By Martha Woodward
Beginning around 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, the West Knox Republican Club gathered at the Deane Hill Recreation Center for a barbecue dinner catered by Rothchild's. On the agenda for the evening was the annual cake sale, which always brings in a lot of money and appeared to be a lot of fun for everyone. Each member was asked to bring a cake or confection as a donation for the auction.
After everyone had eaten dinner, each office holder and each person running for office was given the opportunity to introduce themselves. There were cheers and clapping as club members hoped to stir up interest in their candidates.
"Go out and vote, and vote for the Republican," said Mary Lou Horner, former County Commissioner.
Next came the auction. Cakes of all kinds, including red velvet, caramel, cheesecake, fudge, as well as lemon cookies, brownies, and wrapped candy were placed on several tables. Municipal Court Judge John R. Rosson served as the auctioneer and entertained the group with corny jokes and stories about how he washed his cell phone in the washing machine and had to stay on the phone on hold for over an hour to get it replaced.
Mike Alford assisted as each item was offered for bid. Marianne Thompson, administrative secretary in the office of Sheriff J J Jones, served as the "accountant" for the event as cash and checks came pouring in.
Many items sold for $50 and more, with the highest bid of the night being made by John Whitehead, the current Property Assessor, who paid $100 for a red velvet cake. The next highest bid went to Judge Tim Irwin who bought a basket of cheesecakes and other delights. A total of 26 cakes were sold for $800.
One of the most interesting cakes was donated by Judge Geoff Emery and his wife, Suzanne, who gave a colorful birthday cake in honor of their first granddaughter, Mary McClure Lomax Emery, who arrived at 1:20 a.m. on June 18th weighing 7 lbs. and 3 oz. The proud parents, Doctor and Mrs. Turner Emery, have recently moved back home to Knoxville after Dr. Emery completed his residency in Gainesville, Florida.
