Items From 2003 Gatherings: December '03 The December gathering found us back in Randy's hometown of Plymouth - where he is prone to bumping into a neighbor or two - at the Hermann's Lower Town Grill (A.K.A. Old Town Grille) in Plymouth. 195 W. Liberty Street, 734-451-1213, on Wednesday, December 17th at 6:00pm. After we struggled our way through some of their "Jalapeno Cheeseburger Fries", we moved on to *much* tastier fare - your author recommends the "Black and Bleu" burger to all! Well, the beer flowed, the martinis downed, the Cosmopolitans spilled, and the Irish Car Bombs exploded with a tasty spash. Oh yeah - and we enjoyed some of the best cigars that can be had this side of Havana. Great conversations as usual, and a good time had by all. Thanks, Randy - another fabulous holiday gathering in beautiful Plymouth! Officially in attendance this day were Brian, Ron, Patrick, Randy, Barry, Mark, Judy, Bob, and Jeremy. Barry, looking chipper, as usual. Bob, Ron, and Patrick (about 20 yards into his cigar). Brian, Jeremy's CAO Brazilia, and Ron (before the spill). Jeremy, Ron in motion, and the tasty, generous drinks!. Mark and Judy, the GNUlyweds. Or gnewlywedz. ;-) Ron (careful!), Patrick, and Randy enjoying the stogie. Ron and Patrick early on, checking out the menus. Ron, Randy, and Barry, smokin', drinkin', and talkin'. November '03 Ron took the bull by the horns - November's gathering was to be held at Motor City Casino on Grand River and the Lodge freeway. This outing was all about change! First, it was on a Friday night - Friday, November 21, 2003; 6:30 pm. The second change was that dinner would not be the highlight of the gathering, but rather an option - and there were several restaurants for us to choose from to dine. We ended up meeting up and eating at the downstairs buffet area, having the wonderful Friday Night Seafood buffet at "Classic Buffet" for $28.50. Afterward, we made our way up to one of the many lounges in the casino to do our cigar thing, in the comfortable chairs and sofas. And then there's the gambling! We took the cigars and drinks right with us to the machines. First Ron won some, then put it right back in the machines. Then Patrick won some, then I (Jeremy) won some, and so on... Patrick and I even got a tour of the "Player's" Lounge from our good buddy Todd (see January '03)! A great night of free-range cigar-smoking, affordable drinks, incredible food, and beautiful scantily-clad servers. I call THAT a success! Unfortunately, there were no pictures taken at this gathering, since no cameras were allowed in the casino. Officially in attendance this day were Ron, Patrick, Rod, Jeremy, Ty, and Todd. October '03 Mark's month, and the Big Rock Chop House was a great suggestion from his better half, Judy. This also was a casual attempt at "L'Anniversiare Spectacular", since it was one year since the inception of our little get-togethers. The intention was booths by the bar at Big Rock from 6-8, then up to the cigar/martini bar "Got Rocks". What really happened was drinks and cigars at the bar, then stumbling over to a booth for more drinks, cigars, and food. That incredible food. That incredible amazing food. The steaks were out of this world! The service was fantastic. The time had by all was awesome. http://www.bigrockchophouse.com/location.htm. Officially in attendance this night were Mark, Jeremy (this one), Jeremy (the other), Barry, and Randy. Mark likes his Ahi blurry! Jeremy, Randy, Barry, and Jeremy Jeremy, Waitress, Randy, Barry, Jeremy Jeremy, Randy, Barry, Jeremy, Mark Jeremy, Randy, Barry, Waitress, Jeremy Confused? You won't be, after this episode of... Long Ashes. September '03 -- OK gang, I (Jeremy) was thinking that it was time for our first-ever return to a place of previous gathering: Centre Street Pub in the Harmonie Park district (See February '03), Thursday, September 25th. After all, the box was stocked with Patrick's Makers' Mark and Barry's cigars!! Unfortunately, THE PLACE HAD CLOSED FOR GOOD! All the booze and smokes - gone. Barry was first there and discovered the locked doors, then Patrick and I met up there, and quickly formulated the plan to go to Fifth Avenue in Comerica Park instead. After walking to CoPa, we learned that they do not allow cigar smoking. Blast! However, a nice patron told us about Maverick's and the Good Life Lounge - the description had us sold. We called the rest of the group (again) and Mark picked us up on his way (thanks, Mark!). After all that crap, it turned out to be an awesome place and an awesome night. Officially in attendance this night: Barry, Jeremy, Patrick, Mark, Bob, Ron, Rod, and Gregory. Barry and Jeremy - "Aw, man... we can't smoke here?". Patrick and Barry - "Check please...". View above from the leather furniture at Maverick's. Patrick and Barry, smokes and drinks in hand. Bob in a haze, as usual. Mark, a cigar, a beer, and the view. Bob (cigar gift from Ken), patrick, and Barry's arm and cigar. Mark, master photog. Patrick, explaining the patchouli-smelling novelty cigar. Jeremy, blissfully unaware of any dress-code. Ron and Patrick - "Mmmm...Onion rings and ranch..." Ron, serving as background for my white-ashed CAO L'Anniversiare Extreme non-boxpress. Patrick, Rod (after giving up on the Tigers) and Ron. Rod and Barry, kicking back. Ron, Rod, and Gregory - where's the cigars, fellas? Alas, at an eve's end.... This is the place!! Barry, Mark, Patrick, and Bob - free valet service - drive safely! August '03 -- August found Barry and Randy hosting a combined gathering out on da boat at da marina! Unfortunately - your author (Jeremy) could not attend. However, judging by the pictures below, a great time was had by all. Cigars, good company and the open waters - hard to top! Officially in attendance this night: Randy, Randy's wife, Barry, Mark, Judy, and Bob. Barry and Cap'n Bob Bob says, "Hey, Baby..." Bob and Cap'n Mark Bob and Cap'n Mark again Three Mighty Seamen Capn'n Mark at the helm Cap'n Mark and First Mate Judy Cap'n Mark and First Mate Judy again Pirate Barry The whole crew, including Randy at left The whole crew, including Randy at left again July '03 -- July's gathering was kinda cancelled, kinda combined into one with the August gathering. After all, it's summer, and we're smoking the sticks left and right out in the warm weather on our own. That, combined with the crazy, fast, fleeting days of summer, makes for tighter schedules... You know how it goes... June '03 -- June's Tokenring gathering was at the Hazel Park Race way on Thursday, June 26th. Patrick went there in advance and it had all the makings of a great night: booze, food, gambling, and a sleaze factor that just made him all warm inside. We had a few tables in the clubhouse around 6 pm. The waitress said they were cigar friendly and they were! We had a good time eating the "food" and drinking the "beer" that they had to serve. Jeremy learned to gamble as others honed their craft. After the initial rainstorms, it finally opened up to a nice night, and we made our way down to track-side to get a real good look, and share the space with the gambling addicts. A good time had by all... Here's a map. Officially in attendance this night: Patrick, Jeremy, Mark, Randy, Barry, and Ron. Unfortunately, Mark's camera batteries died before we got too many pictures... Our affable waitress, and Ron and Barry. Barry and Randy yuk it up. Ron enjoys gambling. OK, Ron, enough messing around, get serious. Hmm... a little tooo serious. Thanks to our waitress who really knows how to frame a shot, and is mindful of shudder speed. May '03 -- After a minor date change due to schedule conflits, Ron made reservations for the 2 tables at the Stoney Creek Brewery in downtown Detroit at 6:00 pm on Thursday, May 29, 2003. The 2 tables turned into a few more tables - then, after a few more people turned up, we just took over the whole fireplace corner to ourselves! We didn't let the rainy trip there get us down, there was too much good food, drink and smoke to be had. We even had a tour of the brewery! The food was excellent, the service was entertaining, and the beer was good - However, as usual, the cigars and the people made the night! And thanks to Bob P for picking up almost all of the tab!! Speaking of the people, officially in attendance this night: Rob VG, Ed, Mark, Ron, Jeremy, Jim, Sohan, Tim, Unnamed (and unshown) Female Guest of Tim, Patrick, Brian, Bob P, and Marty. Did I miss anyone? Look, pictures!! ...but watch out, they are large and un-edited until we get a "round tuit"... Bob, Rob, Patrick (admiring the compliment of sticks), and Ron Ed, Mark, Bob, Patrick, Ron, Brian, and Marty. Write your own joke for Patrick's and Brian's expressions... Patrick, Ron, Brian (the most insincere physical gesture of positive expression yet!), Jeremy, and Marty. Ed and Rob, ensuring that we were drinking and smoking effectively, on time, and on budget. Gary, Barry, and Bob. Pro pool players? Not so much. Bob kept trying to chalk his cigar... Gary, Barry, Jeremy, and Randy, doing what we do best - a whole lotta nothin'... Mark and "Dine Out Detroit" - freshly torn off the wall.. Ron and Marty. Marty is aghast! At what? I don't know. Sohan (inhaling), Randy (in background), and Patrick (in heaven!). Around the table from left - Randy, Jim, Brian, Unnamed (and unshown) Female Guest of Tim, Bob, Rob, Patrick, Ron. Same people as above, different angle. Tim and Brian. Frick and Frack. 'nuff said. April '03 -- After our failure to get a quorum for the expensive cigar dinner opportunity the previous week, Mark proposed Bahama Breeze (http://www.bahamabreeze.com/ ), out on the enclosed porch, on Wednesday the 23rd at 6pm. It's a pretty fun place, diverse food menu (great sandwiches), and an extensive selection of rum (Mojitos!). It was a cool, breezy evening indeed, as we sat comfortably around the imitation bonfire with the large glass windows to keep us toasty. Of course, cigars and booze helped, too... To clarify the location: Bahama Breeze in Troy on 16mi/Big Beaver, between Rochester and Livernois on the North side, 539 E. Big Beaver Rd. (248) 528-1674 Does anyone else besides me remember the crazy woman dancing on the firepit, kicking glasses and ashtrays to the floor? What was with her anyway? Officially in attendance this night: Mark, Judy, Barry, Tim, Ron, and Jeremy. Barry, Jeremy and Ron, just sitting down, sparking up, ordering drinks. Jeremy, Ron, and a dancing flame. This says all you need to know about Barry. Tim, spinning the tales with Barry. Tim, Barry, Mark, and Ron. Mark and Judy. Jeremy, Tim, and Barry. Jeremy, Tim, and Mark, wrapping it up for the eve.... THE Barrymobile. 'nuff said. March '03 -- The food was great (loved that spicy blackened chicken pizza), the staff were great (thanks, Mohammad!), the cigars were even better than usual. The official plan was: Local Color Brewing Company in Novi, 6:30pm, Tuesday, March 25th. I offered a free beer to the first one (besides me) that showed up, and Barry was there before me! Oops, I forgot to pick that up, too, Barry. I'll get you next time! Officially in attendance this night: Jeremy (this one), Mark, Randy, Ron, Patrick, Barry, Jeremy (the other one), and Amy. Jeremy laughing at Jeremy's bad wrapper. Closeup - Romeo y Julietta's aren't usually like this... Randy, tentatively tasting the Voda Vodka-like substance. Patrick, learning how to use the cutter. Patrick, learning about consequences. Barry, Jeremy, and Jeremy. Randy, Ron, Patrick. Mark and Randy. Wife and Husband. Barry, Jeremy, Amy, Jeremy. Everyone and our great server/barkeep Mohammad. February '03 -- The February outing was held at the Centre Street Pub in the Harmonie Park district, downtown Detroit on Wed. Feb. 26th @ 6pm. Located in the same area as Intermezzo's Restaraunt and Coaches Corner bar. We were so impressed with the place that we leased a humidor box! Patrick stuffed it with Makers' Mark, and Barry put in a few cigars. Now we need to go back! The food and drink was affordable, affable, and aplenty. They have an extensive beer selection as well as a decent selection of Scotch. The food menu is pretty much standard Bar and Grille fare, but darned good at that. Pool Tables and a small putting green are available. The bar is located downstairs in the building. The address is 311 E. Grand River Ave. Click this Map Link for directions. Here's a review from the Free Press. Officially in attendance were Mark, Barry, Randy, Patrick, Ron, and Jeremy. Happy Barry. Maker's Mark (get it?). Patrick and Randy a'smokin'. Ron and Jeremy a'talkin'. Patric, Randy, Jeremy, and Barry. Do burgers and stogies mix? Hell yeah. Get every last inch out of it, Patrick. Ron and Barry scope out the real estate. Guys, humidor, contract, money. The Ring. January '03 -- It was a snowy Tuesday evening, January 28th, in Royal Oak. Dinner was wonderful at D'Amato's (222 South Sherman) - Patrick's Ahi was very lightly seared, to Mark's delight (long story). I (Jeremy) had one of the best NY Stips ever, but it seems as though my Cab was no match for Barry's Zin! Afterward, we made our way through the adjoining doorway to the Goodnight Gracies Bar next door for post din-din smoking festivities. Some rather interesting people showed up through the course of the night: the voice-less woman who tried to have some of Barry's drink (not in a good way); and Todd, who revealed insights into the "other side" of Patrick. Mark the photographer has delivered the pics below! Officially in attendance that day were Barry, Patrick, Mark, Jeremy, Todd, and The Voiceless Woman. Barry, just plain relaxing. Barry and Jeremy, eating some damned fine dead cow. Todd, Patrick, Jeremy, and Barry, posing like Steely Dan after a show (but check out the ghostly face to the left edge of the picture!). Barry and Jeremy in a manly toast. Barry and Jeremy in a not-at-all-manly toast. Barry, Jeremy (eating as usual), and Patrick. Where the heck is Mark?? Ah, here he is... Jeremy and Mark. Here's Jeremy being - and this is Mark's word - pensive. Mark, toasting. You just never get enough pictures of the person who brought the camera. Thanks, Mark! Patrick and a "mystery hand", although I think it's Jeremy's. A special treat - a WAV file from the evening. Mark's instruction, Jeremy's "Salud!", and Patrick's infectious laughter.