Letter from Meyers

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LETTER FROM MEYERS

Dear Fellow Bootmakers,

As we gather for our Annual General Meeting, it is a pleasure and a privilege to look back on a year filled with remarkable scholarship, memorable speakers, and a spirit of camaraderie that would have made the Great Detective himself proud. Despite challenges along the way, the Bootmakers have continued to thrive, grow, and inspire.

This year we were treated to an extraordinary lineup of distinguished guests from near and far. We began with Max Magee, whose thoughtful presentation, On Becoming a Sherlockian, reminded us all why we first fell under Holmes’s spell and how that fascination continues to deepen. Barbara Rusch offered us a truly unique perspective by exploring Leonard Nimoy and His Sherlockian Connections, illuminating a beloved icon through a Holmesian lens.

We were also delighted to welcome Dr. Sara Lodge from the UK, who delivered a rich and engaging talk on The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective, widening our appreciation of the detective genre’s often overlooked pioneers. From the United States, renowned collector and scholar Glen Miranker shared insights from his Traveling Exhibit: Sherlock Holmes in 221 Objects, along with a rare glimpse into the original Arthur Conan Doyle/Sherlock Holmes manuscripts housed in his personal collection—an unforgettable experience for all who attended.

One of the highlights of our year was the special in-person event at the Bata Shoe Museum, which brought Bootmakers together face-to-face once more and introduced many museum patrons to our society for the first time. It was a wonderful reminder of how energizing it is to share our enthusiasm in person.

We were also joined by Scott Monty of the U.S., the voice behind the celebrated I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere podcast, who spoke to us about the past, present, and future of Sherlockian media. Chris Redmond offered an insightful and spirited talk on St. Crispin and Other Saints with Sherlockian Connections, always finding new pathways through the Canon. Marina Stajic of New York expanded our detective universe with her presentation on Hercule Poirot and the fascinating intersections between Christie’s world and the Holmesian one.

Our year also featured something special: a Sherlockian-inspired short film by local filmmaker John Babu, a wonderful example of how Holmes continues to motivate new creative voices.

We are grateful to Jacquelynn Morris of Laurel, Maryland, and Elisabeth Bardawill of London, Ontario, for their thoughtful story wrap-ups. Their reflections have added warmth, clarity, and continuity to our meetings.

This year has not been without its difficulties. We mourn the loss of our dear friend Doug Wrigglesworth, whose wisdom, kindness, and steady presence enriched our society for many years. We also faced logistical challenges when our finance person stepped down mid-year, creating a few headaches–particularly with Canada Post. But the Bootmakers are nothing if not resilient, and thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and executive team, we have worked through these issues and will emerged stronger and hopefully more organized than before.

As we close the chapter on 2025, we do so with gratitude for all who contributed their time, talents, and enthusiasm to our society. And as we look forward to 2026, we see a future filled with promise, curiosity, and continued celebration of the world’s greatest consulting detective.

Out with 2025–and here’s to a bright, invigorating, and Sherlockian 2026!

Respectfully submitted,

Michael Ranieri, M.Bt.
Meyers, The Bootmakers of Toronto

Here is your “new” executive team for 2026:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  • Michael Ranieri – President (Meyers)
  • Thelma Beam – Vice-President (Shoehorn) & Membership Secretary (Bootstrap)
  • Kathy Burns – Secretary (Bootlace) & Archivist (Sole)
  • Pratap Reddy – Director-at-Large
  • Wendy Heyman-Marsaw – Liaison to Sherlockian Societies & Director-at-Large
  • John Gehan – Canadian Holmes Publisher (Cordwainer) & Mailer (Bootstamper) & Director-at-Large
  • Zeljko Bibic – Director-at-Large

BOARD APPOINTED OFFICERS

  • TBD – Treasurer (Bootjack)
  • Mark & JoAnn Alberstat – Editors of Canadian Holmes (Bootprints)
  • TBD – Social Media Master (Aglet)
  • Karen Campbell – Quiz Master (Tongue)
  • Karen Gold – Songster (Lassus)
  • Bruce Aikin & Dave Sanders – Meeting Diaries (Insoles)
  • Cliff Goldfarb – Honorary Counsel (Stretcher)