Being one of the 'downstate' members, I miss taking the trip from Westchester each month. It became a monthly ritual which included purchasing new tobacco, perhaps a pipe or other accessory, sampling a new tobacco, enjoying the friendly atmosphere and topping it off with a delicious dinner at Smokey Bones. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on the side of the fence you're on, our designated driver found a job which put the kibosh on our junkets.

We immensely enjoyed the Peder Jeppersen trunk show and being at the meeting that day. I am sorry to say that for now our connection to CDPC will be mostly forum based.

Schedules depending, we have our eyes on weekend events that come up and look forward to attending those when we can.

Best,
Michael

ok thats cool, unless we get another huge storm that will require my attention at work ill plan on being there.

mayor
yes i agree a good friend has been lost.
good post.
i find myself agreeing with every word.
as for the meeting on wed. i dont think i will be making it due to the snow.
downtown will be a mess and ill be working overtime untill who knows when.
im sure ill be held up at least untill 6 or 6 30. and by that time ill be looking fwd to food and a very hot shower.
heres to another friend i have been missing alot of late....summer!!
 

_An Obituary printed in the London Times - Jan 15, 2011


Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: 
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain; 
- Why the early bird gets the worm; 
- Life isn't always fair; 
- and Maybe it was my fault. 

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). 
 
His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. 

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. 

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

 Common Sense lost the will to live, as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. 

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. 

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement. 

Common Sense was preceded in death; by his parents, Truth and Trust; by his wife, Discretion; by his daughter, Responsibility; and by his son, Reason. 

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; 
I Know My Rights 
I Want It Now 
Someone Else Is To Blame 
I'm A Victim -

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
 
Themayor                           

Nice looking. What kind of wood would it be?

This briar from Italy.
New pipe. Bent. http://seniakpipes.ucoz.com/photo/bent_15/35