August 4, 2005 on Second Street

Warps and Wefts has been around for a few years without any mention of who writes this stuff!  Begun as an online web site for a conference in 2007, I never thought I’d still be around.  My thanks to all those who stick with Warps and Wefts, the readers and those who leave comments.  As 2011 comes to a close, Lizzie Borden is hotter than ever and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.  It is my great pleasure to continue with the pleasant task of keeping readers informed, rooting out new information, and going on sleuthing adventures with the Second St. Irregulars (Muttoneaters).  Knowledge unshared is knowledge wasted- and it is so much fun when friends are along for the ride.

“Muttoneaters” at the New Bedford Courthouse

It has been a wonderful experience sharing a passion with like-minded people since 1991 when I first got bitten by the Lizzie Borden bug.  Before the house on Second Street was opened to the public, we all had to gather in each other’s homes to discuss the case- no internet, no cell phones,- just pen and paper and good old land lines.  From these early days, the Second Street Irregulars was born, although lately we seem to go by Muttoneaters! Many of these intrepid souls trod the boards at #92 every August 4th as The Pear Essential Players and the cast has swelled to 18 players.  Now I am too old and portly to pull Lizzie off, I plan to enjoy portraying Abby Borden in historic re-enactments for a few more years- at least until 65!

The Pear Essential Players at Maplecroft 2009

Abby & Uncle John Morse at the Fall River Public Library

In the years I have been ‘a-Lizzie-ing, I have met so many captivating personalities and made life-long friends.  I have loved working at the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast Museum for the past 13 years, and hope to be around for awhile longer as night time innkeeper on Friday nights. Victorian crime is my passion, and of all cases, the Borden case has all the elements which intrigue me most.  Whether planning the next Muttoneaters’ gathering, writing a new script for August 4th, or wading through Oak Grove Cemetery in the snow- life with Lizzie has never been dull.  And now with the publication of Parallel Lives, new and exciting things about Lizzie and Fall River are revealed like jewels in a treasure chest.  Stay tuned- the best is yet to come.

Shelley Dziedzic with Colleen Johnson for

Warps & Wefts, November 2011