LJWorld.com / Tonganoxie brimming with hometown pride

Archive for Tuesday, December 13, 2005

By Shawn Linenberger and Lisa Scheller - The (Tonganoxie) Mirror

December 13, 2005

Bichelmeyer’s Steakhouse in Tonganoxie resembled the host for an NCAA Final Four party, with Kansas University as one of the teams vying for the title.

In reality, it was the site for the Survivor Final Four. And instead of KU, the fans were rooting for Tonganoxie’s Danni Boatwright.

Nearly 200 people on Sunday packed into the bar area of the downtown steakhouse to watch their native daughter compete for — and ultimately win — $1 million.

One sign read, “Tonganoxie loves Danni.”

Another read, “Million $$$ Danni.”

CBS cameras from a Kansas City affiliate recorded footage of fans at Bichelmeyer’s. The footage aired after was Boatwright was named Sole Survivor.

They hooted and hollered for the camera, almost as if they were basketball fans vying for camera time.

Casey Boatwright, one of Boatwright’s seven brothers, started chanting, “We Love Danni.” And after the show, he let out a celebratory “Rock Chalk Jayhawk” chant in honor of his sister, a KU and Kansas City Chiefs fanatic.

Lisa Scheller/The (Tonganoxie) Mirror Photo

“Survivor” watchers and fans of Danni Boatwright cheer during the season finale of “Survivor: Guatemala — The Maya Empire.” Sunday night’s watch party was held at Bichelmeyer’s Steakhouse in Tonganoxie. From front left are Barb Gangel and Elizabeth Paterson. In the back are Jim Aziere, Joey Hovelsrud, Liz Hovelsrud, Kathy Grote, Bev Aziere and Jacquie Aziere.

Casey beamed as he talked about his sister, noting that she had a big heart — and was a true competitor.

And minutes after Danni was determined the winner, Casey couldn’t believe what his sister had just accomplished.

“That’s the way I put it — surreal,” Casey said.

All in the family

Just knowing, or being related, to Danni was enough to pull normally non-”Survivor” fans into the frenzy.

Jim Zaenger, Overland Park, is related to Danni.

“Danni has made me watch Survivor. I’m normally not a fan of the show. Now that I have watched Danni on Survivor, I have become a fan,” Zaenger said.

He said he was proud of the way she participated in the program.

“She hasn’t had to lie, she is very athletic, she’s challenging everything, she’s smart,” Zaenger said. “She keeps her mouth shut, does her job, goes about her business, that describes her life too. That’s how she approaches life, she just goes about her job.”

Barb Gangle, who drove to Tonganoxie from Bucyrus, agreed, saying,

“She’s played this game with a lot of class. It’s just been so refreshing to see her play this game with honesty and respect.”

And Elizabeth Paterson, Olathe, who works at a clothing store owned by Danni’s mother, Vicki Cackler, said Danni’s competitive spirit led her to prepare for the show.

“She spent a lot of time studying ahead,” Paterson said. “She studied with the Navy Seals, she reviewed past episodes of Survivor. Her sister-in-law who is a teacher worked with her on the history of Guatemala.”

Staying up late

Parker Dean, along with his older brother Hunter Dean, was allowed to stay up later than usual on a school night. The boys are the sons of Matt and Vicki Bichelmeyer, who own Bichelmeyer’s Steakhouse.

Her sons are both Survivor fans, Vicki Bichelmeyer said.

“Parker always did his homework early so he could watch Survivor,” Bichelmeyer said. “He always thought that she (Danni) was going to win, from the beginning.”

And Parker’s prediction came true.

He said, smiling, “Now I can say that I’ve met a millionaire.”

Among other young fans participating in festivities was Ryan Wolfe, a 15-year-old from Tonganoxie.

“It’s awesome, there’s no words for it. I’m just so excited, I was so glad that she won all those immunity challenges when she needed to,” Ryan said. “Now they’re going to have a star from Tonganoxie on the map.”

Representing the hometown

The 30-year-old Tonganoxie woman gladly accepted her monumental monetary winnings, but she wasn’t just competing for herself.

“For my family and for Tonganoxie,” Boatwright said. “They’ve been so supportive with everything I’ve ever competed in.

“You want to win so much for your family and friends. That really makes it exciting.”

One of those family members was her mother, Vicki Cackler, who consistently has been Boatwright’s biggest fan.

Cackler said she wasn’t sure how she felt about her daughter winning the $1 million when she woke up Monday morning — because she never really went to bed.

About 10 minutes after finishing the live Survivor show in California on Sunday night, Cackler flew with her daughter to New York City so she could appear on “The Early Show.”

Aside from a nap on the plane, Cackler, as of late Monday morning, hadn’t slept since waking up Sunday morning.

When your daughter wins a check for $1 million, things are bound to change, but Cackler said everything was relative.

“Life hasn’t really changed, except you have a little cushion in life,” Cackler said with a chuckle. “Yeah, you’re going to have a lot more opportunities.

“It looks a little different, but it really is the same.”