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Another Sherlockian Picnic. . .

On Saturday night, August 31, seventeen Sherlockians from north Texas convened at the home of yours truly for the 7th annual Sherlock Holmes picnic. Us southerners didn't want the rest of the world to think that only Peoria held such an event.

If I said the night was an evening of excess, I would not be too far off of the mark. It was excessively fun, excessively eventful, and excessively entertaining. There were two adult tea-totalers and two teenagers out of the total of seventeen. We still managed to dispose of a case of beer, four bottles of red wine, two pitchers of blue margaritas, and three-quarters of a bottle of single malt scotch! Excessive, indeed. We were a group of middle-agers acting as though we were still in college. It must have been the Texas heat. Still, everyone made it home safely, that was the most important thing.

Our guest of honor was our local Sherlockian writer, Carole Nelson Douglas. She charmed the socks off of everyone. She also brought a copy of her latest book, Castle Rouge that will be hitting the bookstores this week. Her publishers had also sent her the covers of the re-named earlier Irene Adler books these are being reissued in the fall. Carole was also kind enough to sign copies of her books for everyone who brought them.

One of our members, Don Casey, is a police detective for the Dallas Police Department. He and his wife Rebecca are members a bagpipe and drum corps called Drums and Hoses. This week the governor of Texas phoned and asked them to perform at the state capital on September 11 in honor of the Texans who were killed on that day last year. In honor of this event, they just happened to have their instruments with them. I am sure my neighbors enjoyed the concert as much as we did, even the one 3 blocks away. Bagpipes are too loud to be played inside.

Another of our member, John Kovak, works for the railroad. His job keeps him on the road about ninety per-cent of the time. The advantage of this is John has the time and inclination to find interesting things. His most recent find was a bottle of Deerstalker single malt scotch whiskey. Upon tasting this golden nectar, it was quickly resolved to be the official scotch of The Diogenes Club of Dallas. As I mentioned earlier, there is only a quarter bottle left of the official scotch.

Here is a copy of the menu:

&
The North Texas Regional Sherlock Holmes Group
(No. TRASH)
Present

The 7th Annual Picnic

Aug. 31, 2002 4:00 p.m. until whenever

Menu featuring:

Those semi-famous Mrs. Hudson Burgers:
This is a Missing Three Quarter pound of 90% lean, beef that will be cooked to perfection over a Silver Blaze of charcoal. Little Red Circles of Texas tomatoes and a 7% solution of mustard. Ketchup may be added for that Second Stain. Served with or without those little Yellow Faces of cheese.

Mrs. Warren's Devil's Foot Deviled Eggs:
These things are good enough to straighten up any Crooked Man and give the Mona Lisa a Twisted Lip. Be an Illustrious Client and eat several. Originally served at The Priory School to their original Three Students who wore Golden Pince-Nez.

Colonel Sebastian Moran's Side Dish Surprises:
These truly come from The Valley of Fear. Who knows what Moriarty's minions have in store. You may need a Greek Interpreter to help with these dishes. If they aren't a Scandal in Bohemia, nothing is. Don't end up in a Red-Headed League of your own, try them all!! Beware of the Black Peter and Blanched Soldier but try the Gloria Scott.

The Blue Carbuncle Margarita:
Joyce's own concoction. Drinking these little Hound of the Baskervilles is a virtual Musgrave Ritual, just ask the last Six Napoleons who drank them. That was their Final Problem. Guaranteed to turn Dancing Men into a Reigate Puzzle. Just ask Charles Augustus Milverton.

All food remaining will be placed inside a Cardboard Box according to the Bruce Partington Plan and given to that Solitary Cyclist, Lady Frances Carfax and the Retired Colourman from the Abbey Grange.

In Cases of Identity, there will be Study in Scarlet to determine The Sign of Four. Entertainment will be provided by Gladys Knight and The Five Orange Pips. The Norwood Builder provided the Empty House