Season’s Greetings,
By the time you get this it won’t quite be Thanksgiving because of the late date it falls upon this year. I would like to extend my most sincere wishes to you and all of your families for a very happy and safe one. Let’s all be thankful for all those still with us and mindful of all the great things in our lives whether it be something very small, very large, our good health or maybe the reconnection with a lost family member or friend. Lets also be thankful for our little getaway from reality once a month where we are able to spend some quality time with like minded brothers of the briar.
Don’t forget our next meeting is our annual Holiday Gathering. Please don’t forget to bring a wrapped tin of tobacco if you want to take part in the Yankee Swap. The meeting this month will begin at 6PM, dinner will be served and the club will pick up the tab so bring your appetites.. This year is not to be missed. Tom has been working hard all year procuring items for the raffle..
Like years past I will be bringing a bunch of items and an honor box. All proceeds will go towards making a young girls Christmas wishes come true. There is no minimum or limit on how much you want to donate. Whatever you can do without injury to yourself or family.
I’d like to welcome all new members who have joined us over the past year. Your continued regular attendance and participation is key to the club’s survival.
In closing out 2019, I’d like to wish everyone a blessed Holiday Season.

Kevin

By Kevin Catanzaro
As many of you know I am a sucker for a good traditional English pipe design. The size, lines, weight and proportions just “work” for me. Albeit, Dunhill is my quintessential brand but there are other brands I own and are in my regular rotation. That being said, I was very excited about the announcement of the re-birth of the “Merchant Service Pipe” brought to our attention by Andy Camire via the Facebook Page. The pipe design and original manufacturer is said to be Bing Crosby’s favorite. I recall all the old photos I have seen of him with that icon long shanked billiard. I had to have it! Ordering was easy and I received my package in 2 days. Upon first examination I noticed the only nomenclature on the pipe is Merchant Service. No other stampings as to who it was made by, where it was made or country of origin for the briar itself. I found it odd but, not alarming. On closer examination I observed the close relation to the blast, stain, and stem material to the new Kaywoodie pipes and assume they are probably coming out of that factory or there is some sort of partnership. Just my assumption, I could be wrong but I have only been wrong twice in my life… marriage 1 and marriage 2.  The pipe was delivered in a nice box with burlap sock and was shipped with the stem detached. This pipe is a whopping 7 ¾ inches assembled. The briar itself and the blast in my opinion is a 10/10. The chamfered rim is a bonus. The ferrule is a nice feature especially with the delicate pencil shank but a touch crude and unrefined. The stem claims to be ebonite but...

The Christmas Pipe

It has become a tradition to put this audio clip up for the December edition of the SHPC Gazette. I hope you all enjoy listening to it again.
Jean Shepherd was a famous radio show host on WOR radio in New York. You may also recognize his voice as Ralphie's conscience in "The Christmas Story".  This is a great story about Ralphie getting an idea to buy his father a pipe for Christmas.   Listen

The Blue Carbuncle

If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan you'll know that The Blue Carbuncle is the only Sherlock Holmes Adventure that takes place around the Christmas season.   Listen