The Seattle Pipe Club 2012 Dinner

If Sam Guss in the Lighting of the Claysanything can be considered the backbone of our pipes and tobacco hobby, it is pipe clubs. While there are many pipe enthusiasts out there who don’t have access to a local club, those who do are truly blessed.

Imagine what the hobby would be like without them. Most of the pipe shows as we know them wouldn’t exist. Events like the Balkan Sobranie Throwdown wouldn’t have occurred. Our networks and our fellowship would be much diminished.

Seattle’s Master Blender Joe Lankford smoking a gorgeous Jess Chonowitsch bamboo chestnut.A week ago last Saturday, I was privileged to speak at the Seattle Pipe Club’s annual dinner: a spectacular event the reputation of which is not only well-deserved, but actually better than I expected it to be.

The auction proceeds.Over the 11 years of its existence, the club’s dinner has presented some pretty impressive dinner speakers from across the hobby: Peter Stokkebye, Ben Rappaport, Craig Tarler, Marty Pulvers, Greg Pease, Clive Dunhill (a comedic spoof), Rick Newcombe, Scotty Bendett, Tony Soderman, and last, but certainly least, my own self.

Because I travel so much professionally, I’ve attended pipe club meetings and events all around North America. It is one of my favorite things to do. Some people do Rotary; I do pipe clubs!

The Seattle Pipe Club is among the best of the best. It is not only a large club, but it is well-resourced in leadership, talent, and good old sweat equity. People in the club work at it, and it shows. In Joe Lankford, the club has a very skilled tobacco blender. Joe showed up at the event with several new blends for everyone to try. I loved them, especially Lankford’s Latakia! (Joe is the author of the inimitably great Plum Pudding.) Gary Schrier, the hobby’s leading publisher, is a member, as well. This is a people-rich club.

Seattle Pipe Club President Matt GussEverything the Seattle Pipe Club does, they do with èlan and vigor, in no small part due to the charming and generous Matt Guss, the club’s president. I would be remiss not to mention Kevlin Kaplan, too, whose work on the event showed up in a terrific silent and live auction.

Speaking of the auction: I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to artisans Alberto Bonfiglioli, Rad Davis, Jack Howell, Will Purdy, and Bob Taylor, each of whom donated a pipe for this year’s live auction. When it comes to understanding how important pipe clubs are to growing our pipe community, these men step up and show their support in very tangible ways.

In my experience, regardless of sector, this is the behavior of category leaders. These artisans exemplify what being stand-up means - what giving back means. Believe me; it does not go unnoticed. If you don’t have a pipe by one of these artisans, give them serious consideration. My pipes by these gentlemen are first rate.

There were some other great items up for auction. Mike “Truck” Leach made a bear penis tamper (my goodness, how I wanted that….). Art Ruppelt (Ming Kahuna) donated a beautiful tamper, as well. Master blender Joe Lankford donated a Fantasy Tobacco Blend - a custom blend of the winner’s choice, made to taste specifications. Two Cousins’ Tim Crowder donated a beautiful pipe rack. Whitewood Leather provided a gorgeous ostrich leather pipe pouch. Pipes and Tobacco Magazine donated a new Peterson pipe. There was even an autographed photo of Hugh Hefner smoking a pipe. There were a lot more fun items I’ve not even mentioned. Each of the are worth mentioning, too, but this post would be a mile long.

Publisher Gary SchrierOne of the most touching parts of the evening was The Lighting of the Clays, a ceremony led by Gary Schrier. Everyone in attendance is given a clay pipe and tobacco. At the appointed moment, Gary Schrier read an incantation and we collectively lit our clays. Reading about this probably sounds a bit corny, but it was far from it. Ritual has an important place in community; it creates a sense of shared time and space, and a sense of shared experience and devotion. I treasure my clay from that ceremoy.

Although I’ve been a member of the Seattle Pipe Club for awhile now, this was the first Seattle club event I’ve been able to attend. I can tell you this; I’ve already made plans to attend next year’s dinner again. It was that memorable and fun.

Club members extend a warm welcome to those who attend so it not surprising that some people I spoke to drove upward of six hours one way to attend the event, several making a weekend of it. Everyone is given a name tag, so there are no awkward memory-loss moments. Most members brought their spouses with them. It was terrific to be with so many lovely couples.

Vancouver Pipe Man Henk GauwThe event is held at Smokey Joe’s Cigar Lounge in Fife, Washington, south of Seattle just minutes off Interstate 5. Smokey Joe’s is a venue most pipe clubs can only dream about. Aside from being able to smoke throughout the venue, no matter where one looks there is leather, walnut, thick carpet, and glass. There is a first-rate bar serving superb-quality cocktails, fine wines, and tasty craft beers. Snacks adorn the tables alongside boxes of long, wooden cigar matches. And the quality of service we experienced exceeded many fine restaurants that I’ve experienced.

And the food? The dinner’s caterer, Baccus and Ariana, is wonderful. They are a well-known, top-shelf Seattle caterer. Take one look at me and you know I know something about food. The SPC’s dinner menu exceeded any reasonable expectations, in my humble opinion.

Next year, it is my hope that a number of collectors and enthusiasts from throughout North America will join me at the Seattle event. I envision a weekend kind of pipe collectors’ conclave where we can focus on community, on our collections, and on getting to know each other better. Look for more later on this plan.

Comments

[Lawdog]

What a grand time...I hope that there will be updates posted as to next years event. I, for one, would love to be there.

Robert Lawing

[Scott Stultz]

Count me in for next year! And I thought that only women had penis envy . . .

[Bob Ramstad]

Neill, thank you for the lovely post.

If you could take a moment and email a copy of the image you liked of me lighting my GBD Century, I'd really love to have it for the archives. Might even put it up as my SF avatar.

(I was the relatively thick bald guy who gave you a baggie to take some of Joe's blend home with you... if that helps, I know I'm often overwhelmed when meeting large groups of people...)

I enjoyed your talk very much, and look forward to seeing you again soon.

-- Bob

[thefoolish Ethan]

Sounds like an incredible event. I certainly hope that I can attend one day!

Cheers

[Joe A Lankford]

Hi Neill,
I wasn't sure who was biding against my on the tamper. Send me an address at my email address, and I will send you a nice gift.

Great time was had, and especially enjoyed meeting you, and hope to see you again next year. Maybe sooner at one or more of the pipe shows.

Joe