In the early morning hours of Sunday,
October 16, 2005, the Chi-Hi Marching Cardinals were returning
from a marching band competition in Whitewater (near Madison)
home to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. They were proudly carrying home their
third-place trophy in AAAA state competition, after their best-ever
performance.
Tragedy struck at about 2:00 a.m., as the lead bus in the four-unit convoy
hit an overturned semi-trailer truck on I-94 near Osseo.
Thirty-nine passengers were injured, and five were killed,
including their beloved band director, Doug Greenhalgh.
I will maintain this web page to give information to anyone who
seeks it. If you have advice on what I should put on here, let
me know.
- Tom Arneberg,
tom@arneberg.com
(father of Ben, 10th-grade trumpet player)
October 16, 2005
(See photos from the
visitation and
funeral for Doug Greenhalgh and family.)
(If you can't subscribe with the above method, try simply
sending a blank email to
"CFMA-News-subscribe@yahoogroups.com".)
Obituaries:
Online guest books where you can leave (and read) comments:
Selected writings (columns and essays)
How can you help?
Other links:
Updates:
- Sun, 10/16/05, 12:15pm --
CFMA president Teresa McDowell
is currently evaluating what steps CFMA can take to help out.
If you have ideas, email her at
"up_north@iglide.net".
- Sun, 10/16/05, 12:45pm -- Chi-Hi is open today from 1-5pm for
grief counseling. ANYONE is welcome to come to the school to
talk about this.
- Sun, 10/16/05, 1:00pm -- There is a prayer service scheduled
for 7:00 p.m. tonight at Chi-Hi.
- Sun, 10/16/05, 2:50pm -- There is one young person in critical
condition at
Gillette
Children's Hospital in St. Paul, and another person
at the adjacent Regions Hospital. (I got this news from a
lifelong friend of mine who's in charge of PR at Gillette;
he can't release names yet.)
- Sun, 10/16/05, 4:00pm -- According to news reports:
the bus driver, Paul Rasmus (78) of Chippewa Falls, died in
the crash. Other fatalities include two men (24 and 48),
a woman (51), and a girl (11).
- Sun, 10/16/05, 7:45pm -- Superintendent Mike Schoch confirmed
after the prayer meeting that those killed included student teacher
Brandon Atherton, and beloved director
Doug Greenhalgh ("G"),
along with his wife and granddaughter. Schoch also said there are
still six people in the hospital with serious injuries.
- Sun, 10/16/05, 8:00pm -- Kim LeDuc says that all band
parents are invited to attend first-hour band tomorrow morning
with their kids.
- Sun, 10/16/05, 9:25pm -- Jessi McIlquham is in stable but
critical condition in Marshfield. Her uncle Steve reports that
she broke her leg, has a hip injury, and sustained facial injuries.
Scans are okay so far; surgery this afternoon went well. She'll
need more surgery once the swelling goes down. Steve is asking
for your fervent prayers for Jessi.
- Sun, 10/16/05, 11:05pm -- WCCO-TV (Minneapolis) reports
that there are still seven people in critical condition, including
four students.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 6:15am -- At a press conference,
Schoch said that six people remain in the hospital in critical but
stable condition. They have all had surgery and are all improving.
They include one 6th-grade girl from Chippewa Falls,
one high school student,
three chaperones, and one teacher, Brian Collicott. Brian is the band
director for grades 9-10. He had surgery on his ankle, and suffers
a broken arm, broken leg, spinal injuries, and multiple fractures.
More surgery is scheduled; he'll be in the hospital for "quite some
time."
- Mon, 10/17/05, 9:15am -- Chi-Hi Principal Jim Sauter
updated the band students and parents
during first-hour band with the condition of several
people still in the hospital. However, I don't want to put that
information on this website until I get approval from the parents.
Mr. Collicott is at the Mayo Clinic, but is heavily sedated and
can't take visitors for at least a few days.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 9:20am -- Dr. Sauter said that the
visitation
is scheduled for Wednesday, 5:00-8:00pm in the school gym. At
7:40 there will be a special musical tribute to G. Funeral is
scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 10:38am -- Amy Bowen's dad
reports that
"Amy is in intensive care following surgery to repair a broken
right femur and ankle. She may also have knee damage; too soon
to tell. She had a severe head laceration. She came out of
surgery pretty well, she's tired and in pain but she doesn't
seem to have any lasting effects from the head injury. She's
going to be okay but she's going to be laid up for a while,
something difficult for a college senior. Thank you everyone
for your thoughts and prayers." -- Steve Bowen
(sbowen@sgi.com)
- Mon, 10/17/05, 3:30pm -- Cassie Gast is the 6th-grade
girl who is in Gillette Children's Hospital. She will probably be
there for 3-4 weeks because her pelvis is broken in two places. She
might be able to have visitors in a week. In the meantime, check out her
journal and
guestbook.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 4:26pm -- Good news -- Jessi McIlquham
is able to respond by writing notes -- and the notes had some humor
in them! I just created a
guestbook for Jessi -- feel free to view and sign.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 5:45pm --
(From John Tulman,
tulmanje@charter.net) --
"The visitation for Paul Rasmus
will be tomorrow from 4:00
- 8:00 at Horan's; the funeral is Wednesday at 12:30 at Notre Dame.
Paul was tremendously good for our kids over so many years and
I hope that in our grief for Doug and his family and Brandon,
we don't lose sight of Paul."
"Paul did what he had to in order to try and save the bus. His
actions probably saved many lives and most assuredly made his own
death a certainty. For those who questioned his abilities because
of his age, he did exactly what he is supposed to in an emergency -
he locked the gears instead of slamming the brakes (according to
the National Safety Transportation Board on going review). That is
why the bus 2 driver didn't see any brake lights from Paul's bus."
- Mon, 10/17/05, 5:50pm --
Richard Estrem Fuller
(nrfuller2005@sbcglobal.net)
wants people to know that they are most welcome at the funeral
service for Greenhalghs (10:30 a.m. Thursday). They will have large
screen projectors in the new dining hall,
and a large screen projector in the old basement dining room.
They will have loudspeaker on the back green grass area, and if it
rains they will have a live feed to the First Prebyterian church across the
street. Richard estimates that they could handle 400-500 people or
more...plus with the feed up to the high school.
- Mon, 10/17/05, 6:27pm --
Does anyone have photos from the state competition? People would like
to give photos for the bus driver's family and for the funerals and
vigil services. If you have any, please contact Esther Pedigo
(ped@charter.net). (I could also
put some on the CFMA web page.)
- Mon, 10/17/05, 9:50pm --
Dawn Mansur talked to Molly Nordin, who visted Brian C. today. Molly
reports that C saw a spine specialist and they took off the collar
(neck brace). She sounded optimistic that he may be home in couple of
weeks and back in school in a month. Sounded like spinal injury is
less than we feared.
- Tues, 10/18/05, 7:52am --
A former Chippewa Falls family now living in Rochester is willing
to host families visiting Mayo Clinic if needed. They have extra
bedrooms and bathrooms. Contact Ken Wilcox
(WilcoxK@hearthnhome.com).
- Tues, 10/18/05, 8:34am -- Orchestra director Molly Nordin
brings GREAT NEWS about "C": "Tom, Just to let you know that Brian
does NOT have spinal injuries. He has 3 broken vertebrae in his back,
but they are hoping they will heal on their own. He is finally able
to sit up a little."
- Tues, 10/18/05, 12:30pm -- There's a great
article in the Leader-Telegram with injury updates. Highlights
include Jessi McIlquham -- she's drawing funny cartoons despite
her eyes still being swollen shut. Her left leg was smashed, but
"she's got her whole personality." Her mom has to tell her today
about G dying in the crash. Jessie will have more surgery today,
but there doesn't appear to be any internal injuries or brain damage.
Cassie Gast should have her ventilator tube removed today. She
has broken leg bones, cracked ribs, and her pelvic bones is broken in
three spots. Also lacerations on her liver, kidney and spleen, but
doctors said those should heal.
Brian Collicott has been upgraded to fair condition at
Rochester Mayo.
Jessica Rozga is still in serious condition at St. Joseph's
in Marshfield. No details were avialable about Ruth Weiland's
condition.
- Tues, 10/18/05, 12:40pm -- Jessica Rozga's
father reports in:
"Jessica is currently in surgery to repair a broken right hand and a
fractured pelvis. She also has a fracture of the shoulder blade,
broken ribs, a collasped lung, fractured vertibra, a cut on her
liver, some facial custs and a broken nose. She has a tube down
her throat because of the lung, so she is unable to talk. She has
been communication with us using her hands and eyes. She has no
other facial injuries other than the nose.
She did receive the balloons from the group...thank you very much."
-- Tom & Bunny Rozga (dad & mom).
(Rozga.Thomas@basco.com)
- Tues, 10/18/05, 2:39pm -- Andrew Sazama's
mom wrote in: "Andrew was also riding
on the first bus in the 3rd row behind the driver. Andrew was air-lifted
to Gundersen Lutheran in LaCrosse. Miraculously, he only has a
broken fibula in his right leg and broken bones in his left hand.
No surgery was needed for any of his injuries. We were able to
bring him home Sunday night. He is recuperating at our home.
We are most grateful for the prayers and support of everyone and
for the fact that he is in such a stable condition."
-- Mary Sazama
(SazamaMM@chipfalls.k12.wi.us)
- Tues, 10/18/05, 3:34pm -- People are asking for a
snail-mail address for the hospital where C is staying. I got a
tip and just called to verify:
Brian Collicott
c/o St. Mary's Hospital
1216 2nd Street SW
Rochester, MN 55902
(507)255-5123
(He also has on
online guestbook.)
- Tues, 10/18/05, 3:46pm -- I have gotten inquiries
from both the Chippewa Herald and the Leader-Telegram asking for
names of students they can interview. There's no way I will give
out any names of kids I know. But if a student (with parental
permission)
wants to be interviewed, let me know and I'll pass on contact info
for the reporters. - Tom A. (tom@arneberg.com)
- Tues, 10/18/05, 4:58pm -- According to Molly Nordin,
Brian C. thanks everyone for
the cards/ balloons and other gifts. He is going in
for surgery on his leg first thing tomorrow
- Tues, 10/18/05, 7:07pm -- Michelle Stephenson reports
that they were able to see
Brian Collicott today.
"It was a wonderful blessing
to be able to see him. His room has notes from the students all
over the walls. We brought him the poster signed by the orchestra
students. I would not say he was chipper, but a little sad. He was
holding up well--I would say he is very strong. He is still in pain
from the injuries and he said he was undergoing another operation
tomorrow to help repair his broken femur. He says he has broken
bones and fractures all over. He seemed concerned for everyone
else though. Worried about Molly and asked about how she was
doing. He is concerned for the students and how they are coping.
He is trying to focus on getting better as quickly as possible.
Wanted us to make sure everyone knows he is thinking of them and
that he says "Hi".
- Tues, 10/18/05, 9:52pm -- Her dad reports that
Amy Bowen is out of intensive care and is making steady
progress. She is in good spirits but she tires quickly whenever
she has to get up and move about. She may be released from the
hospital in the next day or so, depending upon her mobility
and strength.
- Tues, 10/18/05, 10:12pm -- Maureen Steltz is wondering
if there are plans to have pictures at the visitation. Does anyone
know? She has a lot to offer, as do I. If nobody else is doing
anything, we could burn a few hundred marching band photos onto a
couple CDs and project them somewhere. (I've heard that there
are plenty of digital projectors at Chi-Hi that could be used.)
- Tues, 10/18/05, 10:56pm -- Adam Jeffers replied
regarding streaming video to the Internet for the funeral. He's
taking care of the audio/visual arrangements for the funeral
Thursday. The District will be streaming the video to Chi-Hi and
other areas of the church, but they do not want to make it public.
It's possible that the family will give permission to the district to
videotape it...if they do so, then we'll see if they'll give
permission to make copies or put it on the web.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 8:19am -- I just got this from Paul
Gilbertson, choir director at North High School in Eau Claire:
"Six NHS band students and Mrs. Quandt will join with band
students and directors from all over the state of Wisconsin
to stand outside the funeral site Thursday morning beginning
at 10 a.m. in support of the people who were affected by this
tragedy. Band members will be in full uniform with instruments
and will stand in respect and support both before and after
the service."
- Wed, 10/19/05, 9:07am --
Pleasant View Bed & Breakfast on Lake Wissota saw the
generous offer from
Ken Wilcox in Rochester, and would like to offer free rooms for
family or friends of Greenhalghs coming to Chippewa Falls for the
funeral. Contact
innkeeper@pleasantviewbb.com or 715-382-4401.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 10:14am --
Jessi McIlquham is in for surgery today 9-11 am.
She asked about Brady. The director of the Marshfield band has
been in the hospital every day to lend support.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 10:38am --
Update on Jessica Rozga --
"Yesterday she had 7 hours of surgery to repair a broken right hand
and a fractured pelvis. She is still in critical condition and a
breathing tube remains in her mouth. Hopefully, the tube can be
removed today or tomorrow and then she can speak.
Now she just needs time to heal.
- Tom Rozga (Dad)
(Note: I just created an
online guestbook for her. - Tom A.)
- Wed, 10/19/05, 11:04am -- Tom Hubbard's daughter talked
to Ruth's mom, and reports that
Ruth Weiland came home from the hospital at 9am this
morning! She has a concussion, but will be at the wake tonight for
about 15 minutes or so.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 11:21am -- All classes are cancelled at
Chi-Hi tomorrow for the
Thursday 10:30am funeral.
The main site, Trinity United Methodist, is not large...it may
get filled just with family members. However, Pastor Rich has
designated the narthex of their church for band students. Overflow
sites with a video feed include First Presbyterian Church
("Church of Gordy's") across the street, and the Chi-Hi gymnasium.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 11:25am -- Does anyone have an electronic
copy of the official Chi-Hi logo? There's a guy in Arizona who
grew up in this area who is going to print some stuff for his school
band there and would like a computer file (jpg, eps, bmp). (I would
also like one for the CFMA web page -- the cardinal there now is from a
baseball team!) For more details,
see his email.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 11:46am -- Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle's
office had recommended Chi-Hi's marching band represent Wisconsin at
the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. Here's an
email from the events coordinator
who talked to Greenhalgh just last Friday.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 12:20pm --
Her parents report that
Jessi McIlquham is in surgery today but they don't
know how long it will last. Despite initial reports, she had
no hip injury, and is in good spirits. She got "Regina" her stuffed
dog back, thanks to Jim Barnier, Sharon McIlquham, and a great
thanks to Novelty Cleaners and their staff! She thanks you all
for your prayers and support.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 12:52pm -- official photos of Chi Hi band
at Whitewater competition can now be purchased at
Jolesch Photography
- Wed, 10/19/05, 1:10pm -- There's a band parents meeting
at 9:00 pm tonight to discuss the possibility of students attending the
funeral of Branden Atherton in Waukesha.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 1:21pm --
Jessi McIlquham's surgery is done and it went very
well! PTL!
- Wed, 10/19/05, 1:42pm -- Listen to some
fitting songs that people have sent in.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 2:20pm -- They're going to mention this
web page on
WQOW
TV-18 tonight at 5pm. I'm sure there are many
concerned people who don't know about the updates on the web page,
so it will be good to spread the word.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 3:36pm -- I finally got the time
to go through all my band photos from the past 14 months, and
pull out every photo that contains Doug Greenhalgh.
Click here to see them all.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 4:50pm --
According to her mom,
Jessi McIlquham is in great spirits after her
surgery today! "She has asked many times for different people. She
remembers everything except the surgeries.
Jessi can open one eye and has seen, many times, everything that
was sent to her and wants to thank everyone."
The McIlquhams thank
everyone for the prayers and support.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 4:55pm --
There's a memorial service for
Branden Atherton
at UW-Eau Claire
Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m. in Gantner Concert Hall in the Haas
Fine Arts Center. Community members are welcome to attend.
(More details here.)
- Wed, 10/19/05, 6:00pm --
Adam Jeffers says that for G's funeral there will only
be audio streamed, not video. However, the family granted
permission to broadcast the funeral to Community Access Channel 11
in Chippewa Falls.
- Wed, 10/19/05, 7:00pm --
Amy Bowen is home!! Her days says:
"I'm pleased to report that Amy
was released from the hospital late this
afternoon. She is sporting a designer cast on her foot and is
collecting
signatures. She was able to attend the service this evening for a
short time. She is tired and sore but happy to be home."
- Wed, 10/19/05, 11:55am --
The visitation for
Doug & Therese Greenhalgh and their granddaughter
Morgan was held tonight at Chi-Hi. It was an absolutely
overwhelming experience.
Read more about it and see a few photos.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 5:45am -- Three marching band alumni --
Megan MacLaughlin-Barck (88), Eric Olsen (88), and Joe Coughlin
(90) -- are coordinating alumni efforts to start an endowment fund
called "The Greenhalgh Family Endowment Fund," or, informally,
"The G Fund." There's an alumni meeting at 8pm tonight to discuss.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 9:00am -- Mary Dachel in the Chi-Hi
office says that they will have both the audio and video at the
school for the funeral service.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 2:55pm --
Jessi McIlquham is still writing and holding onto
Regina. She is able to read and see in the one eye and she
does NOT need glasses. She wants to thank everyone for the wonderful
gifts and all of the cards and notes -- she loves them! They
so "colorful and pretty"! she can finally read the cards
herself, so she's happy about that.
Thank you all for the prayers, support, gifts, cards, and notes,
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 4:15pm -- Parents who were on the buses
last weekend are being encouraged to attend a stress debriefing next
Monday, Oct. 24 at 5:30pm in the high school library. Other
caregivers at the scene are also invited to attend. The district
recognizes that other band parents have also been through an
emotionally draining experience -- if parents wish to meet as a
group and go through a similar process, the guidance staff is
willing to help. See
Kathey Mehls's email
for more info.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 4:26pm --
Brian Collicott
was experiencing a lot
of pain today. Test results concluded that he has a broken femur as
well and will need surgery in the early am. Spinal tests still have
not resulted. (Note: Brian's wife
Jennifer created
another guestbook for him.)
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 4:52pm -- I just created online
guestbooks for
Therese Greenhalgh and
Morgan Greenhalgh. Sorry I didn't do this sooner --
just somethng that I slipped up on with all that's going on.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 5:00pm -- For those students attending
Branden's funeral in Waukesha Friday, band uniforms will be worn.
Students interested in riding a bus must fill out a permission form.
FYI -- there is a also a memorial service for Branden closer to
home, at UWEC next Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m.
(See more details about both).
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 5:25pm -- Wow...25 different schools
sent contingents from their marching bands to G's funeral today:
Altoona,
Antigo,
Augusta,
Barron,
Cadott,
Colby,
Colfax,
Cumberland,
DC Everest,
Durand,
Elk Mound,
Fall Creek,
Greendale,
Hudson,
Irondale,
McDonnell,
Memorial,
Menomonie,
North,
Northstar Middle,
Osseo Fairchild,
Rice Lake,
River Falls,
Spring Valley, and
Thorp.
They were all in uniform and stood at attention outside the church
from before it started until the hearses drove off. Very classy.
I hope to get pictures uploaded tonight.
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 7:01pm --
Jessi McIlquham "is doing
great. She drank water out of a tube/ straw thing,
and she is still high in spirits. We -- including Uncle Steve --
painted her toenails tonight. I (Britt) took a picture of them with
my phone and she wanted to know if you could put that
picture on her site somehow.
P.S. -- I wanted to let you in on a little humor of Jessi's.
We were reading cards to her and she took the pen and wrote 'With
all these cards you'd think I'd have gotten have some money!'"
- Thurs, 10/20/05, 11:19pm -- I just put up some
photos from the Greenhalghs' funeral today.
- Fri, 10/21/05, 8:40pm -- There's a
funeral home guestbook for Branden Atherton that you can
sign, in addition to the
other guestbook.
- Fri, 10/21/05, 10:11pm -- A Chi-Hi alumni would like
to spearhead a "Memorial Garden" for Greenhalghs on the Chi-Hi campus
somewhere. He is a project manager for a landscaping firm, and
could get donated landscape architecture designs and maybe even
free plants.
Read his email for more info.
- Fri, 10/21/05, 10:21pm -- Wow, are you ready for this?
Remember that "Amazing Grace" song (new melody) that was played on a
CD at the funeral? The soloist (and guitar player) in
that was none other than
Jessi McIlquham , the band student who is in critical
condition in Marshfield. I had no idea! Jessi is in a teen band
from their church called "Blind Faith." You can buy their CD at
Central Lutheran Church.
- Fri, 10/21/05, 1:45pm --
CFMA Vice President Jayne Baugher
called from the bus en route to Branden's funeral. She said CFMA is
setting up a fund to help "C" on his long road to recovery.
See this page for more info.
- Fri, 10/21/05, 11:00pm -- The football playoff pairings have
been announced. Chi-Hi is Division 2 and will host Lakeland on
Tuesday, Oct. 25. I think it's a home game...I hope the marching band
plays!! If we win, we play the winner of Baraboo vs. La Cross Logan.
(Here are the
full brackets.)
- Sat, 10/22/05, 2:00am -- According to Becky Soules
(UWEC student with Branden who used to march with Collicott in
Capital Sound),
Branden Atherton's
funeral in Waukesha "was absolutely
beautiful. I couldn't have asked for a better ceremony to say
Goodbye to Branden. It was very moving and nice to see so many
people."
- Sat, 10/22/05, 8:00am -- There will be a special
show
5-6pm Tuesday, October 25 on
Wisconsin Public Radio (88.3FM).
Mary Jo Wagner's
"Westwside" regional call-in show
describes it:
"Residents of Chippewa Falls talk about how a community recovers
from a bus tragedy that killed 5 of their own. We'll talk about the
community cohesion a school band program provides."
The show will have a brief opening segment recapping the events
from an eyewitness perspective, but the main focus of the show
is intended to celebrate the music program, the instructors,
and the kids. This should be a great opportunity for folks to
call in (800-228-5615) with remembrances, and
an opportunity to talk about how
the program will move on in the future (hence the administrative
perspective).
- Sat, 10/22/05, 11:00am -- Jennifer report that
Brian Collicott "was able to sit up in a caddy chair for a
few minutes and actually be wheeled out into the hallway. Brian had
spoken to students and faculty early Friday morning. His spirits
were lifted by not only the phone call, but all of the cards,
posters, and videos the students, parents, and faculty have sent
him. I can not say it enough: THANK YOU!" Check
Jennifer's journal for Brian
for more details. She mentioned Friday that Brian
will need to wear a brace for several months. He'll be in Rochester
for possibly a few more weeks.
- Sat, 10/22/05, 11:50am -- Dave Randall writes a
great report of
Branden Atherton's
funeral in Waukesha yesterday. Chi-Hi band members proceeded in full
uniform to pay respects to the Atherton family. Branden's parents
came into the locker room as Chi-Hi was preparing to depart, and had
a touching exchange.
Read Dave's email for more details.
- Sat, 10/22/05, 2:53pm -- Things have finally slowed down
today. I'm going to La Crosse for a
quartet contest a day late...
I won't be able to read email or update this web page until
Sunday night or Monday morning.
- Tom@Arneberg.com
- Sat, 10/22/05, 7:01pm -- The Greenhalgh family gave
permission for Trinity United Methodist to make copies of the funeral
DVD. You can buy copies for $10 each; proceeds after expenses will
be given to the family's memorial fund. You can get a flyer at the
church Monday, and I'll get one up on this web site as soon as I get
one. If you have questions contact Richard Estrem-Fuller (the pastor
who officiated at the funeral) at
nrfuller2005@sbcglobal.net.
- Sun, 10/23/05, 12:39pm --
update on
Jessica Rozga
from her dad -- "They plan to move her out of ICU if a room becomes
available. She is doing much better, but is still in a lot of
pain. She also needs to eat, but can't get anything down.
We were told we can bring anything in for her, so today we
brought in McDonald's. She ate most of it...we just need to
keep forcing her to eat. She will be here for another week or
two, than transfer to Milwaukee. She will have to stay off her
feet for about 3 months (hard to do for a dancer), but she knows
that what it takes and she will do it. Her spirits are high
thanks to all your cards, letters and prayers. The hospital and
staff have been great...we could not have asked for a better
place for Jessie to be in."
- Sun, 10/23/05, 3:20pm --
Jessi McIlquham "is still in PICU; she has been
sleeping and trying to stay comfortable until her next surgery
which is next Wednesday. In the meantime she enjoys the cards she
is receiving. If and when sending cards, please keep them
humorous! She enjoys a GOOD joke! We will try to update you more
after the next surgery. KEEP ON PRAYING! P.S. -- Regarding the
recorded song Amazing Grace that was played at G's funeral --
Jessi was also playing the guitar!
- Mon, 10/24/05, 9:20am -- If you want to buy a DVD
of the Greenhalghs' funeral ($10; proceeds go to family),
here is an order form.
(BTW, does anyone have a video recording of the visitation Wednesday
night?)
- Mon, 10/24/05, 11:48am -- In addition to the meeting
tonight for parents who were on the bus, there's another meeting
Thursday night (cafeteria, 7pm) for ALL band parents:
(1) to process any concerns, problems etc. that parents are
having regarding their child, themselves, etc. in terms of the bus
accident; (2) to share resources that are available for families
should they require them; and (3) to have administration answer any
"nuts and bolts" questions they may have regarding insurance, the
process for selecting a band director, etc. This meeting would be
open to band parents only -- please, no students at this gathering.
--- Kathy Mehls
(mehlskm@chipfalls.k12.wi.us)
- Mon, 10/24/05, 1:29pm -- "The Chi Hi band was honored at
our championships this past weekend at the HHH Metrodome
during our Youth In Music's prelims and finals competition.
Menomonie band honored the band by playing Hymnsong No. 2 from
Philip Bliss before a moment of silence. It was quite touching.
We took donations and had a large card signed by participants."
-- Brent Turner
(mbidirector@hotmail.com),
- Mon, 10/24/05, 3:00pm -- Jeff Steltz gave me a link
to a good
article from Spooner about a passerby who helped our kids.
- Mon, 10/24/05, 5:06pm -- I just heard on the radio
that the marching band WILL PLAY at the Chi-Hi home
playoff football game tomorrow night! YEA!!
- Mon, 10/24/05, 7:52pm -- Tom Hotle says that the
athletic boosters of Chi-Hi
will donate a portion of the proceeds from the concessions at tomorrow
night's playoff football game to the fund for Brian Collicott. They'll
also collect freewill donations in buckets. (It should be noted that
"C" has been at every home game for many years, leading the pep
band!)
- Tue, 10/25/05, 6:53am -- I copied the
complete scoresheets from Whitewater competition to our website.
- Tue, 10/25/05, 8:17am -- The Director of Programs of the
Wisconsin School Music Association says that Doug Greenhalgh
"improved the marching band activity for thousands of students and
fans" through his leadership, research, and evaluation in WSMA.
(See email for details.)
- Tue, 10/25/05, 10:28am --
Ron Buckles says the 7pm Thursday choir concert is NOT cancelled!
- Tue, 10/25/05, 10:37am -- For those who didn't see the
printed program at Greenhalghs' funeral,
here are the lyrics from that
song that
Jessi McIlquham wrote down from her hospital bed
when she heard that "G" had died.
- Tue, 10/25/05, 2:05pm -- According to
this article, "Pat Hull, a band teacher who worked in Fall Creek,
will work with Chi-Hi band students the next two weeks. During that
time, the district will search for two substitute teachers for the
remainder of the school year while a formal search is conducted.
Mike Schoch guessed Brian Collicott, the assistant band director who was
injured in the accident, will be back to teach again next year."
- Tue, 10/25/05, 11:51pm -- If you missed the Marching
Cardinals on the news last night (WEAU-13),
here is the transcript (and video!).
- Wed, 10/26/05, 4:51pm -- I had my camera at last night's
football playoff game, and took
a few photos and video clips.
- Wed, 10/26/05, 5:00pm -- I got to meet the new temporary
director, Pat Hull , at the game last night. He let me
take his picture for the web page.
- Wed, 10/26/05, 6:47pm -- According to Connie Luer,
"A benefit fund has been set up
for Brian and Jennifer Collicott at
RCU. We've been discussing this through
Molly Nordin with the Collicotts. This was just done today so
people can start depositing funds beginning Friday, Oct. 28.
All anyone has to do is tell any of the tellers at RCU that
you would like to make a deposit in the Brian Collicott fund
and they will have the account access, at any RCU branch.
- Wed, 10/26/05, 6:57pm --
Brian Collicott
got out of surgery this afternoon, according to Jennifer.
"He is having a lot of pain, but is back on the morphine pump. He is
sleeping right now and appears to be comfortable. The days are long
here, but we are hoping to return home soon. I hate seeing him in
pain. I see the frustration in his eyes and it is difficult to
handle emotionally. I am thankful that we are together and that we
will get through this together, along with the help of our family
and friends. We appreciate the visits and packages that we have been
receiving while we have been here. Knowing that we will be able to
go home soon gives us encouragement and hope."
(Read
LT article or
Jennifer's journal.)
- Wed, 10/26/05, 10:21pm -- Greenhalgh funeral is
mentioned on the
Marching.com web site.
- Wed, 10/26/05, 10:22pm -- We need parents to bring bars
and cookies to SuperShow on Sat., Nov. 4. Each pan gets you points.
Bars need to be 3x3 or 4x4" and packaged; cookies two per package.
Deliver to Ron Buckles Nov. 4 or the morning of the 5th. (Be sure
to sign your name to get credit.)
- Wed, 10/26/05, 10:30pm -- CFMA needs volunteers to
staff fundraising tables at Saturday's 1pm playoff game at Chi-Hi.
Proceeds go to help pay for
Brian Collicott's recovery
(the "C Fund").
Contact
Jon Tulman or
Jayne Baugher for more
info.
- Thu, 10/27/05, 9:20am -- According to WEAU news,
close to 400 people packed Gantner Hall at UWEC last night
for the Branden Atherton memorial service. (See
transcripts and video from WEAU.)
- Thu, 10/27/05, 10:30am --
Jessi McIlquham "went into surgery yesterday at
12:30pm and got out at 10:30pm (10hrs). They were mainly working
on her facial injuries. Things went well according to the doctors;
she had a very rough night but seems to be coming back around
this morning." (from Laura)
- Thu, 10/27/05, 10:34am --
Jessica Rozga "was moved last night from Marshfield to
Milwaukee by ambulance. She is now at Froedtert Hospital in
Milwaukee. I will post the address later. She is doing better,
but still in a lot of pain. Thank you for all the kind words,
thoughts and prayers." -- Tom Rozga (Dad)
- Thu, 10/27/05, 2:00pm --
Cassie Gast (CF Middle School 6th-grader at Gillette)
hasn't needed a breathing tube since last weekend. Her IVs have all
been removed, and she is able to talk. The cards, emails, and
visitors really cheer her up.
(
Read article.)
- Thu, 10/27/05, 5:00pm -- 1997 grad
Michelle Southworth is trying to get her hands on videos from
as many Marching Cardinals competitions as she can. She's going to
collect them all and put them on a DVD for any past or present band
member -- estimated cost is only $2 or so per DVD!
(For more info
see her email.)
- Thu, 10/27/05, 9:17pm -- We had a meeting tonight of all
band parents. Superintendent Mike Schoch and Principal Jim Sauter
talked and answered
questions for about an hour, and then we broke up into small groups
for more discussions. For parents who couldn't make it, here are
some highlights:
- Patrick Hull will teach band class through next week.
- School will hire "interim band director" for the rest of the school year.
- School will also hire a temporary directory until Mr. Collicott returns.
- There will be several interviews next week.
- The position for permanent band director will be opened in the
spring. All music faculty will have input in the hiring process.
- Some band areas will be remodeled for handicap access.
- Current plan is that band will NOT march in future football
playoff games this season, but pep band will play.
- Thu, 10/27/05, 10:53pm --
CFMA Vice President
Jayne Baugher says that CFMA is planning to use the proceeds
from the Supershow bake sale and concessions for three of the people
who are still hospitalized.
Read her email
for more info.
- Fri, 10/28/05, 1:00pm -- Temporary band director
Patrick Hull says that the physical changes in the band room are
being made at the request of
Brian Collicott. Hull and C are having lengthy
discussions about the music program (a good sign!).
C strongly feels that the
marching season should now be over so the band can concentrate
on the holiday concert. For more info,
read Jon Tulman's email.
- Fri, 10/28/05, 11:40pm --
Brian Collicott is definitely coming home Monday!!
He wrote a long
email
to all of the parents, students, faculty members, community members,
friends, and strangers how proud he is to be associated with the
Chippewa Falls School District, Music Department, and Community.
(Note: this email went out on the "CFMA-News" email list. Eventually,
these web page updates will become unnecessary, but the email list
will live on. If you want to stay in the loop, you can join the list
by sending a blank email to
CFMA-News-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.)
- Sat, 10/29/05, 4:30pm -- both the soccer team and the
football team from Chi-Hi won their
playoff games today! The next
football playoff game
will be Friday or Saturday (to be announced
Monday) in Menomonie. I'm not sure if the pep band will play or not.
- Sat, 10/29/05, 5:00pm -- Many people
have enjoyed reminiscing over photos of "G"...and I
discovered several more that I forgot I had taken (they were from
events that I hadn't uploaded to the web yet), so I
added them to the collection.
I also have had requests for photos of Brian Collicott,
so
I put those online as well.
- Sun, 10/30/05, 8:00am --
Jessica Rozga "will be having more surgery on Monday. She
is going to need some plates inserted for her ribs to align properly.
The surgery should last about 4 hours. Ribs 2 thru 9 on her right
side are not healing or lining up correctly. The surgery will
correct those problems. She has been doing well at Froedtert
Hospital. Her spirits remain high. The additional surgery is a bit
of a setback, but in the long run it is the best for her full
recovery." -- Tom Rozga (Dad)
- Sun, 10/30/05, 9:00pm -- This is old news to some of
you, but I just learned that
Cassie Gast was released from the hospital Friday!
She is home and doing very well, according to her parents.
- Tue, 11/01/05, 9:00am -- The third round football playoff
game is 7pm Friday night in Menomonie. I don't think the Chi-Hi pep
band is playing, though. Also, both 4pm and 8pm SuperShow
performances at Chi-Hi Saturday are sold out! They still need
bars and cookies to sell.
- Tue, 11/01/05, 2:26pm --
Jessica Rozga "had surgery yesterday on her ribs. She is
in ICU today and tomorrow...in a lot of pain.
The surgery went well and she should be in less pain each day
forward. It will be easier for her to breath now that the ribs have
been corrected. Hopefully, she will be out of ICU on Wednesday."
-- Tom Rozga (Dad)
- Thu, 11/03/05, 2:10pm --
Jessica Rozga "was removed from ICU today. She is in room
2NT-14 at Froedtert Hospital. Pain management is still one of the
main issues. The surgery was successful and we hope that now she is
on the road to recovery."
-- Tom Rozga (Dad)
- Thu, 11/03/05, 7:56pm --
Brian Collicott has been home since Monday. His wife
Jennifer thanks everyone for the messages, letters, and phone calls.
Chi-Hi has set them up with a computer and web access at home.
Most of the equipment Brian needs has arrived. They hope to transfer
care providers to avoid trips to Rochester. They'll be setting up
times for visits at their home within the next week. For more info,
read Jennifer's journal.
- Fri, 11/04/05, 4:06pm -- Chi-Hi senior Danielle Hetke wrote a
great essay on her marching band experience in the Whitewater
competition,
Reflections of a Senior
Cardinal.
- Sat, 11/05/05, 2:00pm -- A Memorial Service for
Doug Greenhalgh
is being planned for Sunday, Nov 13 at 3:00
PM at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church in North Tonawanda, NY which is
near Doug's hometown of Sanborn, NY.
-- Candace Schultz (LeaBaer7@aol.com)
- Sat, 11/05/05, 2:00pm --
Jessi McIlquham is now online!! She is updating her
journal by herself now. She is now eating (and craving Olson's ice
cream) and talking! The swelling is subsiding and her hair has
already grown an inch. She even walked on crutches today! For her
complete report,
see her online guestbook/journal
- Sun, 11/06/05, 6:40am -- show choirs from several area
high schools converged at Chi-Hi last night for the 26th annual
SuperShow. Both shows were sold out in advance! Groups
performing were from North, Elk Mound, Altoona, Memorial, McDonnel,
and Chi-Hi.
(
See a few hundred photos.)
- Sun, 11/06/05, 5:05pm --
The Merrill High School band had a nice gesture toward Chi-Hi at
their last halftime show. For details,
read Jon's email.
- Mon, 11/07/05, 12:18am --
Jessi McIlquham is checking out tomorrow! There will be
visiting hours at her home (1136 Dover) 4-7pm Wednesday, Thursday,
and Friday. But she does ask that you stagger visits somewhat.
You don't need to bring HER any food, but it's okay to
bring your own snacks if you want. For more details,
read Jessi's journal entry.
- Mon, 11/07/05, 3:02pm -- you can see the
agenda for tomorrow's monthly CFMA meeting.
- Tue, 11/08/05, 9:17pm -- WEAU-TV had a story about
the new courtyard in downtown Chippewa Falls being named "Harmony
Park" to honor the victims of the bus crash.
(
Read the story and see the video clip.)
- Tue, 11/08/05, 8:22pm --
Jessica Rozga "has had the chest tubes removed and all of
her IV's have been removed. She is getting pain medication orally.
This is all progress.
She will be unable to start rehab for a few more weeks, so they may
allow her to come home until that time. The current plan is to get a
hospital bed and chair moved to our home and set her up in our dining
room. That could happen in the next few days.
We think she is done with surgeries; now it is just time to heal.
-- Tom Rozga (Dad)
(Note: Mr. Rozga is now
updating Jessica's online journal.)
- Wed, 11/09/05, 10:35pm --
The interim band director through January 20 is
Andrew Merrier, a director with 10 years' experience at St.
Croix Falls. He will be helped by Andrei Streizek, a student teacher
from UWEC. For more info,
read the Herald article.
- Thurs, 11/10/05, 5:04pm --
Amy Bowen is now updating her journal, too! She
reports:
"I've been at home with my parents for a few weeks now and I'm
gradually getting better. I had a surgery last week to repair my
broken fibula and to remove some pins from my ankle. I'm also going
to have surgery to fix the torn ACL in my knee, but that won't be
for at least six months. I have a cast on my ankle to immobilize my
foot, which was badly dislocated as a result of the accident. The
cast will be coming off in another week or so and then I'll have a
walking cast put on. I went to a class today for the first time
since the accident. I'm going to try and finish out the semester,
but I may have to drop a class. I'm still planning on graduating
from UWEC in May. Thank you all for the support!"
- Thurs, 11/10/05, 10:52pm -- Jennifer writes
in
Brian Collicott's journal:
"Brian and I would like to thank all of the parents and students of Chi
Hi for visiting this evening. C apologizes for not being able to speak
in great length to everyone that visited. The turn out was incredible!
As the evening went on it was more difficult for him to carry on
conversation due to fatigue, but he would like everyone to know how
proud he is of each and every student and how he can not wait for his
return to school. Special thanks to
Jessie McIlquham
for attending
this evening with her family. Stay strong, Jessie, you are doing great.
Thanks to everyone for all of the support and for those students and
parents that brought food to the house. It made for a wonderful
evening for all!"
(Editor's note: I did not advertise this event ahead of time on the
web page, because it was meant only for band students and their
parents; I figured there would be enough people there already who
heard about it in class, so I didn't want to be responsible for
even MORE people than that showing up! - Tom A.)
- Sun, 11/13/05, 10:46am --
Jessica Rozga
was taken home on Saturday afternoon, by ambulance. She will remain
at home for a few weeks and than return to Freodtert Hospital for
in-patient therapy. She is doing well and is happy to be
home....even if it is only for a few weeks.
- Sun, 11/13/05, 10:46am --
Jessica Rozga
was taken home on Saturday afternoon, by ambulance. She will remain
at home for a few weeks and than return to Freodtert Hospital for
in-patient therapy. She is doing well and is happy to be
home....even if it is only for a few weeks.
On Friday morning she was able to speak with the color guard...that
sure was a boost to her spirits. She would like to do it
again...soon.
Her address at home is: 11409 West Rhoder Ave. Franklin 53132.
-- Tom Rozga (Dad)
- Fri, 11/18/05, 2:07pm -- Jayne Baugher is helping promote
the "Frigid 8," a run/walk in Chippewa Falls on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Proceeds will go to the injured band students.
CFMA members are asked to bring chili.
For more info,
read Jayne's email and poster.
- Sun, 11/19/05, 4:02pm --
Amy Bowen reports:
"I got my cast taken off yesterday! Now I have a walking cast on and
Raji and I match. We're going to set a trend, because it's cool to
wear a walking cast. Unfortunately I'm not going to be doing much
walking for a few weeks, though. I have to wait to have an MRI done
so the doctor can be sure my ankle bones are healed enough to put
weight on the joint.
I also started physical therapy yesterday, which went pretty well. It
feels really good to move my muscles again. Now I'll be going to PT
two or three times a week for a while, and then I'll be doing a lot
of work on an exercise bike."
- Tue, 11/22/05, 9:41am -- Beth and Benjamin and I got
to visit
Brian Collicott ("C") last night, when we brought a meal to
him (scheduled by his next-door-neighbor Lynn Mayhew).
The wheelchair ramp is installed on the stairway of their split-level
home. He is doing home therapy twice a week.
He let me take some
photos and video
for the web page. Jennifer wrote
in her
online journal last night:
"Brian continues to have a bit of a rough week. He is having a lot of
aches and pains. Today was the first day where he actually began to
have a better appetite. I told him he needs to start eating better
because I can not eat all of this delicious food by myself! ...
There
will be a special
Thanksgiving article in the Chippewa Herald on
Wednesday
about Brian so be on the look out. ... Everyone have a Happy
Thanksgiving and I'll be back with an update after the holiday!"
- Fri, 11/25/05, 1:28pm -- According to her parents,
Cassie Gast (6th-grader) "got out of surgery yesterday
and had her cast taken off and her traction pin removed. She is in
recovery and doing great! She may still be out of school for about
6 weeks, but she is on the full road to being Cassie again.
Also, there was a really nice
Compass Report done on Cassie on
TV-13
on Wednesday night. The reporter did a great job on the story. They
talked to Cassie, Kelly, Craig, CJ...showed footage of Cassie's
horses outside her living room window, etc."
- Tue, 12/13/05, 1:12pm --
Brian Collicott ("C") came to the holiday band concert
last night! He got a standing ovation after he gave a short speech
from the front of the packed auditorium. We also go to hear the world
debut of Remembrance, the song composed in honor of
Doug Greenhalgh and others who perished in the crash.
You can
see photos of the concert here.
- Wed, 12/14/05, 8:00pm --
band parent Maureen Steltz captured a great moment on film,
when the Marching Cardinals had just come off the field at Whitewater
competition, just hours before the crash. She added a quote from
Doug Greenhalgh (his last words to the assembled group),
and the CFMA parents decided to sell 8x12 prints for $5 each and
donate 100% of the proceeds to the Brian Collicott Recovery Fund.
(Click here for more info.)
- Sat, 12/17/05, 4:30pm -- Chippewa Herald publisher Mark
Baker wrote a
great column about Brian Collicott's visit to the Rotary Club
Meeting last Tuesday, and gave me permission to
put it on our web page.
- Fri, 12/29/05, 8:30pm -- Band student Brady Nyhus
was sitting in row 4 or 5 of bus 1, and wrote a recap of his
crash experience in an email to some friends. He gave permission
to put it on the web:
Brady's Recap
- Tues, 1/10/06, 10:06am --
Jessica Rozga will begin rehabilitation therapy tomorrow
afternoon (January 11) as she learns to walk
again, according to her dad. This will be the first time since
the accident that her feet will be on the ground!
- Tues, 1/24/06, 10:00am -- I finally got to meet
Jessi McIlquham at the basketball game tonight! I was thrilled to
see that she was not only up and about, but actually playing
in the pep band!! (Although she did have to change her embouchure
because of her facial injuries.) I wish I could've taken a photo
of her to share with you all, but I dropped my
camera
on New Year's Day, and now it does not focus properly. :-(
- Mon, 2/13/06, 10:00am -- Gene Burk reports that WEAU-TV
was at Central Lutheran last Wednesday night to do a story about Caring
Bridge web site. "They did some videotaping of Blind Faith, our
youth band whose members include, Jessica Mcilquham, Ryan Burk and
Brady Nyhus, who were all on bus one. The piece is scheduled to air
on WEAU (TV-13) Wednesday, February 22 at 10pm.
- Mon, 2/20/06, 6:00pm -- It was amazing to see
Jessi McIlquham
performing in Chi-Hi's winter musical,
West Side Story, this week. (Check out the
close-up photo of Jessi and her dance partner.) With all her
dance moves, it's hard to believe that she was in critical condition
only four months ago!
- Wed, 2/22/06, 4:00pm --
There are still some 8x12 photos available for sale ($5 each; goes
to Collicott Recovery Fund). Maureen can even email them to you!
Check out
this web page for
details.
- Wed, 3/01/06, 4:00pm --
The want-ad seeking Doug Greenhalgh's permanent replacement
(starting next fall) appeared
in the Chippewa Herald today. Applications are required by March 24.
I couldn't find the ad online, so I typed it in and
put it here.
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