As you all no doubt know by this point, August saw the loss of one of the most important members of the pipe tobacco culture: Craig Tarler.

Along with being the founder of Cornell and Diehl, he was an incredible man with a great sense of humor and dedication to the preservation and perpetuation of our hobby. He was a man who never took himself too seriously, but always took success in his endeavors seriously.

On 9/09/11, the official service for Craig was held. From everything that I have heard, it was a beautiful and delightful ceremony. However, the vast majority of people who have benefited from Craig’s incredible work and dedication were unable to attend. This is mostly due to distance, not as a result of lack of appreciation.

We have all, as pipe smokers, benefited from everything that Craig has done. For this reason, it feels only appropriate that we all gather together, in our own way, to celebrate Craig Tarler.

Thus, I propose the first annual Craig Tarler Day on September 16th, 2012, at 1:00 PM Central Time.

My idea is this: In your own way, remember and celebrate Craig Tarler’s contribution to our hobby. Even if you never got the chance to meet this incredible man, you have benefited from what he has done. While I cannot dictate the way that you celebrate Craig Tarler Day, I recommend that it be done with a Cornell and Diehl tobacco and a smile on your face. Craig was a man who was in perpetual good spirits, and that is how I would hope that we carry on his legacy: with happiness. So many memorials are full of sadness, but let this be a celebration of Craig’s life and the joy that his work has brought to all of us.

So, at 1PM on 9/16/12, light up your favorite C&D blend and celebrate. Smile and laugh and drink. Life is too damned short to not be happy, as I’m sure Craig would agree if he were here. Celebrate life. Enjoy every moment and the happiness that this amazing individual brought into our lives.

I look forward to celebrating this day with everyone. I hope you will join me.

EDIT: I spoke with Adam Davidson earlier today and he made a great suggestion. While the 16th of September is still the suggested day for this unofficial celebration for now, so it can be as close to the actual service as possible, it makes a lot of sense to try to organize the potential yearly celebration around the day of Mr. Tarler’s birth. After all, Craig was a man who celebrated life to the fullest, so it only makes sense that that be when we continue to remember him.

So, while we will all gather together and celebrate in our own way this coming Sunday, 9/16/12, to remember Craig, it would be truly beautiful if we could all continue this tradition and celebration next June 2nd, Craig’s birthday.

Another little piece of information that I recently found out from Craig’s son is that Mr. Tarler’s favorite blend was Two Friends’s “Heritage”. So, if you happen to live near a well-stocked tobacconist, perhaps you could pick up Craig’s favorite blend for a special means of remembrance.