Cake Classic 2021 Auction brings in highest tally for Logan County 4-H programs

[August 11, 2021]  As the 84th Logan County Fair neared its splendid weeklong end on Sunday afternoon, a 55-year tradition was observed.

Earlier in the afternoon, seven cake competitors baked 14 cakes, one to be judged before a live audience and one for auctioning.

Judging the cakes was retired Lincoln Land Community College Culinary instructor Terri Branham.

These cakes were then auctioned off to the highest bidders to raise money for 4-H. The cakes bring in some high bids of $1,000 and upward.

At this year’s auction, the seven cakes auctioned by Mike Maske raised a record breaking $7,200.

This entire amount will go directly to the Logan County 4-H to support programs throughout the year.

Before the auction began, Cake Classic Superintendent Rebekah Johnson thanked McEntire’s Appliance for providing the ovens used to bake the cakes, Peggy’s Place for the boxes and Darlene Begolka for the Tupperware.

After the results of the Cake Classic judging were announced, each winner brought his or her cake up to be auctioned by Maske.

During the bidding, Maske asked each baker to describe the cake they worked so hard on and hold it up to show the audience.

Jim and Darci Cullers were the top bidders for the first-place cake, with a bid of $1,800 continuing their longstanding tradition of buying cakes at the auction.

As part of another longstanding tradition, a plaque was presented to the first-place winner in honor of Annie Lori McLaughlin.

Top four cakes

First place: Dana Oltmanns – white butter cake with frosting.

Oltmanns said, “I volunteered to make it because no one else had entered it. It has been a lot of years since I made this cake, so I am shocked.”
 

The top bidder at $1800 was Jim and Darci Culler.

Second place: Karen Sandel – German Chocolate Cake.

Sandel said, “It was my mom’s favorite cake.”

The top bidder at $1,050 was Jim Xamis. It was then put back up for bidding to make more money. Stacy Goodman, on behalf of Harold Goodman Incorporated, then won the bidding at $1,000.

Third place: Joyce Conrady – Angel Food Cake.

Conrady said, “It’s a really fun cake to make. Keeps you guessing.”

The top bidder at $1,000 was Nancy Schaub on behalf of R.W. Garrett Insurance Agency.

Fourth place: Hannah Crider – Red Velvet cake.

Crider said, “It was only my second time making it and the first time was earlier this week.”

The top bidder at $900 was Marvin Bartman.

Other Classic cakes auctioned:

Mary Johnson – Chocolate Cake.
Johnson said, “I will keep working to make it better.”

The top bidder at $500 was Larry Stanfield.

Daniel Crider – Gingerbread Cake.

Crider said, “This is a Gingerbread Cake with Maple buttercream icing. It tastes better than it looks.”

The top bidder at $550 was ‘Action Jackson’ Johnson on behalf of Action Jackson Lawn Care.

Jeanne Runyon – Chiffon Cake

Runyon said, “It is a Maple Chiffon Cake.” Runyon has been part of the cake classic for 36 years.

The top bidder at $550 was Kevin Ritchhart on behalf of Ritchhart’s Petting Zoo and Brad Luckhart on behalf of Nuthatch Hill BBQ.

Once each cake was auctioned, the baker posed for a photo with the buyer plus Fair Queen Caroline Ahrends, Junior Miss Jaelyn Anderson and Little Miss Sofia Farmer.

For many years, Mike Maske has been donating his service to the auction and always encourages bidders to go higher. As the record-breaking total of $7,200 shows, the winning bidders love to support a wonderful program while at the same time enjoying delicious cakes.

[Angela Reiners]