December 16, 2017 Meeting Minutes

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Meeting called to order at 8pm (give or take 2 minutes) at 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park, IL. A birthday cigar was presented to Vic Grisetta, happy birthday Vic. John Winton introduced a virginia and latakia blend from McClelland that will be used next year in the slow smoking contest sponsored by the UPCA at the Chicago Show. If anyone is interested in trying this blend, please contact 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park at 630-993-1234, 8to8cigars.net. It can be special ordered. Two new members signed up at the meeting. They are the Pecorini brothers, Ron and Bob. They are both seasoned pipe smokers and have attended the Chicago Show for many years. We are glad that they finally managed to show up to a meeting and become members. Welcome to the CPCC Ron and Bob!

Frank Burla, former Chicago Show director and founder of the Doctor of Pipes order of distinction for those serving the hobby, announced that he and his wife would be moving out of Illinois to a location in Florida sometime in March of next year. We understand that the weather there is great……………………..if you don’t mind an occasional hurricane. Frank has been an icon in the hobby for many years and is responsible for creating the Chicago Show and making it unique with events and activities that are not found in all pipe shows either in the U. S or overseas. All pipe shows are great, ours is special (I’m prejudiced). Frank will be missed by those who know him personally feel indebted to him for all he has done for the hobby. We are fortunate that Craig Cobine was able to step in and take over as Show director several years ago when Frank was no longer able to handle all of the responsibilities devolving on running the Show. We wish Frank and and his wife Ann much happiness in their new home. Frank intends to come back at least once a year for the Show.

Allow us to take this opportunity to wish a very happy holiday season to all of our friends and members without who’s support there would be no club nor, for that matter, an annual pipe show. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and much success and happiness in the coming year.

Upcoming meeting dates at 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park, IL.
January 20th
February 17th
March 24th.

Respectfully submitted,
Paul Bender

October 21, 2017 Meeting Minutes

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Meeting called to order at 8:04pm (unruly crowd) at 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park, IL. Mr. James M. Watts of Westchester, IL. was welcomed to the Club as a new member. The current issue of Pipes and Tobacco magazine has an article featuring Frank Burla as is recommended reading for all members. The upcoming West Coast Pipe Show in Las Vegas is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, November 4th and 5th this year. Chuck Martin gave a brief Show report to the effect that registrations for tables continue to come in at a reasonable pace and that the Show should be “full up” by early next year………………if not sooner. No other business was discussed as everyone was busy eating pizza.

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Bender

Secretary: Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club.

Meeting dates:

Nov. 18

Dec. 16

2018 dates:

Jan. 20

Feb. 17

Mar. 24

September 23, 2017 Meeting Minutes

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The September, 2017 meeting of the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club was called to order promptly at 8pm on the 23rd at 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park, IL. Gift cards were handed out to those volunteers at this year’s Chicago Show who had not yet received them. We want to thank all those members who gave of their time and energy helping out at the 2017 Show this past May. There is so much more to do than just what the Show officers can handle that it is vital that Club members chip in and help out when they can. If you haven’t worked a couple of hours or more at the Show, please consider doing so next year. It will be appreciated.

Sad news was given on the death of Steven Books, a noted tobacco blender from the House of Calabash in Oregon. It is our understanding that the shop was closed for the past several months due to Steve’s failing health and that only online orders were being taken and filled. Steve Books was an acknowledged master tobacco blender and will be missed in the hobby.  It was reported that members Judd Pearlson and Rex Poggenpohl represented the Club at the recent Columbus and Kansas City pipe shows. Thanks, guys. Show Director Craig Cobine reported 215 tables currently sold for next year’s Show at Pheasant Run in St. Charles, IL. Mike Khalil gave information on recent issues with the FDA’s attempts to control premium cigars and pipe tobacco. The issuance of final rules has been postponed until August of 2021. There is currently pending legislation before the Senate to exempt premium cigars from federal regulation. A bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and is now before the Senate. More information can be found on the Cigar Rights of America website and, I suspect, on other sites as well. Let’s hope that this bill also includes relief for pipe tobacco producers as well.

The next meeting will be at 8 to 8 Cigar on October 21st. It’s pizza night! Oh, also, if you are planning on bringing your wife or lady friend to the Christmas party ( I could make some bad jokes here, but I won’t) at our December meeting on the 16th, please let me know so that proper numbers can be given to the caterer to provide ample food.

Future meeting dates for 2017 are:

October 21st

November 18th

December 16th

2018 dates:

January 20th

February 17th

March 24th

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Bender

Secretary/Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club