The absolute auction set for today, Thursday, at 1 p.m. at the Mountain Crest Inn doesn't mean another business closing, but is a transition to new owners.

That's what current owner Annette Mason said this week when she announced the reason for the sale is, "It's time to slow down." She is also suffering with some health problems.

Already there have been interested buyers, including Kentucky investors, who would like to buy the former Newport Holiday Inn and keep it open as a premium facility-one that has served travelers and Cocke Countians since 1968.

After the sale, Mason said she and her staff would be on site for at least 30 more days. They will honor bookings such as Christmas parties through that time period.

Mason has owned the hotel since she bought it in 1996. In 1968, when Interstate 40 opened, so did the Newport Holiday Inn, the third in a chain started by Irby Cooper and partners from Memphis.

The same year, Mason joined as a hostess and desk clerk. She and others were featured in a Newport Plain Talk section on the new business. Associate employees also included Joe Young, Patsy Mason Gonzales, Billie Ann Stuart, Evelyn Erby, Harry Eberle, Innkeeper Eddie Reece and his wife.

The initial 100-room facility later included an enclosed pool, and an additional 58 rooms in a separate building constructed about 10 years ago. This facility was sold and is now operated as a Days Inn. It is not part of the auction property.

For the past months, Mason has suffered with an eye disease that will require a cornea transplant. However, after she leaves the motel hospitality business her retirement will include more work. She and others plan to open a commercial/residential cleaning business to be located off Knoxville Hwy. at the Westside of Newport.

"On the one side, I'll be lost after 38 years. It's kind of depressing. On the other, we worked pretty hard and maybe it's time to slow down," she said.

"We've made many friends over the years," she said and was thankful for the patronage of industry and businesses who often used the facilities whether for labor negotiations, training, or hosting out-of-state business people.

Advertised as a 97-unit motel on 2.75 acres near I-40 at 1010 Cosby Highway, the property will be auctioned by Thompson Carr Real Estate & Auctions of Sevierville.