‘Texas Glitz’ Auction and Gala a big, shiny success

by Brian Allen of TODAY Newspapers

The “Texas Glitz” Auction and Gala at Skyline Ranch raised about $35,000, as patrons bid on items ranging from a suite at a Dallas Cowboys game to a picture of Mayor Joe Tillotson.

It wasn't any ordinary photo, however. This item, not listed in the program, was from the personal collection of auctioneer Rocky Strickland.

“He had a heart attack a couple of weeks ago, and he thought he'd get out of this,” Chamber President Joe Johnson said. That wasn't the case. Of course, Strickland was quick to point out that after surgery and six stents he was glad to be here or anywhere.

So glad, in fact, that he decided to give Tillotson a chance to bid on this item.

The picture was a blue, cardboard likeness of the Lancaster mayor that read: “Would you buy a used car from this man?” The item also drew the interest of DeSoto Mayor Michael Hurtt and a bidding war ensued.

Tillotson and the Lancaster City Council table came away with it, and Strickland noted that after years of keeping the picture he didn't have it anymore.

“Thank God,” Tillotson said.

Other items included an amethyst and 14K gold ring, a gift certificate for four to Grapevine Golf Course and the big ticket item: two American Airline tickets and a $500 gift certificate for a hotel package.

There were numerous local celebrities present including Leslie Jutzi of the Allen Group, new City Manager Rickey Childers and DeSoto mayoral candidate Bobby Waddle.

Johnson said he had inadvertently introduced Waddle to some friends as a candidate for mayor of Lancaster, but cleared the matter up for a large audience at this event.