Sleuth Mystery Players (www.sleuthmystery.com)

I'm baaaaaaack!!!

2007-07-14T12:01:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I published any news here. Sorry if you have been waiting! We recently added our 2008 White Oak Inn schedule to the web site…can’t wait to get back up there and enjoy the wonderful guests and Yvonne’s pumpkin soup! We have also added new dates with Colonel Taylor Bed and Breakfast as well as the Red Maple Inn! It looks as though we will be all over the state again this year.

Last night Geri, Jeff and I, along with a friend Jackie, had dinner at the Tarra Cotta Vineyards near New Concord Ohio. It was cook your own steak night and man was the food great! They started us with a dinner salad with a homemade (and secret) dressing that was incredible. The rest of the dinner was wonderful and included a baked potato, green beans and dinner rolls. Then came the killer peanut butter pie for desert. So much for watching carbs that night! Still, my compliments to the chef...wait a minute, that was me!

The wine selection was modest but priced right and we enjoyed an award winning Chambourcin reserve with our meal but we started with their dry white Seyval...good choice. Check them out on the web... http://www.terracottavineyards.com/page/page/1772085.htm

The coolest part of the evening was we ran into some folks that we had met last year at a murder mystery event we did in Coshocton County. How cool was that? We get to make friends all over the state (and beyond) with our mystery gigs...I love this job!

Way too much fun!

2007-01-28T22:46:00.000-05:00

What a great weekend we had at the White Oak Inn! Friday night was fun because we had the pleasure of entertaining some mystery frequent fliers! We had three couples return to the Inn for their third mystery with us. We do enjoy repeat offenders! Our circle of mystery friends keeps growing and growing. Someone once asked me what my favorite thing was about presenting mystery events and without hesitation I answered that the best thing was meeting new friends. It may sound like a line but it is certainly not! We meet some of the wildest and nicest people at our events. I love this job!

Saturday night was a trip because among the guests at the Inn was a group of 10 friends who were ready to have a great night...and that's just what happened. We even stayed over a little extra time singing Jimmy Buffett songs and having a great time. We even discovered that we know all the words to Delta Dawn!

Check out our website soon for all the pictures from this past weekend.

http://www.sleuthmystery.com/

We're making a killing...

2007-01-26T14:23:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! What a few weeks we've had. Last weekend we had two great nights at the White Oak Inn and we even snuck in a private party on Saturday afternoon! Then we headed back to Coshocton County to put on a mystery for about 60 folks at Raven's Glenn Winery and Italian Restaurant...this was the first time that we played this venue. The crowd at Raven's Glenn was up for a good time and they certainly had one! We even had a few of our local friends attending which makes for a fun evening too!

Tonight (Friday January 26) we are heading back to our "home away from home"...The White Oak Inn for some fun with an Appalachian Family Reunion! And tomorrow night at The White Oak Inn we will be rocking the house with the Annual Hiney Award Presentation party!

Look to our website for pictures of all these events and more... http://www.sleuthmystery.com/

Check back on Sunday or Monday for an update of the weekend.

2007-01-16T13:44:00.000-05:00

Wow! We certainly have a busy week coming up. This weekend (January 19 and 20) we will be back in action at The White Oak Inn both Friday and Saturday nights. During the day on Saturday (January 20) we will be performing at a private party in northern Ohio and then on Tuesday January 23, we will be at Raven's Glenn Winery for an evening performance. All of these events (with the exception of the private party) are open to the public and more information can be found at our schedule page on our website.

http://www.sleuthmystery.com/schedule.htm

Farewell old friend...

2006-12-21T12:01:00.000-05:00

Our wonderful "White Oak Inn" family lost a great friend (family member) this past week. Rocky the Labrador will be profoundly missed as a fixture of the Inn for so many years. Rocky's presents brought a certain charm and warmth to the White Oak Inn that will not soon be forgotten.

We first met Rocky when we began presenting mysteries at the Inn nearly 7 years ago. He was a mature dog back then but was always ready for a visit from Inn guests. We will always remember Rocky for his participation in our mysteries! That's right! Rocky had a recurring role in all of our events. You see, when a mystery participant would try to guess "who done it" at the end of the night...and their answers were REALLY bad...Yvonne would give them the booby prize which consisted of doggie treats wrapped in a nice bow. This was Rocky's signal to show up and help the guest eat their prize! He never missed a cue. We'll all miss you buddy. You were special.

Merry Christmas!

2006-12-17T16:59:00.000-05:00

Not much new to report today. Because of the Christmas holiday, we don't have a mystery scheduled for the rest of the year! (Which is actually just 14 days) However, in January we start again with 4 shows at the White Oak Inn and one at a new venue...Raven's Glenn Winery. Both are very beautiful settings and the food at each location is outstanding!

If you come to the White Oak Inn, you will certainly enjoy the rural setting with all its natural beauty. There is also an opportunity to feed the resident sheep (they don't live inside the Inn) and visit with our old buddy Rocky the lab. Innkeepers Ian and Yvonne unquestionably serve some of the best food I have had the pleasure of eating...and I've eaten my share! The pumpkin soup alone is worth the trip. It's my all-time favorite.

Raven's Glenn Winery is a new venue for our mysteries, but certainly not new to us as a destination for dinner, great music and some wonderful wines. The menu is mostly Italian and they do it well! Just imagine a great pastas dish with your favorite wine and your favorite someone while listening to the soothing piano music of our friend Dan Barnes.
I'm partial to their dry red wine, Syrah. But with nearly 20 choices from their list of wines made on-site, you'll find the perfect grape for you!

Visit http://www.sleuthmystery.com/ for more information. Also visit the White Oak Inn and Raven’s Glenn online...

http://www.whiteoakinn.com/

http://www.ravensglenn.com/

Art imitates life...

2006-12-12T19:30:00.000-05:00

Today I spent the morning with the 2006-2007 Leadership Coshocton County Class and the Coshocton County Youth Leadership class. My role was to be a facilitator in helping educate both groups about the arts in our county. The rich and abundant population of art and artists in Coshocton continues to amaze me. We met at the Triple Locks Theatre near Roscoe and spent the morning discussing theatre, music, poetry and a host of other art related topics. The highlight of the day was the Improv session in which everyone took part. Some of our group were naturals! And some, well...may be better suited for a job backstage! We had great fun and learned a lot about our community and its art.

For me, the best part of the day was to see the youth group again. I had the pleasure to be one of their facilitators for the classes' kick-off event earlier in the year. They are a great group of young people with passion, loads of energy and a desire to serve their community.

There are still seats available for the Footlight Players production of "The Twentieth Century" which will run this weekend and next. Call 740-622-2959 for reservations.

The Big Shoe...

2006-12-11T16:26:00.000-05:00

Well! We certainly had a great time Saturday night in McConnelsville. The crowd was not huge but they really enjoyed themselves. There were many children in attendance which makes magic and music that much more enjoyable to perform. The kids all participated in the show one way or another and that was worth the price of admission.

Jeff did his customary great job as an entertainer even though there were a few pre-production glitches before the show. (That's redundant redundancy isn't it?) Of course a pre-production glitch would happen before the show! No matter...because as they say in McConnelsville Ohio...the show must go on! And it did. Thanks to the Coshocton Contingency who made the trek south! Todd and Sara, Randy and son Matt, Tony, Beth, AJ and friend, Glenn, Geri (Jeff's betrothed) From Columbus we had Jeff's family along with Sparky and her boyfriend...whose name is escaping me at this writing. I hope I did not forget any friends who attended.

On the way home we stopped at Applebee's in Zanesville Ohio for a late dinner. Just for the record, we had exceptional service there and great food! Our server Heidi was on the ball. She was exceptionally engaging and not only gave us great service, she made the visit special. Smart, funny, cute and charming...that was Heidi. If you go there, ask for her section.

Check out our web site for pictures of Jeff's show... http://www.sleuthmystery.com/mcconnesville.htm

Overture, curtain, lights!

2006-12-09T11:05:00.000-05:00

Tonight is Jeff's big magic show! Glenn, Jeff and I traveled to McConnelsville on Friday to get a few things in place for tonight. The theatre is beautiful and has a great history. It will be a great time tonight...come down if you can. The show begins at 7:00 tonight and the theatre is located right downtown in McConnelsville...right behind the statue in the middle of the road!

While we were in McConnelsville, we grabbed some lunch at the Blue Belle Diner across the street from the theatre. It is a 50s type diner that serves home-style food at very reasonable prices. Jeff would probably recommend the meatloaf sandwich and Glenn would suggest the bean soup. Good stuff.

I'll have a full report of the show sometime this weekend...hopefully with pictures too!

Fun with Coshocton Rotary

2006-12-07T15:23:00.000-05:00

Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of entertaining the Coshocton Rotary club during their annual Christmas party. We all had a great time...mainly due to the club members participating in a few songs as buck-up singers! First the men came forward and hammed it up singing their part of "Proud Mary." Even though they only had one actual word to sing (rollin') in the entire song, they got their money's worth! They were great.

Next the women came up and did a rousing rendition of "California Dreaming." Although the ladies had to perform choreography along with their song, they didn't miss a beat! (They never really followed one either!) It was a very nice evening with a great group of people.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

A message from Jeff!

2006-12-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

OK....Brad said I HAD to comment on how the whole McConnelsville show was conceived. (hmmm does that make this suitable for all ages?) Anywho...it all started when I was a poor share cropper...whoops...wrong story...I received an email from the theatre director one day asking if I would be interested in doing a show for them. I said sure. When? Where? How much? (the normal questions) He told me about the Twin City Opera House it's historic roots in magic and that I would get a half cut of the house. I said sure...then I got to thinking...can I REALLY do a 2 hour show all by myself? Soooo I enlisted the help of Brad. Red Hiney himself! I did not want to produce a 2 hour "Birthday Party" show. I wanted it to be different, theatrical! So now with the time approaching, posters are made and hung, T-shirts have been made to sell, music tracks looked up and bought (still yet to burn), curtains made, a staff employed...I feel amazingly at ease. I wanted to produce a type of magic show that of an old time vaud-ville variety show. I know I have accomplished that in my mind. I hope it transcends to the stage. Most importantly, I hope we can get a good turn out of a 550 seat theatre. Otherwise Brad cannot get HIS cut!

Jeff

Jeff Leonard on stage in McConnelsville!

2006-12-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

Wow...Jeff's "Music, Magic and More" show is right around the corner! If you did not know, Jeff is staring in his own one-man-show this Saturday night (Dec. 9) at the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville Ohio. Jeff is very excited about this event and so are many of his fans. This is the first time that he has played this venue and there is a lot of magical history there. More about that a little later...

Please make plans to travel down to McConnelsville this weekend for a wonderful evening of Music, Magic and More!

2006-12-03T21:09:00.000-05:00

To say that we had a good time at the Guggisberg Swiss Inn Saturday night would certainly be an understatement. Our group of participants was more fun than sending Michigan to the Rose Bowl! (And we all know how much fun that is!)

We attended the wedding of Freda Love and Skip Moore and had a blast while we were there. Of course the wedding was interrupted by some atrocious attacks and assorted felonies...but overall it was a success. Upon arrival at the Inn we knew we were in trouble when we learned that a large portion of the participants were retired law enforcement officers! They probably had the mystery solved before the first dead guy hit the turf. Thankfully, none of them returned fire!

And the thing that surprised me the most about this group was their musical ability! You should have heard this crew belt out "Margaritaville" and "Proud Mary!" Quite honestly, the best group of singers we have at a mystery event in years! Encore!
I have included a few pictures from last night for your dinning and dancing pleasure...to see the rest visit http://www.sleuthmystery.com/

Have a great week Sleuthers!

The quick and the dead.

That's gonna leave a mark!

The wedding party.

Back to the Guggisberg Swiss Inn on Saturday!

2006-12-01T21:14:00.000-05:00

We're jetting off to the Guggisberg Swiss Inn again tomorrow night. Wow, how time flies...it seems like it was just a week ago that we were there for our last gig. Hey, wait a minute...it was a week ago! And we are ready for another great time with the Guggisberg clan this weekend. As always, check back with us on Sunday or Monday to read the full report and see some fun pictures.

If you would like to attend a mystery event (providing you've had all your shots and have been evaluated by a qualified psychologist) we would love to have you join us! Check out our schedule to see if we might be at a location near you...then simply call that particular venue to make reservations. You'll be glad you did. I know that we'll be glad you did! http://www.sleuthmystery.com/schedule.htm

Here's hoping that you have a great weekend. And remember, don't run with scissors.

Mystery Pictures!!!

2006-11-26T21:28:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from our mystery at the Guggisberg Swiss Inn last night.

I can't even begin to describe what they are doing here!

Another one bites the dust. All in a day's work.

For more pictures of this event, visit our website at http://www.sleuthmystery.com/guggisbergpics.htm

Another successful mystery!

2006-11-26T14:45:00.000-05:00

We had a blast at the Guggisberg Swiss Inn last night! The group was ready to have some fun and did just that! We enjoyed the company of a couple from Illinois who came just for the event! There was an Air Force veteran and four ex-Marines present. (Semper Fidelis!) The participants ranged in age from early twenties to early eighties and we even had some international guests stop by for a visit. It was a great night and we will be going back there next Saturday night for "The Wedding." Thanks Eric, Julia and Kirsten for a wonderful evening. (And remember...Julia is definitely, positively, most assuredly, without question, the love of Eric's life!!)

After we get the pictures developed, we will share them with you on the SMP website.

A special magical production!!

2006-11-25T10:29:00.000-05:00

For those of you who like magic, our own Jeff Leonard will be taking the stage at the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville Ohio on December 9th. As a member of the Sleuth Mystery Players, Jeff brings his own brand of magical fun to each of our mystery events. But on December 9th, it will be all about the magic. Jeff will be able to bring out the big guns and appear as different characters while magically entertaining the crowd at the Opera House. His show is family oriented so it would be a great night out for the entire clan.

Come on down to McConnelsville and enjoy a wonderful evening of Music, Magic and More. Jeff has asked me to come along and provide some musical interludes between his sets. So, we'll do a sing-a-long or two, and some original music too.

I'm really looking to a great night of magic with the very talented Jeff Leonard!

The show begins at 7:00PM and more information can be found here... http://www.operahouseinc.com/newupcomingevents.htm

On the road again

2006-11-24T22:02:00.000-05:00

Here's hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving. The Sleuth Mystery Players are back in action tomorrow night at the Guggisberg Swiss Inn near Charm Ohio. (I called it the "Steve Guttenberg Inn" once and Jeff just stared at me...I guess I won't be using that line again) This will be our first event with them and we are really looking forward to it. I don't know about the other kids, but I really enjoy playing new venues. (I make it sound as though we're rock stars or something) We will also be there next Saturday December 2nd for another mystery. I'm really looking forward to making the trip up there...it's not too far from home and they serve Amish cooking! (Like I didn't get enough starch and carbohydrates on Thanksgiving Day!) Check back this Sunday or Monday and we will have some pictures and a report for you. (And possible another Steve Guttenberg reference) I will also try to break this capricious trend of parenthesis usage. (Okay?)

Happy Thanksgiving

2006-11-23T08:54:00.000-05:00

I like the quote by George R. Hendrick, "True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him." Even the Psalmist said "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord." [Psalm 92:1]

Today I am giving my thanks for all the incredible blessings I have. Too many to begin mentioning here.

I hope you get to spend today with family and friends and reflect upon your blessings also.

That's just super!!

2006-11-22T23:07:00.000-05:00

Here is a picture of Geri before she changed into her costume...HA! Actually, this was also at the White Oak Inn during the mystery called "The Unemployed Super Hero Union." Geri played "A.D.D. GIRL"...did someone say typecasting? Don't get me wrong, we love Geri. We have to...or she won't give us a ride back home after the event! This picture is actually from last year and isn't she stunning? I believe those clothes are out of Jeff's closet.

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa it's magic...

2006-11-22T22:56:00.000-05:00

Gee...how does it always happen that Jeff gets all the pretty ones? Always a bridesmaid...

Well, Jeff found another beauty at the Red Maple Inn in Burton Ohio. We were there last Saturday the 18th of November. That's correct...I scheduled a mystery event on the same day that Ohio State played Michigan. I had a minor brain cramp. We got to see most of the first half and some of the second. But win or lose we had a GREAT time with the folks in Burton...it helps that we WON!!!!

Stop staring at my pants...

2006-11-22T22:44:00.000-05:00

Here we are having some fun at the White Oak Inn near Danville Ohio. These women had just been released from prison earlier in the day and they were primed to have a good time!

Seriously now...they are all great gals from all over Ohio just singing a little "California Dreamin" with their host, Red Hiney.

The gal in the red sweater has a son who is a senior football player at The Ohio State University! How cool is that! This was the night before Ohio State beat Michigan!!

History in the making...

2006-11-22T21:13:00.000-05:00

First, allow me to give you a bit of history about the Sleuth Mystery Players (SMP). Most of us were born at a very young age, subsequently grew up, and now...here we are. It's that middle part that is a little fuzzy. Many years ago in a little village known as Roscoe, two unconventional guys thought it would be fun to put on a dinner theatre type of an event where a small cast of actors would pretend to kill each other while a group of disassociated onlookers would attempt to decipher who done it. (And why they paid money to watch it) This group of actors disbanded (as did the onlookers) when one of its leaders was elected Mayor of Whoville and the other was beamed back to the mother ship.

After a little reorganization and a lot of therapy, the group regrouped and became a group again. Today, known as the Sleuth Mystery Players, the team travels Ohio entertaining three or four of the hundreds of people they encounter. Unlike the old days when the guests would watch the story unfold in front of them, the participants now become the criminals and perpetrators. It's all very participatory. (I just like saying that word)

Prior to a SMP event, a participant will receive a character name and a brief description of that characters personality and behavior traits. From there, the participant creates a costume, developes their character and arrives at the event ready to have some serious fun!

There are no lines to learn and no real script to follow. Just the opportunity to, as Billy Joel so expressively sang, forget about life for a while. We do encourage you to follow the hilarious string of felonies and misdemeanors, but it's more important to us that you are relaxed and amused during the evening. Our goal is simple...to entertain you.

We've started a blog...bully for us!

2006-11-22T18:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the "Sleuth Mystery Players" blaa blaa blog...

While I think of something clever to say, check out our website at http://www.sleuthmystery.com/