Cinder BBQ is helping to celebrate Carla Fletcher’s father and support Parkinson’s research with a special drink.

by Carla Fletcher
guest contributor

If you walk by Cinder BBQ on the 800 block of Upshur Street, you'll probably see me and my husband sitting at the bar eating dinner, with me stealing his French fries. We are there about once a week, either catching up or playing a board game. If we aren’t at the bar, we may be outside with our dog who not so patiently waits for treats.

Cinder is an easy spot to go for us; we love the food and the people. We admired the work they did to support restaurant staff during the pandemic, and love how they supported the Petworth Dog Show in 2021 during Celebrate Petworth, with co-owners John Anderson as a judge and Matt Krimm making personalized dog toys. When I needed make-up help before my niece’s wedding, I went to Cinder, where Raine walked me through some options and encouraged a bolder lip, which I wore proudly. We’ve made art that hangs on their wall and a calendar featuring our pup and another dog that frequents the treat window.

I am grateful to this lovely neighborhood gem that is a place that I have brought my whole self to and been met with a hug and wonderful food. And drinks, so many lovely drinks.

It shouldn’t have surprised me, then, that when I was going through a tough time that Cinder would be there to help. This year, when my Dad passed away, I mentioned that I wanted to do something at Cinder but I didn’t know what. Matt suggested a special drink, with part of the proceeds going to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

My Dad had Parkinson’s for 20 years before he passed away in February of this year. He had hoped for a cure in his lifetime, and I wish for him that this dream had come true. Parkinson’s disease impacts everyone a little differently. For my dad, over time, he lost his balance, smell, independence, and memories. My dad was also someone who loved to rough house, be in nature, listen to music, and write. He self-published a book of poetry and sent us many more over email, text and read aloud.

I loved Matt’s drink idea for the Hemingway Daiquiri right away. And even more when I tasted it.

Doug Manuel was an active hiker and writer.

It is a lovely cocktail, and a perfect summer antidote: great rum mixed with grapefruit, lime and maraschino liqueur. It is a drink, it is a donation, but it is also an act of kindness to see someone in grief and provide support.

I’m deeply grateful and also proud to continue to support the Parkinson’s Foundation in their quest to find solutions to this disease.

There is so much more I could tell you about my Dad, about how grateful I am to Petworth and Cinder, but I have a reservation for a patio seat soon and a daiquiri that I’m about to drink.

For the month of June, a portion of the proceeds from Hemingway Daiquiris will go to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Hope to see you there enjoying a daiquiris!