Appreciation party for emergency, medical personnel at Cotton Eyed Joe
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These were just early arrivers among scores of Knox area First Responders and Essential Employees on hand to enjoy an Appreciation Party at Cotton Eyed Joe Friday night, July 31. - Alan Sloan
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Making sure there’s plenty of social distancing inside Cotton Eyed Joe is Vanesia Cohan, an RN who has been “front line in taking care of COVID-19 patients.” She was among the scores of First Responders and Essential Workers honored Friday night. Bubba Jones, a server and dance instructor for more than 20 years at Cotton Eyed Joe, joined Cohan in the demonstration. - Alan Sloan
UPDATED STORY:
Respecting the “front lines” of risk First Responders and Essential Workers are going through with the summer spike in COVID-19 cases countywide, Cotton Eyed Joe responded with a First Responders and Essential Workers Appreciation Party Friday evening, July 31.
Listening to one of those honorees on hand, Vanesia Cohan, RN — who is “front line in taking care of COVID-19 patients” — this recognition has been limited during the past two months.
After having “a lot of pizza coming our way … there was a lot of attention” from an appreciative community “in the beginning” — mid-March through May — “that’s kind of all died down since the first of June,” she said.
“We’re greatly appreciative of Chuck (Ward, owner) to honor us in this way,” Cohan added. “We’re still out there doing this every day. And cases are rising in our area.”
“My daughter is a nurse, and that’s motivation enough,” Ward said about working in cooperation with a radio station to present the party. “We invited people from Knox County, Blount County, Sevier County, Loudon County. … I’ve got really good friends that work at Rural Metro and really good friends that work at Knoxville Fire Department.
“These people risk their life day in and day out, so we felt like there was a need to do it,” he added. “… We have two (from Knox County Sheriff’s Office) that work here every weekend, they work our security Saturday and Sunday nights.”
In addition to dancing and enjoying the entertaining, “We’ll feed them, buy them something to drink, pay their way in and give away some really cool prizes,” Ward said.
Formerly a stage manager at Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Ward said he developed an extra appreciation for Knoxville Police Department. “They were our security at the Coliseum,” he said.
Original story:
It was one last hurrah at Cotton Eyed Joe in Farragut, before the doors had stay shut for a little while, as first responders and essential employees were honored.
First Responders and Essential Workers Appreciation Party was held at this well-known Town establishment Friday evening, July 31.
Listening to one of those honorees on hand, Vanesia Cohan, RN — who is “front line in taking care of COVID-19 patients” — such recognition has been limited during the past two months.
After having “a lot of pizza coming our way … there was a lot of attention” from an appreciative community “in the beginning” — mid-March through May — “That’s kind of all died down since the first of June,” she said.
“We’re greatly appreciative of (owner) Chuck (Ward) to honor us in this way,” Cohan added. “We’re still out there doing this every day. And cases are rising in our area.”
Ward’s motivation
“My daughter is a nurse, and that’s motivation enough,” Ward said about working in cooperation with a radio station to present the party. “We invited people from Knox County, Blount County, Sevier County, Loudon County. … I’ve got really good friends that work at Rural Metro and really good friends that work at Knoxville Fire Department.”
“These people risk their lives day in and day out, so we felt like there was a need to do it,” he added. “… We have two (from Knox County Sheriff’s Office) that work here every weekend. They work our security Saturday and Sunday nights.”
In addition to dancing and enjoying the entertaining, “We’ll feed them, buy them something to drink, pay their way in and give away some really cool prizes,” Ward said.
While a stage manager at Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Ward said he developed an extra appreciation for Knoxville Police Department. “They were our security at the Coliseum,” he said.
Another forced close
Cotton Eyed Joe and all other “bars” in Knox County, per the order last week from Knox County Board of Health, once again had to close its doors — effective Monday, Aug. 3, until at least Thursday, Aug. 20 — due to COVID-19 concerns prohibiting any on-premises food/drink sales.
“We were shut down for 10 weeks, and it was very detrimental to our income,” Ward said. “We lost several hundred thousand dollars in revenue.
“Not only did we lose it, the city of Farragut lost it,” he added about the Town losing a percentage of sales tax revenue. “Knox County lost it, the state of Tennessee lost it.”
Moreover, “We can have as many as 35, 40 employees at a given time, so they take the hit,” Ward said.
“I would be able to swallow it a little bit better if it were a few more people — but it’s just the bars, it’s not restaurants, it’s not gyms … it’s not hair places like it was before,” he added.
“And that’s a little tough.”
