The Best Way to Celebrate Mystery Month Host a Murder Mystery Dinner!
Did you know May is Mystery Month? There are dozens of ways to celebrate this enigmatic occasion, from playing Clue to rewatching “Glass Onion” — but why not bring those experiences to life and host your own murder mystery dinner at home? Thanks to a plethora of kits on the market, doing so is easier than ever! What is a murder mystery dinner? A murder mystery dinner is essentially a real-life game of Clue. You invite friends over for dinner and turn your home into the set of “Knives Out” — without the blood, of course. Each of your friends takes on the persona of a character in the story, and when one of them is “murdered,” you compete to uncover who dunnit. Step 1: Pick your kit. Planning a murder mystery dinner from scratch would take the ingenuity of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Luckily, you have several ready- made mysteries from which to choose! You can find boxes from Masters of Mystery and My Mystery Party at your local board game store, but you can find many options available online too. Night of Mystery (NightOfMystery.com), for example, sells both in-person and virtual kits with themes ranging from ‘80s prom to Christmas homicide.
If your friends and family do not like the idea of acting and dressing up, that is okay — you can still solve a mystery over dinner! Look into kits available through Unsolved Case Files (UnsolvedCaseFiles.com) or Hunt A Killer (Shop.HuntAKiller.com), which involve collaborative mystery-solving without the character work. Step 2: Curate your guest list. Most murder mystery dinners require at least four people, while some include characters for six, eight, or more! Check the number of players on your kit and invite your most creative, analytical, theatrical, and mystery-loving friends. Step 3: Decorate and plan the menu. If you choose a themed murder mystery, level up your event with a matching menu and decor! For games taking place in England, whip up a shepherd’s pie and make a cardboard cutout of Big Ben. For Havana Nights, plan a build-your-own Cubano bar and throw on an Afro-Cuban playlist. You can be as over-the-top as you like. Remember, May is Mystery Month!
A Life Lost Too Soon
MY UNCLE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
May 29 marks Memorial Day this year, which holds significant meaning for my family. You may already know that my uncle lost his life in the Vietnam War, and now I take any opportunity I can to honor his memory and service. I shared my Uncle Bruce’s story in this newsletter some years ago, and I would like to revisit his legacy this Memorial Day. Although the years pass and I grow older, his image and courage remain timeless. Second Lieutenant John Bruce Capel had a bright career ahead of him, but he decided to serve his country instead. My uncle was quite the figure in his hometown, both for his talent in football and his kind heart. He played alongside football legend Dick Butkus at the University of Illinois, and they even won the Rose Bowl together! Everyone knew that Bruce had so much in store for him. In addition to these accolades, he was also a Quantico Marine Athlete. Only a few know about these athletes, and I likely would not if not for my uncle. Quantico Marine Athletes were talented sportsmen in various varsity sports, including track and field, basketball,
and of course, football. Although these Marines were serving their country, they were also outstanding athletes who would have easily become professional legends in their respective leagues. Their paths were changed forever when the Vietnam War began. Each Quantico Marine Athlete was given a choice: to stay and play their sport at Quantico or to fight in Vietnam. My uncle, who always considered himself a Marine first and an athlete second, made the decision to fight for his country. Soon after, he lost his life in Vietnam.
This Memorial Day, and every one after, I will remember my uncle’s service and sacrifice. I never had the chance to meet him, but with so many tales and memories left behind, I can feel his bright spirit and lasting legacy. I am forever grateful to him and all those who gave their lives in battle to protect our country. My heart also goes out to everyone who lost loved ones in the service. I wish you all a meaningful Memorial Day.
–Lisa Jones
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Dennis & Lisa Jones
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