The meeting was called to order at 8:05 pm at 8 to 8 Cigar in Villa Park, IL. The St. Louis Show was discussed briefly and is taking place on 2/18 which is our next meeting date. My apologies for the conflict. However, attending a show is somewhat more important than missing one meeting. If any one from the CPCC is attending the show, please send our regards to the St. Louis club. Broadway Al Shaw (well, that’s the way he signed the attendance sheet) spoke about the next meeting of Hugo’s Companions which is a Sherlock Holmes club. The next meeting date for that group is 2/15. Contact Broadway Al for more info. Other future meeting dates are February 18th, March 18th and April 22nd at 8 to 8.
We were also very pleased to welcome three new members to the Club at the meeting. They are Kevin Schinagl, Robert Maggio and Tom Colvin. Welcome, gentlemen!
Craig Cobine was unable to attend due to his ongoing health issues, but we are hopeful that Craig will be able to make next month’s meeting and the Club sends Craig our very best wishes for his quick and complete recovery from his recent surgery. Chuck Martin gave a brief Show report where he indicated that the Saturday night dinner was being significantly modified to present a varied menu at more reasonable prices. Allow me to elaborate. For many years the Saturday night banquet at the Show, wherein the new Doctor of Pipes awards are presented, consisted of a steak dinner with all the trimmings (salad, soup, bread and dessert) accompanied by bottles of red and white wine. The meal included a “goodie bag” for each participant which was made up of premium cigars, pipe tobacco and other tobacco related items donated by companies and individuals supporting the Show. The goodie bag was worth the $70.00 charge for the meal. However, over the years, participation at the event was varied with years where the required number of 150 diners was occasionally not reached. Two of the oft quoted reasons for the spotty attendance was that the price was too high, even with the goodie bag, and that not everyone wanted a steak dinner. This year we are offering a varied menu which will provide a choice of beef, chicken, fish or vegetarian items at appreciably less cost than before. No goodie bags will be provided. Instead, we will be offering a raffle for boxes of premium cigars provided by event supporters. Anyone wanting to contribute a box of premium cigars may feel free to contact me. Also, there will be an open bar in the banquet hall where diners can purchase whatever beverages they wish. Anyone found to be unruly or disruptive during the dinner will be taken outside and forced to smoke a machine made cigar composed of synthetic binder material and filler made for chopped up leavings from full leaf filler cigars and shredded newspapers. That should teach them a lesson.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Bender-Acting President
Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club