Garden center’s heartthrob of a sasquatch finds new home among the hubcaps

Perhaps it was the menacing stare or flowing faux mane, but there was something about this sasquatch that MaryBeth Taggart fancied.

And frankly, so did a lot of other people who saw him at Grandma's Gardens, 8107 Ohio 48 in Waynesville.

Taggart, the advertising manager for the center, seriously got the feels when the statue affectionately named Woody was sold to John Highley of Dent Magic in Centerville.   

“I felt sad. Honestly, I was starting to get attached to him,” Taggart said. “He is a handsome guy if you like Bigfoot.”

Although he was hollow, it took a team of guys to load Woody, Grandma’s Gardens’ honorary “horticulturalist,” into Highley’s truck for the next chapter of his journey as a 200-pound, plastic mold simian-like creature.

.Woody, (renamed “Hank Williams Jr. Sasquatch” because Highley’s dad was a big Hank Williams Jr. ) is now on display at Dent Magic among vintage hubcaps, tools and Highley’s prized Corvette.

“I wanted him to be a conversation piece for people coming into my business and I was able to talk my wife into it as an early Father Day’s gift,” Highley said. “I want people to take photos with him.”

Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

Taggart said her boss, Doug Rhinehart, "has a penchant for funny and unique pieces" and designs great displays. He found the sasquatch statue at a trade show over the winter.

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Woody was introduced into Grandma’s Gardens in March, and visitors and staffers immediately took to him.

“They expect funny and unusual things from us,” Taggart said.

Woody, as it turned out, is very photogenic.

Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

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Taggart had hoped to use Woody in a "find Woody, get a discount," sort of promotion up until the day he was sold.

The sasquatch was right up the garden center’s alley.

Taggart said customers are also rather fond of a mannequin named Eula, who has been used as part of all sorts of high jinx. At one point, she has worn a bikini. Another time, she was placed on a scooter.

“We are weird that way,” Taggart said. “We like to do different displays.”

As for Woody, Taggart said the garden center likely will get a replacement now that he is in his new home.

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Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

Credit: Contributed by Grandma's Gardens

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