Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Smithson roast a success

Most people know him as Bobby Smithson. Others know him as Hoot.

More than 120 friends and family members of GHS Superintendent Bobby Smithson bought a ticket to see him roasted and toasted Friday night, May 30, at the Gurdon High School Cafetorium.

Anita Cabe, event coordinator and emcee, jokingly announced to the audience that the event  after five months in the planning  was canceled since Smithson had changed his mind about his retirement to oversee the completion of Cabe Auditorium. As a few guests of honor began to walk out, Cabe added, If hes going to change his mind, I guess we can change ours.

After the invocation and dinner, Cabe began the roast and toast by thanking event sponsors and people who helped put the event together.

Twelve friends, family and co-workers roasted and toasted Smithson. Of those 12 were Johhny Duke Toombs, Rita Roe, David Williams, Winnie Clark, William Norman, Jim Buie, Allen Nance, Terri King, Austin King, Bob Honky Thomas, Shirley Dildy and Ann Clingan.

After the roasting, School Board President David Williams announced that the high school baseball field will be named after Smithson.

He was very specific in announcing his retirement, Williams said. He said he didnt want any building named after him, but since Bobby has been such a legacy to the Gurdon School District, well have to name something after him.

Smithson gave the closing remarks and thanked the audience for attending.

Ive never been treated as well as that first year at Gurdon, he said. Ive been very blessed to work at a place where I enjoy going to work. I still enjoy going to work every morning.

He noted that he himself had not done anything by himself; but rather the School Board and the community had done made the work possible.

We have done a lot of things  not I, he said.

More than $1,000 in proceeds from the event were raised to help fund Cabe Auditorium.

I was very pleased, Cabe said. It was an extra good turnout.