Tspc.org

[Big Bad Jon]

I hope Andy is ok with me posting in his section. I want to get some things ironed out concerning our newly inherited smoking contest. If anyone was not aware, Denny at Georgetown has relinquished this annual tradition. TSPTC has elected to keep the tradition alive; however we are hopeful that Riegels will still want to sponsor the event . We are planning on having it immediately following the show on Saturday. Having discussed this with several members and others, I feel this will help keep foot traffic up towards the end of the show. This has always been an issue at our show.

I think we have found an acceptable tobacco to use at the contest. It is the C&D 460: Competition blend. It is a burly blend with slight amounts of VA tobacco that is the "officially sanctioned" blend. We at this point are not trying to host an official event, however this is a good step in that direction. It is also not as offensive to English smokers as the previous blend, however it is absolutely not a Latakia blend either.

Prizes have always been an important part of the contest... Lee Von Erck has in the past been gracious enough to furnish the grand prize. Having won the contest last year I can affirm it is a Grand Prize. I do not believe that anyone from the club has been in contact with him to see if this tradition will continue. I am exploring whether we could get a trophy that names can be added to as a "traveling" prize. Hopefully there are good records of past winners and times we can use. We will also be asking for other vendors to see if they are interested in adding prizes.

I understand that no one likes change, myself included, but am optimistic that these changes will both enhance our already wonderful show, and make the contest more enjoyable for everyone.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let myself or Andy know. Thanks in advance.
_________________
Winner of the 2009 Riegels pipe smoking contest.

[dennisthemenace]

Have you spoken with Frank Bougher? I don't think he wants Riegel's to relinquish the smoking contest.
_________________
Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant,

Dennis

With pipe and book at close of day, Oh, what is sweeter? mortal say.
- Richard Le Gallienne

[ChuckConnors]

Jon and I have spoken, Dennis. He has my authorization to do some initial leg work and coordinate back with me, which is what he has done.

Meeting with Frank tomorrow with the topic you mentioned already in mind. Will update here afterward.


Andy S.

[Moose]

Sorry Andy. I am in vehement opposition to the new tobacco change for the smoking contest. I don't believe any one member has the right to impose his taste on the rest of the contestants. The blend currently being used, was chosen by a disinterested third party years ago. Besides, I believe that we shouldn't be going outside of Riegel's for a tobacco choice anyway. If you, as president, are determined that the contest tobacco should be changed, you should go to a third party, who will not be participating in the contest, to chose a new one from Riegel's stock. To go any other way wouldn't be fair to all contestants. Perhaps each contestant could choose their own personal favorite from Riegel's stock to smoke in the contest. That would make about as much sense as one participant chosing their favorite tobacco, and forcing the other contestants to smoke the same blend. It is commonly known that Jon does not like the currently used blend. I, personally don't like the blend that he has chosen. Now, whose opinion is worth more? I say neither, hence, the need for a non-participating third party to choose. For my two cents, I say let tradition stand. Use the old blend. That would be fair to all.
_________________
"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest."
-Charles Lamb
_______________________________________

Mike M.

[bfogt]

Mike, I think the idea was to make the contest closer to the standardized contests across the country. It seems that they use the same tobacco and a regulated amount, different from what Riegel's contest used. A contest that could qualify someone for a "championship" could bring both competitors and observers to the show. It may only be ten or twenty, but that's a pretty big difference in the show attendance. for that reason, I think it's a reasonable change. I don't get the impression that anyone's changing it to one of their favorites, or else it would all be London Blend 1000! (Right, Andy? )

[Moose]

I see what you're saying Ben, but you're unaware of some of the facts in this case. If we were to go with the accepted standards with type of tobacco used, rules, etc., there wouldn't be a problem. The facts in this case just don't bear that out.
_________________
"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest."
-Charles Lamb
_______________________________________

Mike M.

[Big Bad Jon]

Ben, Mike, the intent is to bring the contest closer to a regulation event. Also having the event at the end of the pipe show is intending to entice crowds to stay longer at the show. In my opinion anything that we can do to make the show better only helps the club! We have a very huge advantage at our show that pretty much every other show should be envious. WE CAN SMOKE. If we play our cards correctly, we could use this advantage and at some point a regulated smoking contest, to make our show the envy of all other mid sized shows.

I am not changing the tobacco to fit my taste preference, rather to bring our contest to a closer adherence to international rules. I realize that changing the contest tobacco is not going to always please everyone, but our sponsor Riegels pipe and tobacco is still providing it. I am sure in the spirit of fairness we could get Riegels to sell some of the tobacco to entrants a few months before the contest.

I understand that no one likes change, and the fact that the contest will no longer be held at Georgetown upsets me as much as anyone. I just think that because we were forced to make some changes we might as well make some other beneficial changes at the same time.

Everyone take a deep breath, and think about the fact that in a few years if everything goes a planned, you could win our contest, receive some killer prizes AND be qualified for an international smoking contest championship. Now if that isn't cool, and beneficial to our club I am not sure what is...
_________________
Winner of the 2009 Riegels pipe smoking contest.

[bfogt]

[Moose]

If you intended to bring our contest in line with international standards, you would have chosen the international standard, all burley, which C&D Competition Blend is not. Besides, I was told, by someone at Riegels, that the current blend used, was chosen after lengthy testing, and a concensus was reached. It is also my understanding that most contestants approve of the currently used blend. In fact, I have only heard of one contestant complaining about the current blend. I say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". Who gives a damn about international standards anyway. It's just a "for fun" pipe smoking contest, of no consequence to the international, or national, pipe smoking community anyway.
_________________
"May my last breath be drawn through a pipe, and exhaled in a jest."
-Charles Lamb
_______________________________________

Mike M.

[ChuckConnors]

John Minnich of Riegel's assisted Jon in obtaining some C & D "Competition Blend" for us to try. Neither Jon nor I selected this blend for our own taste or preference, as we tend to favor latakia blends over a straight burley such as this one. However, we did choose to go with it for other reasons.

Using this burley mixture moves TSPTC one step closer to having an actual sanctioned pipe smoking event, should we chose to go in that direction. As for having a third party make the selection for us, I see no need to go that route. The blend Riegel's has recently used for the pipe smoking contest is not even the one they used for years and years, and neither is anything close to a blend which would be used at a sanctioned event. If anything, the C & D "Competition Blend" which both Jon and I tested is far more in line with what is used at sanctioned pipe smoking contests and while somewhat bland is completely inoffensive to almost any palate. That is another reason we felt it was more appropriate than what had been used at the Riegel's contest. Both Riegel's pipe manager John Minnich and Frank Bougher have helped and approved of its selection.

Of course, if one felt this blend did not suit their tastes at all one would not have to smoke it. But then they would have chosen, in eschewing it, not to participate in the pipe smoking contest. Nobody is forcing anybody else to participate in the contest, nor do we wish to offend anyone. However, this blend has been selected and we will NOT be returning to the blend which the Georgetown Riegel's store has, in the past few years, used for the pipe smoking contest. Just too far removed from positioning us to ever be sanctioned, and not everyone is in love with it, either.


Andy S.

[ChuckConnors]

[jrxring]

Gentlemen,

I know that sometimes we all have very strong opinions. I want to submit my humble one into this topic. I say again my humble opinion..... I am very glad to have a local club that is willing to step in and continue the contest we have enjoyed for some time. I am also very grateful for all of the work the Hill's and others at Riegels have put into past contests. I understand,regretfully, their decision not to continue as in the past. However, we must go forward. That being said; I am very glad that someone has agreed to take up the load and carry it to make the contest a continuing event. I am happy to hear Riegels will continue as the official sponser. OK, to my point.... It's one bowl of tobacco and an hour or so of time. This is not important enough to drive a wedge between friends.

[dennisthemenace]

Thank you Jim. Very well put.
_________________
Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant,

Dennis

With pipe and book at close of day, Oh, what is sweeter? mortal say.
- Richard Le Gallienne

[INSilverado]

[ChuckConnors]

Due to a conflict in pipe show scheduling, the 2010 Tri-State Pipe and Tobacco Show has changed from its original date of November 6th to, instead, October 23rd. Will make arrangements to switch Riegel's Pipe Smoking Contest in accordance with the new date. Saw Frank Bougher earlier today at the Covington Plaza Riegel's cigar event, and it just completely slipped my mind. *sigh*


Andy S.