About
What's a Scintillation?
"A Scintillation of Scions" is an annual symposium of fans of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sponsored by Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City, MD (USA), the event is held on the second Saturday of June near Baltimore, MD and draws attendees from around the US and Canada. Featured speakers -- both first-timers and experienced lecturers -- offer scholarly and/or humorous talks on subjects related to the famous sleuth of Baker Street, the era that spawned him, and the culture that continues to celebrate him. Sherlockian vendors and a bag raffle add to the fun.
We see Scintillation as a kind of Sherlockian family reunion, and throughout the day we offer many opportunities for attendees to socialize. The camaraderie within the Holmesian community is legendary: we hope you'll come and experience it for yourself!
A note about the name: "scintillate" is a term used several times in the Canon by Holmes himself in (presumably ironic) praise of some observation made by the good Dr. Watson. And a "scion" society is an affiliate of the Baker Street Irregulars; many (though not all) Sherlock Holmes groups bear this designation. "A Scintillation of Scions," then, is our coinage for a collection of folks representing a variety of societies and other corners of fandom, all coming together for fun and fellowship among other devotees of the Great Detective.
Whether you're a member of a scion society or not, you are welcome to let Scintillation be a place where you can shine!
***** ***** *****
A History
by Jacquelynn Morris, ASH, BSI & founder of A Scintillation of Scions
In January 2008 on a prolonged car trip to a family gathering in a far away state, an idea was born. Having attended many gatherings of Sherlockians over the years I realized there was a parallel with a family reunion. What if someone was crazy enough to create a Sherlockian family reunion? How would that work? Could it be done? I decided I was just crazy enough to find out.
Seven months later in August 2008, the very first Scintillation of Scions was presented. But let me take you back a few steps. I took my crazy idea of a Sherlockian family reunion to my dear friend and sounding board, Andy Solberg. Andy is one of the most honest people I know, and I respect his opinion on just about everything. If Andy thought it was a hare-brained idea to create a Sherlockian symposium, I'd think twice about it. I might still do it, but I'd proceed with caution.
Well, Andy didn't think it was a hare-brained idea. He actually liked the idea and encouraged me to pursue it. He gave me some pointers about bringing all the local scions on board, warned about some potential pitfalls, and gave his blessing. Whatever success the Scintillation has or will ever have is due to Andy's advice, guidance, and encouragement.
With Andy's blessing in hand I approached Watson's Tin Box, my home scion, with the idea. Some may have been a bit skeptical about what such an undertaking would mean for the Tin Box, but all I heard was a resounding "Yes!" when I took a vote. Debbie Clark came up with the name, "A Scintillation of Scions," a collective noun for a group of scions or societies of Sherlockians. Beth Austin created the original logo, which has been on our registration forms, tote bags, t-shirts, and pins.
Without Andy, Debbie, Beth, and the rest of the Tin Box, the Scintillation would never have gotten off the ground. I owe them all a great debt of gratitude.
After some stumbles and pratfalls we've made it through NINE years of A Scintillation of Scions, learning what works and what doesn't, carefully planning the event so that now it completely supports itself. After the first year with generous donations from individual members of the Tin Box, we learned how to keep the price of the Scintillation affordable, while making enough money to cover expenses and have a small nest egg for the next year's gathering.
(2016)
"A Scintillation of Scions" is an annual symposium of fans of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sponsored by Watson's Tin Box of Ellicott City, MD (USA), the event is held on the second Saturday of June near Baltimore, MD and draws attendees from around the US and Canada. Featured speakers -- both first-timers and experienced lecturers -- offer scholarly and/or humorous talks on subjects related to the famous sleuth of Baker Street, the era that spawned him, and the culture that continues to celebrate him. Sherlockian vendors and a bag raffle add to the fun.
We see Scintillation as a kind of Sherlockian family reunion, and throughout the day we offer many opportunities for attendees to socialize. The camaraderie within the Holmesian community is legendary: we hope you'll come and experience it for yourself!
A note about the name: "scintillate" is a term used several times in the Canon by Holmes himself in (presumably ironic) praise of some observation made by the good Dr. Watson. And a "scion" society is an affiliate of the Baker Street Irregulars; many (though not all) Sherlock Holmes groups bear this designation. "A Scintillation of Scions," then, is our coinage for a collection of folks representing a variety of societies and other corners of fandom, all coming together for fun and fellowship among other devotees of the Great Detective.
Whether you're a member of a scion society or not, you are welcome to let Scintillation be a place where you can shine!
***** ***** *****
A History
by Jacquelynn Morris, ASH, BSI & founder of A Scintillation of Scions
In January 2008 on a prolonged car trip to a family gathering in a far away state, an idea was born. Having attended many gatherings of Sherlockians over the years I realized there was a parallel with a family reunion. What if someone was crazy enough to create a Sherlockian family reunion? How would that work? Could it be done? I decided I was just crazy enough to find out.
Seven months later in August 2008, the very first Scintillation of Scions was presented. But let me take you back a few steps. I took my crazy idea of a Sherlockian family reunion to my dear friend and sounding board, Andy Solberg. Andy is one of the most honest people I know, and I respect his opinion on just about everything. If Andy thought it was a hare-brained idea to create a Sherlockian symposium, I'd think twice about it. I might still do it, but I'd proceed with caution.
Well, Andy didn't think it was a hare-brained idea. He actually liked the idea and encouraged me to pursue it. He gave me some pointers about bringing all the local scions on board, warned about some potential pitfalls, and gave his blessing. Whatever success the Scintillation has or will ever have is due to Andy's advice, guidance, and encouragement.
With Andy's blessing in hand I approached Watson's Tin Box, my home scion, with the idea. Some may have been a bit skeptical about what such an undertaking would mean for the Tin Box, but all I heard was a resounding "Yes!" when I took a vote. Debbie Clark came up with the name, "A Scintillation of Scions," a collective noun for a group of scions or societies of Sherlockians. Beth Austin created the original logo, which has been on our registration forms, tote bags, t-shirts, and pins.
Without Andy, Debbie, Beth, and the rest of the Tin Box, the Scintillation would never have gotten off the ground. I owe them all a great debt of gratitude.
After some stumbles and pratfalls we've made it through NINE years of A Scintillation of Scions, learning what works and what doesn't, carefully planning the event so that now it completely supports itself. After the first year with generous donations from individual members of the Tin Box, we learned how to keep the price of the Scintillation affordable, while making enough money to cover expenses and have a small nest egg for the next year's gathering.
(2016)
