The Three Garridebs of Westchester County

“Have you ever heard the name of Garrideb?”

– The Adventure of The Three Garridebs (3GAR)

We are not the only group that takes our name from The Three Garridebs. In Westchester County, New York, there is an older group that calls themselves The Three Garridebs.

The following story of their group is taken from their website:

Our group was founded in 1973 by the merger of three local groups. The majority of our members live in the New York Metropolitan area, but we do have members in several states and abroad. Our mailing list is approximately 125 to 150 (addresses), and we usually have 30 – 60 members at each meeting. Annual dues are $6.00 per person, $10.00 for two or more at the same address.

We have seven meetings a year — four regular meetings and three special ones. The four regular meetings are held in January, March, May, and November, usually on the third Saturday of the month. These meetings are typically held at Greenburgh Library and revolve around an assigned story. Each meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. and includes refreshments, toasts to at least four Sherlockian characters, a quiz on the afternoon’s story (participation is optional) and an opportunity for any member to present a paper, a poem, or any other offering on any Sherlockian topic. Most are related to the afternoon’s story, but this is not required. There is a 10-minute time limit, so eveyone can participate. There are numerous volunteers, and the variety of presentations is quite broad. After a break, the meeting continues with an activity (e.g., a game or discussion), announcements of Sherlockian events, and the traditional closing poem. This poem, “A Long Evening with Holmes”, was written by the late Bill Schweickert, a former officer of the group.

The special meetings are a Victorian Picnic and Afternoon Tea, held in September at a local park, and two dinner meetings (an Awards Dinner in July and our Blue Carbuncle Luncheon on or about December 27th). Regular meetings are free, the two dinners cost about $30.00 per person, and attendees are asked to contribute to the picnic and tea — sandwiches, dessert, or other items. We supply the china, silverware, linens, etc.

Anyone is welcome to attend a few meetings before deciding to become a dues-paying member. Dues-paying members receive a membership card, as well as the bi-monthly Foolscap Document (our newsletter). They are also eligible for several awards and sometimes there are other special “perks”.

The Three Garridebs give out several awards that are medals featuring Sherlock Holmes that are suspended from a ribbon badge.  The badge pictured on the left is the current version, introduced in 2000 when the club’s supplier switched to the larger size insert as well as a larger border. The smaller badge on the right was awarded from 1994 – 1999. The color of the ribbon badge indicates the award.  The Three Garridebs website goes into more detail about the awards:

Our oldest literary award, the Georgia Amick Award for scholarly excellence, is given for the best paper of this type delivered at a Three Garridebs meeting during the year. This award was instituted in 1991. Since 1994, the award has been a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a blue and mouse-colored ribbon.

In 1994, several new awards were instituted. The Robert N. Brodie Award is given for the best toast offered at a Three Garridebs meeting during the year. The award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a purple ribbon. (pictured above, on left, in dual photograph)

The William P. Schweickert Fellowship Award is given to the person exhibiting the qualities of Sherlockian fellowship and gentle(wo)manly conduct exemplified by the man in whose honor this award is named. This award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a blue ribbon.

The James Cleary Presentation Award, recognizing the use of non-standard modes of presentation, is awarded for the best presentation of this type delivered at a meeting of the Three Garridebs during the year. This award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a multi-colored ribbon. (pictured above, on right, in dual photograph)

The Michael Leighton Visual Award is given for the best Sherlockian photograph submitted during the year. The photograph should be recent, but need not be from a Three Garridebs function. This award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a black and white ribbon.

The Howard and Alexander Hamilton Award, sometimes known as the HAHA, was instituted in 1998. It is awarded for the best humorous paper presented at a meeting of the Three Garridebs during the year. This award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a pink ribbon. In 2009, this award was renamed The Joe Fink Award.

A special award was commissioned in late 2000. It was awarded to Steve Tolins in recognition of his fifteen years of service as Quizmaster. This award was also presented to three other Garridebs on July 21, 2013 – Warren Randall for publishing Prescott’s Press; Ron Fish for being the scion’s Webmaster; and Will Walsh for following in Steve’s footsteps as Quizmaster. This award is a medal bearing the likeness of the Master suspended from a green ribbon.

Our oldest award is The Two-Shilling Award. The certificate given to the recipient describes the award as for “remarkable contributions to Sherlockian scholarship,” for “exhibiting those qualities so exemplified by Dr. Watson” and for “tireless dedication to the continued well-being and growth of the Three Garridebs.” In 1994, the name of this award was changed to The Robert E. Thomalen Two-Shilling Award.

For this certificate, they utilize Florins from either King George VI or Queen Elizabeth II.  The coins are mounted on the certificates so that the reverse designs are shown.

Thanks to Ben Vizoskie, BSI, ASH, of The Three Garridebs for sharing much of the information for this post.