The annual Lions Club meal and cake auction is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, January 23 at the Foley Building at the Blaine County Fairgrounds. Because of its popularity in recent years, the main course will be pork butt.
What hasn’t changed is that it will be accompanied by baked beans and the other standard barbecue trimmings. Steve House is serving as the pit boss again this year. Cake for dessert will also be part of the plate, at a suggested donation of $15 per meal. Of course, because it is a charity event, it is not uncommon for those in attendance to pop a $20 or better into the kitty.
This year the proceeds will benefit the Lions Club scholarship fund and other philanthropic endeavors, according to Alvin Woodruff.
The auction has benefitted the Ferguson Home, the Ferguson Chapel and multiple other charities in town. The final decision on the second recipient will be made later this week.
The real draw, though, no matter how delicious the meal, is the cake auction. For as many years as the auction has been held, there has been a gentle rivalry among the bakers of Blaine County to earn the title of high earning cake at the auction. The top dollar has been earned by bakers of repute, like Lisa Nelson or Janice Hood, or half a dozen others whose reputation carried the day. Anyone who wants to donate a cake for the auction may contact Woodruff.
There have been times when the presentation was everything. A beautifully decorated cake has often brought in big bucks. And sometimes it was the description of the offered confection.
Those descriptions are given in great detail, year after year, by Ridenhour Auctions. This year is no exception Chris Ridenhour is donating its time and talents to the event.
And whether you are a Lion, a business owner or a member of the community who wants to support an event and charity of long standing, there is a place for you at the meal.
Just because a patron comes out to the feed doesn’t mean they have to have deep pockets, Woodruff explained. Coming out and buying a plate while spending time and offering fellowship to folks they haven’t seen in a while is more than enough to warrant locals braving a chilly January evening.