thedrifter
04-24-07, 06:58 AM
Big Brother earns Washtenaw County award
Monday, April 23, 2007
By Susan L. Oppat
Citizen Patriot News Service
Dale Cutshaw is a real guy's guy.
The hair on the 35-year-old general contractor's head is stubble, 14 years after he left the Marines following service in the first Gulf War and in Somalia.
His Ypsilanti Township house is spotless, his medals framed. His sofa arms open on one side to a computer, on the other to controls for electronics around the room.
The tipper on the manly man scale? The Jackson native has been a volunteer "big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County for four years, to 11-year-old Cody Nagy.
Cutshaw was recently named Washtenaw County Big Brother of the Year. He and Cody helped host the agency's annual Bowl for Kids' Sake bowl-a-thon in Ann Arbor last weekend. The event raised about $42,000.
Cutshaw grew up in Jackson and graduated from Lumen Christi High School in 1989. He was involved in band all four years.
He often comes back to Jackson to visit his parents and said he misses the community's small-town feel.
Now living in Washtenaw County, Cutshaw said he was "completely surprised" when he was named Big Brother of the Year for the county. He said Cody kept the secret well hidden.
At least half of the communication between Cutshaw and Cody is nonverbal. Conversation can stop abruptly and, for no apparent reason, the two launch a laser-like battle of stares. With no warning, both dissolve into the laughter that is central to their relationship.
"He's hilarious," Cutshaw says of Cody.
As a Big Brother, Cutshaw is the answer to Theresa Nagy's prayers for her son.
"I wanted Cody to have a guy in his life who would be there for him, to talk guy stuff," she said. "He has been such a wonderfully consistent male role model in Cody's life. He's been a godsend."
On a recent shopping trip, Cutshaw warned Cody that if he asked for anything, they'd leave. But Cody wanted to leave. So he asked Cutshaw to buy something. They left.
The pair fight light-saber battles and have built a ceiling-high Legos roller coaster. Cody has also earned his share of disciplinary push-ups.
Cutshaw estimates he spends 20 to 30 hours a month with Cody.
"With kids, if you start them off right early, there are differences you can make. When you're navigating, if you're off a little in the beginning, you're way off in the end," Cutshaw said.
Cody's compass has already been adjusted.
"We'll probably still be 'big and little' when I have a little," Cody said. Casting a quick, gap-toothed grin at Cutshaw, he said, "It'll be fun. I'll get to boss a little kid around and make him do push-ups."
-- Staff Writer Tarryl Jackson contributed to this story.
Ellie
Monday, April 23, 2007
By Susan L. Oppat
Citizen Patriot News Service
Dale Cutshaw is a real guy's guy.
The hair on the 35-year-old general contractor's head is stubble, 14 years after he left the Marines following service in the first Gulf War and in Somalia.
His Ypsilanti Township house is spotless, his medals framed. His sofa arms open on one side to a computer, on the other to controls for electronics around the room.
The tipper on the manly man scale? The Jackson native has been a volunteer "big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County for four years, to 11-year-old Cody Nagy.
Cutshaw was recently named Washtenaw County Big Brother of the Year. He and Cody helped host the agency's annual Bowl for Kids' Sake bowl-a-thon in Ann Arbor last weekend. The event raised about $42,000.
Cutshaw grew up in Jackson and graduated from Lumen Christi High School in 1989. He was involved in band all four years.
He often comes back to Jackson to visit his parents and said he misses the community's small-town feel.
Now living in Washtenaw County, Cutshaw said he was "completely surprised" when he was named Big Brother of the Year for the county. He said Cody kept the secret well hidden.
At least half of the communication between Cutshaw and Cody is nonverbal. Conversation can stop abruptly and, for no apparent reason, the two launch a laser-like battle of stares. With no warning, both dissolve into the laughter that is central to their relationship.
"He's hilarious," Cutshaw says of Cody.
As a Big Brother, Cutshaw is the answer to Theresa Nagy's prayers for her son.
"I wanted Cody to have a guy in his life who would be there for him, to talk guy stuff," she said. "He has been such a wonderfully consistent male role model in Cody's life. He's been a godsend."
On a recent shopping trip, Cutshaw warned Cody that if he asked for anything, they'd leave. But Cody wanted to leave. So he asked Cutshaw to buy something. They left.
The pair fight light-saber battles and have built a ceiling-high Legos roller coaster. Cody has also earned his share of disciplinary push-ups.
Cutshaw estimates he spends 20 to 30 hours a month with Cody.
"With kids, if you start them off right early, there are differences you can make. When you're navigating, if you're off a little in the beginning, you're way off in the end," Cutshaw said.
Cody's compass has already been adjusted.
"We'll probably still be 'big and little' when I have a little," Cody said. Casting a quick, gap-toothed grin at Cutshaw, he said, "It'll be fun. I'll get to boss a little kid around and make him do push-ups."
-- Staff Writer Tarryl Jackson contributed to this story.
Ellie