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Roast Turtle chair

By Hillary Gavan
Daily News staff writer
Published: Friday, October 24, 2008 11:28 AM CDT
Ailing DeLong to be honored

“People should be prepared to tell a good Dan story.”

That's what Dan DeLong's friend Nancy Everhard said about the upcoming community-wide roast to honor Turtle Township Chair Dan DeLong.

Everyone is invited to the roast which will be held at 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Turtle Community Center on County Road J, 6916 S. County Road J.


Everhard along with Katie Ward started organizing the roast after hearing DeLong had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease. The roast will not be a set up as a fundraiser, just an event to celebrate DeLong.

“We want to raise fun, not funds,” Everhard said.

They came up with the idea because Dan DeLong is a prankster and makes people laugh.

“He's always promoting fun,” Everhard said.

Everhard said DeLong was always a good friend and instrumental in helping her and neighbors find solutions to the flooding issues they had this spring.

One of Everhard's favorite DeLong memories is when he and others came barreling in on 12 lawnmowers in an attempt to mow all Turtle residents' lawns.

Everhard has been pleased with the community's response to the roast. She started getting donations of barbecue together by calling 10 of her friends and asking them to call five of their friends to cook up portions of meat. So far Everhard has gathered enough barbecue for 1,000 people and plenty of other foods.

“It's wonderful how everybody has stepped up,” Everhard said.

DeLong said he's excited about the roast. He said one of his pet peeves over the years is people who hold fundraisers when their medical costs are already paid for. Any money raised at the DeLong roast will go to ALS Association.

During the past year-and-a-half DeLong has been spending time in hospitals with his condition.

“It's been quite a road. I've seen quite a a few unfortunate families that don't have the insurance or support that I do,” DeLong said.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig's Disease,” is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy, according to the ALS Web site.

DeLong has been struggling with his muscle and nerve function, although he is still working at the DeLong Company and serving as chair of Turtle Township.

“I'm working with my abilities and not my disabilities,” DeLong said. “I plan on continuing with family business and the people of Town of Turtle.”

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