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The Sweet Flavors of Spring “The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” - Edwin Way Teale
If you are looking for a new activity this season, we suggest “noodling.” Yes, you heard right. Noodling. This is the art of catching large fish with your bare hands as you swim around in the mud. Sound appealing? Well, then travel to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma (page 44), as adventurer Adam Buckley Cohen discovers that the excitement of landing a giant catfish with your own bare hands is truly the experience of a lifetime.
If you prefer spectator sports, then check out our tribute to the hardest working men in baseball, the oft-derided umpires. On page 58, sports enthusiast Jack Connelly remembers some legendary umps of baseball’s early days. Meet cranky Bill McGowan, who would listen to a player rant and rave that he was safe, then conclude, “If you still think you’re not out, look in the paper tomorrow morning.” And who could forget Bill Klem, nicknamed “The Great Arbiter,” whose habit was to draw a line in the dirt and warn an adversary not to cross it. In one game, a player simply smiled and walked around the line, and was immediately ejected by a furious Klem, who roared, “When I draw a line, it extends to infinity.” These tough baseball cops are in place to keep things fair, but sometimes find themselves in the thick of it, adding even more excitement to the game.
And we could not think of a more perfect accouterment for your outdoor adventures than a pleasing cigar, and why not one with a wrapper grown in Brazil, Ecuador, or Costa Rica? Currently being produced in these three countries is some of the finest wrapper leaf available today. On page 50, we feature these unsung nations’ vital contributions to the cigar market. Give one of these wrappers a try this spring; we’re certain you won’t be disappointed.
SMOKE - Spring, 2003 |
The remnants of winter have been washed away by the welcoming spring showers as this issue goes to press. With spring’s arrival comes a time when we shed our heavy clothes and once again enjoy the great outdoors. This issue has everything you need to start the season off right, whether you intend to participate in activities or simply like to watch.