She Wears My Cigar Ring
To most, the band on a cigar is not much more than a piece of paper, merely a means to distinguish one brand from another and attract the eye of consumers when perusing the shelves of their local tobacconist. For Art Nellesen, a semi-retired licensed real estate broker from Redding, California, and his girlfriend Tracy Maher, it means a whole lot more.
The story begins in 2017 when Tracy took Art on a trip to Monterrey, California, for his birthday. In addition, she presented Art with an Arturo Fuente cigar to enjoy. A regular cigar smoker since the 1990s, Art smokes almost every day on his patio, preferably in the afternoon or in the early evening, often pairing his cigar with some Bourbon or Scotch.
When Art finished his birthday smoke, he took off the band and, in a romantic gesture, placed it on Tracy’s finger. Later, Art learned that Tracy not only kept the band as a souvenir, but also that she kept it safe in her jewelry box. This gave him an idea.
Five years later, on November 10, 2022, Tracy’s birthday, Art presented Tracy with a 14 karat gold and enamel replica of the cigar band he had made for her—to her great delight and moving Tracy to tears (of happiness). According to Art, she has worn the cigar ring ever since. Additionally, Art also sang to Tracy a “ditty” he composed which tells the story of how they met called “Cigar Band Girl.”
I was sitting by the window one day
At my favorite waterfront café
When in walks this homeless gal
Who needed a ride to visit a pal
I said “Sure, but I need to ask ya,
Is it true you’re from Alaska?”
Sure enough she left her life from afar
Said she sold her home and her car.
So, we both agreed to share the ride,
Off I went with her by my side.
So that’s how it all got started
Since then, we‘ve never parted.
But my three exes who walked out the door
Left me cautious and quite poor.
So, to show my love, even though I’m broke,
I had an idea with my smoke!
I had no ring to grace her hand
But gave her instead my cigar band!
You don’t need money sonny to take a whirl
Just find yourself a Cigar Band Girl!
Nothin’ looks nicer on her hand
Than an Arturo Fuente cigar band
In regards to his personal taste in cigars, Art told Cigar Aficionado he leans toward maduro blends and among his many favorite cigars are the Rocky Patel Sixty Sixty.
