Category: Monthly Meeting

Reichenbach Falls on July 11, 2015

On Saturday, July 11, 2015 The Stormy Petrels will flock to Shannon Falls for their annual picnic.


[Left: Shannon Falls, BC / Right: Reichenbach Falls, Switzerland]

About Shannon Falls

Shannon Falls is located just off Highway 99, 58 km north of Vancouver. BC. According to the BC Parks website, it is composed of a series of cliffs, rising 335 meters above Highway 99, making it the third highest falls in the province.

In 1792, Captain George Vancouver set up camp just west of the falls, which were named after Shannon who, in 1890 – 1900, owned the falls and surrounding area and used the clay deposits to make bricks. (you can’t make bricks without clay!)

The park also holds significant spiritual value to the Squamish First Nations, the first people to live in the area. They told of a two-headed sea serpent, Say-noth-ka, who lived in and around Howe Sound. According to legend, this beast travelled both on land and in the water. Some versions say it was Say-noth-ka who formed Shannon Falls by slithering and twisting his powerful body up the mountainside, wearing down a spillway for those cascading waters

We will, once again visit Shannon Falls, as our substitute for the Reichenbach Falls. The resemblance is truly uncanny!

If you require any additional information, please contact your Consulting Detective at the g-mail address provided here.

Stormy Petrels Summer Specials
July 11, 2015 – Reichenbach Falls (Shannon Falls) picnic – 10:00am
-– Margaret Dennison Starrett gravesite visit
–- “Toad Hall”
— read more

[Photo sources: Wikipedia and Flickr]

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THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES

“Holmes!” I cried. “Is it really you? Can it indeed be that you are alive? Is it possible that you succeeded in climbing out of that awful abyss?” How did he do it? Where did he go? What was Dr. Watson doing in the meantime? Who was his only confidant? Why? How did dear Mrs. Hudson react? The Stormy Petrels will discuss “The Empty House” at their next regular meeting on June 2nd. Hampton Place (UBC) at 7:00 pm.

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Frederic Dorr Steele drawings from Collier’s Magazine, Sept. 1903.

For more info, please contact Fran

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May 2015 Meeting

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Upon visiting the Reichenbach Falls in 1893, Arthur Conan Doyle decided that this was the place “…that would make a worthy tomb for poor Sherlock, even if I buried my banking account along with him.”

Arthur Conan Doyle claimed that killing off Holmes was self defence, since “…if I had not killed him, he would certainly have killed me.”

20,000 people cancelled their subscriptions to the Strand Magazine!

In 1896 Arthur Conan Doyle wrote: “I have had such an overdose of him that I feel towards him as I do towards pate de foie gras, of which I once ate too much so that the name of it gives me a sickly feeling to this day.”

(from ‘Teller of Tales – The Life of ACD” by Daniel Stashower)

Travel along with The Stormy Petrels of BC as they follow Holmes and Watson to the Continent to experience “The Final Problem”

When?  Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 pm

Where? The Columbia Theatre, 530 Columbia Street, New Westminster. Thanks to member Tim for arranging this venue and the food!

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Please contact Fran for more information.

* The first person to approach me at the May meeting with the correct answer to the following question will receive a prize!

Q:  On Arthur Conan Doyle’s top 12 list, at which number did he place “The Final Problem”?

 

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April 2015 Meeting

After enjoying another successful “Master’s Dinner”, it is time to hit the books again.

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“You are the stormy petrel of crime, Watson.”

This is one of several memorable quotes riddled throughout the case – “The Naval Treaty“. 

First published in the Strand Magazine in two instalments for the October and November 1893 issues.

Date: Tuesday, April 7th
Time: 7:00 pm
Where: Hampton Place

For more info, please contact Fran

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