The Mycroft
“He has the tidiest and most orderly brain, with the greatest capacity for storing facts ...” (BRUC)
HISTORY
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.
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is a potluck luncheon held during the last weekend of the month and 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).
2021's MYCROFT
The Mycroft is usually held at the Central Branch of the Howard County Public Library, but in 2021, due to pandemic-related restrictions, will be held via Zoom. That means no potluck lunch, but we will still have the quiz! Also at the meeting, those who attended the (also virtual, in 2021) BSI Weekend in early January will get a chance to report on the various events they enjoyed. Things will culminate with the announcement of the Tin Box's next Gasogene.
For more information about the 2021 Mycroft, watch this space.
HISTORY
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.
In a continuation of this tradition, the January meeting of Watson's Tin Box is a potluck luncheon held during the last weekend of the month and 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).
2021's MYCROFT
The Mycroft is usually held at the Central Branch of the Howard County Public Library, but in 2021, due to pandemic-related restrictions, will be held via Zoom. That means no potluck lunch, but we will still have the quiz! Also at the meeting, those who attended the (also virtual, in 2021) BSI Weekend in early January will get a chance to report on the various events they enjoyed. Things will culminate with the announcement of the Tin Box's next Gasogene.
For more information about the 2021 Mycroft, watch this space.
Howard County Library Central Branch
10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044