HOW TIME FLIES WHILE ENJOYING THE BRIAR

Brother Allan enjoying one of many bowls at the October Pipe Club meeting

Wow, it's been a while since I last posted any updates.  Hard to believe we've gone thru Spring,Summer and now we're into the Fall Season.  As I sit here and get this started I reflect on all the events that have taken place since the last post.  We had our annual Pipe Club picnic, at Hank Saatchi's house for the second year. (thanks to Brother Hank for volunteering to host it again).  We've had meetings in June, July, August, September and earlier this month (October).  This blogger also celebrated a milestone birthday event, the big 50, this past September.

But I digress,we also, a first for the club, had an impromptu gathering at a place called Art:Side NYC back on September 6th, 2013.  The weather was picture perfect for this event where we were on, as far west as you can go without leaving NYC, the west side by the NY Waterway Ferry building.  This is a nice venue run by a husband and wife team.  They serve food and cocktails, and most importantly they allow smoking in an outdoor venue (a first for NYC).  We had a pretty decent turn out to enjoy the sunny evening and most of all being able to partake of the briar.

The picnic at Hank's house in East Brunswick NJ was even more successful than the last one.  We had the picnic this year on July 13th, 2013.  Weather cooperated and a grand time was had by this blogger and the rest of the Pipe club.  Hank was a gracious host providing us with great fare.  We had burgers, hot dogs and other great fare including mouth watering steaks.  It was a great turn out and members who haven't been at this event were able to attend including Brother Dominic.  This was the fourth Pipe Club picnic for this blogger and am already looking forward to next year's picnic.

Meetings, meetings and more meetings.  We've had meetings from June thru October 2013 held at Circa Tabac in Soho (one of the few venues where eating, drinking and smoking is still allowed).  The October meeting had a great turn out of people and as always a great time was had by all in attendance. Here's a few pictures for those unable to attend the October meeting.

Mustn't forget another annual event that took place on the Friday before the Pipe Club picnic.  Steve Monjoure had his Rinaldo, Brebbia and Ardor trunk show at Barclay Rex Tobacco shop on W 42nd Street here in NYC.  We tried to convince Steve to stay in town an extra day and attend the Pipe club picnic.  He declined stating that it was not in the cards but promised to add it to the schedule for 2014.  Would love to have Steve attend the NYPC annual summer BBQ (fingers crossed and a reminder will go out to Steve from this blogger so he adds it to his NYC schedule).

Updates, our Pipe Club blends are selling well.  Pipes and Cigars was sold to Cigar International.  That is a win for the NYC folks as we no longer have to pay the draconian tax on the purchase of our tobacco blends.  Brother Z is on the road to recovery, albeit slow.  He is constantly in the thoughts and prayers of the Pipe Club and we hope to have him back with us enjoying a bowl or two.

Well I will sign off now and return to the real world outside of this blog to see if I can make a few bucks.  Until the next meeting or event (which ever comes first).  Keeping my ear to the briar as always.

~Patrick