November 2007

Club Info & Events

Details of the October Meeting
The October meeting was an interesting one to say the least. For starters we were pleased to welcome Derek as the newest member of the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club. It's always a special occasion when a new member joins our ranks. Derek is a jack of all trades and has even made a few pipes of own; he not only takes on the position as our newest member but also as our youngest member. (Sorry Dock... you've been bumped.) Based on the picture Derek... you look like a good fit.

Stepping Down
Our next bit of news came as quite a shock. Our President, Dock Perry broke the news that he would need to step down from his position of President. His commute is over four hours round trip and he cannot afford to be away from his business for a half a day each month. He still plans to attend meetings but may not be able to attend every month. Dock has done quite a bit for the club during his two years as President including the commissioning of three club pipes (which he will continue to do), he worked with Watch City Cigar to create a new club tobacco blend and he instituted the SHPC Annual Swap & Sell. I have also been informed that he has already begun talks with Kaywoodie for the 2008 Club Pipe. So on behalf of the entire club we say "Thanks You" for all that you've done and hope you will continue to be an integral part of the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston.

Stepping Up
With the club now Presidentless the question was put to members present..... Does anyone here want to assume this role? There was lots of eyes looking back and forth at each other but no one raised their hand. Not an unexpected response since taking on a roll like this sometimes requires a little thought. Discussion continued with regard to the club's future and lots of positive ideas were thrown around. The question of leadership came up again and this time Eric Kahn spoke up. Eric's been with the club longer than any of our other "active" member. He said he might be interested in taking it on and asked what the role of president would include. In short the President of the club would be responsible for promoting the club in a way that would attract new enrollment and encourage former members to come back on a more regular basis. In addition, the club president should be instrumental in putting together a number of club events each year.
Eric decided that he would take on the role as president and I believe he is one of the top candidates for the job. Eric has said that his two main goals are to work with retailers to encourage them inform their pipe smoking clientele about our club and to encourage former members to come by for a visit more often. [more below]

Andrew Marks, Master Carver and Magician
By Thomas Martin
There’s magic in the foothills of the Green Mountains, Vermont. I’ve seen it before, and I’ll see it again in the studio workshop of Andrew Marks, Pipemaker. When I see the “Bear Crossing” sign, I know I’m almost there and a far cry from Boston. “Moose Crossing,” even closer still and time to start looking for the first dirt road at the top of the hill where the guardrail ends. If I see the sign for “Otter Creek Brewing,” I know I’ve gone too far.

The Magician, Andrew Marks has been turning briar burls into work of art for 35 years. I use the word turning a bit differently than one might expect when talking about contemporary carvers. I do not mean turning the wood on a lathe. I mean transforming, and shaping the briar burl into a pipe in a fashion that allows him to hold the wood in his hands throughout the process, something important to his aesthetic, and appreciation of the material. He has the greatest respect, appreciation, and confidence in his briar which he imported some thirty years back. And I have the greatest respect, appreciation, and confidence in him as he teaches me his craft. [Full Story]

Yes, now we have to pay for the privilege of smoking but our members should know that the money is for charity, and deeply appreciated. There were those who fought to have us leave, but the presiding authority of the new location prevailed, and so then, have we. Indeed, after about a year and a half, there is not one objection to our presence. We've collected some $3000 dollars over the time here. It's gone into good things for good people. Our money helped in repairs and is now being put to a youth fund and education.

But we have suffered a little still. When we met at the Holiday Inn it was not unusual to see 18 or more at a meeting. Now, it's down to a regular eleven. Many of our founders are no longer able or willing to go the extra miles. One of our founders died. Two have become too ill to attend. Steve Gutz is currently recuperating in a rehab because of an illness. (Regarding Steve G, the good news is that the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter, but he still has many weeks of therapy to go.) Doc has had to retire as President because of family and business. He'll still pop in now and then, though not as regularly. Ted had to cut way back because of health and Sid, has had to for the same reason. Sid still shows up, though, and is dearly welcome, smoking or not. Others have moved away to greater callings. But what of some of the others? Andy, Jay where art thou? Cindy? I'm not going to name any more names; I'm not try to shame anyone. Each has good reason for their absences and I'm not to judge.

On the good side, we have several new members, and they bring much to the pudding, so to speak. Tony, Tom, Bruce, Merek, welcome aboard. We are ever so glad to have you.

If I have a goal as your new president, I would sum it up as the desire to grow the membership and bring back some of the older members. To the 'used to be with us', may I appeal to you to come to a few meetings a year? Not all of them, just a few. We truly miss you and would love to see you again. To our current active membership, I make the appeal to bring in new members. The curious new pipe smokers, cigar smokers are our cadre. They just don't yet know about us. That's your job. You know what we have to offer. Good smoking, camaraderie, opportunities to connect with some terrific pipe makers and tobacco blenders. I'll be there, keeping the smoking lamp lit.

Good lunting* to you all.

Eveready (Would someone please tell me how I got that handle?)

*Slang: Taking a walk while smoking.