I had my heart set on being a conductor, and that's what I was doing. In 1983, Setter applied to study with Leonard Bernstein as part of a summer training program of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Today, Setter serves as the only priest of St. Mary Church, living in the rectory with a yellow tabby named Butter. No. 1 in my life. Then would come the priesthood.
Cigars are a pretty good bet for number three.
He gets together each month with a group of friends to play poker, and, of course, smoke cigars. The photos lining the wall show Setter with cigar makers, celebrities such as Jim Belushi and, of course, photos with Marvin Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado. From his first Big Smoke, Setter has asked for, and received, Marvin's autograph. One of the most important rituals for me at a Big Smoke is getting Marvin to sign the editor's page. Setter then has the page framed with the ticket stub and program and hangs it on his wall.