Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston

Details of the November Meeting
The pre-smoke gathering of pipe and cigar at CB Perkins is quickly becoming as enjoyable as the the club meeting itself. We had a full house this past month with more people than I've seen there so far. It was election day and much of the conversation was around politics; and as you can imagine there were plenty of strong opinions flying about the room. But nothing a long easy draw from pipe or cigar, followed by a relaxing exhale of gray smoke could keep from getting out of hand.
We had some fun with hats last month as you can see one of our cigar brethren sporting and Alec Bradley straw hat which went very well with his multi colored striped shirt and Ohio State Buckeye necklace (both of which attracted a fair amount of attention).
So after an hour filled with fun we headed over to 5 Guys to fill our bellies with fat, carbs and plenty of sodium. Which has seemed to go over fairly well actually.
At the meeting we discussed whether or not we will collect dues in 2011 and will take a vote on it at the December meeting. We also talked about using some of the club money in ways that will most benefit our members. The idea of renting a bus or van to get everyone down to the Kaywoodie Holiday Party has been investigated and determined not to be the most cost worthy venture. So we agreed to spend some of the money on items that will be raffled off next month.

So What's In Store for December
We always look forward to getting together the first Tuesday of each month but there is a bit more anticipation when December rolls around, particularly our visit to the holiday party and Northeast Regional Smoking Contest at S. M Frank and Co., home of Kaywoodie pipes. Although a very long day, this event is not to be missed and a great way to end our pipe smoking year. In addition to those festivities, last year we started a new tradition for the December meeting by adding a Yankee Tobacco Swap with all tobacco being purchased with club money. This is a way to show our appreciation to members and thank them for their participation in the tobacco raffle each month. This year we upped the anti a little by giving our active members (you know who you are) a chance to win a new pipe with the purchase of one $10 raffle ticket. I can't wait to see who the winners are.
But wait, there's more! I received an email from Mark Schloemer from Kansas who makes tampers under the name of Granito Pipe Tampers and is looking to get word of his creations out to the pipe smoking public. He currently does not want to keep a website, so to do this he has sent us two tampers to raffle off to two lucky members at the December meeting in the hopes that they will pass the word around and get othesr interested. In exchange for this generous offer I have asked that Mark send me a short bio of himself for the newsletter to give him a little more exposure.. Please take a few minutes to read his bio below. Thanks for the tampers Mark, the winners will be posted in the January Gazette.

Do You Want to be Part of SHPC?

We can't say that we had any new members show up at our last meeting but we really can't complain can we? We have had a great boost to membership this year, more than we've seen in quite some time and many who have become very active members. This is a very encouraging sign for our hobby (I hope) when you think of how strong the anti-smoking legislation has been. And it's not just at SHPC that I'm seeing this, others are seeing an increase in interest in our favorite pastime as well. See article in the News & Info section.
Are you one of these people? Are you over the age of 18? Do you smoke a pipe alone all the time? Would you like to share your passion for the pipe with others like you? Do you ever see someone smoking a pipe and wonder what it's all about? Have you tried smoking a pipe but had trouble keeping it lit, had your tongue burned or just weren't sure what you were doing? We can help with all of that. At SHPC you can sit back and relax with like minded individuals and share the passion (but not the addiction) of the pipe. We can help you pack, light and smoke your pipe correctly and introduce you to new tobaccos and new pipe makers that can change your whole outlook on pipe smoking.
He who hesitates is lost so don't procrastinate. I knew about SHPC but waited 2 years to connect with them and wasted 2 good years of pipe smoking freedom before all hell broke loose with the anti-smoking movement. We used to be able to meet in a conference room for free where we could order food and drinks to enjoy with our pipes. It was great and we all still miss it today. But we haven't given up... we are still going strong and we are still are able to make merry.... and as they old saying goes... "The more the merrier."
If you'd like to join us make it your 2011 new year's resolution. You don't need to make a commitment, just stop by and check things out. The easiest way to connect with us is to meet up with us at C.B. Perkins at Cobb's Corner in Canton between 5 PM and 6 PM. Ask anyone in the smoke ring and you'll be directed to an SHPC member if you haven't already found one. We eat dinner from 6 PM - 7 PM then off to the meeting which usually ends around 9:30 PM. You can participate in whichever of these activities you like and can come as often or as little as you like. If you are new to pipe smoking or an old timer, we don't think you'll be disappointed. If you can't make it to CB Perkins but want more information please feel free to send us an email.