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1st Annual Legion of Zoom Virtual Conference
"221b Sitting Zoom" |
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Over 130 people around the world participated in our 1st Annual Virtual Conference.
We are grateful to those who gave their time and efforts through toasts, presentations, acting, and support to ensure the Conference was a success.
Below you can view all the Conference items. Click on the image beside each agenda item to view the video.
We are grateful to those who gave their time and efforts through toasts, presentations, acting, and support to ensure the Conference was a success.
Below you can view all the Conference items. Click on the image beside each agenda item to view the video.
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Pre-Conference Presentation |
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Edith Pounden – Legion of Zoom Officer
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Opening Toast to the Legion of Zoom
Hello everyone and welcome to The Sitting Zoom, the inaugural conference of the Legion of Zoom. As most of you know, the Legion of Zoom is a new scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars that was formed last fall by Greg Ruby, Steve Mason, Rich Krisciunas, and myself. |
During the past two years, virtual meetings have transformed the way that many Sherlockians interact, and they’ve made it possible not only for individual societies to remain connected when they couldn’t meet in person, but also for Sherlockians from all parts of the world, varying in perspective and prominence, to form fast friendships with people we might otherwise have never met.
And so we’ve gathered at irregular intervals, to discuss the lives and adventures of Sherlock Homes and John Watson, to tell stories, present theories, and recreate an era of gas-light by the steady glow of our phones and monitors.
So today, to say thank you and to give something back to the societies who have hosted us these past two years, we’ve put together an afternoon of Sherlockian entertainment, and hope that we can expand this event in years to come.
And so we’ve gathered at irregular intervals, to discuss the lives and adventures of Sherlock Homes and John Watson, to tell stories, present theories, and recreate an era of gas-light by the steady glow of our phones and monitors.
So today, to say thank you and to give something back to the societies who have hosted us these past two years, we’ve put together an afternoon of Sherlockian entertainment, and hope that we can expand this event in years to come.
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Scott Monty, BSI ("Corporal Henry Wood") “This Fantastic Business of Advertisement: Brands in the Canon” |
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Toast to the Legion of Zoom
Sherlockians do like to meet, To chatter, discuss, and to eat, Give a hug and a kiss, An event not to miss Togetherness is always so sweet. |
Esmerelda (Sandy) Kozinn –
Legion of Zoom Poet Laureate
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Then Corona – it made people sick,
Spread through the world double quick There was no way to mingle – Alarm bells would jingle – So Sherlockians found a new trick. No need to be all in one room. Stay home safe – in your slippers – with Zoom. To our spirits a tonic Were meetings electronic So away with long faces and gloom. Then something occurred, a real wonder, For Sherlockians didn’t feel under A need to stay local. On computers they’d get vocal And many old rules they could sunder. |
So together Sherlockians would go
To Hawaii, while looking out at snow. In any old state The meetings were great And the cost was exactly “No Dough”. Two-twenty-one had steps seventeen, The Master’s memory we do keep green, Zoom to that many scions (There are no other buy-ins), Then accepted at once you’ll have been. Though our homes may be quiet as a tomb We’re not living in a Sherlock-free doom. For we’ve all made new friends; Knowledge still never ends: All thanks to the Legion of Zoom! |
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Barbara Roden, BSI ("Beryl Stapleton) “That’s My Watson: Nigel Bruce and the Case of the Canonical Sidekick” |
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Robert Katz, BSI ("Dr. Ainstree"), ASH ("Dr. Jackson") “A Long Afternoon” |
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The Beacon Society
(A national non-profit organization devoted in teaching children about Sherlock Holmes and providing resources to help with that education) |
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Ray Betzner, BSI ("The Agony Column") “Whatever Happened to Baby Rucastle: A Case of Canonical Lycanthropy” |
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When Death Comes a' Callin' Radio Play |
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Toast to the Legion of Zoom
Welcome to the first annual conference of the Legion of Zoom. This started as a result of a quip by Greg Ruby when Steve Mason and I were at a virtual Sherlockian Zoom meeting. Greg said, “I see you guys all the time. You are the Legion of Zoom.” |
Rich Krisciunas – Legion of Zoom Poet Laureate
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Little did Steve, Greg and I know that a year later, we would be holding a virtual conference, with 40 members who attended a minimum of 17 different society meetings, passing out certificates of membership and, frankly, becoming the envy of everyone who enjoys Sherlock Holmes.
Three years ago, I was attending live meetings of my four local scions in Michigan. Meetings where members played “The Grand Game, with presentations and quizzes amidst toasts to Canonical characters and bad puns. The fun stopped when Covid prevented us from meeting in person.
Then somebody scheduled a meeting virtually on Zoom. I attended and heard a great presentation and met some like-minded people who enjoyed discussing the Master Detective. I found another virtual meeting and another and my addictive personality sought out more.
Over the past two years, I have attended over 200 meetings virtually and met many wonderful people I probably never would have met in person; from Canada, Europe and the United States. Chances are I wouldn’t drive 1200 miles to a meeting of the Crew of the Barque Lone Star in Texas or 2300 miles to Seattle to visit The Sounds of the Baskervilles. But, virtually, I’ve been to San Francisco, St. Louis, Chicago, Vancouver, Cincinnati, Baltimore, London, Ontario, and London, England, to name a few.
I have spent enjoyable week nights and weekends in my library, attending as many as four meetings a day plus a Sherlockian movie. All of us have learned from each other and expanded our knowledge of the Canon, Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and heard scholarly presentations from the best in the hobby. But most of all we have made good friends.
Many of our Legion of Zoom members have contributed to the growth of our fandom by giving presentations to different groups. My good friend Steve Mason’s idea to form a virtual group has come to fruition.
As an officer in the Legion of Zoom, I am proud to have attended the first of, hopefully, many conferences with many friends and great speakers. I hope we can continue to meet virtually in the future.
I ask you to raise your glasses and toast the Legion of Zoom and all who are here today.
Three years ago, I was attending live meetings of my four local scions in Michigan. Meetings where members played “The Grand Game, with presentations and quizzes amidst toasts to Canonical characters and bad puns. The fun stopped when Covid prevented us from meeting in person.
Then somebody scheduled a meeting virtually on Zoom. I attended and heard a great presentation and met some like-minded people who enjoyed discussing the Master Detective. I found another virtual meeting and another and my addictive personality sought out more.
Over the past two years, I have attended over 200 meetings virtually and met many wonderful people I probably never would have met in person; from Canada, Europe and the United States. Chances are I wouldn’t drive 1200 miles to a meeting of the Crew of the Barque Lone Star in Texas or 2300 miles to Seattle to visit The Sounds of the Baskervilles. But, virtually, I’ve been to San Francisco, St. Louis, Chicago, Vancouver, Cincinnati, Baltimore, London, Ontario, and London, England, to name a few.
I have spent enjoyable week nights and weekends in my library, attending as many as four meetings a day plus a Sherlockian movie. All of us have learned from each other and expanded our knowledge of the Canon, Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson and heard scholarly presentations from the best in the hobby. But most of all we have made good friends.
Many of our Legion of Zoom members have contributed to the growth of our fandom by giving presentations to different groups. My good friend Steve Mason’s idea to form a virtual group has come to fruition.
As an officer in the Legion of Zoom, I am proud to have attended the first of, hopefully, many conferences with many friends and great speakers. I hope we can continue to meet virtually in the future.
I ask you to raise your glasses and toast the Legion of Zoom and all who are here today.
