Don’t Shout Box
Shout Out
Boxes and Boos
Like many Western holidays, Halloween has its roots firmly planted in the Pagan traditions of old. It channels the Gaelic festival of Samhain in particular, which commemorated the end of the harvest and the beginning of darker days of winter. Western Christianity developed this into Allhalloween, or All Hallows Eve, a time to remember the dead, including the saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the good souls.
Don't Shout Box by Phil Tomlinson
It’s fitting then to remember the man who made this puzzle box on Halloween this year. I've always thought that the “Don’t Shout” box is well suited for the Halloween theme, because perhaps it contains a spooky surprise inside that will make you want to scream. Maybe I'm the only one who sees it that way, but there is still another, even better reason to recall this box now. Like Houdini, who died on Halloween in 1926 and who we commemorated last year at this time, it is also the anniversary of Phil Thomlinson’s death. Phil died on October 30, 2018 after losing his battle with cancer. I’ve been told he was close to being a saint, and he was certainly a good soul.
Whatever you do, Don't Shout!
Phil was a furniture maker and expert wood worker who lived in Cincinnati. He made two puzzle boxes before he died, the “Always Empty Box” which I featured a few years ago, also for Halloween, and its sequel, the “Don’t Shout Box”.
The boxes appear as twins, beautifully crafted from America Black Walnut, Bloodwood, Curly Maple, Rock Maple, Paulonia and Sapele woods. The only distinguishing feature is the contrasting detail accent on the top. On the Always Empty Box, there are two curving bands of Bloodwood. On the Don’t Shout Box, these bands are joined by a diagonal line of Wenge or Maple running between the curves. Each box has a unique mechanism which comes as an unexpected surprise, and solving the box will reveal the meaning of the name. They make a lovely pair and are a wonderful legacy from Phil.
The Scream Cocktail
I’ve had the Don’t Shout Box in mind for a Halloween cocktail pairing for some time now, and I’m glad to finally share it here. If you have been following my blog you will have seen the whimsical citrus peel art I like to make to accompany some of the cocktails. I’ve even gone so far as to make homages to actual pieces of art, like the Mona Lisa, and Van Gogh’s Starry Night. For the Don’t Shout Box, I’ve created a little citrus version of Edvard Munch’s The Scream. When I come up with a pairings for the blog, it usually starts with a puzzle box, and I try to determine what cocktail could compliment it well. At times, I find a great cocktail first, and there is an obvious box for it. In this case, which is probably the only time this has occurred, the pairing was driven entirely by the garnish. I knew I wanted to make The Scream, and thought this box would be perfect.
It's the last word in fall flavors
As for the cocktail, I searched and searched but was never satisfied. Whenever this happens, I simply create something that fits what I was looking for all along. This year’s Halloween cocktail is called “The Scream”. It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that on Halloween, someone’s last word might be a scream. So of course, this is a Last Word variation, modified with flavors of the fall season. The Last Word is a classic cocktail that I’ve featured here many times. This version uses cranberry and apple liqueurs in place of the traditional cherry liqueur. I also added a splash of Campari to give it a touch of blood red. It’s so good you’ll want to shout – but don’t! It’s a delicious way to celebrate the season, and remember those dearly departed. Cheers.
Opposites attract?
The Scream
¾ oz gin
¾ oz lime
¾ oz yellow Chartreuse
½ oz cranberry liqueur
¼ oz apple liqueur
¼ oz Campari
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a mini masterpiece.
For Phil Thomlinson’s Always Empty Box see:
For prior Halloween offerings: