Author: Fran Martin

Fran Martin became a member of The Bootmakers of Toronto in 1987 and The Stormy Petrels of B.C. in 1988. She has attended several Sherlockian conferences including: In 1992 "Aspects of Holmes" in Bradford, England (hosted by The Northern Musgraves); In 2006 "ACD at 35" in Toronto (hosted by The Bootmakers of Toronto); 2013 "Sherlock Holmes Through Time & and Place" in Minneapolis (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); 2014 "Gillette to Brett IV" in Bloomington (hosted by Wessex Press); 2015 SherlockCon in Seattle; 2015 "A Scintillation of Scions VIII" in Baltimore (hosted by Watson's Tin Box); 2016 "The Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes" (hosted by The Norwegian Explorers); in 2018 in Dayton, Ohio for the "Holmes, Doyle & Friends" conference (hosted by the Agra Treasurers). Fran has held several positions with The Stormy Petrels of B.C. including secretary, vice-president, special events coordinator and is currently president and editor of the "Petrel Flyer". She was honoured with being awarded the title of "Master Bootmaker" in 2014. She was very pleased to present a paper to a meeting of Sir Hugo's Companions in Chicago in 2017. Fran has contributed articles to Canadian Holmes magazine, the Watsonian and Chris Redmond's "About Sixty" and "Sherlock Holmes is Like...". In May, 2018 she attended the 78th annual Speckled Band of Boston dinner. She was very honoured to have been one of the first women invited.

2020 A YEAR IN REVIEW

This special edition of The Petrel Flyer gave us a window into the life of The Stormy Petrels of BC, albeit not a typical year for our group.

We were not able to meet in person after our March meeting. We had to postpone (indefinitely) our annual dinner. We were not able to travel to the “Reichenbach Falls” (aka Shannon Falls). We were not able to enjoy the “Silver Blaze” races and pot luck & tea at the spacious estate of Dame Johnston-Keddis in South Surrey. Since the borders were (and still are) closed, we could not attend any conferences, symposiums, summits or meetings south of the border. However, we could attend virtually via Zoom, but nothing beats road trips (or train excursions) and meeting and talking to people face to face.

After another great job of formatting by Rebecca Bollwitt and uploading the work onto a memory stick, it was ready to be dropped off and put together by a professional printing service.

The printer was Minuteman Press on Agnes Street in New Westminster. They did a marvelous job of printing and binding and I would not hesitate to use their services again.

I am very pleased to reprint some of the positive feedback for people who received their copy:

Additional copies are available. If you would like a copy, please contact Fran at franziskah@shaw.ca

Elsa Haffenden: “A great job.”
Steve Mason: “I am impressed.”
Jean Brown: “It was terrific and I read it cover to cover.”
Ed Weiss: “An outstanding job. A wonderful addition to any Sherlockian collection.”
Al Nelson: “Enjoying the 2020 Year in Review publication. Great job to all who contributed.”
Margaret Nelson: “Al and I are enjoying the Petrel’s 2020 publication. It was a real treat to receive during such a trying time.”
Rebecca Bollwitt: “Job well done. Always happy to support the Petrels.”

Andy Hunter: “Enjoying it very much.”

Tim Mustart: positive comments were given over the phone.
Rich Krisciunas: gave it a mention on FaceBook

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February 2021 Report

Eleven Petrels attended the February 2nd Zoom meeting to discuss “The Man With the Twisted Lip”.

Sheldon Goldfarb read his Musings on the adventure, Rich Krisciunas read his toast to The Wives of the Twisted Lip. Rich also read a poem, originally from the 1969 Baker Street Journal written by Philip Mather. Steve Mason was congratulated on his recent investiture into the BSI.

Regarding the “Petrel Flyer”, I have received very positive feedback regarding the Flyer, “The Stormy Petrels 2020 A Year in Review”. All members and contributors should have received their copy by now.

I am happy to report that we have several spare copies to offer to anyone who would like to own this bound edition, highlighting the year.

Over 50 pages containing reviews, reports; musings and minutes; pictures and puzzles; a quiz and a comic specially drawn for the Petrels by Steve Mason.

Please contact me at franziskah@shaw.ca for the price and availability of this special edition.

I am very pleased to report that Brian Collins has volunteered to step up as the new editor. Any contributions can still be sent to me at franziskah@shaw.ca and I will forward these to Brian.

Stay tuned for the announcement regarding the March meeting. If you would like to get a head start, the adventure for discussion will be “The Blue Carbuncle”.

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The Petrel Flyer – 2020 Year in Review

Hello all members (and special guests) – watch your mail boxes for your copy. You should be receiving your copy next week.

We had several guest contributors. Many thanks to the all!

Also, thanks to Rebecca Bollwitt ( @miss604 ) for all her help in formatting, and to Brian Collins for proofreading.

The printer, Minuteman Press, in New Westminster, did a terrific job in producing this issue. I recommend we use them again for any future printing needs.

This was the last Petrel Flyer produced by Fran Martin. Brian Collins has volunteered to take over. Many thanks, Brian. I am sure he would appreciate your contributions. Reviews, recipes, essays, etc…

Thanks to everyone who contributed over the past 5 year! I really appreciated it!

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February 2021 Meeting

We open with a cozy, homey scene of the Watsons enjoying a quiet evening by the fire. Watson, we imagine, about to nod off while reading the latest medical journal and Mrs. Watson straining her eyes, pulling a needle threaded with colourful embroidery thread through a piece of cloth.

Their quiet evening is shattered by the sudden intruding of Mrs. Watson’s old friend, begging for help. And so begins Dr. Watson’s adventure which leads him to a dark, “…vile alley lurking behind the high wharves which line the north side of the river…”

The Bar of Gold in Upper Swandam Lane holds something quite unexpected.

The adventure continues with Holmes by his side. From London to Lee and back again, using a sponge dipped into a water jug to clean up the case.

The Stormy Petrels of BC will meet via Zoom on Tuesday, February 2 (7:00 pm) to discuss “The Man With the Twisted Lip”

Any questions? Contact Fran at franziskah@shaw.ca

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