From: Dan Dawson (???????????????)
Subject: posting from pipes page

To Steve, and to all lovers of the briar and baccy,
     My name is Dan Dawson, I have been quietly delighting in the
Pipes Digest for a few years and would like to express my appreciation
to your enligthtening forum. The information I've gathered from the
pages of Pipe's Digest would have taken many years to discover on my
own. Steve you and your suscribers have helped re-open a world that
many have forgotten... Pipe smoking. If you will allow, let me share
with you and your wonderful readers my own account of the Pipe.

     My Dad always smoked a pipe, since my first recollections of
childhood I remember the sweet and comforting smell of pipe smoke and
have come to associate the odour with cold winter evenings around a
glowing fire place; lovely, fragrant, spring days in the woods of my
Illinois home; hot summer nights under a starry sky on the back patio,
and rejoicing in the fall harvest and cool crispness of fresh autumn
days, a time for Levis, flannel shirts and hayrack rides.

     The memories of youth and the smell of cherry or vanilla pipe
smoke are one in the same. I can hardly remember Dad without his pipe
and believe he must have had the briar in his mouth more than he
didn't for a good 30 or 40 years.  Although he might not qualify in
the vogue era of "english mixtures for real pipe smokers only", he was
definetley a dedicated pipe smoker. After rereading this, I see it
sounds as if my father may have passed away.  He is still very much
alive but has stopped smoking for health reasons.  Sad that he had to
quit and sadder yet that there is a group of citizens that have a
"serves him right for smoking" a pipe attitude.  All I can say to
those band waggoneers is, Get Stuffed!  I apologize if any sacarcasm
slipped in there but some things get on my nerves.

     I've told you a few things about my dad and now a few about
myself.  I'm 33 and very soon to be 34 years old.  I have 3 children,
ages 3, 7, and 8, who keep me happy, busy, challenged, and worried.
My wife of almost 10 years is from Claremont, Australia and as of July
4th 1997, a US citizen.  I'm a Cheif Petty Officer in the U.S Navy and
have been smoking a pipe for about 6 years.

     If I had one favorite pipe tobacco I'd be hard pressed to say
which one. It depends on the mood I'm in.  I smoked cigarettes when I
was in my early 20's and there was no question - Marlboro, I switched
to smokeless tobacco and there was no question, Copenhagen.  Now as a
pipe smoker I can't say I have a distinct favorite, what I do like
seems to lean toward natural to traditional aromatics.  I've tried a
few English mixes but just haven't caught on.  I would really like
some pointers in this area because although I've afore mention, poked
fun at enlglish mixtures, I believe that what a good portion of the
population -(in this case pipe smokers) likes must be good.
Personally the english mixes I've had smelled like burning leaves in
the jar, which isn't a bad thing, but when I tried smoking them they
tasted like vomit.  Sorry for being so crude but they did. I tried
some mixtures (I think) from a store that was once the Tinder Box
until the locals decided that tobacco in a shopping mall was
un-whatever, (I fill in whatever with natural; how else can you
account for normal in a world that likes to find fault in the way our
nation has lived in the past).

     Lest I digress. I've found that my original reason for writing to
the Pipes Digest has not been addressed.  Steve I'm not here to lament
on the world and its injustices'.  It was to ask you and your vast
audience the following a question.

I have a Stanwell deLuxe, it must be 20-30 years old, very well caked and
very well used. ie., the heel is worn down to bare wood as well as other 
parts of the bowl.   The stem broke off long ago and although I've sacrificed
a pipe and stem or two in the past to keep this beauty smoking it is time to
take more permanent action.  I'd like to make a new stem.  I'd like to add
an 8-9 inch stem onto it and make a church warden of sorts.  Stanwell pipe
maker my apologies.  My  questions are how do I do this.  I've thought about
adding a hard wood (as of now oak, or maple) stem which I would make.  I have
access to the tools I might need. Actually the access I have is very near 
an industrial cabinet making facility.  Pipes Digest, in your infinite wisdom
please give me pointers on this.  my e-mail address is ???????????????

May the magic of the pipe never leave you and the warmth of it's aroma always 
comfort you. I smoke to you in peace.
Dan Dawson

[ Stemco-Pimo has churchwarden stems, specialized tools, and how-to
books. They should be able to help you out. Good luck, and thanks for
an enjoyable reminisce -- it brings back memories of a gentler, better
time for me too! -S. ]


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