Episode 356: The Speakeasy
– Local Spotlight: Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group

The Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group is based out of a speakeasy style lounge and meeting facility in Danvers, MA. We are joined by the principals of the Founding Fathers for an explanation of “Come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as a brother”. We have a cast of many so get your score cards out to keep track of the laughs. The Hidden Herf is eventually guessed by a couple of conspiring Hacks. McGroin gives us the Ireland Cigar report and a new Hack is initiated.

Local Spotlight – Founding Fathers Executives Networking Group

Controversy Corner – It’s the definition of a conspiracy.

Episode 355: Labor Day at Home
– Local Spotlight: Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH & Fuego By Sosa; Kissimmee, FL

It’s Labor Day weekend and the summer is winding down so we head back to home-base for a relatively quiet evening with many of the OGs. The Hidden Herf did not stay hidden for very long, it’s one of those kind of obvious and unique cigars.

Local Spotlight – Plaistow Cigar Co; Plaistow, NH & Fuego By Sosa; Kissimmee, FL

Controversy Corner – Are we being set up?

Episode 354: Drink the Rainbow
– Local Spotlight: Castro’s , The Owl Shop, Mickey Blake’s, and Cigars International

We head for the sidewalk on Elm St. but the weather is so good that it’s already jammed, so we go inside the front window. The Hidden Herf is identified immediately, the panel is getting too good at this. The podcast Juice is very colorful. We are joined by special guests “Killer” of Castro’s and Theo who we just pulled in from the lounge.

Local Spotlight – Castro’s Back Room; Manchester, NH, The Owl Shop Cigar Lounge & Tobacconist; New Haven, CT, Mickey Blake’s Cigars; Southington, CT, and Cigars International; Bethlehem, PA

Controversy Corner – Grand Canyon Ancients

Episode 352: The Prodigal Son Returns
– Local Spotlight: The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Back to our regular Friday recording schedule the crew heads over to the Shack where we have a surprise visit from the Choir Boy who has been out of the podcast loop for a while. The Hidden Herf is kind of picked out despite the deceptive practice of the supplier.

Local Spotlight – The Tobacco Shack; Rowley, MA

Controversy Corner – Naturalized; what does it mean?

Episode 351: Mashed Potatoes
– Local Spotlight: The Original Bar and Cigar; North Conway, NH

This week we have a last minute scheduling issue that cause us to do an impromptu small crew episode on a Wednesday. We could do a spin-off podcast called “Bad Joke Wednesday”. The Hidden Herf is picked off almost immediately.

Local Spotlight – The Original Bar and Cigar; North Conway, NH

Controversy Corner – The Woke Olympics

Episode 350: Cigar Hacks’ Family Vacation 2024
– Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire

It’s our third summer vacation special from the north country of New Hampshire. See episodes 91 and 297 for the others in this series. The same family members from the 2023 episode join in again this year as we smoke a special set of Hidden Herfs.

Local Spotlight – On the lake; New Hampshire

Controversy Corner – Skinwalker Ranch and other topics

Episode 349: Summa-Palooza 2024
– Local Spotlight: On the lake; New Hampshire

It’s the 7th annual summer trip on the barge and we are at the lake house for the fifth year. The weather is perfect, and many cigars are smoked. The catch phrase this year is Boot & Rally! The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and mistakes were made.

Summa-Episode numbers by year and location
2018 – 34 Saco River
2019 – 89 Saco River
2020 – 139 Lake House
2021 – 191/192 Lake House / North Conway
2022 – 245 Lake House
2023 – 297 Lake House with the family
2024 – 349 Lake House

Local Spotlight – On the lake; New Hampshire

Controversy Corner – Shots were fired!

Episode 348: Back for More 4.0 – “The Battle with the Band”
– Local Spotlight: Route One BNG at Rosaria; Saugus, MA

Direct from the Route One Business Networking Group (BNG) event for our fourth year, we talk with the BNG members while enjoying cigars under the tent on the back patio at the Rosaria Restaurant. We have the band turn it down before we start but by the time we wrap up the volume is way up again.

Local Spotlight – Route One BNG at Rosaria; Saugus, MA

Controversy Corner – The Money Shuffle

Episode 347: The Garage Series
– Local Spotlight: Chuck’s Palace

Continuing the Garage Series we find ourselves at Chucks’s Palace this week with a cast that was mostly absent from the Domicile. The Hidden Herf stumps the panel and has mixed favorability due to its spice and strength. Somehow, the discussion turns to golf a few times, the podcast juice is a factor.

Local Spotlight – Chuck’s Palace

Controversy Corner – Harvey’s favorite topic