News and photos

Issue No 52:
18 February 2009

Welcome to our fifty-second PartyChitChat.

Here is our news:

• We now have a UK phone number 020 3286 5078 Mon–Fri 4pm– 10pm London Time.
• We are about to launch a new kit set in a circus. It was written for us by school students. See "The Crazy Clown Car Caper" for details.
• We hope you had a romantic Valentine's Day!
• Saint Patrick's Day is fast approaching. It is on Tuesday March 17. We have a kit called "The Luck Of The Irish" which is perfect for Saint Patrick's Day parties, held on the actual day or on the weekend before or after. There are versions for 10 to 50 guests (although it can be used for a few more guests if the additional guests just dress in green). Even if you aren't Irish, it's still fun to pretend you are, if only for a day!
• We are still working on some new teacher's notes for our kits with the help of an educational psychologist Dr Scott Terry (see The Ardent Center for details). Please let us know if you would like to be informed when these are ready by emailing info@merrimysteries.com.

In this issue, we have articles about:

• Our photo competition winner
• Our decoration competition
• The Crazy Clown Car Caper.

Our photo competition winner

We had only one entrant this month. So three other prizes have not been given. The winner is:

• Lindsey Dyer (USA).

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 15 March 2009 (see photos.htm for details).

Decoration competition

There were no entrants and thus no winners in our competition.

We are commencing a new competition with a closing date of 15 March 2009 (see decor.htm for details).

Here is Lindsey's photo from her "Murder On The Prairie" party:

Lindsey sent in this feedback about her "Murder On The Prairie" party:

"We had an excellent time acting out our characters. One of the highlights of the night was how Spring Leaf was played by a man (instead of a woman)... watching her relationships transpire as the story developed was a riot! This being our first Murder Mystery Party, I would definitely try another one based on our experiences. Thanks!!"

The Crazy Clown Car Caper

A few months ago, we received this email from Michele Kirschbaum from the John Stark Regional School District in New Hampshire, USA:

"Hi

I have ordered several of your mystery parties and have used them with my senior detective novel classes at our high school. They are, by far, the best and easiest to use.

My idea is this: what if my seniors wrote a new murder-mystery for your company, sold it to you for a nominal fee, and then my students used the money to fund a charity of their choice?

Is something like this possible?"

We decided that it was indeed possible and the class commenced work on the project. We gave them some kits as samples and some guidelines as to how to go about writing a mystery party game. We must say we have been very impressed with what they have come up with. They decided to write a play set in a circus setting.

Michele is just about to test the kit they created on her next group of students. And the school is also designing the graphic to be used on the invitations. We hope to have the play version for 10 to 16 guests available for sale within the next month. And then we will also create small standard versions. The student's royalties from each kit sold will be given every six months to their chosen charity which is The Concord Merrimack County SPCA in Penacook, New Hampshire. This is an animal shelter and the students thought that as the mystery is set in a circus it would be appropriate to give the funds to help animals. If you would like to know when the play version is available for purchase, please send us an email via info@merrimysteries.com.

The Crazy Clown Car Caper Overview

by Erika E. Boisvert
Corbin M. Griest
Nicholas A. Heafield
Kendra L. Hotchkiss
Megan E.Kehr
Daniel J. Serard
Brittany M. Turcotte
Jonathan R.R. Whitney
with help from their teacher
Michele Kirschbaum

Welcome to the Center Brothers' Circus!

Just five years ago, Edgar Center, the owner of the Center Circus died. The circus had been performing in small towns on the Eastern seaboard of the United States for over twenty years. Edgar Center was content to keep the circus small and live with his family in the small town of Henniker, New Hampshire when they were not on the road.

After Edgar's death, the will was read, and he left his circus to his college educated and ambitious son, Sammy. This was a surprise to Edgar's wife, Tammy, as well as to his other son, Danny. They were disappointed that Sammy would be totally in charge of the circus.

Five years have passed since Sammy took over the circus and he has brought the circus to the big time - New York City! Sammy improved the popularity of the circus by changing its name to The Center Brothers' Circus and by adding a new, crowd-pleasing act - the clown car, a small, two-door electric vehicle which can only fit two clowns at a time. However, it has a trap door which opens to allow over 30 clowns to enter it, one by one, from a trap door on the floor of the performing area. Children love to see so many clowns coming out of the tiny car!

So tonight's the Center Brothers' big night and the Edison Garden in New York! We begin with an afternoon rehearsal before mayhem begins…

Sammy Center – I'm Sammy, the owner of the circus. It was my life's dream to become the owner of my own circus. I was so happy when my father passed it on to me. I love what I do and I wouldn't give it up for the world.

Danny Center – I am the ringmaster of the Center Brothers' Circus. I run the show and everybody knows it. I am the elder son. Nobody tries to take the show from me, not even my brother!

Tammy Center – I am Sammy and Danny's mother. After I married their father, I gave up my own college education and potential career to dedicate myself to my family. I always had good suggestions as to help run the circus, but my husband would never listen to me. In fact, I was surprised that he didn't leave the circus to me. Although I am proud of Sammy for finishing college and for bringing the circus from a small New England town, to its debut in New York City. Of course, I'm proud of Danny too, but for what, I'm not sure.

Barbara Shoppe – I'm the bearded lady. I've been in the circus ever since I started growing my beard at age 18. I started shaving before any of the boys did and my parents didn't know what to make of me. I don't really like my job because people always stare and laugh at me, but I've gotten use to it since the circus is always moving from place to place. This is the only job for me. I don't think I would be able to get another one. I don't know what I will do without my missing beard!

Barry Bubbles – I'm the janitor. I tried out to be one of the clowns to fit into the small car. I did not get the part, and they gave me the job as the janitor. I was mad because my dream was to be a clown and be in the circus. When I was little everyone has always laughed and made fun of me. I always go to Banana Bee's for dinner every night because I do not know how to cook.

Corbin Cubs – Everyone knows the lion tamer has the hardest job. I have to care for the lions 24/7! I groom, feed and even stay overnight to make sure the lions behave. My act in the show is very important. Not only do I risk my life by sticking my head into the lion's mouth, but I have also trained the lions to jump through hoops. Since I am a main star of the show, I have no reason to be jealous. As for the clowns they're always getting laughed at.

Igor Denisovich – My wife and I have been in the circus industry our entire lives. We are trapeze artists. As I was a child growing up in Russia, my parents taught me all the tricks of the circus trade. I met my wife ten years ago when she joined the circus in Odessa, Russia. We love to be what everyone looks forward to so we train extra hard and plan a great show. We have become the most successful act in the Center Brothers' Circus. Although many people think the clowns are the most successful act, they are sadly mistaken.

Svetlana Denisovich – I am from Russia. I was a former gymnast and trained all the time. My goal was to compete in international competitions. I agreed to join the circus because I was sick of gymnastics and wanted a change. Being a gymnast I am used to all the attention being on me while I perform. I was immediately smitten with Igor and we were soon married. As time went on the clowns began to steal the show. Igor and I were very upset because we loved to be the center of attention. We were then motivated to create a new and better routine. Many of the other people in the circus don't really like us because we are so talented, beautiful and exotic.

Double Cross Lou – I am well-known for my double motorcycle act, which is driving one motorcycle and then jumping on another. This act has given me the nickname of DXL. Everyone in the circus calls me that. I have been in the circus for about 13 years, and I love every second of it.

Jimbo Jones – I am the lead clown in the Center Brothers' Circus and I deserve to be because I studied clowning at Oxford. The clown car has really made the clowns the stars of the show! Since the car was added to the act, our attendance tripled! It's all because of the clowns and the car that the Center Brothers' Circus has made it to the big time - New York City! No one can steal the show from us!