Straight from The Horse’s Mouth

Laura St. John Recently I came across a couple of very odd words. One, I thought I was familiar with, but there are multiple definitions for the word 'avatar'. It originates from Sanskrit, has up to three definitions including foreign cultural meanings, and even one definition found only in "computing" dictionaries. The second word to rock my world last week is 'shiparobe'.

Gary Hocutt (aka Woodshop Gary) donated a small, strangely fashioned block of 2x4 to THM's One Year Anniversary Party & White Elephant Gift Exchange last Tuesday. On it was written in blue ball point pen "This is a shiparobe avatar. It is being born and will arrive by the end of the party." I was utterly confused and unhinged as I felt unprepared for the massive turnout to our celebration. It was organized chaos! Standing in front of about 75 people, looking at this piece of wood, I had absolutely no idea what a shiparobe was, and I thought an avatar was a cartoon image of a person on the internet, or a mythological Hindu incarnation of a god. What in the world is THAT doing in Buffalo coming from Woodshop Gary? I just wanted to pass out.

Proud parents Bobby and Katie Hobbs would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Maddie Louise Hobbs born August 24, 2009 weighing 6lbs and 14ozs, 20 inches long. Grandparents are Wesley and Rose Henson, and Great Grandparents are James and Peggy Henson. The recipient of this gift may not have been as perplexed as I was and several people tried to tell me what a shiparobe was. But I was more worried about the more curious word avatar. The white elephant gift, or 'avatar' as he described it, was 'stolen' several times, finally landing in Shelby Stanton's hands.

Hours later, after the cake was eaten and most folks went home, I was told that it was not a shiparobe, but a chifferobe. Guess what - that didn't help either. I have never heard the word, never seen one, and had no concept of it's value, both monetarily and emotionally. Wednesday I googled it, yet it still took a few days to comprehend what Gary had done.

Shelby Stanton won the chifferobe armoire donated to THM’s party by “Woodshop Gary” Hocutt. Laura St John photo I was told that he is a cabinet maker. Apparently he also makes exquisite armoires, too. He had crafted it for us by hand, and on Friday brought it to THM for a photo-op and pick up. Garys’ vocabularily flummoxed me, the armoire humbled me, and the whole experience gave me a deeper appreciation for his generosity and talent.

The largesse of over 20 local businesses also amazed me. Even though they are repeatedly asked to donate to worthy causes, their generosity to THM's 1st birthday provided 47 gifts and gift certifi cates. We are very thankful and so very pleased to be a part of such a philanthropic community.

Retired engineer Dave Cooper (above) and Tammy Sklar tied in the Closestto the-Bean contest, guessing within ONE of the correct total: 3782. Gary knew what he meant when he wrote 'shiparobe avatar' on that chunk of pine. It was a simple misspelling and a very creative description of his gift. My confusion, now passed, has made the whole experience a memorable one.

Many thanks to the following businesses: Buffalo Animal Hospital, Shear Class, Stagecoach Deli, Patty's Petals, NAPA, Photolicious, Ginger Pervis, LMT, Tammy Sklar, Davis County Store, Buffalo Sporting Goods, Simply Sassy, Buffalo Gal, Sherry Matney, A Cake Too Remember, The Buffalo Press, ABC Printing, Creative Cuts, Heart & Home, Kayla's Kroppin' Korner, Shining Star Vineyard, Child Of God Creations, 4 Jacks, The Buffalo Express, and not least of all Mr. Gary Hocutt!
Annie Light (A Cake Too Remember) contributed the AMAZING cake that was almost too cool to cut! Van’Go’photos
Eager young guests wait for Laura St. John to announce a drawing winner.