An unusual auction item? We’re game!

Jim Clayton and our host, columnist Sam Venable.

Jim Clayton and our host, columnist Sam Venable.

It was at the Front Page Follies this summer when auctioneer Bear Stephenson announced an item I thought sounded like fun. A game dinner prepared by News Sentinel columnist Sam Venable and his wife, Mary Ann, in their home — with klezmer music by the band, Tennessee Schmaltz.

I was feeling pretty good about how the bidding was going until Bear made it known that my main opponent for this item was Jim Clayton. Right. THAT Jim Clayton. Multi-millionaire manufactured home magnate and banker. Oh, Lord, I thought.

Much to my surprise, Jim threw in the towel — a total act of kindness on his part — and Alan and I walked away with the prize.

To show our gratitude, when it came time to redeem the item recently, we invited Jim and some of his Follies table guests — Michell Witt and Jay and Marga McBride — to join us. Marga and Jim have been singing together recently, which is Jim’s avid avocation.

What a fun night we had. Sam and Mary Ann were gracious hosts and when Tennessee Schmaltz took a break from its hilarious set, Jim and Marga stepped in and played a couple of songs.

From left, Marga McBride, Mary Ann Venable, Megan Venable and Mary Pom Claiborne. Megan and Mary Pom were on hand to help Megan's parents host the party. We are glad they were a part of the evening.

From left, Marga McBride, Mary Ann Venable, Megan Venable and Mary Pom Claiborne. Megan and Mary Pom were on hand to help Megan’s parents host the party. We are glad they were a part of the evening.

Sam welcoming Jim Clayton to the evening's festivities.

Meanwhile, Sam was welcoming Jim Clayton to the evening’s festivities.

Then Sam went back to the task at hand -- the food. Here he's checking the temperature of some meat he just removed from the grill.

Then Sam went back to the task at hand — the food. Here he’s checking the temperature of some meat he just removed from the grill.

I am not a big game fan, but I could handle the fried bluegill/shellcracker. In fact, breaded in coconut and panko, it was delicious.

I am not a big game fan, but I could handle the fried bluegill/shellcracker. In fact, breaded in coconut and panko, it was delicious.

Everyone said the deer roast was fab. But I can never get the thought of Bambi's mother out of my mind when it comes to deer meat.

Everyone said the deer roast was fab. But I can never get the thought of Bambi’s mother out of my mind when it comes to deer meat.

Deer summer sausage.

Deer summer sausage.

Tennessee Schmaltz. From left, Manny Herz, Carolyn Silva-Alford, Larry Hoffman and Rob Heller.

Tennessee Schmaltz. From left, Manny Herz, Leslie Gengozian, Larry Hoffman and Rob Heller.

Another crowd pleaser: dove and wild turkey pie.

Another crowd pleaser: dove and wild turkey pie.

Here's the kind of game I can get behind!

Here’s the kind of “game” I can get behind!

Loved the fall decor. And, again, some things I like to eat.

Loved the fall decor. And, again, some things I like to eat.

Listening to Tennessee Schmaltz, from left, Mary Pom Claiborne, Marga McBride, Alan Carmichael and Blair Kline.

Listening to Tennessee Schmaltz, from left, Mary Pom Claiborne, Marga McBride, Alan Carmichael and Blair Kline. Sam’s in the background working in the kitchen.

Speckled-bellied goose in mushroom gravy. Another popular entree.

Speckled-bellied goose in mushroom gravy. Another popular entree.

From left, Katie Kline, Phyllis Nichols and Jay McBride.

From left, Katie Kline, Phyllis Nichols and Jay McBride.

Rainbow trout.

Rainbow trout.

From left, Jim Nichols, Terry and Rachel Ford.

From left, Jim Nichols, Terry and Rachel Ford.

They made us guess what this "mystery meat" was, and they promised it wasn't road kill! Turned out to be Sandhill crane. Folks said it tasted like chicken.

They made us guess what this “mystery meat” was, and they promised it wasn’t roadkill! Turned out to be sandhill crane. Folks said it tasted like chicken.

If you, like me, thought they were endangered and therefore illegal to hunt, you, like me, would be wrong. Click here for some info on the official state of Tennessee website.

Michell Witt, left, and Marga McBride, listening to Tennessee Schmaltz.

Michell Witt, left, and Marga McBride, listening to Tennessee Schmaltz.

Blair taking it all in.

Blair taking it all in.

Sam's office.

Sam’s office.

From another angle.

From another angle.

Marga McBride and Jim Clayton did a great job.

Marga McBride and Jim Clayton did a great job.

Want to hear a smidge of the evening’s entertainment? Click on my Instagrams from that night below. Fairly hilarious.

Klezmer music in West Knoxville!

A video posted by @cmmoxley on

Knoxville suburbanites get wild and crazy! Go Klezmer! A video posted by @cmmoxley on

Thanks again to Sam and Mary Ann Venable, Tennessee Schmaltz, Jim Clayton and Marga McBride for a great time. Sam, better get to re-stocking that freezer!

 

 

 

 

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6 Responses to An unusual auction item? We’re game!

  1. Manny Herz, on November 11th, 2015 at 3:56 pm said:

    And what a fun evening it was!
    We certainly enjoyed.
    Would we want to do it again???I would say I’m game…but then I’d probably find myself hanging on Sam’s wall.

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on November 11th, 2015 at 4:39 pm said:

    Good one, Manny! We loved it.

  3. Jean Ash, on November 11th, 2015 at 11:39 pm said:

    Thanks for the funny, unusual report, Cynthia, and thanks for the gamey auction donation, Venables! The Front Page Foundation, which oversees the Follies, appreciates your donation very much. We’re thinking up more cool stuff for the auction at the next performance, June 11, 2016. Get it on your calendar and see you there!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on November 12th, 2015 at 12:29 am said:

    Thanks for letting us know that date, Jean! It was a creative and fun auction item – just the kind we like!

  5. Georgiana Vines, on November 14th, 2015 at 4:09 pm said:

    I was a successful bidder on this item another time at the Follies. We didn’t have the music for entertainment but we certainly did have lots of wonderful food prepared by Sam, Mary Ann and Megan. Thanks for sharing your evening with us.

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on November 14th, 2015 at 4:59 pm said:

    I hope you weren’t bidding against Jim Clayton! It is so sweet of the Venables to offer this great experience.

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