Sherlock Holmes Society Presents FBI Agent John T. Andrews Feb. 24 at The Vue

[Jill Tanner]

Sherlock Holmes Society has the privilege of hosting a distinguished counter intelligence speaker at Vue on 30A in Santa Rosa Beach on Feb. 24 at 5:00 p.m.

United States Foreign Counter and Domestic Intelligence Specialist and Former Senior Resident Special Agent, John T. Andrews will be the guest speaker for the Sherlock Holmes Society “The Beach Hounds” on February 24, Vue on 30A located in Santa Rosa Beach.

Mr. Andrews’ was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1978, has a Bachelor of Science, was Roswell Police Department Officer of the Year, went on to achieve a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, and then joined the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He was in the Near-East Studies for the United States State Department, plus in Counter Intelligence in Washington, D.C.

His honors and awards consist of Secret Service Terrorism Investigations, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms with Domestic Terrorism, Department of Transportation Investigation Hazmat, Canadian Intelligence International Terrorism, and four OSI awards for Pubic Corruption and International Terrorism from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He specialized in Shiite sponsored terrorism within Hizballah. In domestic crime he was involved in U.S. church burnings and various militias. He was also a training officer for special agents. Mr. Andrews was also with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

At present he is adjunct professor at Florida State University conducting classes on Islamic Fundamentalism, Religion & Crime, Criminal Intelligence, Structured Analytical Techniques and Homeland Security. He writes lessons plans to meet particular needs for law enforcement, first responders, and university students.

His publications include:
Sociology of Jihad
Leaderless Jihad
Criminal Activity and Terrorism
Middle East Asset Development
The Lone Wolf
The enemy of my enemy is my Friend.

He currently possess Top-Secret /SCI clearance issued by the F.B.I. 2010.

The Sherlock Holmes Society, “The Beach Hounds” is now in its 8th year and boasts having thought provoking and challenging speakers. This year due to its past popularity, the Society has decided to limit the amount of people who attend due to the seating arrangements at The Vue. The price for a full dinner buffet of British Holmes’ fare is $20.00 a person, which includes tax and tip. There will be a cash bar. Also it comes with prizes, a mystery, and the almost legendary initiation for new members. There are approximately six or seven other Florida societies, but the Walton County Holmes’ “Beach Hounds Society” is by far the largest in Florida with a count of 146 members currently.

Most societies, both national and internationally meet once a year on the super sleuth’s birthday and while some are private, others are open to the public. The “Beach Hounds” is public, and for those who love Holmes & Watson it’s a “must” attend evening. Many come in various British and Holmes dress attire.

The event begins with cocktails at 5:00P.M. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m., and the distinguished speaker will start at 7:00 p.m. For reservations call Vue at 850-267-1240, and for further information call Chick Huettel at 850-218-6829 or 850-231-7837.

Stay up to date on South Walton Events with the SoWal Event Calendar.

 

[Abby Prentiss]

The local chapter of the Sherlock Holmes Society will soon hold its 8th annual meeting. It’s elementary because it’s the sleuth’s birthday!


Once a year across the globe from New York to Bangkok , New Zealand to Finland , the Sherlock Holmes clubs meet to do honor to the immortal sleuth. There are estimated to be more than 1,020 clubs worldwide, and we have our own, the Emerald Coast Beach Hounds, located in Walton County , which is in the official listing.


This will be the eighth year for this unusual assembly, entitled the “Beach Hounds,” whose members never tire of anything that Holmes or Dr. Watson are involved in.


Each year prominent law enforcement, private detectives, and government agents are chosen for the prestigious Holmes Award.


This year’s award winner and guest speaker is John T. Andrews, who is a United States Homeland Foreign Counter and Domestic Intelligence Specialist and a teacher at Florida State University . He will delve into a suspicious death of a U.S. assistant attorney from the Attorney General’s office.


The swearing in of new Sherlock Holmes’ members is one of humorous highlights with other “secret” events and prizes to be presented. Dress code is “casually smart” and Sherlockian costumes are encouraged.


Most Sherlock Holmes’ Clubs have no dues or membership requirements, however many societies limit the number of participants. The “Beach Hounds” can be found on the national listing website, “Sherlockian,” and the headquarters is located in New York under the name “Baker Street Irregulars.”

All societies have names from Sherlock Holmes adventures, such as “Memphis Giant Rats of Sumatra,” Boston ’s “The Speckled Band Society,” or Tokyo , Japan ’s “Adventure of the Empty House Club.”


When first organized, the “Baker Street Irregulars” was formed in New York in 1950 and the concept spread like wildfire. Most groups were at first males only, but the women were not to be denied and crashed the affairs. Now most societies are one big happy family. But still there are those closed societies that are extremely eccentric.


The “Beach Hounds,” named after the “Hound of the Baskervilles,” cordially invite Holmes enthusiasts for an evening of unusual adventure.


"It’s like no other meeting you have ever attended," said Chick Huettel, a Sun columnist and the “Beach Hounds" president. "With the new movies and TV series of Sherlock Holmes this year, I think we may be overwhelmed with guests and new member initiations … and they won’t be disappointed.”


The meeting will be held at Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club (The Vue Restaurant) at 4801 West County Road 30A in Santa Rosa Beach . It is an “adult” affair due to the nature of real life criminal events. Mark your calendar for Monday, Feb. 24. The social hour starts at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and the guest speaker at 7 p.m. Call the Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club at 850-267-1240 for reservations as there is limited seating. The cost is $20 per person which includes a full dinner with a cash bar.


For further information, email beachounds@gmail.com.