Two years ago as I prepared to send my brother Joel a birthday gift I learned that his brother from another mother had lost his battle with the ugly disease known to many as the BIG C.  Charlie Eble fought a strategic fight to overcome his rare and aggressive condition.  As much as he could, he remained productive and smiled through the pain and anguish.  However, May 2017 was to be his last hurrah, leaving behind a sad and grieving family and community that goes beyond Saratoga Springs, NY.

I have had the pleasure of podcasting with many individuals that have offered their memories and stories to be part of a library on a life lived well.  https://www.spreaker.com/show/charlie-eble-day-may-19-2019-cafe-lena

May 11^th, 2017 as much as I wanted to send Joel (Joelie) a gift I could not think of anything that would make him happy now that Charlie was gone.  Joel and Charlie were introduced to be golfing buddies, but as the story goes, they became much more engineering, producing and creating beautiful music with so many.

Last year at this time I wanted to ensure that my brother Joel celebrated life as Charlie would have wanted.  As I considered many different gifts for him, what do you buy your brother who can afford more than you?  As I racked my brain, I was about to make him smile with a coconut cream pie, but when I went to order it the bakery in Saratoga Springs informed me, I was not the only one with this idea, so I scratched it and instead had a gift card for dinner for two at Mama Mia’s awaiting him.  But unbeknownst to him, I had begun a campaign with Brian Melick, Jeff Brisbin, and a few others including Marcus Ruggiero to plan this special event that will take place on May 19^th.  Alex and I, (my son and Joel’s nephew) thought this would be a special way to remember Charlie and keep his name alive at Café Lena.  We wanted Joel to produce this event and acknowledge his own talent and love for his friend.

It took us many months to share our vision with Joel (Joelie to many), and as expected he went the extra mile including two of Charlie’s favorite eating establishments, Hattie’s and Mama Mia’s.  In addition, he reached out to Meg Kelly (for Mayor AGAIN) to proclaim May 19^th, Charlie Eble Day!

I feel so blessed to have met Charlie and share in his life (not as much as many of you) and to know how special he was and still is.  It was the friendship that Charlie developed with my son Alex that helped him grow and become the wonderful young man he is.  Alex will be performing with some of these wonderful musicians on the 19^th paying tribute to Charlie, Joel, and to Lena Spencer who created this special place, Where the Music Never Dies!

I hope to meet you all and remember to say Happy  Birthday to Joel on May 11^th!