Best Wishes for a Happy 2012

July 19, 1860- June 1, 1927

February 11-13 will mark the dates of the Murder Mystery Weekend at the Borden house. Preparations are underway and staff and cast are bustling in pre-production for this first-ever event. It should be a Valentine’s Day to remember!  For unfolding details, and photo gallery to come visit the link http://lizziebordenmysteryweekend.com/

Come to think of it, Cupid’s arrow would make quite an unexpected murder weapon.

Off on a train for adventures in Washington, D.C. !!

Warps and Wefts will return October 18th

with all the news, idle chit-chat and confidential chatter dear to the ladies’ hearts!  Until then, Hortense and Prudence will hold down the fort and keep you amused!

The weather was damp and drizzly Saturday and Sunday but did not stop the energetic bunch from outside activities.  Several cemeteries within the city were visited including Old North, Oak Grove, and St. John’s. The Mutton Eaters learned that Capt. Harrington is buried in the Leary lot, with no stone, which explains why the hunt was unsuccessful.  Old North contains the final resting places of Hannah Reagan (prison matron who overheard Lizzie say to Lizzie, “You’ve given me away, Emma”), Mrs. James D. Burt, a Borden neighbor, and Charles Trafton, for whom the house on Second Street was built. 

A stop was made at St. Anne’s Church in the south end, and then on to nearby Kennedy Park to see the spot where Sarah Cornell was found hanged from a tree near the Taunton River.  Lunch was at McGovern’s where original Mutton Eaters Debbie Valentine and Barbara MacDonald joined the group. 

After lunch the gang went on to the Lafayette Durfee house on Cherry Street where they were treated to a private tour and special exhibit for Patriot’s Day http://www.lafayettedurfeehouse.org/

The Hyman Lubinsky Ice Cream Social  followed at 5 p.m. and featured an amazing assortment of eatables including a birthday cake for Officer Harrington, whose birthday it would have been. Harrington was the policeman who had his doubts from the start about Lizzie and gave that detailed description of what she was wearing.

Very special guests arrived who now live in Dr. Kelly’s Third Street home, and brought with them an assortment of things found in the Kelly home which were unearthed from between the walls.  Dr. Kelly and his family lived next door to the Bordens in 1892.  Kitchen spices, photos and medical journals were displayed for the Mutton Eaters.  It is possible that one of the photos may be that of Dr. Kelly’s daughter Philomena Kelly who married the grandson of banker Abraham Hart (among the last people to see Andrew Borden alive).

Former employees of the B&B dropped by and the evening ended with Lizzie quizzes and games, prizes, a reading from Richard Behren’s new book, Lizzie Borden Girl Detective, singing of  Lizzie’s favorite hymn, At Hame in My Ain Countrie, and some original Lizzie songs made up on the spot. Two initiations were held for new Mutton Eaters Molly and Will, both employees of Lizzie Borden’s Bed and Breakfast Museum.

Sunday saw several of the Mutton Eaters leaving early for home after breakfast at the Highland Ave. Spa.  The remnant had a great day antiquing in Bristol with lunch at Leo’s.  Everyone, to be sure, had a very good night’s sleep Sunday night- and plans are already being made for next year.

If we could turn back the clock, St. Patrick’s Day would have been a merry occasion in Fall River’s Corky Row. Hopefully Borden maid, Bridget Sullivan would have had the evening off, and neighbor Dr. Michael Kelly, a popular figure and planner of St. Patrick’s day doings in  Fall River, would be in high demand as speaker. 

Chances are if you live near Fall River and take an interest in the Borden case, Ric Rebelo will have interviewed you!  Working on the most comprehensive Borden case documentary ever made for a Master’s project, Ric has spent over 2 years tracking down every angle and and camera angle to be had in the quest to cover the various theories on who-dunnit and why we care so much! 

On Sunday, March 7th, some fresh faces assembled at the house on Second Street to recreate scenes from the famous unsolved crime, featuring the Irish maid, the illegitimate son, Uncle Morse, and even Lizzie as possible hatchet wielders.  The Cast:

Uncle John V. Morse:  Michael Reed, Bridget Sullivan: Sarah Nicklin, Lizzie Borden: Ruth Sullivan, Abby Borden: Shelley Dziedzic, Billy Borden: Brandon Aponte, and Andrew Borden: Dan LeLievre.

Ric and Richard

and Max, who kept his theory a secret.

Wishing everyone a happy Christmas filled with good things, good friends and family, and good cheer!