Typically held in June, the anniversary of the founding of Smokingpipes.com, our annual company picnic has been a cultural staple of Laudisi Enterprises since 2012, when the very first event was held in the parking lot of our brick and mortar store, Low Country Pipe & Cigar. The picnic is a gesture of appreciation to all our staff who make this organization possible, but perhaps more than that, it's a reflection of the community we've built here in coastal South Carolina.

Laudisians, the individuals who make up this amazing organization, are an impressive group. Many are pipe smokers or cigar enthusiasts who've traveled across the country (in some cases, the world) to contribute to the work we do, using their industry knowledge and experience to elevate our customer service, marketing, manufacturing, and distribution efforts. Others have been attracted by the principles they recognize and value, and have leveraged their dedication to enhance their work and the organization at large. Others have joined us because, well, let's be honest ... Laudisi is a really cool place to work, especially for those who are passionate about pipes and pipe tobacco and the community that has grown around them.

Over the past 21 years, these individuals have made and continue to make Laudisi Enterprises more than the sum of its parts. Smokingpipes.com isn't just an online retailer; Cornell & Diehl doesn't simply make pipe tobacco; Kapp & Peterson isn't just a briar pipe manufacturer. Together, we Laudisians collaborate to create something that transcends each of these facets: a true community of individuals who celebrate the successes of others as their own. This phenomenon isn't limited to the actual work we do either. Our Laudisi Photo Club, for example, meets monthly to practice the craft of photography. This group has nothing to do with pipes, cigars, or tobacco; it's purely about supporting the people who drive this organization by encouraging their interests and hobbies.

Nowhere is this communal environment more apparent than at our annual company picnics, where all Laudisians (at least here in the U.S.) gather to enjoy each other; however, as with so many organizations across the world, COVID-19 introduced a host of new challenges, particularly concerning large gatherings. As an organization, our priority has always been the health and well-being of our employees, so as one of our many precautions, we haven't hosted company-wide gatherings in nearly two years — until this past Sunday.

Though held in August, rather than our traditional June slot, our 2021 Laudisi Company Picnic offered a refreshing glimpse of normalcy. There was food, libation, and plenty of tobacco, not to mention a host of games, prizes, and events all happening at once, like a pipe show combined with a county fair. In fact, it was likely the largest company picnic I've attended in my seven-year tenure here, and likely the most successful company event we've had to date. Although it rained at times, and was so humid it felt like it was raining inside our clothing at other times, we found joy in once again experiencing the camaraderie and togetherness that make Laudisi the enthusiastic community that it is.

We'd like to share with you some of our favorite moments from our company picnic, all captured by the talented members of our Laudisi Photo Club. I hope you enjoy these vignettes into life here at Laudisi and are able to experience through them the community and camaraderie that we so value.