This month: See festive holiday decorations and volunteer pictures in our "Sherlock on the Shelf" travelogue. Celebrate the December accomplishments of our active volunteer teams, and a great big "thank you" from the Gillettes to everyone for your support!
Accomplishments and Happenings
  • The grounds and Castle exterior are decorated for the holidays! If you haven't already read about it in one of the many news organizations that picked up the story (yay, communications team!), you can enjoy some pictures of our volunteers and sponsors in this month's "Sherlock on the Shelf" travelogue.

  • Our first test of snail mail as an approach to growing membership was very successful. Our mailing had a 12% success rate and raised $700! This is far and above the typical response rates seen in most direct-mail campaigns (between 2% and 5%). Kudos to the volunteers on the membership team and thank you to new members!



"Happy holidays" from the Gillettes!
Photo courtesy of Kelly Hunt, Cherish the Moment photography

The decorations are UP! Snow is coming soon (we hope!).
Explore our Castle winter wonderland at your leisure over the holidays.


The Gillettes will be at the Castle from 2-4 p.m. Sunday afternoons through Dec. 27, weather permitting.


We hope you enjoy this as a beautiful bright spot in your holiday season.
Your interest and support enables everything we do.
Test Your Trivia!
The December edition
A compilation of little-known facts about William Gillette and Sherlock Holmes

Dec. 1, 1887: Beeton's Christmas Annual runs a story by Arthur Conan Doyle that introduces a character to the public for the first time. What is the name of this character? Bonus points: Name the story.

Dec. 7, 1934: William Gillette, Christopher Morley, Frederic Dorr Steele, Vincent Starrett and Archie Macdonnell, among others, have dinner at Chris Cella's restaurant in New York City. What was the occasion of this gathering?

Dec. 20, 1932: Firefighters from the East Haddam Volunteer Fire Company make valiant efforts to protect an important structure for William Gillette. Alas, it is engulfed in flames. The cause of the conflagration remains a mystery to this day. Name the structure and where it was situated.

Read the answers and more in this month's edition of "Test Your Trivia!"
Where's Sherlock?
Laura Borg and Sherlock 2020
Holiday decorations with Sherlock!

Sherlock decided to pop in to see the holiday decorating at the Castle. He was very impressed with the lovely greenery from Balleck's Garden Center and trees from Stahley's Tree Farm, and with the active group of volunteers working busily to make it all happen under the guidance of Laura Borg, who headed up the effort and funded the greenery.
Sherlock shout-out. Sherlock is thrilled to welcome new members Richard and Diane B., Phil B., Thomas B. Jr., James B., Elaine C., George F., Donald and Gloria Jean G., Rebecca H., Phillip and Gayle H., Ron and Fariba K., Linda and Hugh M., Mary M., Phil B., Norm N., Patricia O., June P., A.C.P., John S. and Andrew T.!