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! 

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you would like more information or a copy of the discussion notes, please contact me.

Once again, it will take place at the Bessbobough Armories, in the officers’ lounge. Victorian dress is encouraged, but not a must.

You will be treated to a wonderful catered dinner and entertainment courtesy of “The Petrel Players”.

Please contact Elsa if you plan to attend.
Please contact Fran if you plan on offering a toast.

In January, the Stormy Petrels, like other Sherlockian societies, do celebrate the birthday of Sherlock Holmes. But why celebrate the “Master’s” dinner in March? Come to the dinner and find out.

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at this 25th dinner!

A family friendly, musical mystery by Jahnna Beecham and Malcolm Hillgartner is coming to North Vancouver.

This two-person musical stars Damon Calderwood and Gordon Roberts.

Holmes and Watson have until midnight to solve Moriarty’s puzzle. “Where is the QV2? What is VIctoria’s secret? How on earth did Holmes end up on the stage of the Gaiety Music Hall? Who is the mysterious Nightingale of Nuremburg? And why is Watson wearing her dress…?”

It promises to be a fun evening, and as one reviewer has written: “An evening of entertainment of a kind not found often enough. Case closed!”

Opens Wednesday, Feb. 27th 2013, running until March 16th
Where: Deep Cove Theatre (4360 Gallant Ave., North Vancouver)
Tickets: call 604-929-9456 or firstimpressionstheatre.com
Price: $18 Adults, $16 Students & Seniors

Many thanks to Miss604 (Rebecca Bollwitt) who passed along this info from a press release she had been sent.

From a picturesque country manor, to an upper room at the “Bar of Gold”

Discover the true identity of “The Man with the Twisted Lip” aka Hugh Boone. What was he hiding?

The Petrels will discuss these issues and more at their monthly meeting.

When: 7:00 pm Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Where: Hampton Place lounge

Contact Fran for more info.