2nd Annual Long Ash Cigar Bash & Hospice Charity Raffle

On Saturday, June 23rd, Long Ashes Cigar Club and friends commandeered the back patio of River Birch Lodge for our 2nd Annual Long Ash Cigar Bash and Hospice Charity Raffle.

Only the second year we've hosted it, the get-together has become our marquee event that we hold the weekend after Father's Day. This year we saw attendance increase from forty-two to sixty-one, and the sponsorships were no less extraordinary.

Our friend J.P. leering over the sponsors' donations to our charity raffle

Staying in accordance with last year, for the next 365 days, Long Ashes Cigar Club will purchase cigars exclusively from manufactures who have supported this or any other event that we've hosted. Additionally, all future herfs this year will be themed -- that is each will be dedicated to one of our sponsors where all attendees will be asked to buy, bring, and smoke only that company's brands.We do this as an extended "thank you" for such generosity these companies have shown LACC.

With such an array of donations as a backdrop, the event lured many a cigar enthusiast to make a donation to Hospice of Davidson County, our beneficiary for the second time in as many years. In the end, Long Ashes Cigar Club | Winston-Salem, NC, raised an unprecedented $1,030 for this worthy organization ($20 came in after this picture was taken).

Laura O., the CEO of HODC, was on hand for the afternoon

We thank River Birch Lodge for hosting us this year and everyone who attended & donated to the cause; furthermore, we extended enormous gratitude to all of the individual reps and their companies for such generosity. Without such beneficent acts, our event would not take place.

Sponsors for the 2nd Annual Long Ash Cigar Bash and Hospice Charity Raffle were as follows (click on the company's name for more info or visit them on Facebook):

Chris T. .... Alec Bradley

Dan O. ... American Premium Beverage

Josh P.  & Jason H. ... Bad Dog Cigars & Paul Stulac Cigars

Robin & Eric L. ... Bash T-shirts

Isabel R. ... Blanco Cigars

Charlie R. ... Boveda Tobacco

Ed. M. & Sharon L. ... CAO Cigars

Skip L. ... District Roof Top Bar & Grille

Zev. K. & Fabien Z. ... Drew Estate

Renee C. ... Famous Smoke Shop

Oliver H. ... Gurkha Cigars

Dave M. ... Imbibe Cigar Lounge (Kernersville, NC)

Shanda L. & Eric N. ... J.C. Newman Cigar Co.

Justin A. & Lou R. ... Lou Rodriguez Cigars

Barry S. ... Miami Cigar & Co.

Brad A. ... Oliva Cigars

Nate H. & Tracey T. ... Outback Steakhouse

Paul S. ... Paul Stulac Cigars

Tom B. ... Raffle prizes

Eddie S. and Reid N. ... River Birch Lodge

Kimber B. ... Rocky Patel Cigars

Larry C. & Pete P. ... The Pipe and Pint (Greensboro, NC)

Bobby P. ... Tinder Box #424 Hanes Mall

Jack T. and Andrea H. ... Torano Family Cigar Co.

Mike A. ... Total Wine and More

Jennifer S. ... Village Tavern

We thank everyone for attending this year's event and encourage you to support the above sponsors when making your cigar purchases. We are hopeful that we will see everyone next year!

Again, thank you to all participants -- sponsors and guests alike.

Michael Kittner
Long Ashes Cigar Club | Winston-Salem, NC

Parting shots:

Friends gathering as the Bash & Charity Raffle commences.

A Long Ashes faithful since 2011, Tucker W., enjoys a Natural by Drew Estate.

Korie W. was incredible as a fill-in Torano rep; here she discusses the difference between Torano's Loyal & Vault.

The Bad Dog Cigars crew doing their thing in Winston-Salem, NC, as future customers listen intently.

The aficionado table

Can't thank Jason H. & Josh P. enough for all of their hard work and dedication to Long Ashes Cigar Club.

Original LACC member Anita H. pondering about how lovely her Blanco NINE lancero is.

Member Eric L. with two favorites: a cold beverage and a Paul Stulac cigar.

The NINE lancero seemed to be the ladies' favorite at the 2nd Annual Long Ash Cigar Bash & Charity Raffle.

2012 member, Lloyd G., testing the draw of a Bad Dog smoke.

"Look at this burn!" comments Michael C. regarding his first Bad Dog cigar.

Torano's Loyal is always a Long Ashes favorite; Ron C. agrees!

Dan O. keeping his fingers crossed for the raffle.

Commence the charity raffle!

Anxious, part of the crowd listens for their names as the first winner is drawn . . .

. . . and here he is -- Lloyd G.!

New members discussing the finer points of the sponsors' cigars.

Any cigar pairs well with that hat -- especially a Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie lancero!

Original LACC member Mike H. showing off his Paul Stulac stick.

"It's time for a Bad Dog," a friend comments.

LACC co-founder Ron L. extols his CAO OSA: "It's mighty fine!"

2011 LACC member Frank L. is well on his way to a long ash co-victory!

Dave M., owner of Imbibe Cigar Lounge in Kernersville, NC, taunts us with his Joya De Nicaragua Cabinetta Serie lancero.

2011 LACC member Lou R. shares a story with 2012 member Dan O.

Bad Dog Cigars rep Jason H. did a heck of a job assisting me with the raffle.

Much applause for Korie W. who was in charge of running raffle prizes to winners.

Buddy H. cleaned up this year!

Bobby Patel at Tinder Box #424 Hanes Mall crafted another one of his glorious samplers. Thanks, Bobby!

Jacob L. contemplating on what cigar to smoke next.

LACC newcomer Matt lighting up a CAO OSA.

2011 LACC member Bill O. was a co-winner of Zev's Drew Estate Long Ash Contest.

In the end, Long Ashes Cigar Club | Winston-Salem, NC, -- with the help off all sponsors -- raised $1,030 for Hospice.

Each attendee who donated at least $20 received a humidified Boveda Tobacco bag with the following: premium sponsor cigars, six raffle tickets, a Cigar Rights of America brochure, punch card (for cigars from Bad Dog, Paul Stulac, Drew Estate, & Torano), a LACC name tag, a membership form for J.C. Newman's Connoisseur's Club, a list of all sponsors, and a petition to support H.R. 1639 & S. 1461.