The Mycroft
“He has the tidiest and most orderly brain, with the greatest capacity for storing facts ...” (BRUC)
THEN
In January of 1991, as Watson's Tin Box completed its first year of operations, co-founder Paul Churchill, BSI, hosted an "Annual Dinner" for the society at his home. As part of the festivities, the Tin Box's other co-founder (and monthly quiz-master), Steve Clarkson, BSI, designed a 60-question "Canonical Inquisition" covering all the stories the group had read and discussed over the previous year. By the second Annual Dinner, the event had been christened "The Mycroft," after Sherlock's big-brained big brother. The dinner and Inquisition became a Tin Box tradition, and both Paul's hospitality and Steve's quizzes are legendary among Tin Box long-timers.
NOW
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is a potluck luncheon featuring a 60-question, Canon-spanning quiz devised by Steve's current successor in the role of "Torquemada." There's no pressure to participate, but the exercise, while challenging, is intended to be fun for all. The Mycroft Award (conferring a year's possession of the Mycroft plaque and all associated bragging rights) is given to the person who achieves the highest score. The Strangers' Room Award (established by Torquemada II, Beth Austin, ASH) goes to the highest scorer among the self-designated Sherlockian "newbies" taking the quiz (this category can only be competed in once).
The Mycroft is usually held on the last Saturday or Sunday of January at the Central Branch of the Howard County Public Library. At the meeting, those who attended the BSI Weekend in New York earlier in the month get a chance to report on the various activities they enjoyed. Things culminate with the announcement of the Tin Box's next Gasogene.
For information about the 2021 Mycroft, watch this space.
THEN
In January of 1991, as Watson's Tin Box completed its first year of operations, co-founder Paul Churchill, BSI, hosted an "Annual Dinner" for the society at his home. As part of the festivities, the Tin Box's other co-founder (and monthly quiz-master), Steve Clarkson, BSI, designed a 60-question "Canonical Inquisition" covering all the stories the group had read and discussed over the previous year. By the second Annual Dinner, the event had been christened "The Mycroft," after Sherlock's big-brained big brother. The dinner and Inquisition became a Tin Box tradition, and both Paul's hospitality and Steve's quizzes are legendary among Tin Box long-timers.
NOW
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is a potluck luncheon featuring a 60-question, Canon-spanning quiz devised by Steve's current successor in the role of "Torquemada." There's no pressure to participate, but the exercise, while challenging, is intended to be fun for all. The Mycroft Award (conferring a year's possession of the Mycroft plaque and all associated bragging rights) is given to the person who achieves the highest score. The Strangers' Room Award (established by Torquemada II, Beth Austin, ASH) goes to the highest scorer among the self-designated Sherlockian "newbies" taking the quiz (this category can only be competed in once).
The Mycroft is usually held on the last Saturday or Sunday of January at the Central Branch of the Howard County Public Library. At the meeting, those who attended the BSI Weekend in New York earlier in the month get a chance to report on the various activities they enjoyed. Things culminate with the announcement of the Tin Box's next Gasogene.
For information about the 2021 Mycroft, watch this space.
Howard County Library Central Branch
10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044