Hello from Bethlehem PA

[blues4goose]

Hey everyone, I've been a prowler for a little while but finally decided to make an account as there were too many threads I wanted to jump into with my $.02.

I've been a 4-cigar-a-day smoker for about 5 years now, having managed a Casa de Montecristo in Arizona for a few years and recently moving back to my home state of PA to work for Cigars International.

I've tried getting into pipes exactly 4 times, and the most recent attempt was finally the one that stuck. I had a little help from Russ Ouelette and a ton of help from all of you on this forum, and I'm proud to say I'm now down to 1-2 cigars a day to make time for 4 or 5 pipe bowls. I'm also a big fan of nasal snuff and high-end cigarettes, with Nat Sherman Cigarettellos being the main choice.

My favorite pipe is my Baraccini Copper Sandblast Devil's Ball - no rim means no rim char, it's very easy to clench for long periods of time, and it's the largest chamber I own while remaining the shortest length.

Still trying to figure out my favorite tobacco, but I'm in no hurry. I really like cigar leaf blends like Seersucker and I'm kind of crazy about latakia.

Unfortunately I got into pipes a bit too late to try Syrian latakia, but it's definitely on my list.

 

[james72]

Welcome to the forum! Some Syrian latakia will find its way to you some day, I'm sure.

 

[spartacus]

Welcome from your old home state of Arizona.

 

[donjgiles]

Welcome from Harrisburg! I was just talking to a co-worker about Bethlehem. I did a photo exhibit of the old Bethlehem Steel plant before it was all demolished, before they built the casino.
Don

 

[bluesmk]

Welcome blues4goose. Glad you found your way here. If your in the main building at CI make sure to say hello to Russ and I, may be able to steer you in the right direction. Again welcome.

Dan

Gabrieli Pipes

 

[jpmcwjr]

Welcome from CA. If you're near Dan and Russ, you couldn't have better company and mentors.

 

[blues4goose]

Thanks for the warm welcome, everyone!

I love being in the CI headquarters, I honestly couldnt think of a job more perfect for me than this one.

Hey Spartacus, you ever stop by Churchill's Fine Cigars? I used to run the Tempe store before & after the CdM licensing deal, and I worked at Fox Cigars in Scottsdale & Gilbert and their warehouse in Mesa when the Tempe Churchills closed.

Also very happy to say that right after I posted this my coworker gave me a sample of Mclelland 3 Oaks! Letting it dry now while I puff on some Plum Pudding SR

 

[sumusfumus]

Welcome....
I recall that there are a few pipe clubs that operate and meet in and around the Lehigh Valley area. I think Wooden Matches is a pipe-club that meets in Bethlehem. A quick search should get you in touch with a few clubs in your area. Also, "Pipes and Cigars" a major supplier of pipes and tobaccos, etc. is right in your neck of the woods.
Enjoy the information and comments posted by our knowledgeable forum members.

 

[ssjones]

Welcome, you are in the heart of one of the best East Coast clubs, they meet at the Wooden Match (great place for dinner/smoke, excellent outdoor patio)

 

[smittyd]

Welcome from Camp Hill Pa. Donjigiles I thought I was the only one in the Harrisburg area. Nice to have a member close by!

 

[donjgiles]

Hey smittyd, we are neighbors!

 

[papipeguy]

Welcome from another Bethlehem guy. Our club (The Lehigh Valley Pipe Club) meets at The Wooden Match on the 4th Tuesday of every month. The next get-together is May 28 at 7:00PM. Hope to see you there.

 

[blues4goose]

Welcome from another Bethlehem guy. Our club (The Lehigh Valley Pipe Club) meets at The Wooden Match on the 4th Tuesday of every month. The next get-together is May 28 at 7:00PM. Hope to see you there.

Is there any kind of process to become a member or do yall just show up?

 

[blendtobac]

Just show up. The hazing and induction rituals will begin shortly thereafter.
Russ

 

[daveinlax]

What’s the talk around the water cooler on what STG might pickup of the Altadis empire? JR’s/CdM? Cuba? 8O

 

[blues4goose]

Man we got our hands full with the Thompson integration.

I'm sure some of the bigwigs talked it over, but Im just a lowly merchant lol

 

[papipeguy]

If you can make the next meeting it would be great. If you can drag Russ and Dan Chlebove along that would be monumental. We generally just eat, drink and share blends around the table. A great bunch of people with a wide range of interests.

 

[cigrmaster]

Welcome to the site. I would suggest giving up the cigars for a month or so and go strictly pipes. You will find that you are more able to taste the pipe tobacco much better without the cigars. When I was smoking both pipes and cigars, my palette was overwhelmed by the cigars. I couldn't taste everything a certain blend had to offer.

I also will suggest you grab a tin of Capstan Blue Flake and Escudo to begin your journey into the world of flake tobacco. Have Russ show you how to told and stuff and to cube cut your flakes. Yous also need to get a nice flake pipe. A group 4 size is what I would go for first.

 

[mso489]

blues4', welcome aboard. You're in the business, unlike most of us, so I'll be interested to read what you add to the posts. I like pipes for giving more control and independence than cigars, which are designed a certain way for a certain smoking experience. With pipes, you can mix the blends, modify the cut, and vary pipes for any blend. A little more engaging to me.