We're hosting the World Pipe Smoking Championship!

The Ozark Pipe Smokers are hosting the World Champion Pipe Smoking Contest & Convention, Oct. 3-5!
TOPS is a member of IAPSC and will host this year's event in Bentonville, Arkansas. There are some fringe benefits for attending and competing (free pipes and tobacco). Plus, we got Missouri Meerschaum's Phil Morgan to give the keynote address!
It's a long-smoke contest, which basically means you everyone gets the same amount of tobacco, everyone lights, no one relights, and the last one still smoking wins.

ITINERARY FOR THE CARSON DRIVE PAVILION

October 3rd
6:00pm Hospitality Room opens, everyone is welcome
October 4th
9:00am Vendor & Contest Registration Booths open
2:00pm IAPSC Smoking Contest begins
 7:00pm Fabulous Southern Style Buffet Banquet Awards Ceremony directly following Dinner
October 5th
 8:30am Group Breakfast at the DoubleTree Bistro 301 (free to those staying at the hotel)
General Business Meeting directly following Breakfast

 For a prettier version of this information, click the link below:
 http://eepurl.com/32CRr

Now, just in case we haven't tempted you enough (I did say free pipes and tobacco, right?), check out the menu for the banquet.

Main Course;
Pecan Smoked Chicken
Beef Brisket
Southern Style Ribs
St Lewis "Sweetie Pie's" Famous Mac N Cheese
Bacon Fried Green Beans
Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes
Smokin Baked Beans
Corn Salad and Garden Salad
Cream Corn Muffins/Yeast rolls

Dessert;
Pecan-Praline Cheesecake
Assorted sweets

Drinks;
Coffee, Sweet & Unsweetened Tea, Minted Lemon Spritzer and Hot Mulled Cider

So here's the cost. The convention is free to the public. The competition is open only to club members, but you can become a club member for the prorated rate of $5. Just for showing up, you'll get a free pipe and tobacco (while supplies last, and we have a lot of supplies). Those who compete will receive two more free pipes (well, except for the last place guy, who gets one pipe and a box of matches, because apparently, he needs the matches more). The banquet costs $30 per person, but please let us know soon if you're planning to dine with us so we can ensure an accurate head count. If you've got questions, call or visit Romeo's.

And the winners are...

For those interested to find out how you would have compared to the contestants in this months slow smoke contest, here are the results.

The Great American Smokeout

Today's the day we designate to encourage people to stop smoking, and I'll definitely light a bowl for that.

A big opportunity

We talked about this last year, but figured we'd better focus on the big move from Rogers to Bentonville, but we haven't given up yet on the idea of hosting the International Pipe Smoking Contest for the Arrowhead Pipe Club, of which TOPS is a member club.

We still believe we made the right decision last year in turning down the opportunity. Romeo's is much better off for not having the distraction of hosting the event, but that was then and this is now.

We'll be taking advantage of Thursday's meeting to discuss the contest, but we also have to talk about something else. To fund the contest, we will need everyone paid up on their $25 annual dues. We're not just asking for money, we're also offering something in return. We do have a Viking pipe set (one stem, two bowls) up for grabs, and the only way to enter the raffle is with your membership dues. Once we have enough paid members (I believe the number was $25), we'll be selecting a winner.

But the real winner will be TOPS once we make it to the contest next fall and meet a lot of fellow brothers of briar.

View from the Shop

The ever-talented Zack Hoyt (who knew) took some fantastic photos at Romeo's and would like to share. They're on his blog, all of which is worth a look. http://fliesliesandotherdiversions.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/in-the-shop-romeos-uptown-pipes-and-cigars/?refid=12

Calling all amateur blenders

As a club, The Ozark Pipe Smokers have very few stated purposes. The club was created to a) promote the enjoyment of pipe smoking wherever possible, and b) promote local pipe tobacco retailers. We're going for a twofer on this one.

Following in the footsteps of the Seattle Pipe Club, the Chicagoland Pipe Collectors Club, and the Greater Kansas City Pipe Club, TOPS is starting to think about promoting its own blend. Said blend, of course, would be available only through our ever-generous host, Romeo's Uptown Pipes & Cigars, which fulfills one of our purposes.

The main reason you should participate, however, is that this will be our tastiest activity yet. Early discussions have introduced the possibility of blending and/or tasting days, open only to paid members, where we all sit down and smoke something that has never before existed.

If you're wanting to start early, we are leaning toward using Cornell & Diehl blending tobaccos. Our next meeting is July 14, and we are certain to talk about it more then.

Smoking in Style

I'm sure everyone was curious what we ended up doing with the raffle money. Wonder no longer. The sofas are in, and they are comfortable. Thanks again for everyone who bought tickets or donated items. We have left our mark on Romeo's.