Sherlock Holmes Beach Hounds

Sherlock Holmes is now 154 years old. More than 40 of his biggest fans gathered at the Santa Rosa Beach County Club Tuesday night to celebrate. It was a bit of a belated birthday party — Jan. 6 is thought to be the actual date — but a party nonetheless. Holmes enthusiasts adorned with deerstalker hats and pipes enjoyed cocktails and cake in the detective’s honor. They even sang "Happy Birthday." To them, Holmes is still alive and well. Just retired, says Chick Huettel. Huettel is one of the five founders of the Beach Hounds, Santa Rosa Beach’s chapter f of the international Sherlock Holmes Club. Beach Hounds started four years ago with 22 members. Now it’s up to 75. There are no club fees. No required service projects. And just one meeting a year. Tuesday’s "birthday party" was the 2008 meeting. Upon arriving, guests were given a case to solve involving a drug ring and a hit-and-run murder. Those who could piece the puzzle together were eligible for prizes.

"It’s an icebreaker," said Joe Stinco, another Beach Hound founder.

Ralph Rickly, who served as a private investigator for 25 years and served 18 years with the San Diego Sheriff’s

Department, offered a few reallife cases. Some were solved.

Some weren’t. Some criminals were caught and others got away.

Before the meeting concluded, about a dozen new members were inducted into the club by way of a "secret handshake."

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