Thank You

Many thanks to our member Tim M. for arranging our fun-filled and informative evening in New Westminster last Tuesday.

He had arranaged for us to meet at Renaissance Book Shop on 6th Street – thank you to John and Lavana for hosting our book-browsing and coffee-time.

Tim then welcomed us to the Columbia theatre for a light supper and refreshments as we viewed their renovations and stood upon the Raymond Burr stage.

Our final stop for the evening was the British Shop & Sherlock’s Cafe.  Proprietor Andy Bradshaw was most welcoming, and a perfect host.  He offered us tea/coffee/water as we settled down for our study session. 

Again, thanks Tim and everyone who made the evening a meeting to remember! 

MAY 2013 – PETRELS’ ADVENTURES IN NEW WESTMINSTER

On May 7th the Stormy Petrels will flock to “The Royal City” for a three-part meeting. Thanks to member Tim M. for arranging the evening’s venues.

New Westminster, established in 1859, was the first capital city of the colony of British Columbia, and named by Queen Victoria herself.

New Westminster was where, 25 years ago, the Stormy Petrels first met as a fledgling, yet-to-be-named group. We met in a back room of a restaurant above the steam baths next to the railway tracks beside the river. We certainly have come a long way.

Part 1: 5:30 – 6:45 The Petrels are invited to visit “Renaissance Books” (#43 – 6th Street). Owners John and Lavana welcome us to browse, sit, read and enjoy coffee among their vast collection of new, used, hard-to-find and out-of-print books.

“…a bargain, every one of them. With 5 volumes you could just fill that gap on that second shelf.: EMPT

Part 2: 6:45 Tim will lead the Petrels to The Columbia Theatre (530 Columbia Street) 1/2 block away. The newly-renovated theatre was built in 1927. Tim would like us to meet as a group upon the Raymond Burr stage for a toast. Raymond Burr was born in New Westminster)

“Some touch of the artist wells up within me, and calls insistently for a well-staged performance.” VALL

Part 3: 7:00 The Petrels will walk across the street and 1/2 block down to 659 Columbia Street to Sherlock’s Cafe” located at Collector’s Choice Antique Mall and European Football Memorabilia.

Our host and Stormy Petrel member, Andy Bradshaw, will once again welcome the group to his shop.

Once we settle in, we will begin our regular meeting and discussion of “The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb”

Hopefully as many members as possible will be able to meet for all three venues.

For more info, please contact me.

APRIL MEETING

“Violence does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls into the pit which he digs for another.”

The Stormy Petrels will meet to discuss “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” on Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 7:00pm

Where? Hampton Place lounge.

 

 

“Master’s Dinner” 2013 – a review

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Pictured above are: Krista, Ryan, Len and Elsa

Twenty-two members and guests enjoyed a marvelous meal; toasted The Queen, Sherlock Holmes and others; received gifts of Stormy Petrel pens and hand-crafted Sherlockian bookmarks (thanks the Elsa) and were entertained by the “Petrel Players”.

Len recruited volunteers for “How They Met” and “How Watson Learned the Trick”. The Petrel Players performed “The Petrel Band” which was presented at a dinner 20 years ago. We all took part in the classic Victorian parlour game, charades, using the titles of several stories of the ‘canon’.

The evening concluded with the reading of Vincent Starrett’s sonnet, “221b” by Fran and Len after which, the Stormy Petrels slowly left the officer’s lounge of Bessborough Armory.

Plans are already underfoot for the next dinner. If you are planning to be in Vancouver next March, I do hope you will join us.

MARCH 16TH 2013

What is it?
The “Master’s” Dinner;
Who shall attend?
Petrels and guests;
What is the date?
The 16th of the 3rd;
Where shall it be?
Bessborough Armories;
What is the time?
6:30 for 7
What shall we give?
Forty-five dollars;
Why should we go?
For the sake of the Game!

“HOLMES & WATSON SAVE THE EMPIRE”

Thanks to Holmes and Watson, the Empire is safe and Queen Victoria’s secret will remain untold.

We had heard that Sherlock Holmes would have made a fine actor, if he would have chosen that profession. But who knew he could also sing? Watson was true to form. Always in the dark, clueless, but Holmes would be lost without him.

We were treated to the gaiety of the music hall as the play began, and the entertainment did not stop. Recommended to all those who enjoy a good mystery and a good time.

The play runs Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm to March 16th at the Deep Cove Shaw Theatre.