MINUTES FROM SMOKERS NIGHT 2001

 Check out all the pictures from the event !

First and foremost: Thank you to everyone who participated in the best cigar event of all times in Rogaland!

I hope you all had a good time and feel that you got your money’s worth, even though Jørn Hoel’s staff didn’t keep their agreement with us. Personally I feel that his planned performance was the least important item on the agenda. Still, as the arrangers, we feel bad when even a small part of the event suddenly disappears.

As far as we could tell the rest of the agenda was even better than planned. No one has heard anything but favourable comments, for example that everyone had enjoyed it immensely. We welcome your comments about the event so that we can keep improving it. Send us email!

In all we were 153 persons at Quality Hotel Residence in Sandnes, 43 of us were women. These are very pleasing numbers. I think that the number of women might double next year, and I can reveal that several women joined Rogaland Cigar Forum in connection with the event. We’re not actively going to recruit new members, but women and men are still heartily welcome into the good society.

The board of RCF will do an evaluation of Smokers Night 2001 during the next days. Without a doubt there are some minor things we can do better for our guests at the next Smokers Night.

William Grant & Sons from London, represented by Iain Maclain, made sure that the evening was a tasteful and learning whisky experience. There were problems with the PA system and not everyone could hear his words. This resulted in a division of the room – half listened and the other half talked. This did not disturb Iain, but rather served as a confirmation that people enjoyed themselves in various ways. Next year the sound system will be good enough for the whole room to hear.

Our main sponsor – WWW.SIGAR.COM from Risør, represented by Håkon Aanonsen – supplied us with two Havana cigars each during the evening. At the same time Håkon made sure, from his fully equipped cigar stand, that the event was fully covered in that department.

As last year Sigar.com gave the main prize in our exciting lottery – a Diamond Crown “Biltmore” humidor with room for 100 cigars. In addition he also gave us other splendid prizes. The board of RCF recommends that everyone buy their cigars and accessories from Sigar.com in Risør due to their excellent service and the country’s lowest prices. Phone 37 15 39 95 or contact them by email for a price list.

SOLBERG & HANSEN from Oslo supplied us with an excellent cigar coffee, as they did last year. Personally I think that this was some of their best coffee. In addition to a free coffee bag for each guest they also served cigar coffee after our deserts. Some of our guests were lucky enough to win a half-kilo bag of this lovely coffee in our lottery.

Another of our sponsors, BAVARIA, displayed two gorgeous BMW’s for the evening. We now know were to go if we want to increase our debt or rid ourselves of large quantities of cash. At BAVARIA the service is as the cars are: splendid. Thank you to BAVARIA, who put style into the event, and welcome back next year.

In this day and age we felt it natural to try and persuade an IT related business to participate. Just as natural was our invitation to ACCESS KOMMUNIKASJON AS, led by Njål Gaute Solland. With their quality products and service-minded attitude they agreed to sponsor our event and graced us with their appearance.

One of the evening’s high points was, as expected, PÅL MANGOR KVAMMEN. His wonderful one-man show made sure that our laughing muscles got a real workout. After the show he thanked us for inviting him. He appreciated the great audience.

Finally I would like to thank Quality Hotel Residence, represented by the hotel manager Kristian Samnøen, for their great cooperation and good will. At the same time I’d like to thank Tom, Ola and Ramin, waiters and last, but not least, the staff in the kitchen. I strongly recommend the hotel’s restaurant.

Next years Smokers Night will be held on Friday 26. April 2002. We can already tell you that many things are in place, and that the event will be at least as attractive as this year’s.

Finally: all members please remember our summer party at Flor & Fjære Friday 25. May. We are honoured by a visit from ”Det Norske Sigarselskap” in Oslo. The price for a 9-course dinner, transport by boat, a guided tour of the island and a cigar is only NOK 500,- per person. Ordinary price for a 9-course dinner is NOK 690,-

Morten Aanonsen, president

   SMOKERS NIGHT 2001

            Time :     Friday 27. April
           Place :    Quality Hotel Residence, Sandnes
           Price :     NOK 700 (all incl.)
 
You are registered when your payment is in our account. 
You will then be added to the attendance list 
(please use your name when paying so we can keep track of who are registered).

Rogaland Cigar Forum
PO Box 595
N-4305 Sandnes, Norway
Bank account 8160.25.14420

PROGRAM

18.00 :   Doors are opened

Exhibits:
Aanonsen Import a/s - www.sigar.com
Habanos of Cuba – cigar rolling
William Grant & Sons of London - whisky 
Solberg & Hansen A/S of Oslo – cigar coffee
BAVARIA – fantastic cars
Access Kommunikasjon - exciting computer equipment
Tomteutvikling – real estate development
There will be opportunity to purchase cigars and accessories.
(Note! Cash only, you cannot pay with bank or credit card)
Open bar.

Host for the evening: Pål Magnor Kvammen

18.30 :   Jens Tolhstrup of William Grant & Sons will give a 20-minute presentation on whisky.

                  Cigar starter – La Gloria Cubana R no.2

19.00 : Whisky testing with Iain Maclain of William Grant & Sons.

20.30 : We are seated around the tables.

21.00 : Three-course dinner.

Starter 
Parma Perfecto with marinated olives, tomato, lettuce and parmesan chips 
One glass of white wine (Tokay Pinot Gris Prestige 1998, Paul Zinck)

Main course
Veal medallion Connoisseur with humidified vegetables in a basil sauce 
½ bottle of red wine (Bodegas Lan Crianza 1997)

Desert
Demi Tasse a lá Monica – passion fruit mousse, coffee cake, 
cigar coffee and Tosti Asti, Giovanni Bosca Tosti

Avec:   Balvenie Founders Reserve 10 YO

22.30 : Håkon Aanonsen of Aanonsen Import ( http://www.sigar.com/ ) presents the evening’s main cigar : Partagas Lusitanias double Corona or Partagas 8-9-8 (your choice)

23.00 :  Entertainment with Jørn Hoel  DANCE .....                           

Cigar coffee specially mixed for the evening’s cigar selection by Solberg & Hansen a/s of Oslo
40% French – 40% Malabar (Indian) and 
20% Cachoeira Brazil Cup excellence of excellence 2000.

Opportunity to have another look at the exhibits.                                

24.00 :  The evening’s lottery is drawn.

Some of the prizes :
A) Main prize is a Humidor.  Diamond Crown "The Biltmore".
B) One night’s stay with 3-course dinner for two at the Quality Residence Hotel.
C) Cigar coffee from Solberg & Hansen A/S of Oslo.                        
         
There will be many other prizes, but listing them all would take up too much space.........

After the drawing the main part of the evening is finished. Afterwards we meet on the ground floor for more dancing, talking and enjoyment!

We reserve the right to make changes in the program.

EVERYBODY IS MOST WELCOME!