Pipe Smokers You Should Know About: Ben C. Toledano

[@matth2861]

Thank you for sharing about your meeting with this southern gentleman, Dr. Alan. It makes me wish I had known him. You painted an endearing picture of the man - an excellent tribute. I’m looking forward to hearing more on the other channel! God bless.

[@ronnieadams6330]

WOW! Mr.Allen I just loved this video and you sharing this story. I would like to hear more stories about our Southern Heritage as only you can tell it. This video made my bowl of Countryside taste that much better as I watched it. The stories of the Old South and pipes and tobacco and the Southern traditional ways, always touches me. Thank You Sir! Happy Smoking!

[@johngregory1863]

I knew Ben C. Toledano well. I worked for Ben C”, as he referred to himself, throughout the mid to late 1980s in Pass Christian, MS. He was such a character and an unforgettable person. I still have a box of cigars he gave me, along with a T-Shirt proclaiming me as “The Asshole of The Millenium”. He kept his hair with Pinaud Hair Tonic, which he stored by the case. The Oxford and khakis were his uniform of choice. His house was filled with boxes of brass doorknobs, which he hoarded. He ate raw garlic by popping the cloves in his mouth. I can smell his house now! Thank you so much for bringing back my memories and how much joy he brought to my life.

[@johngregory1863]

Forgot to add: He had an oil painting over the toilet in his bathroom. The painting contained an odd assortment of people. He explained to me that these people were his “tormentors”. Among them, his ex- wife and Jesse Jackson. The man was an absolute gem!

[@sarahburke8955]

I just love your stories, can't wait to hear more about the intellectual and agrarian heritage of the south on your new channel!

[@nathans2925]

Thanks for Sharing, Alan. What a wonderful person he was. What a fantastic collection of memories. Look forward to hearing more about him.

[@CatholicPipeCo]

“Floor to ceiling books.” I am looking behind you, Dr. Harrelson, and thinking you may not be far behind. Thank you for this story of a quite interesting figure. Your descriptions are lovely.

[@MastinoNapoletano420]

Love these stories Doc. I hope to one day sit down with you, smoke a pipe, and share some great conversation. God bless and I keep you and your family in my prayers.

[@mcekim2]

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with Ben C. and painting so vivid a picture of those times. I grew up and spent a good bit of my adult life in NW Washington. I was recruited for a position in Mobile, AL and ended up living in that area for several years, visiting areas in Mississippi and going to New Orleans. I sort of take that experience for granted these days. This video calls to mind the special appreciation I have for the Old South that I imagine many don't. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Think I'll go enjoy a pipe before I log in to work.

[@jelmcd1]

Allen, I happened onto your channel by chance and very much enjoyed your discussion on issues close to my heart. We have many similarities. I grew up in Kanawha county, West Va in a deeply Roman Catholic home. The Catholic Church is not what it appears to be in that there is a very dark side to it. I and my brothers were deeply wounded by it. I was befriended by an college prof from Northern Ireland who introduced me to Martin Luther's writings, which I read in German when the US Army sent me to Germany in the 1960's. I do however respect the fact that two people can look at the same organization and come away with different opinions. As my French girlfriend likes to say "les differences font tourner le monde." Differences really do make the world go 'round. I'm a pipe smoker and Army doctor, a neurologist to be specific, although for a number or reasons am not now practicing. all the very best, Luke: now living in Phoenix, Arizona.

[@spikeherbert391]

I remember reading his columns in the National Review years ago when Buckley was still in charge. He was always interesting, especially to a Yankee like me.

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

Great story, Alan! I'm already enjoying this new series!

[@jasonjones6463]

Informed, educated and entertained. Thank you for sharing a great tale of friendship.

[@maxphleger8834]

I poured a glass of bourbon and lit a bowl of old dark fired before turning this video on. Lord did I not know how fitting that would be. Wonderful story Alan.

[@alphacharlietango969]

Dr. Harrelson, thank you. A great story.

[@pickingandpiping]

Love the story! Thanks for sharing it. I keep meaning to read more on Walker Percy too.

[@tomh888]

Really appreciate those intellectual insights.

[@brucetyson4877]

Glad to know about Ben C. now. Thank you.

[@darrylthehorntoadpiper]

Well Dr Harrelson that was a wonderful video & I’m sure looking forward to more of them about your friends. I will now sign up to you our new channel as I did your pipe channel which is just wonderful. Keep up the great videos you are a southern treasure sir. Because this old Yankee from California is now very interested in the South.

[@christophergilbert4338]

Very fascinating! Awesome stories! I had not heard of him, but I am definitely interested in hearing about all of this great content. I definitely know about the only enjoying those things in private because that's what I do for the same reasons.

[@markihde4381]

Enjoyed this one, along with some C&D Snug Harbor in a Savinelli Siena pipe. Thanks!

[@armchairtheologicalpiper4967]

It would have been "the icing in the cake" so to say if you were having a sip of bourbon and a bowl, Nice story.

[@jpruiz600]

If ya like Tony's you should get your hands on some Slap Ya Mamma. It's another well known seasoning down here in New Orleans.

[@recoveringknowitall1534]

love your bookshelves brother

[@zhartheProprietor]

Wonderful jaunt down memory avenue

[@sweetabs8462]

The way you described him makes me sad I never met him and want one of his pipes now!

[@cohiba1982]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@mooseruncoffee9754]

Love Knob Creek

[@johnhicks3797]

If Ben C had been from Maryland he would have Old bay and you as well. I'm sorry you are missing out on that wonderful lifeblood seasoning from Maryland.

[@dennisalbers2]

Great video!

[@MrJoshDoty]

Thanks for sharing.

[@UncleBurntApostrophe]

Fascinating stuff mate, very interesting to hear about Mr Todedano, and your friendship with him! As for the pipes, I have to wonder if I’ve just picked up one of his estates (obv unknowingly)… It’s an obviously old, prob late 19th century-early 20th century, William Demuth Co. briar bulldog, with metal band and cap- ostensibly gold or brass in colour, but not sure what actually is- and an amber stem, obviously of fashion in the suspected period.. Would be kind of cool if I had happened to inherit a bit of that history in somebody like that’s former ownership, too!✌️

[@pictlandpickers1171]

Maybe I should have listened to this before I did my drawing.

[@TacticalTupperware]

I’m curious, did the way you speak change after that conversation?

[@guitarfox8316]

I almost feel like I’m listening to a confederate soldier who just came into the lobby of the only hotel in my tiny town and started sharing his story

[@markwesley5104]

You never know who crosses your path in life, be mindful of who crosses your path, its legacy.

[@Richard-ft9wx]

👍👍👍👍

[@dermotkeddy7052]

👍

[@dukeofsahib4967]

We need a bourbon tier list

[@gabrielhaas592]

My buddy smoked weed out of my first pipe. Is there someway to restore it?

[@NeilNoble-z7e]

Invite Dwayne and Malcolm over.

[@thedreadtyger]

Whrn your mouth was full of pebbles and you were orating to the ocean, were you speaking Attic Greek?