Episode 327: The 2026 BSI Weekend In Review

<h4 style="text-align: center;"> “I was invited to a week-end gathering” [LAST] </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTqkmk_4tCNoO_Hk3BGk5uVADIQTqNHm5wl-HZ20iLMZWsiuH0UFIaFKkDPVAF8bQyYQmk5lKn37tdEeXqUAXDyRKbxDDakYg4jMD-QF5MhZCVOibnqdAE0CA2SUuYSyaVzHDY6UsUurJuUN6IRmZUAcdOpJX6FmIX8YftbsIpWT8K202aaP8hseznNvK/s1500/ihearofsherlock327-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1270" data-original-width="1500" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTqkmk_4tCNoO_Hk3BGk5uVADIQTqNHm5wl-HZ20iLMZWsiuH0UFIaFKkDPVAF8bQyYQmk5lKn37tdEeXqUAXDyRKbxDDakYg4jMD-QF5MhZCVOibnqdAE0CA2SUuYSyaVzHDY6UsUurJuUN6IRmZUAcdOpJX6FmIX8YftbsIpWT8K202aaP8hseznNvK/w640-h542/ihearofsherlock327-header.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p>Join us as we look back on four whirlwind days of Sherlockian festivities in New York City, when hundreds of Sherlock Holmes enthusiasts gathered for plays, dinners, luncheons, lectures, auctions, and — most importantly — each other’s company, from January 7 to 11, 2026.</p><p>We recap the full slate of events, from intimate meals to the grand annual Baker Street Irregulars Dinner, an invitation-only evening that remains the centerpiece of the weekend. Along the way, we share personal travel stories, New York side adventures, and the rich history behind several of the luncheons and receptions, including tributes to honorees and a memorable lecture by the award-winning composer, singer-songwriter, dramatist and author, Rupert Holmes. </p><p>Our conversation reflects what makes these gatherings special: not just Sherlock Holmes, but the friendships, traditions, and shared enthusiasm that bring this community together year after year. </p><p>Then it’s on to Sherlockian society activities in the first half of April in "The Learned Societies" segment, and we introduce a major new segment: "Examining the Pictures," featuring the prominent film critic, journalist, and author Christian Monggaard, BSI. We are delighted to bring Christian’s extensive knowledge of Sherlock Holmes and the cinema to our listeners.</p><p>The Canonical Couplet quiz then tests your Sherlock Holmes knowledge, with a souvenir from the BSI Weekend for the winner. Send your answer to comment @ihearofsherlock.com by February 14, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.</p><p>As a reminder, our <a href="https://ihose.co/ihosepatron" target="_blank">supporters</a> can listen to the show ad-free and have access to occasional bonus material. Join us on the platform of your choice (<a href="https://patreon.com/ihearofsherlock" target="_blank">Patreon</a> | <a href="https://ihearofsherlock.substack.com" target="_blank">Substack</a>).</p><p>And if you need some show swag or gift ideas, or if you want to show off your good taste to other Sherlockians, check out our <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/merchandise" target="_blank">Merch Store</a>, with mugs, notepads and more.</p><p><br /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock326.mp3" style="color: #013fd3; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Download</a> [Save As] | File size: 79.6 MB, 1:20:22</h3><p><iframe title="Embed Player" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39943705/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/414851/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" height="192" width="100%" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" style="border: none;" data-dashlane-rid="b3dcc51a71fdd738" data-dashlane-classification="other" data-dashlane-frameid="880"></iframe><br /></p><p><br /></p><h3 style="background-color: white; color: #0e0e0e; font-family: Merriweather; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 21px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; text-align: center;">Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-hear-of-sherlock-everywhere/id258126625?ls=1" style="color: #013fd3; text-decoration-line: none;">Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/30WtRn1mnXfAtX7YaeRY5Y" style="color: #013fd3; text-decoration-line: none;">Spotify</a>; listen to us <a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock" style="color: #013fd3; text-decoration-line: none;">wherever you listen to podcasts</a>.</h3><h2><br /></h2><h2>Links</h2><p></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.bsiweekend.com/" target="_blank">The BSI Weekend</a></li><li><a href="https://www.frick.org/" target="_blank">The Frick Collection</a></li><li><a href="https://www.patreon.com/cw/trifles/collections" target="_blank"><i>Trifles</i> Collections</a></li><li><a href="https://fdsteele.org/" target="_blank">Frederic Dorr Steele Memorial</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2026/01/the-2026-bsi-weekend-awards-and-honors.html" target="_blank">The 2026 BSI — Weekend Awards and Honors</a></li><li><i><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">The Baker Street Journal</a></i></li><li><a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2020/10/remembering-susan-rice-ash-bsi-2s.html" target="_blank">Remembering Susan Rice, ASH, BSI, 2s.</a></li><li>Other episodes mentioned on the show:</li><ul><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/NDVmMjE3NGRmN2ExZDM3MzMyMjVhMDg5OTlkNmE4NTM" target="_blank">Episode 89: The Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/ZjYwNTkxNWM2OWQ3ZGE2OTI4MzNiNDQ3NzY0OGU5MTQ" target="_blank">Episode 126: Becoming the Gillettes</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/MDhlODA2N2MtNGY4OC00ODFmLWE0ZDgtYzk2MDE2Mzc3NjQz" target="_blank">Episode 236: The Legion of Zoom</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/MTMzZjY0OTEtM2E0Zi00NjEzLTliNzMtODk5NTUzZDE2ODUx" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 272: Legends of the BSJ - Christopher Morley</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/MTlhMTA3OGQtNWViZi00MjhkLTkwYTEtZTk3ODE1Mzc1MmQ5" target="_blank">Episode 287: Legends of the BSJ - Edgar W. Smith</a></li><li><a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock/episode/YWNhNDM5NjAtZWVkMS00NzU3LThkYmQtNDUyYWUyNTg0ODQw" target="_blank">Episode 290: Legends of the BSJ - James Montgomery</a></li></ul><li>Other links:</li><ul><li>The Learned Societies: <a href="http://www.sherlockiancalendar.com/" target="_blank">Sherlockian Calendar</a></li></ul><li><a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/merchandise" target="_blank">I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere / Trifles Merch Store</a></li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29cSHabGIObH4IdQeGyx88PTNcrOeD1J3l8-pjNYrpKNS5DLNjRjSVWxJzYbEhJGSvRPxOa9hIwgz4QYUYM-e4vALe1Tx2Je3pl8KQh6g_rueo9E8pd7SossrtPayueShhgt9Hd_JUqsj3yqVN7VUKghho7s3n51MIBgCKCsf_FAe34zDSNstKSge7Off/s590/IHOSE%20Mug%202%20closeup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29cSHabGIObH4IdQeGyx88PTNcrOeD1J3l8-pjNYrpKNS5DLNjRjSVWxJzYbEhJGSvRPxOa9hIwgz4QYUYM-e4vALe1Tx2Je3pl8KQh6g_rueo9E8pd7SossrtPayueShhgt9Hd_JUqsj3yqVN7VUKghho7s3n51MIBgCKCsf_FAe34zDSNstKSge7Off/w200-h200/IHOSE%20Mug%202%20closeup.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif67emMEZTIJ0oOOOia1YWy-moeQpeIw00bsbuzhNZovbSSppBx05SmmLRe4_PaHc-glGFGx_w2o1a7uafYZT-6n7iEep6dJdkNTrcIWXW29Whwd6WrrzrpuE-rcRZED2WbBzPHXel946i-FPAg2mqW2oF7vt9TPW1vuWHntG1NVSqgYXE3JWKZSB3jH3/s768/Notepad%20-%20IHOSE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjif67emMEZTIJ0oOOOia1YWy-moeQpeIw00bsbuzhNZovbSSppBx05SmmLRe4_PaHc-glGFGx_w2o1a7uafYZT-6n7iEep6dJdkNTrcIWXW29Whwd6WrrzrpuE-rcRZED2WbBzPHXel946i-FPAg2mqW2oF7vt9TPW1vuWHntG1NVSqgYXE3JWKZSB3jH3/w200-h200/Notepad%20-%20IHOSE.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/p/sherlock-holmes-gifts.html" target="_blank">Explore more here</a>.</h4><p>Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at <a href="http://linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock">linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians find us.</p><p>Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.</p><div><br /></div>

Episode 327: The 2026 BSI Weekend In Review

 “I was invited to a week-end gathering” [LAST]  Join us as we look back on four whirlwind days of Sherlockian festivities in New York City,...

+ Read more »

by Scott Monty

The 2026 BSI Weekend – Awards and Honors

<h4 style="text-align: center;">“a brief review of what had passed” [THOR]  </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Dn9FR8w9u3icGX3q1G-nzUTk_8uxHt-IUKA2-KDJf-zB6dq7hLFmvoXRPCHnXFwjxhkrt_Mln67WOO4OhKRC-0x2SYPTs_QYY2dvpWx32gZS3yzwRhotEC8Y0Q2a9pmpmp8HRU2qvYCwakO1Wz9GLx_395WbTwwe7yG0KvY6noW9onHXWGubtQVLYqi/s1200/Class%20moment.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="998" data-original-width="1200" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-Dn9FR8w9u3icGX3q1G-nzUTk_8uxHt-IUKA2-KDJf-zB6dq7hLFmvoXRPCHnXFwjxhkrt_Mln67WOO4OhKRC-0x2SYPTs_QYY2dvpWx32gZS3yzwRhotEC8Y0Q2a9pmpmp8HRU2qvYCwakO1Wz9GLx_395WbTwwe7yG0KvY6noW9onHXWGubtQVLYqi/w640-h532/Class%20moment.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>In the <a href="https://episodes.fm/258126625" target="_blank">next episode of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a>, we'll be covering some of our own personal experiences at the 2026 BSI Weekend that ran from January 7 – 11, 2026, during which some 300+ Sherlockians descended on Midtown Manhattan to celebrate the 172nd birthday of Sherlock Holmes.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For the purposes of this update, we're focused on the accolades from the weekend, which happened over a series of events.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday, January 8, the <a href="http://acdsociety.com/">ACD Society</a> held its annual meeting at the Mysterious Bookshop, which once again included the running of the Wessex Cup, with 16 entered horses. After seven heats, the winner was Garnet, owned by Karen Ellery.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8kG8E_dJtD6bfDqM8p_UrQqUKZSZ8UYil31VUKbbn_ffQ8BcxaDMjAH7blGWX5zpBxwz-b9qnmtg6f9Znlx_1ufp_P1HG8RzQ4F0d57-w-gTYnbrSjnLvSYjbwngWgwWYshbzjcFYgnODHqHdbO5m58aq5Z-Uzx5LNy9bxvcPVAR8hiz3thkWlWdbyB_O" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1325" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8kG8E_dJtD6bfDqM8p_UrQqUKZSZ8UYil31VUKbbn_ffQ8BcxaDMjAH7blGWX5zpBxwz-b9qnmtg6f9Znlx_1ufp_P1HG8RzQ4F0d57-w-gTYnbrSjnLvSYjbwngWgwWYshbzjcFYgnODHqHdbO5m58aq5Z-Uzx5LNy9bxvcPVAR8hiz3thkWlWdbyB_O=w414-h640" width="414" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Click to enlarge</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><div><h3>Doylean Honors</h3></div><div>The ACD Society also had a more august role, which was the conferring of its annual <a href="http://acdsociety.com/" target="_blank">Doylean Honors</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVaY99UFtbUg5oqgBeqpnMSkNMHDGFDhKh9HsAXQDaui3lWckPjceIACjChc4My3jMx-soyHqlHBDUNVknElDz6Q4iVUwswtmXp-ygz7LujNevjUUwYTRVWaiHmSA2llMtg0uCuPzFRJoTW5UY4mp8lbHFCkUPjki3WrJaZnp5vs-HhBe-o3jk1IRLw/s616/ACD%20Society%20Doylean%20Honors%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVaY99UFtbUg5oqgBeqpnMSkNMHDGFDhKh9HsAXQDaui3lWckPjceIACjChc4My3jMx-soyHqlHBDUNVknElDz6Q4iVUwswtmXp-ygz7LujNevjUUwYTRVWaiHmSA2llMtg0uCuPzFRJoTW5UY4mp8lbHFCkUPjki3WrJaZnp5vs-HhBe-o3jk1IRLw/s320/ACD%20Society%20Doylean%20Honors%202022.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><b>For Lifetime Service:</b><div><ul><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><b><a href="https://edinburgh-conan-doyle.org/clifford-goldfarb/" target="_blank">Clifford S. Goldfarb</a></b>, a Toronto lawyer who has had many roles over the years, including Chairman of the Friends of the Arthur Conan Doyle Collection at the Toronto Reference Library and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the ACD Society; author of <i>The Great Shadow</i> (a book on Arthur Conan Doyle’s Napoleonic War writing), editor of <i>Rodney Stone</i>, wrote the introduction to <i>The Complete Brigadier Gerard</i>; and much more.</span></li></ul><b><div><br /></div></b><div><div><br /></div><b>For excellence in the "Performing Arts" category:</b></div><div><p></p><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Hal Glatzer </b>for the play, “<a href="https://salmagundi.org/2025-coffee-house-musicale-in-mrs-hudsons-parlor/" target="_blank">A Musicale in Mrs. Hudson’s Parlor</a>”</li></ul></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>For excellence in the "Fiction and Poetry" category:</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Chris Chan</b> for the poetry collection, “<a href="https://mxpublishing.com/products/sherlock-poems-the-complete-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes-in-verse?srsltid=AfmBOooWUgGBlvOE_OsUW02xOlIczQRAi0J-95ko8ejv_FgmeE_Htya3" target="_blank">Sherlock Poems</a>”</li><li><b>Margie Deck</b> for the story collection, <i><a href="https://belangerbooks.com/product/sherlock-holmes-into-the-fire-paperback-edition/" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes Into the Fire</a></i></li><li><b>Laurence Trujillo</b> for the short story, “The Statement of James McCarthy, Criminal”</li></ul></div></div><br /><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>For excellence in the "Visual Arts" category:</b><br /><ul><li><b> Carla Coupe</b> for “A. Conan Doyle Egg”</li><li><b>Jeremiah Schiek</b> for the illustrations in the graphic novel, “Sherlock Holmes: The Phantom Masquerade #1”</li></ul><br /><b><br /></b><div><b>For excellence in the "Scholarly Writing" category:</b><ul><li><b>Richard Fallon </b>and<b> David Hone</b> for the chapter, “Arthur Conan Doyle, Michael Crichton, and the case of palaeontological fiction,” in <i><a href="https://uclpress.co.uk/book/palaeontology-in-public/" target="_blank">Palaeontology in Public: Popular science, lost creatures and deep time</a></i>, edited by Chris Manias (Manchester Univ. Press 2025)</li><li><b>Andrew Singleton </b>and<b> Matt Tomlinson</b> for “Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Wanderings of a Spiritualist: Missionary work in Australia, 1920-1921,” in their book, <i><a href="https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526181022/" target="_blank">Let the Dead Speak: Spiritualism in Australia</a></i> (UCL Press 2025)</li></ul><div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations to all! A recording of the entire awards ceremony will be available soon via <b><a href="https://www.doingsofdoyle.com/" target="_blank">Doings of Doyle</a></b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>Susan Rice Mentorship Award</h3><div>On Friday at the Gillette Luncheon, the assembled diners bore witness to the latest recipient of the Susan Rice Mentorship Award.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.vincentstarrett.com/blog/susan-rice-mentorship-award" target="_blank">Susan Rice Mentorship Award</a> was established in 2022 to recognize the activities of a member of the Sherlock Holmes community who has been a mentor to others, in the spirit of Susan Rice.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year's honoree, announced at the William Gillette Luncheon, was our very own <b>Burt Wolder, BSI</b> ("The Third Pillar from the Left").</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgvQPxakyPUXnRq3M6jUuk_18zxwCLAsEB4Qohq0hyphenhyphenKjp2bsXTBublnl5UMjBfb49x8aHj160fWeK5h09gxZUim6cclDOyhjySC2TvFW-0rMvfZsg3XXK0-Od8Vtn6jsAoJQkPJjYOXoO0KNjG3v6nOtEJg6OZHru7ej_FuQdrOYh9N1jf1s9wbeGk8ok/s1004/Wolder%20-%20Rice%20Award%202026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="1004" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgvQPxakyPUXnRq3M6jUuk_18zxwCLAsEB4Qohq0hyphenhyphenKjp2bsXTBublnl5UMjBfb49x8aHj160fWeK5h09gxZUim6cclDOyhjySC2TvFW-0rMvfZsg3XXK0-Od8Vtn6jsAoJQkPJjYOXoO0KNjG3v6nOtEJg6OZHru7ej_FuQdrOYh9N1jf1s9wbeGk8ok/w640-h420/Wolder%20-%20Rice%20Award%202026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Burt Wolder accepts the Susan Rice Mentorship Award at Connolly's. <i>Photo credit: Will Walsh</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Previous honorees of the Susan Rice Mentorship Award:</div><div><ul><li><b>Peter Blau, BSI</b> ("Black Peter") </li><li><b>Evy Herzog, BSI </b>("The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet")</li><li><b>Francine Kitts, BSI</b> ("Lady Trelawney Hope")</li><li><b>Julie McKuras, BSI</b> ("The Duchess of Devonshire")</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>Plaudits From the BSI Dinner</h3><div>As ever, the swirling curiosity and interest are centered on the Baker Street Irregulars annual investitures of new members. But before that, we were greeted with other substantial news.</div><div><br /></div><h4><i>The </i>Woman</h4><div><i>The </i>Woman, an honorific given to the spouse of a Baker Street Irregular was announced at the pre-dinner reception. This year's honoree was <b>Ann Brauer Andriacco</b>, wife of <b>Dan Andriacco, BSI</b> (" St. Saviour’s, Near King’s Cross"). She was toasted and introduced by <b>Robert Sharfman, BSI</b> ("Killer Evans"), who is affectionately known as "Ann's boyfriend." Ann gave her own touching and humorous remarks.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><h4>The Morley-Montgomery Award</h4></div><div>Each year, one article in the <i><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">Baker Street Journal</a></i> (as determined by a panel of judges) is chosen for the <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2001/05/01/morley-montgomery-award/" target="_blank">Morley-Montgomery Award</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year, the award was given to <b>Fabienne Courouge, BSI</b> ("Henri Fournaye ") for her article “Edmond Locard, the Forensic Pioneer Inspired by Sherlock Holmes,” appearing in the Summer 2025 issue of the <i>BSJ</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>The Honours List (Investitures)</h3><div>And then we arrived at the announcement of the latest investitures into the Baker Street Irregulars. Membership is granted by <b>Michael Kean, BSI</b> ("General Gordon"), who serves at the BSI's "Wiggins." Each member receives an investiture — a phrase from the Sherlock Holmes canon that is significant or in other ways meaningful to that person.</div><div><br /></div><div>The BSI's Class of 2026 is a large one, and is as follows:</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol><li><b>Michael Barton</b> - "Baron Von Herling"</li><li><b>Matt Hall</b> - "The Earl of Maynooth"</li><li><b>Linda Hein</b> - "The Hotel National"</li><li><b>Jen Kneeland</b> - "The Haymarket Theatre"</li><li><b>Richard Krisciunas</b> - "William Morris"</li><li><b>Max Magee</b> - "Cyril Morton"</li><li><b>Rusty Mason</b> - "John Mason"</li><li><b>Ashley Mayo</b> - "Capital and Counties Bank"</li><li><b>Madeline Quiñones</b> - "Sir Joshua Reynolds"</li><li><b>George Scheetz</b> - "John Clayton"</li><li><b>P.J. Sullivan</b> - "The Ancient Cornish Language"</li><li><b>Tom Ue</b> - "London University"</li></ol></div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Evelyn Herzog</b><b>, BSI</b> ("The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet") and <b>Denny Dobry, BSI</b>  ("A Single Large Airy Sitting-Room") both received the Two Shilling Award, for service above and beyond.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtTyPxCd6iJBK1xnio3IA1ImBmeyteMJkEaDHvEqrlBHZb6WuyJkqLGeDkKg2_4pC2lRPmj1j7SM_xvENadjODTK9kxP3GYaJLNfCNPxhcLVjycQIUnj5Oq5JaYQhy41wfqy4szRl2Y6gVXIVsP8VW7WivxBpnvQcf6tuX39eO26EkWupsubQZxnWABeC/s1200/Class%20of%202026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1200" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtTyPxCd6iJBK1xnio3IA1ImBmeyteMJkEaDHvEqrlBHZb6WuyJkqLGeDkKg2_4pC2lRPmj1j7SM_xvENadjODTK9kxP3GYaJLNfCNPxhcLVjycQIUnj5Oq5JaYQhy41wfqy4szRl2Y6gVXIVsP8VW7WivxBpnvQcf6tuX39eO26EkWupsubQZxnWABeC/w640-h500/Class%20of%202026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">BSI Class of 2026. <i>Photo credit: Will Walsh</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're particularly pleased to note that listeners of <i>I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</i> will recognize the names Rich Krisciunas and Madeline Quiñones, who have appeared on and contributed to the show. Rich appeared on <a href="https://ihose.co/ihose236" target="_blank">Episode 236: The Legion of Zoom</a>, and of course Madeline was our special correspondent who reviewed podcasts in her "A Chance of Listening" segment in over 30 episodes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>Transitions</h3><div>One of the charms of the BSI is it is "one fixed point in a changing age," with traditions of decades that continue apace. This necessarily requires a change in leadership from time to time. While Mike Whelan held onto the title of "Wiggins" for 25 years, <b>Michael Kean</b> decided to pass the torch after six short but very momentous years (having led the organization through the pandemic). </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n3OKSHmWFa8bvXEk5Gwu69aYiFLRGAxAYTCfxso0MB49a638OB0Bzr1HGn1IeEMeP4ii9nt3YT3CZJfiCjdm-TNLAB95st9FcqQtQNpG-WDegL7R-fxYOfyimAFqmrLFnr8puuXZTFLZKFcqdahwheT0_Yi-Dm9XAN3g6sB3GYq0KDJbR80uQV_AO0Lu/s1234/Wiggins%20steps%20down%202026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1n3OKSHmWFa8bvXEk5Gwu69aYiFLRGAxAYTCfxso0MB49a638OB0Bzr1HGn1IeEMeP4ii9nt3YT3CZJfiCjdm-TNLAB95st9FcqQtQNpG-WDegL7R-fxYOfyimAFqmrLFnr8puuXZTFLZKFcqdahwheT0_Yi-Dm9XAN3g6sB3GYq0KDJbR80uQV_AO0Lu/s320/Wiggins%20steps%20down%202026.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Just one more thing..."</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>In doing so, he named Steve Doyle, BSI ("<i>The Western Morning News</i>") as the new Wiggins, as Kean takes on the mantle of Wiggins <i>Emeritus</i>.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_w4x2WGI-OnBMOaor425qrx4LKlTSscsf2v3QjAdGgUdum5fVadBjelKd1c5ZREnbUUetTrUNv_rlyUwL86LtVR2tNAzJB6FKt-aRvw3c4Mw6yxIDPljZQgGecx06LgaQ464AdYEJXrDCxGlA8D_TpcwQaFXb4RAArDzHDmZQ6HKofIBnT_mkKU5t3hu/s1200/Wigginses%202%202026.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1200" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_w4x2WGI-OnBMOaor425qrx4LKlTSscsf2v3QjAdGgUdum5fVadBjelKd1c5ZREnbUUetTrUNv_rlyUwL86LtVR2tNAzJB6FKt-aRvw3c4Mw6yxIDPljZQgGecx06LgaQ464AdYEJXrDCxGlA8D_TpcwQaFXb4RAArDzHDmZQ6HKofIBnT_mkKU5t3hu/w640-h308/Wigginses%202%202026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Two Wigginses</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>One of the other traditions of the BSI Weekend is the auction in support of the Dr. Watson Fund at the BSI Luncheon Reception. The Watson Fund provides a means of support for those who might not otherwise be able to afford events at the BSI Weekend. It is anonymously administered, and tax-deductible donations are made throughout the year, as well as at the auction and the raffle each year.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year's raffle prize was donated by Danna Mancini, BSI ("McMurdo") and it was a model of the Bruce-Partington submarine.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrqXzkLu8kNWb8I8bVmfwJ7o9YHvdJu79M_Cxlx6muEmSWnzDjfb0ivGPCkGoCVHWBa4NIKgZA1BuY5fhLXvN_CQOBfdhWpwjz1b7CzzjtoqhmYQtVaMZYUrdG4UdfYEpUlu1T01Z8prF3r4nSh1FZ4t7gea_ipiLRWqpm4yhkDQL0BmKZzuXFkRGoS3Nu" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="960" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrqXzkLu8kNWb8I8bVmfwJ7o9YHvdJu79M_Cxlx6muEmSWnzDjfb0ivGPCkGoCVHWBa4NIKgZA1BuY5fhLXvN_CQOBfdhWpwjz1b7CzzjtoqhmYQtVaMZYUrdG4UdfYEpUlu1T01Z8prF3r4nSh1FZ4t7gea_ipiLRWqpm4yhkDQL0BmKZzuXFkRGoS3Nu=w640-h394" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br />But, the real news came after the auction, when Peter Blau decided it was time to hang up his gavel. Except, Peter never used a gavel...</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="479" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bb0fSJgV8rM" width="577" youtube-src-id="Bb0fSJgV8rM"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN13g0I28kZSQ6Zqr8YFoXiNdQvF4RhRotBqm55k6OihBBqMXacp1uGO8FowyaRoOmOPk9mEp3PKiyJj9mfODWYWNQwNgUTBUJYfrBfXojO64fOkcGbzMckOyTw8R3dfIIEBkt9iL3INNaqvz69KZs74Uj7mBb1fYs8M_drzyc-BaHtA2aDEZYX9HXnhw/s1600/IMG_9666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtN13g0I28kZSQ6Zqr8YFoXiNdQvF4RhRotBqm55k6OihBBqMXacp1uGO8FowyaRoOmOPk9mEp3PKiyJj9mfODWYWNQwNgUTBUJYfrBfXojO64fOkcGbzMckOyTw8R3dfIIEBkt9iL3INNaqvz69KZs74Uj7mBb1fYs8M_drzyc-BaHtA2aDEZYX9HXnhw/w640-h360/IMG_9666.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is difficult to capture all of the activities of the BSI Weekend, due to so many small groups branching out to honor their own traditions, including named events such as ASH Wednesday, Lost in New York with a Bunch of Sherlockians, and the ASH Brunch. Not to mention other events like the Vendors Room, the BSI Reception, and the dozens of planned and unplanned informal gatherings.</div><div><br /></div><div>A comprehensive report of the events will be in the Spring issue of the <i><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">Baker Street Journal</a></i>. Check your subscription to make sure you're on the list. You won't want to miss it.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As ever, the game's afoot!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div><br /></div>

The 2026 BSI Weekend – Awards and Honors

“a brief review of what had passed” [THOR]   In the  next episode of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere , we'll be covering some of our own p...

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by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“</span><b>Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser</b><span style="text-align: left;">”</span><b> [SILV] </b></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s1600/BSI+logo+full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s640/BSI+logo+full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bsiweekend.com" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up in January, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br /><br />The <a href="https://bsiweekend.com" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 7–11, 2026, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for three or more days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now.<div><br /></div><div>Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation, and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s1600/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s320/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><a href="https://www.amateurmendicantsociety.com/" target="_blank">Amateur Mendicants</a> welcome too!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br /><br />This marks <b>13 years</b> since we began sharing these tips — the <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/12/a-suggestion-perhaps-houn_28.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">first of which</a> was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.</div><div><br /><br />And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense of what it's like, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191368218&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br />Herewith are the suggestions:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><h3>Bags 🧳</h3><ul><li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you buy. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li><li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li><li>You might also consider <b>bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room</b> on Saturday to carry your various purchases. Not all merchants provide bags; carting away your haul is <i>your</i> responsibility. And you <i>do</i> want a haul, don't you?</li></ul><br /><h3>Meeting Others 📇</h3><ul><li>Bring business cards (a quaint tradition). You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, social media, etc. </li><li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li><li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner.</li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: there's usually a pen in the dinner packet.</li></ul><li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li></ul><br /><h3>Comportment / Etiquette 🤝</h3><ul><li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again — or how lovely it is to meet them for the first time after having known them only online. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li><li>If this is your first time at the Weekend or at an event, <b>ask questions</b> if you're unsure of something, are curious, or would like to understand more. As in <i>The Valley of Fear</i>, "certain rites, and also certain duties" may be involved, and it may not be clear why.</li><li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li><li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th (or 19th!) century and who might not want to appear on your timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online. Common courtesy is timeless.</li><li>Please be kind to anyone helping you from the BSI and wider Sherlockian community. We're all volunteers, doing this out of the kindness of our hearts. Your kindness, patience, and understanding will go a long way.</li></ul><div><br /></div><h3>Attire 🥿 🧥</h3><ul><li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li><li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li><li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li><li>Dress in layers. Many times, the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could — and did — comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li></ul><br /><h3>Money 💰</h3><ul><li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. It is also customary to leave a tip for your housecleaning staff at the hotel.</li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: We prefer withdrawing $2 bills from the bank and bringing them with us to make things extra efficient when entering or exiting doors and taxis.</li></ul><li>Bring a checkbook (or cash!) to the Merchants Room, as not everyone there takes credit cards (yet) and you may find an item you must have. </li><li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room — it will probably be gone by then.</li><li>Most of the vendors in the Merchants Room are very kind and understanding people, and many are also collectors or Sherlockians themselves. If you would care to haggle with them, they're likely open to it. It can't hurt to ask.</li><li>The BSI and Wessex Press tables accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li><li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend — and then double it. That might get you through. 💸</li></ul><br /><h3>Time 🕰️</h3><ul><li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li><li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li><li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to the same events as you.</li><li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as <b>Uber </b>or <b>Lyft, </b>or <b>Curb </b>for taxis) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li></ul><br /><h3>Getting Around 🚕 🚇 🚶</h3><ul><li>Hey, Magellan, guess what? You have the power of a global satellite navigation system in the palm of your hand. That is, if you have a smartphone. Google Maps or Apple Maps are indispensable for getting around, by foot, taxi, or public transportation.</li><li>If you want something customized to New York, there are other apps to choose from: <a href="https://citymapper.com/nyc" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.unitedstates.newyork.prod&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank">New York Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>If you don't like using the map app on your phone, print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li><li>Download and print Monica Schmidt's <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdjyiMn4hWp-3iVqImETafEgbrylo_ufMgqiKE2aSBw/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawOK3mFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeEXCN35IE1fxQmeVISoe4LFDc8dJ_wt8NYC2dG-PUqu4K8DoN7I3i85LlCrw_aem_rHGiHFJCgVQDw5Sw97-TKw&tab=t.0" target="_blank">handy schedule</a></b>, particularly if you're more visually inclined. It's a nice grid. </li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhalssA5h6bHIv-uPJDeNhkIGQOBS8dppo8kzALF3m0vj1oj2j4Ka-QcV_4ZgUYE56xHY4Tk3O9WdnfUymdk70-Sc1ZU-8siWzA9rttiqPFdVIzggebowrfMMKuXO6Kb0pyxMHw0ZbxuzcC3N5tDpAfpPUkppDYrPv_pohAMEeIebrwWHYx8WQQXbCpm1kb" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="796" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhalssA5h6bHIv-uPJDeNhkIGQOBS8dppo8kzALF3m0vj1oj2j4Ka-QcV_4ZgUYE56xHY4Tk3O9WdnfUymdk70-Sc1ZU-8siWzA9rttiqPFdVIzggebowrfMMKuXO6Kb0pyxMHw0ZbxuzcC3N5tDpAfpPUkppDYrPv_pohAMEeIebrwWHYx8WQQXbCpm1kb=w400-h299" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click image to enlarge; <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdjyiMn4hWp-3iVqImETafEgbrylo_ufMgqiKE2aSBw/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawOL2plleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8341Ut7X2Dk21oANHvAiIYjknyq-drMTQCOpy2mJTEM9UaU7dyzARraHH6o_aem_yjmqXMtVYTvEIo0oFBUyyw&tab=t.0" target="_blank">click here</a> to open document</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><br /></div><ul><li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Westin Grand Central Hotel, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li><li>Download the <b>The Official MTA App</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li><li>Beginning in 2026, New York City subways will transition away from MetroCards to OMNY cards or payments with physical and digital debit and credit cards. You can already use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or your touchless credit card to pay at the turnstile.</li></ul><ul><li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a>, Uber, or <a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">Curb</a>. </li><ul><li>If you'd like a code for <b>Lyft</b>, <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">click here</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li><li>For <b>Uber</b>, you can get a 50% discount on your first two rides (up to $10 each) by <a href="https://referrals.uber.com/refer?id=26ayuga4aant" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.</li><li><b>For NYC taxis, </b><a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">download the Curb app</a> to get $5 when you create an account. You can either request a cab with it, or when you're in a cab simply enter a 7-digit code displayed in the cab and it will pair with your device.</li></ul></ul><br /><h3>Logistics 📝</h3><ul><li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li><li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li><li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable a few years ago) – if this happens again, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li></ul><br /><h3>The Unscheduled 📅</h3><ul><li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer to eat breakfast alone — saving energy for later conversations).</li><li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li></ul><br /><h3>Dining 🍽️</h3>What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Westin Grand Central Hotel.<br /><ul><li>The restaurant scene in NYC has changed drastically during the pandemic. Some old favorites may no longer be there; some may have restricted hours or dining arrangements.</li><li>Check <b><a href="https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-grand-central-station" target="_blank">Open Table</a></b> for restaurants that take reservations; they offer free booking and allow you to see availability of tables by time and by number of seats. </li><li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner. There are a number of <b><a href="https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/restaurants/" target="_blank">Grand Central Restaurants</a></b> inside. </li><li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, check <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g60763-d103371-Grand_Central_Terminal-New_York_City_New_York.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants+Near+Grand+Central+Station&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY" target="_blank">Yelp</a></b>,</li><li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li></ul><br /><h3>Online 📱</h3>Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br /><ul><li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>.  </li><li>The Doylean Honors will be held <b>online </b>as well as in person on Thursday, January 8 at 11:15 a.m. EST. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfAtaRx_QhRZEE_PU7HGx4u0ErUTG7r63OwBelTs6LouBcUgw/viewform" target="_blank">Register in advance using this form</a>.</li><li>The Literary Agents will hold their meeting exclusively online on Friday, January 9 at 10:30 a.m. EST. Interested viewers <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdZAD1BZn5AR8EzYY7B20TUs0aJAPDjsLSrC_a-igyzl3SzOQ/viewform" target="_blank">will need to register here</a>.</li></ul><br /><br /></div><div>That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment below or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be beneficiaries.<br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">--</div></div>

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

“ Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser ”  [SILV]  With the  BSI Weekend  coming up in January, we thought it might be h...

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by Scott Monty

Nominations Are Open for the 2026 Susan Rice Mentorship Award

<h4 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">“twinkling in front of us through the gloom to guide us” [SPEC]  </h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNsgCY2JRMohz42NAtuVTQXg8WSSN8Hf4peDxiox5RWJOeJ2AS6tlyNMsQJVrNi5Ff9MdNw6PeZ7w0--Bg7bpxzouCLqGCEBhAYe_uXv1kyGoKHgvDeI8Hi3pXWWjeyO-gouPG6cbojhQ7UdI9XjtT98NM-q9zHsL6_mccy4ajEzRrQsxlSP2l3Onaw/s960/Blau-Rice.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNsgCY2JRMohz42NAtuVTQXg8WSSN8Hf4peDxiox5RWJOeJ2AS6tlyNMsQJVrNi5Ff9MdNw6PeZ7w0--Bg7bpxzouCLqGCEBhAYe_uXv1kyGoKHgvDeI8Hi3pXWWjeyO-gouPG6cbojhQ7UdI9XjtT98NM-q9zHsL6_mccy4ajEzRrQsxlSP2l3Onaw/w640-h428/Blau-Rice.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo courtesy of Will Walsh, BSI</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div>Every profession, every hobby needs mentors. A mentor's job is to help new arrivals understand the context and meaning of the organization they're stepping into. Mentors helpfully point out the guardrails, endlessly encourage curiosity, and consistently communicate the worth and potential of those in their charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mentors are leaders.</div><div><br /></div><div>And we were blessed to have such a leader in <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Susan+Rice+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DSusan%2BRice%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Susan Rice, ASH, BSI, 2s</a>.</b> ("Beeswing") as part of the <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Sherlockian+movement&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DSherlockian%2Bmovement%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Sherlockian movement</a>. You can read <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2020/10/remembering-susan-rice-ash-bsi-2s.html#.Y0VupXZKjb0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">what our peers had to say about Susan</a> upon her passing four years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>Susan was an exceptional writer, and one of her specialties was <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Vincent+Starrett&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DVincent%2BStarrett%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Vincent Starrett</a>. We had the opportunity to speak with her and <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Ray+Betzner+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DRay%2BBetzner%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Ray Betzner, BSI</a></b> ("The Agony Column") about Starrett on <a href="https://ihose.co/ihose61" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 61</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-frameid="4677" data-dashlane-rid="7bd3e822dd64a1ca" data-form-type="" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/2671427/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/000000/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And there could be no better example of Susan's mentorship than her involvement with the <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Adventuresses+of+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DAdventuresses%2Bof%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Adventuresses of Sherlock Holmes</a> and the quiet yet determined effort to see women admitted to the <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Baker+Street+Irregulars&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DBaker%2BStreet%2BIrregulars%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Baker Street Irregulars</a>, which we discussed with her and <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Evelyn+Herzog+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DEvelyn%2BHerzog%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Evelyn Herzog, BSI</a></b> ("The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet") in <a href="https://ihose.co/ihose89" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 89</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-frameid="4680" data-dashlane-rid="ef76ff83883f0b14" data-form-type="" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4113629/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/a70101/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So when the <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Susan+Rice+Mentorship+Award&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DSusan%2BRice%2BMentorship%2BAward%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Susan Rice Mentorship Award</a></b> was announced at the 2022 BSI Weekend, it was no surprise that stalwart <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Peter+Blau+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DPeter%2BBlau%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Peter Blau, BSI</a></b> ("<a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Black+Peter+Sherlock+Holmes+story&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DBlack%2BPeter%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%2Bstory%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Black Peter</a>") was announced as the inaugural recipient. [That's Peter pictured above with Susan.]</div><div><br /></div><div>The second recipient, announced at the 2023 BSI Weekend was <b>Evelyn Herzog, BSI, ASH</b> ("The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet").</div><div><br /></div><div>The third recipient was <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Francine+Kitts+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DFrancine%2BKitts%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Francine Kitts, BSI, ASH</a></b> ("Lady Hilda Trelawney Hope") in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the latest recipient is <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Julie+McKuras+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DJulie%2BMcKuras%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Julie McKuras, BSI, ASH</a></b> ("The Dutchess of Devonshire"),</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nominations for the <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Susan+Rice+Mentorship+Award&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DSusan%2BRice%2BMentorship%2BAward%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>2026 Susan Rice Mentorship Award</a> are open until November 10.</b> The winner will be announced and presented with the award during the 2026 BSI Weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXTIK0FKFYMe2DJ3yLgFLMocXxgB2syBNincfwLQCeTX3An7QTCWcucAiHzG_6l5Q4Kyms8xJDI8hE2ml2wiaRwb09Q_nnePlZ7iGWiSyKDeGGCdjwouO_iXxTURfrsPMohGC2wGEQkGz-OTNJaFAqnSE_Qfd3w6VnUl_chkZlWgkXT3Lm6xpIyoj6A/s1500/Award.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1500" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXTIK0FKFYMe2DJ3yLgFLMocXxgB2syBNincfwLQCeTX3An7QTCWcucAiHzG_6l5Q4Kyms8xJDI8hE2ml2wiaRwb09Q_nnePlZ7iGWiSyKDeGGCdjwouO_iXxTURfrsPMohGC2wGEQkGz-OTNJaFAqnSE_Qfd3w6VnUl_chkZlWgkXT3Lm6xpIyoj6A/w640-h494/Award.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><h3>What is the Susan Rice Mentorship Award?</h3><div><div>The award is to recognize the activities of a member of the <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Sherlock Holmes</a> community who has been a mentor to others, in the spirit of Susan Rice. The award will be judged on the mentor’s commitment to bringing aspiring Sherlockians into the cause and encouraging them to find ways to keep green the memory of Sherlock Holmes. While those activities could be in the traditional realm of <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=trifling+monographs+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3Dtrifling%2Bmonographs%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>trifling monographs</a> and playing <a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=The+Game+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DThe%2BGame%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>The Game</a>, we would also recognize that the effort could take place in other media and activities. </div><div><br /></div><div>To sum up who we are looking for in a few words: Someone who is generous, welcoming, and offers encouragement.</div><p><br /></p><h3>Who Is Eligible For The Award?</h3><p>The Susan Rice Mentorship Award is open to all living Sherlockians who are generous, welcoming, and offer encouragement. They will also need to have a proven record that supports that definition. No current judges or previous winners may be considered for the award. The award is not limited to members of the Baker Street Irregulars.</p><p><br /></p><h3>How Is Someone Nominated?</h3><p>The award will be given based on nominations. The nominator should complete an essay of <b>750 words or fewer </b>that answers this question: “Who do you believe should be recognized for their work in mentoring aspiring Sherlockians and why? Please provide specific examples of their guidance, encouragement, and welcoming spirit.” </p><p>Qualities to consider when nominating: Welcoming to all Sherlockians; looking out for new Sherlockians to join the ranks; encouraging involvement and guiding people through their participation; connecting new Sherlockians to current members of the BSI; believing in someone even if they don’t believe in themselves; leaving the organization better than when they joined it. </p><p>Should someone be nominated in one year and not win, they would need to be re-nominated for consideration in succeeding years.</p><p><br /></p><h3>Where Should Nominations Be Sent?</h3><p>Nominations should be sent to <a href="mailto:SusanRiceMentorAward@gmail.com">SusanRiceMentorAward@gmail.com</a>. An acknowledgment email will be sent in reply. </p><p><br /></p><h3>Who Are The Judges?</h3><p>The current judges are <b>Curtis Armstrong</b>, <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Jenn+Eaker+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DJenn%2BEaker%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Jenn Eaker</a></b>, <b>Ashley Polasek</b>, <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Rob+Nunn+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DRob%2BNunn%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Rob Nunn</a></b>, and <b><a class="b-tooltip-container" data-preview="" href="https://www.google.com/search?ved=1t:260882&q=Madeline+Quinones+Sherlock+Holmes&bbid=6321981775136876837&bpid=5075907601162330622" target="_blank"><span class="b-tooltip" style="display: none;"><iframe src="/share-widget?w=poi&o=t&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fved%3D1t%3A260882%26q%3DMadeline%2BQuinones%2BSherlock%2BHolmes%26bbid%3D6321981775136876837%26bpid%3D5075907601162330622"></iframe></span>Madeline Quinones</a></b>. Again, judges are not eligible for the award.</p><p><br /></p><p>For a heartfelt reminiscence on Susan Rice's impact from a former mentee of hers, read <a href="http://www.vincentstarrett.com/blog/susan-rice-mentorship-award" target="_blank">Curtis Armstrong's essay on the Studies in Starrett blog</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>We hope you nominate someone worthy of the award.</p><p><br /></p><p>--</p><p><br /></p></div>

Nominations Are Open for the 2026 Susan Rice Mentorship Award

“twinkling in front of us through the gloom to guide us” [SPEC]   Photo courtesy of Will Walsh, BSI   Every profession, every hobby needs me...

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by Scott Monty

Episode 304: Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders

<h4 style="text-align: center;">“One of the most precious public possessions of the empire” [BERY] </h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04k_uQqUB_e4zzZXFZ-Ouelqaonx5hYKuWs09OjJQ7n2Sm7zk4wApvtY-SStrM3SQUPTtQUFM8523fdzu6LjwCDqzfLGF5OQzyLLjqd6kkUIRMjLk2Dcw4P12zzv0j2TmIakKrRptU1ccVLEbuh7unoP3rIHuILtyg7dqkyj5PlKK6RMY__GWXPp7zp_B/s2544/ihearofsherlock304-header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2013" data-original-width="2544" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04k_uQqUB_e4zzZXFZ-Ouelqaonx5hYKuWs09OjJQ7n2Sm7zk4wApvtY-SStrM3SQUPTtQUFM8523fdzu6LjwCDqzfLGF5OQzyLLjqd6kkUIRMjLk2Dcw4P12zzv0j2TmIakKrRptU1ccVLEbuh7unoP3rIHuILtyg7dqkyj5PlKK6RMY__GWXPp7zp_B/w640-h506/ihearofsherlock304-header.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><p>Joel Meadows began what eventually became <i><b>Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders: The Gene Genie</b></i> in 2002 while working on <i>Tripwire</i> as a quarterly print magazine.</p><p>He tells us the story of how it took two decades to bring this vision to life with illustrator Andy Bennett, and what the plans are for part two of the story. The initial Kickstarter for part one was wildly successful, and the Kickstarter for the sequel is under way. </p><p>The praise has been effusive: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>“A darn good romp” – Guillermo del Toro, Oscar-winning director</li><li>“Classic Sherlock Holmes! You can smell the chimney-smoke and feel the clatter of hooves. Here’s the character we all know and love, given a fresh polish for the 21st century!” – Ian Rankin, <i>Rebus</i></li></ul><p></p><p>The fusion of history and mystery form Joel's perfect nexus, and he's extending his efforts from graphic novel to a novella next. </p><p>We've moved the <b>Sherlockian News</b> to an exclusive bonus track for <b><a href="https://ihose.co/ihosepatron" target="_blank">supporters</a></b> (watch for that to drop), and added a new segment: "<b>The Learned Societies</b>," all about activities going on in in Sherlockian groups. In this episode, we cover some of the BSI Weekend activities.</p><p>Madeline Quiñones had diligently prepared an installment of "<b>A Chance of Listening</b>," her review of Sherlockian podcasts, that we missed last epsiode, so we make up for it this time. And of course the <b>Canonical Couplet</b> quiz awaits to test your Sherlockian knowledge. The winner, chosen at random from all correct answers, will receive <i>Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders</i>. Send your answer to comment @ ihearofsherlock .com by February 14, 2025 at 11:59 a.m. EST. All listeners are eligible to play.</p><p>If you become a <a href="https://ihose.co/ihosepatron" target="_blank"><b>supporter</b></a> of the show, not only will you help to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and transcription services, but we have thank-you gifts at certain tiers and ad-free versions of the episodes for all patrons.</p><div><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://traffic.libsyn.com/ihearofsherlock/ihearofsherlock304.mp3" target="_blank">Download</a> [Save As] | File size: 57.3 MB, 59:21</h3><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-classification="other" data-dashlane-rid="6c0a29db702d2ca8" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/35093180/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/3d3f42/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-wrap: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><br /></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-wrap: nowrap; word-break: normal;"></div><div style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Interstate, "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Sans", Garuda, Verdana, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-break: anywhere; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; text-wrap: nowrap; word-break: normal;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://www.episodes.fm/258126625" target="_blank">Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere anywhere you get podcasts<br /></a></span><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;">Leave I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere a five-star rating on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-hear-of-sherlock-everywhere/id258126625?ls=1">Apple Podcasts</a> and <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/30WtRn1mnXfAtX7YaeRY5Y">Spotify</a>; listen to us <a href="https://pod.link/ihearofsherlock">wherever you listen to podcasts</a>.</h3></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><h2 style="margin: 0px;">Sponsors</h2><div style="margin: 0px;"><ul><li>Exclusive for IHOSE listeners from <a href="https://mxpublishing.com/" target="_blank">MX Publishing</a>: codes for <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT14AxBwqMqON1zScLBHRecf2hd-2Q7fR-hHdlRDTrBS9K5w/viewform" target="_blank">5 free audio books</a>.</li></ul></div></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Would you care to advertise with us? You can find <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/p/contact.html#.Vc1Qx7JViko" target="_blank">more information here</a>. Let's chat!<br /><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul></ul></div><h2><b>Links</b></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li><i><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tripwire100/sherlock-holmes-and-the-empire-builders-the-gene-genie" target="_blank">Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders: The Gene Genie</a></i> (Kickstarter)</li><li><i><a href="https://tripwiremagazine.co.uk/" target="_blank">Tripwire Magazine</a></i></li><li>Social media links: Joel Meadows on <a href="https://x.com/joelmeadows1" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/joelmeadows.bsky.social" target="_blank">BlueSky</a>, <i>Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders</i> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/792026212415533" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a>, <i>Tripwire Magazine</i> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TripwireMag" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li><li>Previous episode mentioned: <a href="https://ihose.co/ihose173">Episode 173: Another Case of Identity</a></li><ul></ul><li>Find all of our relevant links and social accounts at <a href="http://linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock">linktr.ee/ihearofsherlock</a>.</li></ul><div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="align-items: center; display: flex; flex-direction: column;"><a href="https://goodpods.com/leaderboard/top-100-shows-by-category/fiction/mystery?indie=false&period=month#37883168" target="_blank"><img alt="goodpods top 100 mystery podcasts" src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/leaderboard_badges/fiction_mystery_top50_month.png" style="height: 77px; width: 250px;" /></a><a href="https://goodpods.com/leaderboard/top-100-shows-by-category/fiction/mystery" style="color: #6f6f6f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; margin-top: 4px; text-align: center; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Goodpods Top 100 Mystery Podcasts</a></div><div style="margin: 0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>And would you consider leaving us a rating and or a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Goodpods? It would help other Sherlockians to find us.</div><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px;">Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at 5-1895-221B-5. That's (518) 952-2125.</div><div style="font-family: "times new roman";"><div style="margin: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br />

Episode 304: Sherlock Holmes and the Empire Builders

“One of the most precious public possessions of the empire” [BERY]  Joel Meadows began what eventually became Sherlock Holmes and the Empire...

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by Scott Monty

The 2025 BSI Weekend – Awards and Honors

<h4 style="text-align: center;">“a brief review of what had passed” [THOR]  </h4><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55TSJVpx2Nm22Qsqy_AtuEGvbYKCnBGd_z61RD7Ka3z374ozwQ-A8jkR_zrhrs9hT9FwLuBQsM3Odj1F_vDcxlV9TBFWxH-z-dtbCkUjceQBo3wuIhBj6oeAkiR9-xRc8CMlK5dw4sfx69RZd8w67vhSlLc5PCI3V4bG42FugSG443a0JKTNmOwic82JL/s2048/BSI25%20Class%20of%202025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="2048" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55TSJVpx2Nm22Qsqy_AtuEGvbYKCnBGd_z61RD7Ka3z374ozwQ-A8jkR_zrhrs9hT9FwLuBQsM3Odj1F_vDcxlV9TBFWxH-z-dtbCkUjceQBo3wuIhBj6oeAkiR9-xRc8CMlK5dw4sfx69RZd8w67vhSlLc5PCI3V4bG42FugSG443a0JKTNmOwic82JL/w640-h384/BSI25%20Class%20of%202025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: Will Walsh  </span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>In the <a href="https://episodes.fm/258126625" target="_blank">next episode of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</a>, we'll be covering our own personal experiences at the 2025 BSI Weekend that ran from January 15 – January 19, 2025, during which some 300+ Sherlockians descended on Midtown Manhattan to celebrate the 171st birthday of Sherlock Holmes.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>For the purposes of this update, we're focused on the accolades from the weekend, which happened over a series of events.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Thursday, January 16, the <a href="http://acdsociety.com/">ACD Society</a> held its annual meeting at the Mysterious Bookshop, which once again included the running of the Wessex Cup, with 16 entered horses, all designed by Peggy McFarlane, BSI ("Violet Westbury").</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div><div><h3>Doylean Honors</h3></div><div>The ACD Society also had a more august role, which was the conferring of its annual <a href="http://acdsociety.com/" target="_blank">Doylean Honors</a>.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVaY99UFtbUg5oqgBeqpnMSkNMHDGFDhKh9HsAXQDaui3lWckPjceIACjChc4My3jMx-soyHqlHBDUNVknElDz6Q4iVUwswtmXp-ygz7LujNevjUUwYTRVWaiHmSA2llMtg0uCuPzFRJoTW5UY4mp8lbHFCkUPjki3WrJaZnp5vs-HhBe-o3jk1IRLw/s616/ACD%20Society%20Doylean%20Honors%202022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVaY99UFtbUg5oqgBeqpnMSkNMHDGFDhKh9HsAXQDaui3lWckPjceIACjChc4My3jMx-soyHqlHBDUNVknElDz6Q4iVUwswtmXp-ygz7LujNevjUUwYTRVWaiHmSA2llMtg0uCuPzFRJoTW5UY4mp8lbHFCkUPjki3WrJaZnp5vs-HhBe-o3jk1IRLw/s320/ACD%20Society%20Doylean%20Honors%202022.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><b>For Lifetime Service:</b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/our-alumni/for-alumni/alumni-news/catherine-cooke-bem/&source=gmail&ust=1738029046288000&usg=AOvVaw1-SIKHVnTp17u3T3CqUgb-" href="https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/our-alumni/for-alumni/alumni-news/catherine-cooke-bem/" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank"><b>Catherine Cooke</b></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">, a leading figure in the world of Arthur Conan Doyle scholarship and cultural activity, including management of the Sherlock Holmes Collection at the Westminster Libraries.</span></li></ul><b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>For excellence in the "Fiction and Poetry" category:</b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://margiedeck.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Margie Deck</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">for the story collection</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Place-Gothic-Inspired-Magazine-ebook/dp/B0CQGKDCLQ&source=gmail&ust=1738029046288000&usg=AOvVaw0OJ7I_kDymlWlLkflQ_B_6" href="https://amzn.to/3CeIUe7" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><i>The Genius of the Place</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> (Belanger Books 2023).</span></li><li><span style="color: #222222;"><b>Daniel Friedman and Eugene Friedman</b></span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">for the poem,</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.amazon.com/Steel-Blade-Straight-2024-25-Annual-ebook/dp/B0DQDTMWH2&source=gmail&ust=1738029046288000&usg=AOvVaw2kV4sWHWvmgWqf3QPfoefu" href="https://amzn.to/4aQvPVf" style="color: blue;" target="_blank"><i>At the Crossroads of Fate</i></a><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><span style="color: #222222;">(Belanger Books 2024).</span></li><li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><a href="https://www.nicholas-meyer.com/" target="_blank">Nicholas Meyer</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">for the novel,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mysteriousbookshop.com/products/nicholas-meyer-sherlock-holmes-and-the-telegram-from-hell-preorder&source=gmail&ust=1738029046288000&usg=AOvVaw1FBAdcIsoQE_aizVls1Z6G" href="https://bookshop.org/a/110285/9781613165331" style="background-color: white; color: blue;" target="_blank"><i>Sherlock Holmes and the Telegraph from Hell</i></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">(Mysterious Press 2024)</span></li></ul><div><br /></div><b>For excellence in the "Performing Arts" category:</b></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Mark Gatiss</b> for the film, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2023/52/a-ghost-story-for-christmas-lot-no-249"><i>Lot 249</i></a> (Adorable Media/BBC Arts 2023).</li><li><b>Hal Glatze</b>r for the radio play, <a href="https://halglatzer.com/flatfinders/index.html"><i>Flatfinders 1881</i></a> (2024).</li></ul><p></p><b><div><b><br /></b></div><br /></b><div><b>For excellence in the "Visual Arts" category:</b><br /><ul><li><b>Megan Oldhues</b> for the painting, <i><a href="http://www.acdfriends.org/SHWalk12-Oldhues.html" target="_blank">The End of Devil Hawker</a></i> (Sherlock Holmes Walk Mural Art 2024).</li><li><b>Molly Knox Ostertag</b> for the drawing, <i><a href="https://mkobooks.bigcartel.com/product/watson-s-sketchbook-vol-1" target="_blank">Watson’s Sketchbook: Volume 1</a></i> (MKO Books 2024).</li></ul><br /><b><br /></b><div><b>For excellence in the "Scholarly Writing" category:</b><ul><li><b>Anne Chapman</b> for the article, "<a href="https://mh.bmj.com/content/49/4/565" target="_blank">Authority and medical expertise: Arthur Conan Doyle in The Idler</a>," in <i>Medical Humanities</i> (a journal of the Institute of Medical Ethics, 2023).</li><li><b>Ollie Randall</b> for the article, "<a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/transactions-of-the-royal-historical-society/article/cricket-literary-culture-and-ingroups-in-early-twentiethcentury-britain/810A677925CDE2639548A938CF0106C7" target="_blank">Cricket, Literary Culture and In-Groups in Early Twentieth-Century Britain</a>," in <i>Transactions of the Royal Historical Society</i> (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2024).</li></ul><div><div><br /></div><div>To watch the entire ceremony (about 30 minutes long), see the video on the <a href="https://youtu.be/n2I5q2r3eEw?si=WdkppjKQNEj8Y7rO" target="_blank">Doings of Doyle</a> YouTube channel.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>Susan Rice Mentorship Award</h3><div>On Friday at the Gillette Luncheon, the assembled diners bore witness to the latest recipient of the Susan Rice Mentorship Award.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <a href="http://www.vincentstarrett.com/blog/susan-rice-mentorship-award" target="_blank">Susan Rice Mentorship Award</a> was established in 2022 to recognize the activities of a member of the Sherlock Holmes community who has been a mentor to others, in the spirit of Susan Rice.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year's honoree, announced at the William Gillette Luncheon, was <b>Julie McKuras, BSI</b> ("The Dutchess of Devonshire").</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmY4RCDVu7ouAyGJ0EWetXlk5vHMUukpDnP98UZ1uHLGreUDmMJ4B61tyLdPK-qz4YHyxcAq0Q-1hmbrlOVBo5iMIwcGKEKwzF6f5t-TIJffIfik7PGRs-J7Is2lQYhjtqHg99QOTaFQnS1r0y45Q09PfJWAwu0TGQRIUMSlHLyKmT8bQEoNksEOy9Pxa/s2048/Julie%20McKuras%20Ashley%20Polasek.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="2048" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmY4RCDVu7ouAyGJ0EWetXlk5vHMUukpDnP98UZ1uHLGreUDmMJ4B61tyLdPK-qz4YHyxcAq0Q-1hmbrlOVBo5iMIwcGKEKwzF6f5t-TIJffIfik7PGRs-J7Is2lQYhjtqHg99QOTaFQnS1r0y45Q09PfJWAwu0TGQRIUMSlHLyKmT8bQEoNksEOy9Pxa/w640-h410/Julie%20McKuras%20Ashley%20Polasek.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: Will Walsh</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Previous honorees of the Susan Rice Mentorship Award:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Peter Blau, BSI</b> ("Black Peter") </li><li><b>Evy Herzog, BSI </b>("The Daintiest Thing Under a Bonnet")</li><li><b>Francine Kitts, BSI</b> ("Lady Trelawney Hope")</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>Plaudits From the BSI Dinner</h3><div>As ever, the swirling curiosity and interest are centered on the Baker Street Irregulars annual investitures of new members. But before that, we were greeted with other substantial news.</div><div><br /></div><h4><i>The </i>Woman</h4><div><i>The </i>Woman, an honorific given to the spouse of a Baker Street Irregular was announced at the pre-dinner reception. This year's honoree was <b>Ellen Pfeifer</b>, wife of <b>Dan Polvere, BSI</b> ("Holloway and Steele"). She was toasted and introduced by <b>Richard Olken, BSI</b> ("Bob Carruthers"), after which Elen gave her own remarks.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVCwT4B26dA8WMvmEvWjEZzNR8VdnOdm3AJbrVD6ssN7Ij7IRo-kR8yV1MzrjbTM31due4Ml_mYzynPw3Cq1phbyK4VlQMlnaBZdEAwAaJQWjgPQQJ9xJ1cLMP0acBRTxDSOR6_VO1bSEdH0tzWNdXjSzkhKCp6CK9ML9qdt6XPfrI2xsWKwEJar6R8aF/s2048/The%20Woman%20-%20Ellen%20Pfeifer%20and%20Dan%20Polvere%20and%20Richard%20Olken.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="2048" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVCwT4B26dA8WMvmEvWjEZzNR8VdnOdm3AJbrVD6ssN7Ij7IRo-kR8yV1MzrjbTM31due4Ml_mYzynPw3Cq1phbyK4VlQMlnaBZdEAwAaJQWjgPQQJ9xJ1cLMP0acBRTxDSOR6_VO1bSEdH0tzWNdXjSzkhKCp6CK9ML9qdt6XPfrI2xsWKwEJar6R8aF/w640-h386/The%20Woman%20-%20Ellen%20Pfeifer%20and%20Dan%20Polvere%20and%20Richard%20Olken.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: Will Walsh</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /><h4>The Morley-Montgomery Award</h4></div><div>Each year, one article in the <i><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">Baker Street Journal</a></i> (as determined by a panel of judges) is chosen for the <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2001/05/01/morley-montgomery-award/" target="_blank">Morley-Montgomery Award</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>This year, the award was given to <b>Michael Meer, BSI</b> ("The Englischer Hof") for his article “The Methods of Sherlock Holmes: The "Examination Paper" of 1893's Author Revealed,” appearing in the Winter 2024 issue of the <i>BSJ</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>The Honours List (Investitures)</h3><div>And then we arrived at the announcement of the latest investitures into the Baker Street Irregulars. Membership is granted by <b>Michael Kean, BSI</b> ("General Gordon"), who serves at the BSI's "Wiggins." Each member receives an investiture — a phrase from the Sherlock Holmes canon that is significant or in other ways meaningful to that person.</div><div><br /></div><div>The BSI's Class of 2025 is:</div><div><div><ul><li><b>Shana Carter</b> — "Carter"</li><li><b>Jim Cox</b> — "Coxon"</li><li><b>Judi Ellis</b> — "The Carlton Club"</li><li><b>Ron Fish</b> — "The Hon. Ronald Adair"</li><li><b>Beth Gallego</b> — "Lighthouses"</li><li><b>Bruce Harris</b> — "Harris"</li><li><b>Louise Haskett</b> — "Aurora"</li><li><b>Rosemary Herbert</b> — "A Slim Youth in an Ulster"</li><li><b>Christian Monggaard</b> — "Neville St. Clair"</li><li><b>Gary Thaden</b> —  "Augusto Barelli"</li></ul></div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Andrew Solberg, BSI</b> ("Professor Coram") received the Two Shilling Award, for service above and beyond.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>We're pleased to note that one of the newest Irregulars, Rosemary Herbert, previously made an appearance on<i> I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere</i> (<a href="https://ihose.co/ihose173" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 173</a>), discussing her adventure in donning male costume to crash a 1970s-era dinner of the then all-male Speckled Band of Boston:</div><div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" data-dashlane-classification="other" data-dashlane-rid="53a9e9936f6e5699" height="192" mozallowfullscreen="true" msallowfullscreen="true" oallowfullscreen="true" scrolling="no" src="https://play.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/10669733/height/192/theme/modern/size/large/thumbnail/yes/custom-color/414851/time-start/00:00:00/playlist-height/200/direction/backward/download/yes/font-color/FFFFFF" style="border: none;" title="Embed Player" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="100%"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">The Emerald Tie Pin Society</h3><div>In a bit of an ad hoc assembly, the Emerald Tie Pin Society was formed. This group consists of Sherlockians who were fortunate enough to receive an emerald tie pin from the late Maggie Schpak, BSI ("The Soup Plate Medal"). Maggie was a designer and metallurgist, providing countless props to Hollywood productions over the years. She passed away in 2024.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OgHYfLtmxiTiurMKptqEC1q3OuLlgfAKtT8bQxrcrdJqEbwODdqiT5cva-1GEY80vz7Tl-TY6NVlZgsTyoyIawVa_vpKs0VmHm3DMDEWrxTupLr1lwGq-pmp1MdYuMSPhkaVAoEHeDyzEu-o5Jzjs5VPs0gSKs0CBcZsG9iXIjZ0fHbcqIB8vm0dXys4/s2048/Emerald%20tie%20pin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2005" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OgHYfLtmxiTiurMKptqEC1q3OuLlgfAKtT8bQxrcrdJqEbwODdqiT5cva-1GEY80vz7Tl-TY6NVlZgsTyoyIawVa_vpKs0VmHm3DMDEWrxTupLr1lwGq-pmp1MdYuMSPhkaVAoEHeDyzEu-o5Jzjs5VPs0gSKs0CBcZsG9iXIjZ0fHbcqIB8vm0dXys4/s320/Emerald%20tie%20pin.jpg" width="313" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2NnWmQgriui7ZfOE8JXQswCsXSZbubkrcRypIgwdtb-UoI_-r18TjuJeAWzUmVN-YzytnSK_TSh_tWJb1gPXzxxBw8XucaJoUCULHV8enleCvZMCf7ZFWK2dougSCf2_pB8vpRTuNQDmn4mvc-by2CSo1Id3ZnuBumQaET4TqtUzr8GkHXsJQnxXlA0/s6796/BSI25%20Emerald%20Tie%20Pin%20society.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3884" data-original-width="6796" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk2NnWmQgriui7ZfOE8JXQswCsXSZbubkrcRypIgwdtb-UoI_-r18TjuJeAWzUmVN-YzytnSK_TSh_tWJb1gPXzxxBw8XucaJoUCULHV8enleCvZMCf7ZFWK2dougSCf2_pB8vpRTuNQDmn4mvc-by2CSo1Id3ZnuBumQaET4TqtUzr8GkHXsJQnxXlA0/w640-h366/BSI25%20Emerald%20Tie%20Pin%20society.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo credit: Will Walsh</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It is difficult to capture all of the activities of the BSI Weekend, due to so many small groups branching out to honor their own traditions, including named events such as ASH Wednesday, Lost in New York with a Bunch of Sherlockians, and the ASH Brunch. Not to mention other events like the Vendors Room, the BSI Reception.</div><div><br /></div><div>A comprehensive report of the events will be in the Spring issue of the <i><a href="https://ihose.co/BSJ" target="_blank">Baker Street Journal</a></i>. Check your subscription to make sure you're on the list!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>As ever, the game's afoot!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div><br /><br /></div>

The 2025 BSI Weekend – Awards and Honors

“a brief review of what had passed” [THOR]   Photo credit: Will Walsh   In the  next episode of I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere , we'll be...

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by Scott Monty

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

<h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">“</span><b>Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser</b><span style="text-align: left;">”</span><b> [SILV] </b></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s1600/BSI+logo+full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFYYwNkDcFee52TLetezTvrjJuCKXcoJ8tRTmgBBmyA6s8xbAhLwknSBTpj-Pkrx6jpEyFqM9xEg-CaN-pHP8mPZatyZtGZm8Rqasu7Kb8BZSgUSpY_ZdFEBKopS_ZrYAzONcuAGPHOHA/s640/BSI+logo+full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: center;">With the </span><b style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-event-dates/" target="_blank">BSI Weekend</a></b><span style="text-align: center;"> coming up next month, we thought it might be helpful to provide a series of tips for the veteran attendees and the newbies alike.</span><br /><br />The <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/2022/10/17/plans-2023-bsi-weekend/" target="_blank">Baker Street Irregulars Weekend</a> is happening January 15-19, 2025, and it's usually a pretty big deal if you're taking time out of your life to head into New York City for three or more days of activities with people you haven't seen in a year (or years!) or those you may have only known online until now.<div><br /></div><div>Whether you're making the trip for the first or twenty-first time, you know that the Weekend provides the same level of excitement, anticipation, and giddiness as Christmas morning does to a child.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s1600/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6OGNTJ9y_alsmGZ4itwvxut6FnZFBQOLkk-N2WkkKYRjWi6VhW3taPMuwHbm71ZOdynxKBFX43yxwG0F0HkBqsQx3Z1pc4kiIezeMXQG6zPdPVmG4FPv6y_wsBc8QavGdfNnOZ680d6u/s320/TWIS+Hugh+Boone.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">All tips gladly accepted</td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's usually during those anxious moments that our brain-attic tends to forget some of the essentials that help make a great trip perfect. And for the uninitiated, it's just a matter of not knowing what you need to survive the BSI Weekend.<br /><br />This marks <b>12 years</b> since we began sharing these tips — the <a href="https://www.ihearofsherlock.com/2012/12/a-suggestion-perhaps-houn_28.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">first of which</a> was inspired by interviewing several members of the Baker Street Irregulars — including some newer members who might have a less distant memory of their first Weekend, and some who have been at it literally for decades. Information has been updated to reflect changes in the city as well as in technology.</div><div><br /><br />And if there are any additional tips that you think would be helpful to attendees, please feel free to add your own as a comment below. And if you'd like a sense of what it's like, listen to <a href="http://ihose.co/ihose74" target="_blank">Episode 74</a>:<br /><br /><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/191368218&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br /><br />Herewith are the suggestions:<br /><br /><h3>Health 💉</h3></div><div><ul><li>While Sherlockians like to imagine a world where "it's always 1895," the reality of the present day is that we are still fighting a global pandemic. While it's not Tapanuli fever or the black Formosa corruption, it's a good idea to take precautions.</li><li>Consistent with other New York City venues, the BSI does not expect to have mask or vaccination requirements for the BSI-hosted January 2025 events. You still might want to check the <a href="https://files.bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-event-covid-19.pdf" target="_blank">BSI Event COVID Policy</a> for the latest details. </li><li>When traveling in the winter months, it doesn't hurt to wear a mask when you're indoors and around a lot of people, especially if you or a loved one is immunocompromised. </li><li><b style="font-style: italic;">Remember:</b><i> Your health and the health of loved ones at home when you return are of great concern to people who like to share your company at these events. </i>❤️</li></ul></div><div><ul><li><b>PLEASE NOTE: </b>To get the latest BSI event news, go to the BSI website and sign up for the free <a href="https://bakerstreetirregulars.com/bsi-news-via-email" target="_blank">News from the BSI</a> email service.</li></ul></div><div><br /><h3>Bags 🧳</h3><ul><li>Make sure that you have plenty of room to bring home books that you buy. If you have to bring an extra bag that you can fold up and put in your suitcase, do so. </li><li>Some suggest bringing a plastic shopping bag to the BSI dinner, as it makes carrying the dinner packet around a little easier, especially if you plan to go to another venue afterward. </li><li>You might also consider <b>bringing a shopping bag to the Merchants Room</b> on Saturday to carry your various purchases. Not all merchants provide bags; carting away your haul is <i>your</i> responsibility. And you <i>do</i> want a haul, don't you?</li></ul><br /><h3>Meeting Others 📇</h3><ul><li>Bring business cards (a quaint tradition). You will be meeting a lot of new people, and you will be sharing contact information. Put as many as you think that you will need in your pack, and then double it. And be sure to include all modes of contacting you, including website, social media, etc. </li><li>If you're in need of a good card, the <a href="http://moo.com/">Moo</a> does a splendid job and <a href="http://vistaprint.com/">VistaPrint</a> has a fast turnaround time. </li><li>If you want to make sure you get your table mates to sign your menu, bring a pen to the dinner.</li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: there's usually a pen in the dinner packet.</li></ul><li>Allow yourself time to schmooze with other Sherlockians. This is the fastest way to make new friends, who will quickly become old friends. </li></ul><br /><h3>Comportment / Etiquette 🤝</h3><ul><li><b>Do</b> tell people how good it is to see them again — or how lovely it is to meet them for the first time after having known them only online. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them that you miss them in the intervening months between BSI weekends. </li><li><b>Do</b> tell them how invaluable they are to you as a Sherlockian comrade-in-arms and friend and how much you value their friendship. </li><li>If you're scheduled to speak at an event, be mindful not to overdo the alcohol beforehand. Dutch courage is usually inappropriate in such circumstances. </li><li>In this hyper-connected world, it's easy to forget that there are those attending the weekend for whom "it is always 1895" — or nearly so. When you're taking photographs, please be mindful of those who are firmly rooted in the 20th (or 19th!) century and who might not want to appear on your timeline by <u>asking their permission</u> to share your photos of them online. Common courtesy is timeless.</li></ul><div><br /></div><h3>Attire 🥿 🧥</h3><ul><li>Bring comfortable shoes. The weekend inevitably includes a lot of walking. </li><li>This one is especially for the ladies: it's useful to have a change of shoes in your handbag so the stilettos don't murder you by the end of the evening (or vice versa). </li><li>Bring warm clothes. It is winter in New York, and non-Sherlockian New York friends say they know when we are in town because we bring really bad weather. </li><li>Dress in layers. Many times, the weather can be cold, but there have been instances in New York in January when we could – and did – comfortably walk about the streets without even a jacket on. </li></ul><br /><h3>Money 💰</h3><ul><li>Bring small bills. They will come in handy as you share taxis going from place to place, and you’ll find them handy when tipping helpful service employees. </li><ul><li><b><i>Pro tip</i></b>: We prefer withdrawing $2 bills from the bank and bringing them with us to make things extra efficient.</li></ul><li>Bring a checkbook (or cash!) to the Merchants Room, as not everyone there takes credit cards and you may find an item you must have. </li><li>If you see something you're interested in at the Merchants Room and you can afford it, don't wait until your second sweep of the room – it will probably be gone by then.</li><li>Most of the vendors in the Merchants Room are very kind and understanding people, and many are also collectors or Sherlockians themselves. If you would care to haggle with them, they're likely open to it. It can't hurt to ask.</li><li>The BSI and Wessex Press tables accept <b>credit cards, PayPal and Apple Pay</b>.</li><li>Estimate, on the top side, what you expect to spend – and then double it. That might get you through. 💸</li></ul><br /><h3>Time 🕰️</h3><ul><li>If you have any health conditions, allow yourself time to go back to your hotel room for periodic rests. Many find these rests invaluable, enabling them to enjoy the weekend despite their condition. Schedule your time. </li><li>Know when you need to be places (including when you need to catch the train/plane back home). </li><li>Count on it taking some time to get a cab amongst the other Sherlockians who may be headed to the same events as you.</li><li>Alternatively, download a ride-hailing app (such as <b>Uber </b>or <b>Lyft, </b>or <b>Curb </b>for taxis) to help you avoid these waits. <b>See below for more details and a way to save money on rides</b>.</li></ul><br /><h3>Getting Around 🚕 🚇 🚶</h3><ul><li>Hey, Magellan, guess what? You have the power of a global satellite navigation system in the palm of your hand. That is, if you have a smartphone. Google Maps or Apple Maps are indispensable for getting around, by foot, taxi, or public transportation.</li><li>If you want something customized to New York, there are other apps to choose from: <a href="https://citymapper.com/nyc" target="_blank">Citymapper</a>, <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=guide.unitedstates.newyork.prod&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank">New York Guide for Android</a> and iOS has the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-travel-guide-offline/id319296365?mt=8">New York Travel Guide and Offline Map</a>.</li></ul><ul><li>If you don't like using the map app on your phone, print out a street map of the city with the places you need to be circled or otherwise identified. Many things are within walking distance, but it is good to know you are starting out in the right direction (or know when to turn). </li><li>Download and print Monica Schmidt's <b><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-SRASH4lG_1rciTn59bGhCR_EDiLDF4ep5-TWufe_mU/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank">handy schedule</a></b>, particularly if you're more visually inclined. It's a nice grid.</li></ul><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdxJKMSy6W139X7WiiU3r3Q_9ln-onca3Cp1_rETHHoHfM8zFdPSG9dW4OYjwzDuQnjvgU7XwZtWzfIk4361TdZSr8xWEn7r-4Zyb2__X1VA8WyCrD1iMF9D_KM_0m91c07NFPFMbKpc2rH5Vt13a_5akAj_4s2bdsgMSougjkBsI6hzAdFJeBs7_GwQHz" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="998" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgdxJKMSy6W139X7WiiU3r3Q_9ln-onca3Cp1_rETHHoHfM8zFdPSG9dW4OYjwzDuQnjvgU7XwZtWzfIk4361TdZSr8xWEn7r-4Zyb2__X1VA8WyCrD1iMF9D_KM_0m91c07NFPFMbKpc2rH5Vt13a_5akAj_4s2bdsgMSougjkBsI6hzAdFJeBs7_GwQHz=w400-h302" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click image to enlarge; <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-SRASH4lG_1rciTn59bGhCR_EDiLDF4ep5-TWufe_mU/edit?tab=t.0" target="_blank">click here</a> to open document</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><ul><li>If you want to go to Otto Penzler's <a href="http://mysteriousbookshop.com/" target="_blank">Mysterious Bookshop</a> and are staying at The Westin Grand Central Hotel, the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to go is by subway. From Grand Central take a <b>4</b> or <b>5</b> express train <b>two</b> stops to <b>Brooklyn Bridge Station</b>; it is a very short walk over to Otto's. Don't take a local (which makes 10 stops). The express is about five minutes. </li><li>Download the <b>MYmta app</b> from the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mymta/id1297605670?mt=8">App Store</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=info.mta.mymta&hl=en">Google Play</a> for navigating the subway. </li><li>Pool funds with others to buy regular per-ride <b><a href="http://web.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm">MetroCards</a></b>. These can be shared by up to four people on each trip and are good for one transfer between subway/bus or between buses on uptown/crosstown routes within 2 hours.</li><ul><li>If you're 65 or older, present ID for a reduced fare MetroCard – $2.75 for two rides with the same transfer provisions noted above. <b>Note:</b> a 65+ MetroCard <b><i>cannot</i></b> be shared and you must find a live 'token booth' clerk to inspect your ID – reduced fare not available in machines.</li><li>If you reach the end of the Weekend with a balance on your MetroCard, return to New York more frequently! Or give your card to local-area Sherlockians.</li></ul></ul><ul><li>Download a ride-hailing app such as <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787" target="_blank">Lyft</a>, Uber, or <a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">Curb</a>. </li><ul><li>If you'd like a code for <b>Lyft</b>, use <a href="https://lyft.com/i/SCOTT726787">SCOTT726787</a> to sign up and receive a $5 credit towards rides.</li><li><b>For NYC taxis, </b><a href="https://my.gocurb.com/invite85u83u" target="_blank">download the Curb app</a> and use the code <b>85U83U</b> to get $5 when you create an account. You can either request a cab with it,  or when you're in a cab simply enter a 7-digit code displayed in the cab and it will pair with your device.</li></ul></ul><br /><h3>Logistics 📝</h3><ul><li>Bring your event payment confirmations, just in case of a glitch in the system. </li><li>Also, everything is pretty centrally located, but it's a good idea to have a list of your schedule with the addresses of the venues so that you don't suddenly find yourself asking, where the devil am I supposed to be right now? </li><li>The heat during the BSI dinner has been uncomfortable in years past in the Yale Club (potentially dangerously uncomfortable a few years ago) – if this happens again, vests/waistcoats are not advised. Unless you're <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcaric/8379354330/">Mattias Bostrom</a>. </li></ul><br /><h3>The Unscheduled 📅</h3><ul><li>If possible, make breakfast plans with other Sherlockians (unless you prefer to eat breakfast alone – saving energy for later conversations).</li><li>To some, the secret to enjoying the jam-packed weekend is to find private, unpublicized events for more intimate interactions. How to find these? “<i>You know my methods. Apply them</i>.” </li></ul><br /><h3>Dining 🍽️</h3>What? You’re not getting enough food between events? Thankfully there are gaps that allow a Sherlockian to venture places on his or her own. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants in and near Grand Central Station, which is in great proximity to the Yale Club and the Westin Grand Central Hotel.<br /><ul><li>The restaurant scene in NYC has changed drastically during the pandemic. Some old favorites may no longer be there; some may have restricted hours or dining arrangements.</li><li>Check <b><a href="https://www.opentable.com/landmark/restaurants-near-grand-central-station" target="_blank">Open Table</a></b> for restaurants that take reservations; they offer free booking and allow you to see availability of tables by time and by number of seats. </li><li>Several Sherlockians like to go to the <b><a href="http://www.oysterbarny.com/">Oyster Bar</a></b> for dinner. There are a number of <b><a href="https://www.grandcentralterminal.com/restaurants/" target="_blank">Grand Central Restaurants</a></b> inside. </li><li>For a more comprehensive listing of eateries nearby, check <b><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/RestaurantsNear-g60763-d103371-Grand_Central_Terminal-New_York_City_New_York.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Restaurants+Near+Grand+Central+Station&find_loc=New+York%2C+NY" target="_blank">Yelp</a></b>,</li><li>And heaven forbid, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.redflamenyc.com/">Red Flame</a>, the perennial favorite next door to the Algonquin Hotel on W. 44th Street.</li></ul><br /><h3>Online 📱</h3>Whether you're in New York for the festivities or sequestered at home, it might be worthwhile to follow along online. Some ways to do that:<br /><ul><li>The official hashtag of the BSI Weekend is <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23bsiweekend&src=typd">#BSIWeekend</a>.  </li><li>The Doylean Honors will be held <b>online </b>as well as in person on Thursday, January 16 at 11:15 am EST. <a href="http://acdsociety.com/Honors/Honors.html" target="_blank">Register at the ACD Society site</a>.</li></ul><br /><br /></div><div>That sums up our list. Do you have tips as well, dear readers? Please leave them in a comment below or drop us a line and let us know what your secrets are so we can all be beneficiaries.<br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">--</div></div>

Tips for Making the Most of the BSI Weekend

“ Let me have the straight tip and you won't be a loser ”  [SILV]  With the  BSI Weekend  coming up next month, we thought it might be h...

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by Scott Monty