tfp 053010_bowersox elliston
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■ A9 “We loved Crystal from the begin- ning. For her to win it would be icing on the cake, but she’s already No. 1 in our eyes,” said Tracy Dresser, a volun- teer who has been selling Crystal T- shirts each week for DYS. here. I wanted to help raise money for her services. It’s an amazing small town big story. It’s amazing she made it into the top two,” Peters said. “They’re both winners. There is no loser. They both have huge big ca- vs. Lehigh Valley 7:00 p.m. AwayTRANSCRIPT
MAY 30, 2010 Visit www.toledofreepress.comm ■ A9CRYSTAL BOWERSOX: AN 'AMERICAN' JOURNEY
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@ Rochester7:05 p.m.
Away
@ Rochester7:05 p.m.
Away
HOME AWAY
@ Buffalo1:05 p.m.
Away
THURSDAY 6/3 FRIDAY 6/4
Week of 5/30/10Week of 5/30/10Week of 5/30/10
vs. Lehigh Valley 5:00 p.m.
Away
vs. Lehigh Valley 10:30 a.m.
Away
vs. Lehigh Valley 7:00 p.m.
Away
vs. Lehigh Valley 7:00 p.m.
Away
By Kristen RapinTOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR
At the Trinity United Church of Christ in Elliston, Crystal Bowersox will always be an American Idol.
“She is doing something good, in-spiring us that dreams do come true,” said Amber Gahler, coordinator of Bowerstock in Ottawa County. “She’s still an Idol in our eyes. And will still be successful.”
When Lee DeWyze was an-nounced “American Idol,” the church gym was quiet, besides the sound of the TV. However, when Crystal was named the “America Idol” runner up the gym erupted with applause for their hometown girl. Despite the loss, the church dropped balloons and streamers for Crystal.
“We had an inkling to the result. But she’s still a winner. She’s still going to have a great career,” said Alice Bow-ersox, Crystal’s grandmother.
Keith Bowersox, Crystal’s grand-father said he had read on Dialidol.com that DeWyze would win so it was no shock.
“What I think is the mothers let the little kiddies and the tweenies and the teenie boppers go to bed and they didn’t take their phones. Talent wise the guy is good, but she’s great. Popularity-wise with the females, he won,” Keith said.
In spite of Crystal being named runner-up, Keith said the whole ex-perience has been a “hoot” and her career will blossom.
“I don’t think it matters that she’s the runner-up, really. She’s awesome and always has been,” said Harmony Wagner, Crystal’s fi rst cousin.
“It’s so surreal. I knew she’d go far,” said Heather Wagner, another cousin. “I’m not disappointed at all, she’s going to do great things with her talent.
In addition to family members, more than 400 people were in atten-dance to cheer on Crystal.
Th e Big Nut, OSU fan Jon Peters, was asked to come to the fi nale to help raise money for Diabetes Youth Ser-vices (DYS). Peters formerly attended the church.
“Th ere’s so much love for Crystal
here. I wanted to help raise money for her services. It’s an amazing small town big story. It’s amazing she made it into the top two,” Peters said. “Th ey’re both winners. Th ere is no loser. Th ey both have huge big ca-
reers ahead of them.”Kim Sivert of Elmore voted for
Crystal for more than two hours. She came to the event to see Crystal win, but was still happy for the Northwest Ohio native.
“We loved Crystal from the begin-ning. For her to win it would be icing on the cake, but she’s already No. 1 in our eyes,” said Tracy Dresser, a volun-teer who has been selling Crystal T-shirts each week for DYS.
Th e church has hosted viewing parties for the local “Idol” since the season began. More than $5,000 has been presented to DYS from T-shirt sales, and the church hopes to present more money in the future.
Elliston ‘loves and supports’ Bowersox
■ HEATHER WAGNER, ALICE BOWERSOX, HARMONY WAGNER AND KEITH BOWERSOX AT THE ELLISTON TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST ON MAY 26.
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