"Saint Sue"

[Austin]

This Award was presented to Sue Moore on October 19, 2010. Sue passed away on November 2, 2010. She was a great friend to so many of us and she will be missed by everyone here at Badger & Blade.

We feel so very fortunate to have bestowed this Award to Sue prior to her passing and that she was aware of just how much she meant to the members of Badger & Blade. She will be sorely missed and will never be forgotten.

The Moderators at Badger and Blade are proud to present to you the fifth installment of:

"The B&B Meritorious Shaver Award"

Welcome B&B'ers to this special installment of the B&B Meritorious Shaver Award, which is being presented as an honorarium to Sue Moore of Saint Charles Shave. Sue has been a steady B&B contributor since our earliest days, and has honored us with her helpfulness, her compassion, her humor, and the laudable influence her handmade creations have had on the daily lives of so many B&B members.

As many of you know from Sue's compassionate thread Take A Deep Breath and Then Walk Into the Fire, Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2010, and has been battling with this disease ever since. Sue's posts in this thread, both personally and as conveyed through her daughter, Wendy, show the same strength, caring, and indomitable spirit that have come through in so many of her posts here over the many years she has blessed this site with her presence.

Through these same posts we have had the opportunity to get some insight as to who this special lady really is and why she means so much to all of us here at B&B. Even during B&B's earliest days, Sue's accessibility and presence on the board is what kept many of the members coming back. Sue has been quick to welcome new members and patient in answering the site's many questions about soaps, creams, aftershaves, colognes -- and life.

Sue has approached the creation and growth of Saint Charles Shave with a contagious and uplifting "people first, business second" ethic -- many of the soapmakers that service wetshaving today have been the beneficiaries of Sue's abundant helpfulness.

Of course, Sue's own products reveal her consistent desire for improvement, nose for quality fragrances, and insistence on affordability. Her willingness to customize products for B&B Group Buys, as well as for individual members, has added even more to the dedication she has given to B&B and our members.

For these and so many other day-brightening moments, we are forever grateful.

There are really few of us that can genuinely say that they have left their imprint on this site. Certainly, Sue can lay claim to that statement. She's been here since nearly the beginning (11-23-2005) and has made a significant impact on not only this forum, but on the world of wet shaving as well.


Each and every Moderator, and likely nearly every single member of B&B has some great story to share about Sue, her generosity and her impact on this wonderful wet shaving adventure. If we tried to list all of the wonderful things that we think and feel about Sue we'd likely collapse the internet.

Most importantly, we want to recognize Sue's spirit of generosity, unselfishness, and unwavering dedication to her craft. She exemplifies the best of what B&B has to offer and will always be the standard for others to follow.

She is truly the best of us.

THEREFORE, IT IS ON THIS 19th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2010, that the Moderators and Administrators at Badger & Blade proudly award the B&B Meritorious Shaver Award to Sue Moore in recognition of her distinguished service to our site, our members, and the wetshaving community. Sue's framed avatar will now hang in the Merit Award Gallery along with the previous honorees.

SUE MOORE
Honorary Inductee
"Saint Sue"

In recognition of your innumerable contributions, exemplary dedication and inspirational friendship during your years as a member at Badger & Blade. The Moderators at B&B do hereby proclaim from this day forward that the date of October 19th will forever be known as "Sue Moore Day" at Badger & Blade.


We are honored and privileged to induct Sue Moore into the B&B Merit Award Gallery.

*** As you all know, Sue is battling breast cancer. We here at B&B have established a donation page at the National Breast Cancer Foundation website. Let's do what we do best here at Badger & Blade and pull together for this very special cause to express our support for Sue. Everytime a donation is made through the donation page that we have established, Sue will receive an email that a donation was made in her honor. Please click on the hyperlink below and let's show Sue just how much she means to us here at B&B.

Click Here and Please Give to
The Sue Moore Memorial Fund

And now, some members of the B&B Moderator Team would like to share their reflections on Sue's history and influence, both personally and on B&B:

I first became aware of Saint Charles Shave’s Sue at shavemyface.com. Fellow moderator Tony (tonyespo) corresponded with Sue on Ebay. At the time Sue was selling bath soaps. Tony asked Sue if she would make him shave soap. Sue, being the type of person she is, agreed to give it a shot. I know that Tony rejected quite a few batches of soaps until she got it right.

Sue also started experimenting with balms and colognes. Tony helped Sue with these products as well. Through trial and error, Sue worked diligently experimenting with different formulations and recipes. Sue finally came up with her signature New Spice scent. At the time she also offered Tony’s Best AS balm. I became curious after hearing Tony brag that the women in his office could not keep their hands off of him. Tony is a good looking man, but not exactly Robert Redford. I sent Sue an email and asked her about her products. Sue offered to send me her products for free. As a moderator at SMF, I would not accept products without paying for them. She is a fast shipper and I received the shave soap and cologne within 3 days.

I was blown away by New Spice. I’m very particular about colognes. It’s not unusual for me to purchase a bottle and give it away after sniffing it. I have spent as much as $250 for a bottle but have not bought a bottle for less than $20 since my high school days. This stuff was nirvana for the price. I have actually bought New Spice for lady friends because they liked it.

At the time, though, I was not so enamored by Sue’s shave soap. I could not get a good lather from the puck. Sure, the puck was cheap, and I thought "no big deal." Nevertheless, I sent Sue an email and informed her that I was having trouble getting a good lather. She quickly and kindly responded that her soaps needed more water than most, suggesting that I contact Tony. I started experimenting with the soap by varying the water. I finally found the sweet spot and got tons of lather. I became a convert.

I have always told Sue that she does not charge enough for her products. I have even requested that she increase her prices. She has always told me "no." She is doing this out of love for the product and her customers. This has been a losing argument for me.

I have always been impressed by how Sue goes out of her way to make sure her customers are taken care of. It’s not unusual for Sue to offer refunds when someone is not happy with her products. She is willing to go the extra mile to make a gent happy. I wish all businesses operated this way.

When Joel created Badger and Blade, Sue followed us over here. She has become the grand dame of the site. She is quick to offer prizes for events. She has never said "no" when the site needs anything. She even offers advice to new vendors. Sue has made custom soaps and scents for me when I have asked her. She has never said no when I have made a request of her. You don’t get that type of service from Trumpers, do you?

Through the years I have paid her back by doing beta testing for her, as have many gents on this site. For me, I did it out of love for her. Although I have never met her in person, I consider Sue a close friend.

Badger and Blade will not be the same when our grand dame takes her final bow, but she will not be forgotten. Not by me nor by many gents who've had the privilege of knowing Sue. Lucky for us we still have Wendy. She will carry on Sue’s good work. I love you Sue.

Andrew (Austin)

When I think of Sue what comes to mind is her gentle kindness, genuine warmth, and interest in those she meets. I always refer to my wife as 'my bride.' Dave, Sue's husband called her that and she was so tickled to hear me doing so with my wife. She spoke so fondly of her departed husband, I wish I could have met him.

Our conversations have been wide ranging, from roses in the garden to rose fragrance in her soap (which Sue claims I am the greatest critic of!), to sharing stories of renovating our houses and struggles with raising a family. With Sue, anything asked was never too much trouble. When she created one of her many custom products for one of the Mod get togethers, it came with half a dozen different custom labels to chose from! Sue takes great delight when you are happy with her products. I am proud and honored to call Sue friend.
Congratulations on your Merit award Sue!

Jim

My first dealings with Sue were the result of winning a contest as a newbie around these parts. My correspondence with her was refreshing, professional and over the top friendly. She made me feel not only welcome to the world of B&B but excited about finding a place where genuine kindness still exists. I've always looked at Sue much the way I looked at my own Grandmother. Her kindness and sincerity are something that everyone should strive to emulate.

Rob (SlagleRock)

My Mother died of cancer. We buried her on Halloween. She never said goodbye. I understand...I think.

Sue has said that she loves my humor. She honored me by saying in a thread that I was her favorite comedian. This touches me very deeply.

In life, true wealth are not those things that gather dust, tarnish or rust, but those things that you have planted that bear forth great fruit that are shared with the world. Sue has done this.

Her "children" are many. Each one has been lovingly put together to perfection, so that when someone would meet them, there would be a smile and the joy of satisfaction in thier heart all day.

Sue's work is not done. Heaven's gate is open and a new "scent laboratory" is awaiting. God is tired of frankincense and myrrh. Wait till our Master inhales one of Sue's heavenly creations.

Heaven will change.

So have I.

Thank you Sue.

Mark (mark the shoeshine boy)

I don't know Sue personally, and by personally I mean face to face.
Like many members here who only know her from her posts here, we have this feeling of connection via the written word that is so very different from any other place I have ever been a part of.

Sue punctuates her contributions here with a feeling of genuine sincerety and care that anyone who takes a moment to read what she has written, instantly recognizes as the warmth and genuine caring thought that goes into everything she does.

I am a richer man for knowing her, even in the remote type written way that I do. Thank you St. Sue for all that you have done for us here, and the wisdom and contribution that you have made to form B&B from the outset into the great place that it is today.

Phil (Luvmysuper)

I interacted with Sue during my early days on B&B. Everybody did. It was a much smaller forum and everybody knew everybody. She was a regular poster and always very helpful. I first user her products as part of the 2006 B&B LE Brush and SCS Bay Rum with a Twist buy. To date this is still my favorite SCS offering.

Everything about Sue is pure class, plain and simple. She responds eloquently in posts. Her products are pure class. They perform well and the scents are carefully devised. They are intoxicating and pull you in. Sue's customer service is an industry best. And when I think about Sue and her business I really feel she is more like a den mother who wants to send her scouts out well prepared. She takes care of us. She always has. She didn't earn the nickname "Saint Sue" for selling products and making money. She earned the title because of how she treats her fellow B&B members and customers. When I look at the list of people that have received the Meritorius Shaver award I can't think of a person who is more fitting to be added to this list than Sue.

Sue, Congratulations. You deserve every good word written in this thread and more!

Dave(scoopster)

It is mankind's unique quest to probe, if not unravel, the mysteries of our existence. What are we? Although to a large extent we are no closer to an answer than when we first began to examine this thousands of years ago, we have begun to uncover some facts that help position us in the scheme of things.

In short, we are all the same. This commonality goes far beyond the shared ancestry we can trace to the dawn of life. At the atomic level, we routinely exchange our building blocks with one another. It may appear absurd on the surface, but it is a fact that we literally carry with us a small bit of physical material that was once in others. There is nary an atom in my body that was there a decade ago, and any stragglers who are still with me probably left and returned, perhaps more than once. In a very real sense, there is some of me in every one of you, and vice versa.

Perhaps this explains how we can feel such a bond with people we have never met. I can see how people can interact with one another on a medium such as the internet. What I find dumbfounding is how people can actually care about each other on such a medium. It is reassuring beyond words to know that people can truly care about those whom they have never met.

My dealings with Sue have been limited, but always pleasant. I never spoke to her, and the products I purchased from her will one day be gone. I do, however, retain one small momento- she once included a twig of sandalwood in my order. My daughter took to it, and it sits alongside some other treasures she accumulated over the years. These include shells from the Jersey shore from long ago beach outings, pebbles from the Grand Canyon and Vesuvius, sand from Florida, and other inconsequential items that possess no value other than that attached to it by its owner.

The monuments we erect to ourselves are not cast in bronze or chiseled out of marble- they are simply thoughts in the mind of another. When my time comes, I hope to be a twig on someone's shelf, or other somesuch artifact.

Sue is the best of us. We are honored to have her among our ranks, and she will always hold a special place here.

Jay (Ouch)

I've known Sue only from a distance ... a box or two from SCS came in the mail ... I've read many of her insightful and personable posts ... that puck of "fairway' was the first shave soap I ever finished ... and those who know her better I rather envy (in a good way.)

But Sue has always been a model B&B'er. She's led the way in terms of customer service expectations for the artisan shave soap maker; any n00b who posted a problem, concern or question about her business could be told with certainty ... "shoot her a PM, she'll take care of you." As our quaint little hobby has grown over the past few years, and the cottage industry of small vendors (both those who make products and those who retail assorted brands) has grown alongside, whether she realised it or not Sue has had a great influence For Good in developing a positive economic relationship between seller and shaver.

But of course we're not giving her a Timmy simply because she makes good soap, or because she can put the right soap in the right shipping box in a timely fashion (although we appreciate all that nonetheless). No, Sue gets a Timmy because of what she brings to B&B ... and has brought consistently over the years. A wealth of knowledge about soap freely shared; a kindness and civility of tone most welcome among the tumult of the internet; a cheerful sense of humour and a willingness to help out; all these things we get from Sue whenever she hits "Submit Reply" under her post message.

B&B is, and has always been, a Gentlemen's Forum. But we're proud that it's a gentlemen's forum that welcomes ladies as well, and I think every lady-member here owes a nod of "thanks" to Sue for making it clear that it should be that way. With Sue making such a positive contribution to our little society, how can we be anything but glad and proud that she and the other ladies are part of B&B.

Sue, you raise the bar wherever you are ... bravo!!
Ian (Doc4)

Sue has made so many wonderful contributions to our forum. She has been an ideal vendor and an ideal member. She's kind and good-hearted and always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone. Getting to know her has been a joy and pleasure. Her products have always been great, but those fantastic rose scents isn't what makes Sue so special to me, it's her spirit. That's what I'll always cherish.

We all love you, Sue!

Tim
TimmyBoston

This is a difficult medium to get to know someone. My dealings with Sue have always been pleasant and fun. She had asked me to participate in some beta testing of some of her rose products. She is always striving to improve and never rests on her laurels (which she could very well have done). It is through this type of communication that we may get some insight on the true fabric of a person. I echo the sentiments of my fellow mods and say that Sue is a very special and extraordinary person and we are lucky that she chose to grace us with her wit, charm and eloquence.

Bob (johnniegold)

I'll never forget my first interaction with Sue. I remember it fondly as I had tried some of Nick's New Spice cologne back in 2005 and mentioned on the forums that I thought it smelled positively vile. She wrote me a very kind note apologizing that I had such a bad experience with her cologne and assured me there must have been something wrong with the bottle I had smelled and offered to send me another bottle to try. Shocked, and feeling challenged I said "bring it" and while it was still offensively potent, I ate my shoe and had to admit I was wrong and I really liked the bottle she sent me. Doh!

For those of you who know me, you know i'm not a sensitive/emotional guy... for those of you who REALLY know me, you know i'm REALLY not a sensitive/emotional guy - the word curmudgeon might come to mind. With that said, the news of Sue's condition has really pulled on the ole heart strings. While i've never met Sue, like any other member here who's been a member for more than a year or two, I consider Sue a friend.

What makes Sue so special, unique and important to B&B isn't merely the fact that she was one of the first members, nor the fact that she'd bend over backwards to help any/everyone, but the fact that she shared her personal life with this group of guys on the internet - for she felt close enough to call this motley crue she's never met, friends. Some of her posts are, and will forever be burned into my memory... the passing of her husband, the fire at her daughters house, her first cancer diagnosis and now news of her cancer turning terminal.

Sue is, and will always be the true essence of B&B - intelligent individuals who share common interests in good fun, who help, care for and truly take an interest in one another.

Her presence will always remain here at B&B, and it is my hope that with each year that passes and each "Sue Moore Day" that is honored thousands of new members will scratch their heads in confusion and ask "Who was Sue Moore? She sure must have been something special" and we'll tell them with vigor - "You bet your ass she was!"

Sue, you'll be sorely missed and often thought of.
-Joel

Click Here and Please Give to
The Sue Moore Memorial Fund

[Topgumby]

Hear, hear!

[Sullybob]

It is with tears in my eyes that I read this thread.

Congratulations Sue.

Even though we have never met in person, I feel like I know you.

I am both saddened and inspired by you.

God bless.

[brianw]

B&B you made a great choice....

God Bless Sue

[Veritas II]

Congratulations, Sue.

I can't add anything that hasn't been said.

[Intrigued]

The B&B Meritorious Shaver Award could not go to a finer or more deserving person!

[Dennard]

This honor is certainly well-deserved, Sue!

[kooshman7]

A very fitting reward for such a great person. I may have never met you personally, but I can just feel that.

God bless you Sue, and Wendy, and all your family!

[pauls51]

Congratulations Sue.... Your inspiration has not gone unnoticed!

[azmark]

Fantastic work gentlemen.

It is completely heart breaking.

[Walker]

Awesome guys. Never comunicated with Sue but i always love her heart felt posts. Congrats Sue

[RF1963]

B&B you made a great choice....

God Bless Sue

+1. Well done Mods, good job. Can the Contributions Page be set for PayPal as well?

God Bless Sue

[Mama Bear]

My goodness, this is just incredible.. I am crying like a baby and thinking back to all the times she has helped.. Sue, you are AWESOME and I am thrilled for you.. you are loved! and so very respected! Congratulations!

[Laz]

I couldn't agree more with what has been said

[kg4ghn]

Congratulations Sue, it couldn't go to a better lady.

[Luc]

Congratulations!!

[bradyarz]

**groggily lifts morning coffee**

To Sue!

[RichGem]

Hear hear!

[bbarton713]

Congratulations, Sue!

You've obviously have touched many lives through this forum and are well deserving of this honor!

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face shine upon you, and give you peace.

[crankymoose]

Congrats and Best wishes Sue