A Dream Come True
Cade Potter’s Banjo Birthday
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
There is nothing like walking into a room full of warm smiles from the people you love, and there is nothing that will ever compare to the absolute surprise and joy of Cade Potter and his friends and family when he walked into Giovanni’s this Thursday to a bluegrass band fulfilling his birthday wish—to hear someone play the banjo.
This Thursday was Cade Potter’s 24th birthday, and it was a moment that spoke volumes about the family and love our area is built upon. Cade Potter was diagnosed with Down syndrome at a young age but has never let this get in the way of him making lifelong connections and friends.
“I'd met Cade’s parents and him even before his dad started playing here–just as customers. I always took a liking to him not because he was special or that he was different, but because he's just the sweetest kid in the world.” expressed Jesse Hunt, owner of Summit Giovanni’s and close friend of the Potters.
The whole idea was concocted by Hunt after Cade invited him to his birthday party.
“He invited me to come to his birthday party, and I said, ‘Of course. I would drop my prom date for you!’ I was joking with him. I said, ‘I'll tell you what, I'll come if you'll tell me what you want for your birthday.’ He said, ‘All I want for my birthday is for somebody to play the banjo,’” described Hunt.
After making a few calls, Hunt was able to organize an exciting event for the young man. The party featured the Frog Pond Bluegrass Band, including one genuine banjo player. A table was set up for Cade’s family and friends up front to provide the perfect view of the band.
“He plans his birthday a year in advance,” explained Rick Potter, Cade’s father. “He picks out a theme that he wants. And actually, his birthday party at the library is a race car theme this year, but he really enjoys bluegrass music.”
Hunt has known the Potter family for many, many years, first as customers and then as musicians who often took the stage at Giovanni’s. After retiring from AK Steel, Rick Potter and his band have played several times, and he and his family have grown close to Hunt.
“It's just awesome what Jesse did. It’s incredible. Things are not the best economically right now, and for a guy to go and do that just for somebody in the community…that means the world that somebody would do that,” explained Potter.
It meant the world for the family and the community to have such a wonderful evening all for Cade—especially when Cade was given the chance to hold the banjo himself. Never in my life have I seen a smile as true and beautiful as that.
“Jesse is doing it right; he is very caring, thoughtful and efficient. He wants to get them in there. He wants people in the community to see the talent that is around here,” commented Potter about the party.
Hunt was very moved when Cade first walked into the party and embraced him as Cade realized what Hunt had done for him. The band played Happy Birthday as he walked in—and every person in the place was grinning from ear to ear.
“We opened the new location in December, and it's been well received by the community. We've been blessed to be able to change some lives by doing it–including Cade’s. I think this is something he’ll never forget,” commented Hunt.
The party was certainly something Cade will never forget, as well as an event that truly showcased the compassion, kindness, and camaraderie of our area.
