A Good Cause
As most of you may have gathered, I have a preference for a single shaped pipe from a single maker. In fact, I haven’t purchased a pipe that was not a hawkbill and even more I haven’t bought one that wasn’t a Castello in over 10 years. Also, I haven’t had the urge to buy any other pipe. I am perfectly happy with what I smoke. I ascribe to the ‘smoke what you like and like what you smoke’ tenet.
However, I heard a about a ’cause’ at the recent CPCC show. John Seiler and Bill Kotyk were sitting with us at a table in the ‘fest tent’. Bill told me he had five pipes left from the work of Steve Weiner. As many of you know, Steve died unexpectedly in 2002 and left a family behind. Bill had taken many of the unsold pipes and was selling them for Bonnie, Steve’s widow and sending her ALL the money. He was making nothing and taking nothing for expenses. He said there had been no movement on the remaining five pipes over the last several shows he attended. I found this quite compelling and towards Saturday afternoon, I went by his table to see what was there. Of course, there were no hawkbills but I felt the need to do something for them. 
Having been widowed myself in 2001, I felt my heart strings tugging at me and I bought a nice bent bulldog style pipe. It’s a nice piece of wood and very well made. Bill told me to make out the check to Bonnie but I paid in cash so he’ll take care of it.
There are four pipes left that need to go to a good home and it’s for a good cause. If you are interested, contact Bill Kotyk or John Seiler. If you don’t know how to get in touch with them, contact me and I’ll get you in touch with one of them. I’m sure you can work something out with them on one of the remaining four pipes. I sure hope we can sell those last four pipes and help a family too.
Happy smoking.
September 18, 2008 at 7:32 am
Hello, my name is Jennifer Ballinger. I am Steve Weiner’s daughter. I happened to be doing a search online with my father’s name so that I could show his grandchildren what a wonderful person and skilled craftsman their grandfather was. I was amazed at all of the articles, pictures and references made about my dad – even six years after his death. I was extremely moved by your article and the fact that you purchased one of my dad’s pipes. I remember sitting downstairs in my dad’s shop watching him meticulously craft a pipe and seeing how much care he put into each one he made. If possible, could you either put me in touch with or send my sincere thanks to Bill Kotyk and John Seiler for this “cause” they have lead to sell all of my dad’s pipes. I can’t tell you what that means to me, my mother Bonnie and my children – his grandchildren. Steve Weiner was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and craftsman. He will forever hold a place in our hearts. Thanks to all of you who have kept his memory and craftsmanship alive.
September 19, 2008 at 3:48 am
Jennifer,
Please check your email for a response. If it doesn’t come through, post another comment and I’ll get you the information. MHD
October 1, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Sir,
I’m probably too late, but, if some of Mr. Weiner’s pipes remain available, please send me the contact information mentioned above. Thank you.
R.
October 1, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I’ve forwarded your email to a gent involved in the issue. You should see it as a cc address. Thanks for checking. D