelynn wrote many Sherlockian articles, organized meetings. Most of all, Jacquelynn entered every room with a smile, enjoyed Sherlockian humor, and welcomed newcomers. 

Former Gasogene Karen Ballard prepared a tribute for Jacquelynn that represents the way everyone feels, that she read out at the meeting:

Joel and I first met Jaquelynn Morris at the Tin Box dinner at Café de Paris in 2007.  We literally stumbled into the Sherlockian world because we saw a flyer for the October dinner at our favorite little restaurant.

To say that Jaquelynn was warm and welcoming to two complete strangers who showed up at dinner is a gross understatement.  I don’t remember everything about that night except everyone Jaquelynn introduced us too was open and kind and a little crazy about Sherlock Holmes.  At this point, Paul Churchill was still alive.   So, you know.

At the monthly meetings I contrived to sit in the Ven diagram of Jaquelynn, Beth Austin, Deb Clarke, and Evy Hertzog.  It was quickly evident that I had little to no knowledge of the Canon.  But they included me nevertheless.  I basked in the glow of their knowledge and inclusion.  I like to think that what I lacked in knowledge, I made up for in my tea-serving abilities.  Joel and I were part of the very first Scintillation of Scions.

Inevitably Jaquelynn got her volun-told hooks into us by making us the first Co-Gasogenes, fittingly as XX (20).  We never should have agreed to pour that tea. She wisely knew that Joel had the canonical knowledge required for the job but I was a much better herder of cats.  

Her passion for the Tin Box was unequalled.  I remember at one meeting during our tenure as Gasogenes, she came to me very concerned about the Pantone color of the pin she was creating for that year.  This was her first purple pin and she couldn’t decide between Pantone purple #1 and Pantone purple #2.  When she asked my opinion, I thought that she was joking but one look at face and I knew that was completely serious.  The pin represented the Tin Box in the Sherlockian world, and she wanted it to be perfect.  It was.  Of course.

Jaquelynn introduced me to The Baker Street Babes, Carla Coupe, and other Sherlockian literary luminaries.   I celebrated as she was inducted into the BSI – a richly deserved honor for our dear Baroness.   And I watched her mentor other Sherlockian scholars, especially Jamie Mahonney.

Outside of the Tin Box, the Morrises were our friends and dinner companions.  Their love of food, travel, and good conversation gave us many delightful evenings. 

I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to say something about Brent.  He, too is kind, warm, and open.  He gave me a mantra about inclusion that has served me well over many, many years.  At the first Scintillation he said to me, “If you show up once, we consider it an honest mistake.  If you show up a second time, you’re a member.”  

We are so grateful that Jaquelynn accepted two strangers on an October night long ago.  She was so welcoming that we showed up a second time. 

We then picked ourselves up off the floor and moved on to Announcements - 

• Peter Blau announced that the next Red Circle next meets on Saturday March 14 - details here . The speaker will be me! And the title of my talk will be "Digging into the Dancing Miners". Curious? Come to the meeting!
• Olivia announced a 40th anniversary screening of the Clue movie in Baltimore. 
• Steve Mason (Texas) announced plans for a new two-volume book project by the Crew of the Barque Lone Star, inviting submissions from children and adults about Sherlock Holmes. 
• Edith Pounden (calling in from Montreal!) shared information of an upcoming meeting 'All of Doyle'  discussing the books "The Sign of Four" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Contact Edith if you'd like to be on the mailing list.

Each January meeting follows the Baker Street Irregulars weekend. I placed my experiences of the 2026 BSI weekend in an earlier post.

First we celebrated some wonderful achievements by members of WTB. Carla Couple was honored by the Arthur Conan Doyle Society in Visual Arts for her amazing A. Conan Doyle egg. At the BSI Dinner, Evy Herzog and Denny Dobry received the two shilling award "for extraordinary devotion to the cause beyond the call of duty."

The group discussed various events from the BSI weekend, including the Distinguished Speaker Lecture featuring Rupert Holmes, the Christopher Morley walk led by Jim Cox, and the Lost in New York dinner organized by the Kegleys. They also highlighted the Tea Brokers Breakfast and the ASH Wednesday and Sunday brunch events, emphasizing the camaraderie and social aspects of these gatherings. Denny discussed the success of the vendors room, raising over $2,000 for the BSI trust. Karen described the Gillette luncheon and play

Evy Herzog encouraged those who haven't considered doing so to give the BSI weekend a try, which Carla and others soundly endorsed. Carla highlighted the financial assistance possible through the John H. Watson Fund.

And FINALLY, we got to the Mycroft Prize quiz!! In January of 1991, as Watson's Tin Box completed its first year of operations, co-founder Paul Churchill, BSI, hosted an "Annual Dinner" for the society at his home. As part of the festivities, the Tin Box's other co-founder (and monthly quiz-master), Steve Clarkson, BSI, designed a 60-question "Canonical Inquisition" covering all the stories the group had read and discussed over the previous year. By the second Annual Dinner, the event had been christened "The Mycroft," after Sherlock's big-brained big brother. The dinner and Inquisition became a Tin Box tradition.

The Mycroft Award (conferring a year's possession of the Mycroft plaque and all associated bragging rights) is given to the person who achieves the highest score. The Strangers' Room Award (established by Beth Austin, ASH) goes to the highest scorer among the self-designated Sherlockian "newbies" taking the quiz (this category can only be competed in once).

Olivia had set the quiz - each year there is a theme for the quiz. This year, Olivia selected "Women in the Canon" as the theme. The "Lady" in question did not need to be human (think, for example, ships!).

And we had two winners!!

Edith Pounden won the 2026 Mycroft Award, probably the first international winner (understandably for a meeting usually held in person!)

Victoria Wood won the 2026 Strangers' Room Award.

Both will soon have the awards in their hands, and we'll post photos!!!!