November 2009

Club Info & Events

Details of the October Meeting
We had a phenomenal turnout for the October meeting starting with another good group at what has become our five o'clock pre-smoke at CB Perkins. Neil, Dock, Rick, Derek, Steve, Tim and I relaxed and enjoyed a pipe or cigar before heading over to Bertucci's for dinner. Just a heads up... this month we'll be at Chinatown (6 PM).
At the club meeting we were 18 strong which tops our recent record of seventeen at our Stoughton location. Included in the eighteen were three new members but before I get to them I need to recognize another new member who was introduced to the club by Derek and who I have been neglectful in mentioning. Steve is pretty low key guy and has managed to slip under my radar for that past few months. He represents the new generation of pipe smoker and one we hope will one day help carry on the age old pastime of pipe smoking. So Steve, I now officially recognize and welcome you to the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston.

I can't think of a better way to follow up one of pipe smoking's future than with one of the more fortunate folks who was able to enjoy the heyday of pipe smoking's past. Ernie found us through this newsletter, he's a retired photographer and now holds the position of SHPC's most senior active member. We all look forward to hearing some of those tales from days when America was still the home of the free.

Next up we have Bob. Bob was introduced to the club by Merrick, he is a GM for Hess Oil Company and hails from Rhode Island. Bob tells us he's been smoking pipes since his late teens. His grandfather started with pipes at age 14, and when he came to America one of the few possessions he brought with him were two pipes. My great uncle smoked Montecristo cigars, and at a young age I used to watch them play chess together. I can still remember how the room would have a layer of smoke floating about five feet above the floor.

And last but definitely not least we have Adam. Adam also found us online. He's new to pipe smoking and has a pretty cool job as a weatherman (sort of) for the U.S. military. Unfortunately, he'll be leaving us for Afghanistan in the new year so we hope he has the opportunity to make a few more meetings before his deployment. Either way we wish you Godspeed and a safe return. Just remember Adam... when you do return the SHPC smoking lamp will still be lit. Well we hope it will anyway.

On behalf of all SHPC members, past and present, we welcome you.

Pipe Repairs by Walker Briar Works
Kenny and Dock both gave extremely high praise for the quality of work they've received from Walker Briar Works when sending their pipes there for repairs, restorations or to have them opened up. I checked out their website and was quite impressed with what they have to offer. Pipe restoration starting at $30, open the airway to 5/32 for $16-$18, do it yourself stem restoration kit for $18 and fancy "forever stem" replacements for your Missouri Meerschaum cobs. They also sell estate pipes, fix Meerschaums and have a specialized "Ozone" treatment for deodorizing and sanitizing even the nastiest and smelliest of pipes. I cannot personally vouch for any of these services as of yet but the testimonials from Kenny and Dock along with what I've seen on their website is enough of a sell for me. I have a few pipes I know I'd smoke more if the air flow was better so I'm planning on giving these guys a try. I just checked with David at Walker Briar Works who tells me he plans to add the option of gift certificates to his website which would make a great Christmas gift. So take a few minutes to stop by their website and see what they have to offer.

In fairness, I know there were other pipe repair options that were also presented for recognition. If any club member would like to send in a short write up on any of these other pipe repair options, I will be happy to post it in a future newsletter.

Kahn's Korner

Well, how do you like that? Just as I was wondering whether there was something to write about in Kahn's Korner for this month, here comes the best news I could have hoped for. The 2009 Northeast Regional Pipe Smoking Contest announcement. Talk about timing.

Hey it's always a good time for a slow smoking contest, but it's special when the Sherlock Holmes Pipe Club of Boston and the Hudson Valley Pipe Club can get together at the world famous Kaywoodie Pipe factory in upstate New York. And those two are not the only ones present. No, folks from Pennsylvania, and Connecticut and lots of other spots show up too. We brag, we talk politics (Ok, I talk politics, and the others try to ignore me.), compare tobaccos, sell and buy pipes and eat and drink and carouse (politely) with each other. It's a wonderful time to be had.

Bill Feuerbach, the general manager of Kaywoodie, is always a gracious host and will give newbies to the event a wonderful tour of the factory, while explaining all the ins and outs of large and small volume production of pipes. Food is all part and parcel of the event, and we all partake with enthusiasm as it's always delicious.

Then there are the wonderful old friends that we get to see, if only once a year. Not many of us get up to the Peekskill area. Not to mention all the other places the smokers call home. So to be able to meet and greet them as old friends, is special. That to me is the best part.

Then of course is the slow smoking contest..The Pocono Intermountain Pipe Enclave (PIPE) of Pennsylvania and SHPC seem to swap out that trophy fairly often, but the last two years it's been the PIPE guys taking home the prize trophy. Hopefully this will be our year. I know I'll do my best.

To members of SHPC who are new, and have not yet attended the event: Plan on it! This is a great time for everyone. We usually have two or three car loads and would be happy to create a fourth and fifth. The entourage meets about 1130 at the Route 84 Dinner in Peekskill has lunch and then goes back one exit to Kaywoodie. I'm sure Nelson has a link to the flyer in the newsletter, or will be happy to mail it out to anyone who needs one. I can't emphasize enough how fine a time it is. I sincerely hope you'll all consider attending.

Watch the video from last year's contest.