McHenry County Blog

Jo Anne Ollerenshaw before losing her tresses.

Stepping to the front to have her tresses cut on Wednesday was former Crystal Lake Kiwanis Club President Jo Anne Ollerenshaw.

Jo Anne Ollerenshaw after her locks were cut.

The cutting of her long hair was done to promote the upcoming St. Baldrick’s Pediatric Cancer Research Fund Raiser, which the local Kiwanis Club has sponsored for the last three years.

Besides this main event, which this year will be held at McHenry County College’s conference center, Crystal Lake South High School’s Key Club sponsors a similar fund raiser where students and faculty have their heads shaved to benefit the charity.

The Ollerenshaw event was held in conjunction with one of the service club’s two monthly meetings, this time at McHenry County College,.  Ollerenshaw he teaches there.

Plastic was placed under the area where Crystal Lake Clip Joynt Salon’s Allison Vi set up her equipment.

Ollerenshaw discussed the relatives and friends who had fought various forms of cancer, some winning and some losing that battle.

Jo Anne Ollerenshaw and beautician Allison DeCicco of Crystal Lake’s Clip Joynt Solon pose next to a St. Baldrick’s banner after the hair cut.

Details of the March 2013 St. Patick’s Day Friday event at MCC are below:

Folks will have their heads shaved into raise funds to finance pediatric cancer at MCC from 3-6 on Friday, March 15.

One of the several deputies fired by McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren has brain cancer.

Unfortunately, his firing, coming after he was deposed in Zane Seipler’s Federal wrongful termination suit, came when he apparently needed health coverage.

His daughter tells the story below:

Here’s the route of the 5K walk/run:

Click to enlarge.

The event will be held at Vulcan Lakes. If you do not have a Crystal Lake City Sticker, you will be charged $5 to park. Or you can park near the Harris Bank and walk in without paying the toll.

Details follow:

A press release from the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program:

Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program Showcases Outstanding Leaders in Cancer Prevention at Annual Capitol Hill Awards Luncheon

A father and daughter team, lymphoma survivor and mother all honored for their relentless dedication

(Alexandria, Va.)—The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is honoring

• Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA),
• ESPN broadcaster Erin Andrews and her father Steve Andrews and
• Congressional spouse Freda Manzullo

at the 19th annual Action for Cancer Awareness Awards Luncheon.

Each fall, the program recognizes the activities of Congressional spouses, members of Congress, the media and community advocates who have distinguished themselves by their work to educate the public on

• cancer prevention,
• early detection and
• reducing the risks for this disease.

“This unique Capitol Hill event brings together a bipartisan, bicameral group of spouses and members of Congress – along with leaders in the cancer community – for an hour of unity to renew our commitment to fight cancer and recognize the work of those who inspire us through their efforts,” said Lisa McGovern, executive director of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program.

“All four of this year’s honorees have dedicated their talent and energy to educate the public about cancer prevention and promoting early detection.”

Paula Zahn of On the Case with Paula Zahn on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel will serve as the mistress of ceremonies. The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program of the Prevent Cancer Foundation will celebrate the 20-year milestone year as well as the 2011 Award Recipients:

Sitting next to her husband Don, Freda Manzullo waves an American Flag in the 2011 Crystal Lake 4th of July Parade

Freda Manzullo is receiving the Congressional Families Leadership Award. A lymphoma survivor herself, Freda has made it her mission to raise awareness, especially in her home district of Illinois. She is active in the cancer community, participating in events to raise awareness and fundraisers. The wife of Rep. Don Manzullo (R-Ill.), Freda serves as president of the Republican spouses and is beloved by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her grace and generosity of spirit. She is a respected wife, mother and strong supporter and advocate to so many cancer patients.

Erin and Steve Andrews will be receiving the Distinguished Service in Journalism Award, honoring renowned journalists who have made a significant and responsible contribution through their work to educate about the need for cancer prevention and advances in cancer research. Erin Andrews reports for ESPN, and her father is a seven time Emmy award winning journalist from Tampa, Fla. When Steve Andrews was diagnosed with prostate cancer, the two used their talents and visibility to help educate the public through their involvement with “On the Line.” The awareness initiative uses the power of sports entertainment to encourage discussion between men and their family, friends and physicians about prostate cancer risk factors, testing and treatment options.Erin Andrews is one of the first women to speak publicly about the disease, and their campaign is geared towards both men and women. The Andrews hope people will begin to talk as freely about prostate cancer as they now do about breast cancer.

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) is being honored with the Excellence in Cancer Awareness Award for her commitment to cancer prevention and early detection through public service and policy. A former Congressional spouse, she became a member of Congress when her husband, Walter, died in 1996. A former nurse, she serves as co-chair of the Cancer Caucus. In 2000, she lost her daughter Lisa Margarit Capps, after a valiant, year-long fight against lung cancer. Since then, Lois has been a passionate voice on lung cancer prevention in particular, sponsoring and co-sponsoring many bills on health care and cancer, and serving on various health and cancer-related committees and caucuses. She has become a nationally recognized leader on a variety of topics, including Medicare reform, the nursing shortage, cancer, stroke and heart disease and domestic violence.

= = = = =
About the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program

The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing cancer mortality though a bipartisan outreach effort by family members of the U.S. Senate, House, Cabinet and Supreme Court. Formed in 1991 as a partnership between the Congressional Club and the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the program enables Congressional spouses to educate themselves and their constituents about cancer prevention and early detection. The focus is awareness not advocacy.

About The Prevent Cancer Foundation

Founded in 1985, Prevent Cancer Foundation is one of the nation’s leading health organizations that has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided more than $120 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research, education and community outreach programs across the country.

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.

When Vernon Kays retired from being County Clerk, Dad ran for the office against Vernon’s Chief Deputy Rosemary Azzaro. Rosemary won, even winning at least one Crystal Lake Coventry precinct in which she knocked on doors. Dad didn’t do any door-to-door campaigning.

Two years later he was back on the county board.

In the 1980′s, the county board was bold enough to announce potential sites for ten or so county airports. What a way to engender opposition.

Tom Smrt, the owner of Fox Valley Systems in Cary took offense. He raised English Shires sought of Marengo on Route 20 next to the Tollway. He created the McHenry County Chronicle, which was mailed to at least all who voted Republican regularly. Every month. Smrt’s attacks on the county board led to Dad’s allies winning all four seats that were up that year.

In the fall of 1987, his wife Eleanor was killed in a truck-car accident at Route 14 and Dean Street Road. It took over ten years after that for a traffic signal to be installed.

Dad and Mom had been scheduled to go up to Mayo the next April. Dad didn’t go.

The night the summer drought was broken by a severe thunderstorm Dad had a county board meeting.

On Country Club Road almost to Crystal Springs Road, he ran into a tree branch. He hit his chest on the steering wheel. That might not have been so bad, but when he plowed into the big tree branch there was a young man trying to move it from the highway. Dad’s bumper crushed the Good Samaritan’s leg between his bumper and that of the young man.

About a year later he developed lung cancer where his chest was bruised. He had smoked cigarettes, then, a pipe, but had stopped maybe eight years before the cancer showed up.

It would have been caught early had Dad kept the appointment at Mayo, but, after Mother’s death he skipped it.

He ended up being treated at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He and I lived with my sister Jan in a zip code in search of a town between Annapolis and Washington. The zip code was called Severn.

In December, Dr. Stevens would not release him when he had to leave in order to get back to McHenry County to vote for Ann Hughes for county board chairman. He didn’t think her opponent would be independent enough.

He signed himself out.

You see the photo of my wheeling him in for the crucial vote. Somehow he managed to retain his position as vice chairman, even though a deal had been cut to elect another man.

After Dad died in the summer of 1989, I executed his estate.

To do that I had to get his birth certificate.

To my surprise, I found that his middle name of “LeRoy” read “Leroy” on the birth certificate. Apparently he decided to capitalize the “R” at some point in his life. So, I’m not really a “junior” because my birth certificate reads “LeRoy.” I guess being a regular “Leroy” wasn’t fancy enough for him.

= = = = =
Earlier articles in this ten-part series can be found in the links below:

Biography of Calvin L Skinner – Part 1 – Second Son, School Years

Biography of Calvin L. Skinner – Part 2 – College, Marriage, First Jobs

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 3 – First House, Elected President of the Easton, Maryland, Town Council

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 4 – Storm Sewer Grates, Miles River Yacht Club, Slot Machines, Chesapeake Bay Bridge

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 5 – Switching Parties, Moving to Salt Lake City, Middletown and Crystal Lake

Biography of Cal L Skinner – Part 6 – The Early Crystal Lake Days, Dipping Feet Slowly into Political Arena

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 7 – Running for County Auditor, Precinct Committeeman, Calling the Meeting that Led to McHenry County College

Biography of Cal Skinner – Part 8 – The Star Reporter, Daughter Ellen Bored in High School, Prohibited from Attending MCC Classes

Biography of Cal L Skinner – Part 9 – Responsible Republicans’ Slate, County Board Reapportionment

Biography of Cal Skinner, Sr. – Part 10 – Unsuccessful County Clerk Try, County Airport Fight, Wife’s Death

Sorry that this bumper sticker for McHenry’s Church of the Holy Apostles is to blurry.

Sometimes I get good shots.

Sometimes I don’t.

Located at the intersection off Bull Valley Road east of the blacktop from McHenry to Crystal Lake, this church is the one my in-laws attend when they are not in Florida making the rest of the family envious.

Its first priest was visiting McHenry Hospital after my father finally agreed to see a doctor and had been admitted. He had been told his cancer was in remission by his doctor at Georgetown University Hospital and to check back in three months.

It was less than three months before cancer had returned to his lungs and advanced to his brain.

Lesson: if you doctor says check back in three months, go back in two.

Sorry that this bumper sticker for McHenry’s Church of the Holy Apostles is to blurry.

Sometimes I get good shots.

Sometimes I don’t.

Located at the intersection off Bull Valley Road east of the blacktop from McHenry to Crystal Lake, this church is the one my in-laws attend when they are not in Florida making the rest of the family envious.

Its first priest was visiting McHenry Hospital after my father finally agreed to see a doctor and had been admitted. He had been told his cancer was in remission by his doctor at Georgetown University Hospital and to check back in three months.

It was less than three months before cancer had returned to his lungs and advanced to his brain.

Lesson: if you doctor says check back in three months, go back in two.

In this final of five installments, Democratic Party coroner candidate and cancer survivor Dave Bachmann tells about how he will emphasize cancer awareness education in his campaign.

However as life goes, at times, we get caught up in the day to day things..especially in Politics.

Without making any political statements because I have never personally met Mr. Louis Bianchi, but I need to say this, please.

I watched Mr. Bianchi keep his class and dignity about himself while under political fire these past months.

I was so touched by this “reminder” of how I need to keep perspective in my own race, I sent him a note of thanks for being that “feather” in my life at the right time. We are usually touched by “feathers” as reminders to take a good look at ourselves, BEFORE, the “Hammer” hits us!

I was somehow “touched” to dedicate my campaign and share my very personal story, which I have never revealed in such depth in public.

I now know why I am still alive.

In just one short week of adding my Breast and Cervical Cancer awareness campaign to my blog, I am again, finding a Miracle of love and hope from people I have never met before, nationwide!

What a blessing this journey has been for me and continues to be. I hope I’m flooded with letters from all over the world that I can share, and hold close to my heart.

I lost my mother to breast cancer October 16, 2006.

My sister Paula Muntzenberger just had a double mastectomy, my cousin from McHenry, Mary Beth Ong, fought her fight with Breast Cancer in the past couple of years, she is in her 40′s and is doing well.

I just found out this last week, that my cousin’s wife from Wheaten, just had a mastectomy from breast cancer at age 39.

My greatest hope is that everybody reading my story, becomes a “hypochondriac” for a day, and gets tested. It just might be the day you can say saved your life!

God Bless and thank you for sharing your stories with me.

Please visit my blog page for important links and information.

David J. Bachmann
www.bachreview.blogspot.com

I am attaching Courtney Lercara’s web site Pink Wings for all to see.

Previous stories can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 4 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Dave Bachmann, Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner, is in the process of telling his experience with cancer and how that led him to emphasize cancer awareness in his campaign for public office.

Bachmann has just ended up back in the hospital after his Houston pancreatic cancer operation with a serious infection.

My fever spiked to 105 one night, and as I lay alone in my hospital room, I shouted out loud..

“GOD, I GET IT! Please stop this NOW”

…. Within one hour, my fever lifted completely, and I was on my way to beginning my recovery.

Rather than go on and on, I think you get the idea of where I am going with this.

This experience taught me about life…. real life.

What is REALLY important, and what REALLY is not..

It taught me about “PERSPECTIVE!”

In this light, I felt my life was spared for a higher purpose.

However until October of this last year, I was not quite sure what that was. I supposed God would let me know when the time was right.

On October 10th,2007 or so, I found out what that purpose would be.

I’m not a politician. I am a death care provider and caregiver, by nature and training over 30 years.

This opportunity I have before me to put a face on cancer and tell my story of hope, faith and strength when fear had its chance to destroy me, is what I was called to do.

A purpose larger than my own story of survival, but to show all those who have suffered the exact same life experience, that they are never alone, and that if you are willing to fight and never give up, YOU CAN LIVE TO SEE A PURPOSE LARGER THAN YOU EVER DREAMED OF.

It is my hope, that if you are just now finding out about your own “journey,” that my story can inspire you and bring you the strength you will need.

It’s there, just dig deep! I promise, you have it within.

It’s God given.

I have to add that although I have lived through everything that I have described, at times, I still need that “reminder” of “Perspective”.

I have also survived 6 major spinal surgeries, 4 bi-lateral shoulder reconstructions, a total of 17 operations if that weren’t enough reminders?

I will report that, at this moment in time, I can go to any gym and work out with the best of them… well, maybe not all the guys, but for my age group, I’m in better shape than I deserve. I am lucky in that I am totally rebuilt, so I should have about 100 more good years ahead!

Part 5 appears tomorrow.

Previous articles can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

In this final of five installments, Democratic Party coroner candidate and cancer survivor Dave Bachmann tells about how he will emphasize cancer awareness education in his campaign.

However as life goes, at times, we get caught up in the day to day things..especially in Politics.

Without making any political statements because I have never personally met Mr. Louis Bianchi, but I need to say this, please.

I watched Mr. Bianchi keep his class and dignity about himself while under political fire these past months.

I was so touched by this “reminder” of how I need to keep perspective in my own race, I sent him a note of thanks for being that “feather” in my life at the right time. We are usually touched by “feathers” as reminders to take a good look at ourselves, BEFORE, the “Hammer” hits us!

I was somehow “touched” to dedicate my campaign and share my very personal story, which I have never revealed in such depth in public.

I now know why I am still alive.

In just one short week of adding my Breast and Cervical Cancer awareness campaign to my blog, I am again, finding a Miracle of love and hope from people I have never met before, nationwide!

What a blessing this journey has been for me and continues to be. I hope I’m flooded with letters from all over the world that I can share, and hold close to my heart.

I lost my mother to breast cancer October 16, 2006.

My sister Paula Muntzenberger just had a double mastectomy, my cousin from McHenry, Mary Beth Ong, fought her fight with Breast Cancer in the past couple of years, she is in her 40′s and is doing well.

I just found out this last week, that my cousin’s wife from Wheaten, just had a mastectomy from breast cancer at age 39.

My greatest hope is that everybody reading my story, becomes a “hypochondriac” for a day, and gets tested. It just might be the day you can say saved your life!

God Bless and thank you for sharing your stories with me.

Please visit my blog page for important links and information.

David J. Bachmann
www.bachreview.blogspot.com

I am attaching Courtney Lercara’s web site Pink Wings for all to see.

Previous stories can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 4 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Dave Bachmann, Democratic Party candidate for McHenry County Coroner, is in the process of telling his experience with cancer and how that led him to emphasize cancer awareness in his campaign for public office.

Bachmann has just ended up back in the hospital after his Houston pancreatic cancer operation with a serious infection.

My fever spiked to 105 one night, and as I lay alone in my hospital room, I shouted out loud..

“GOD, I GET IT! Please stop this NOW”

…. Within one hour, my fever lifted completely, and I was on my way to beginning my recovery.

Rather than go on and on, I think you get the idea of where I am going with this.

This experience taught me about life…. real life.

What is REALLY important, and what REALLY is not..

It taught me about “PERSPECTIVE!”

In this light, I felt my life was spared for a higher purpose.

However until October of this last year, I was not quite sure what that was. I supposed God would let me know when the time was right.

On October 10th,2007 or so, I found out what that purpose would be.

I’m not a politician. I am a death care provider and caregiver, by nature and training over 30 years.

This opportunity I have before me to put a face on cancer and tell my story of hope, faith and strength when fear had its chance to destroy me, is what I was called to do.

A purpose larger than my own story of survival, but to show all those who have suffered the exact same life experience, that they are never alone, and that if you are willing to fight and never give up, YOU CAN LIVE TO SEE A PURPOSE LARGER THAN YOU EVER DREAMED OF.

It is my hope, that if you are just now finding out about your own “journey,” that my story can inspire you and bring you the strength you will need.

It’s there, just dig deep! I promise, you have it within.

It’s God given.

I have to add that although I have lived through everything that I have described, at times, I still need that “reminder” of “Perspective”.

I have also survived 6 major spinal surgeries, 4 bi-lateral shoulder reconstructions, a total of 17 operations if that weren’t enough reminders?

I will report that, at this moment in time, I can go to any gym and work out with the best of them… well, maybe not all the guys, but for my age group, I’m in better shape than I deserve. I am lucky in that I am totally rebuilt, so I should have about 100 more good years ahead!

Part 5 appears tomorrow.

Previous articles can be found below:

Part 1 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 2 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness

Part 3 – Democrat Coroner Candidate and Cancer Survivor Dave Bachmann Bases Campaign on Cancer Awareness