To Danny, with Love: Students Plant Tree in Memory of Danny Host

Several students honor the memory of Danny Host by planting a tree at Liberty Grade School, Friday, Sept. 23.

Former students of Annette Host wanted to do something to honor the memory of her son Danny, who lost his battle with brain cancer in February. Host's students planted a tree in his memory Friday, Sept. 23 at Liberty School in Orland Park. The students—Jake Schab, Karissa Manolitsis and A.J. Svatos—read poems at the dedication, and with the help of Annette Host positioned the plaque naming the tree in Danny's memory. Earlier in the year, the students organized a fundraiser to buy the plaque that sits at the base of the tree. "I have a very tight bond with these students," said Host. "I've witnessed how my son's story has affected so many and appreciate the support." For Host, the tree is a daily reminder of the community's love and support…

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Police Officers Blamed and Honored

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

Guilty Verdict For Steger Man in Fatal Drunken Crash Case Mayor Honors Police Officer for His Lifesaving Actions Loved Ones Gather in a Room Brimming with Blue to Remember Danny Host New Lenox Staffing Agency Refuting Workers' Claims They're Underpaid Boys Basketball: Stagg Comes Up Big in Third Quarter for Win No. 20

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Loved Ones Gather in a Room Brimming with Blue to Remember Danny Host

Mourners paid respects Tuesday to the local 7-year-old who died Saturday after battling brain cancer for 16 months.

Danny Host's favorite book was Mr. Happy, the tale of a character determined to make even the most miserable people happy, just like him. A copy of the book rested in Danny's casket beside him, along with a Teddy bear and stuffed owl, as dozens of mourners came to pay their respects Tuesday afternoon to the 7-year-old Tinley Park boy who died Saturday morning after a 16-month battle with brain cancer. Those who visited Danny's wake at Heartland Memorial found themselves surrounded by picture boards covered with images of a grinning, bubbly little boy. Many mourners found themselves smiling through tears. Draped over a couch in the viewing room was Danny's freshly stitched and washed blue-and-white quilt—one his mother Annette Host said was…

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Daniel Anthony Host: Aug. 28, 2003 – Feb. 19, 2011

Beloved 7-year-old loses 16-month battle with brain cancer.

Daniel Anthony Host, 7-year-old son of Daniel E. and Annette (nee Stromberg) Host, brother of Kaitlyn and Conner, grandson of Jim and Pat Stromberg, George and Claire Host, nephew of Jim (Jennifer) Stromberg, George (Peggy), Dave, Guy (Nancy), Glen (Sherri) Host, Cousin of, Kayla, Breeleigh, Brett, Gabe, Caden, Shawn, Sam, Hannah, Amanda, and Nick. Danny was born into Heaven on February 19, 2011 after a 16-month battle with cancer. He lived his whole life in Tinley Park, attending Kimberly Heights School, touching the lives of so many. His love of his family, the outdoors, enjoying baseball, soccer, gardening with his mom, and reading leave so many memories. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from 2 p.m.-9 p.m. at …

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Facebook Friday

Everybody's Doing It: Your Comments from Our Facebook Page

We post stories, photos and videos to our Facebook page for you to comment upon and share. We'll put you in the spotlight each Friday by featuring your comments.

We're all about the reader over here at Oak Forest Patch. We love comments, Facebook recommendations and reader submissions. When we ask for your photos, recipes, opinions and feedback—yep, we really want 'em all! We're greedy like that. Hey, we all have flaws. In case you've missed it, your Patch has a Facebook page. Your Oak Forest Patch editor (yours truly) gets a kick out of postings from readers. For those who have contributed, here's your gold star. Who needs your name in lights, when you can see your name on our site? For this first installment, we're going back in time a bit, to make sure no comment is neglected. Going forward, it will be a weekly feature, which means we need your help every day, with every post! Do you know of …

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Week in Review

Weekly Patch-up: An Infamous Resident, Your Caring Community and Your State Happenings

Your Patch had plenty to offer this week: a crackdown on unpaid parking tickets; longer beer garden hours; the future for an infamous former resident now on Death Row, and coverage of a community coming together for one of its own.

Phew! What a week your Patch has had! Your city had a lot going on, but so did your state, so we don't blame you if you've been a bit distracted. Take a breather with us and take a look back at the week of Jan. 9–16.

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In Oak Forest, Hats Tipped to Community's 'Little Lion'

Hundreds packed Arbor Park school to support 7-year-old Danny Host; more than 500 "blue bows for Danny" sold at Host Family Fundraiser.

The double-parked cars and packed halls said it all—Oak Forest loves the little boy with the courage of a lion. Parking was hard to come by and the crowded, noisy halls rivaled those during passing periods at Arbor Park Middle School. Mid-way through the event, the booth selling bows in Danny's favorite blue tallied 500 sales. Of 600 "I'm Wearing Blue for My Buddy" t-shirts, 460 (at $5 each) left on the backs of or in the hands of Danny's supporters. Organizers were stunned—they had only dreamt of such a successful evening. With cotton candy, popcorn, slushies, pizza and face painting, the carnival atmosphere could have fooled anyone. But it was for one boy and family who, for almost two years, have been battling Stage IV Glioblastoma …

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A Note from the Organizers of the Host Family Fundraiser

Please make note, there have been some changes in plans for the fundraiser for 7-year-old Danny Host.

Editor's Note: Danny was admitted into Children's Memorial Hospital Saturday, Jan. 1. He returned to his family's home on Monday, Jan. 10.  You can follow his progress on his mother Annette Host's blog. The benefit committee has decided that since the "Pajama Party" was intended for Danny to be there, we would postpone it until this spring. We knew we could best help the family by concentrating our efforts on the fundraiser aspect of it, but thought it would be a better idea to have a fun night where we could come together to support Danny and his family.  Please do not attend in pajamas. The event will still be held Jan. 13, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Arbor Park Middle School. For more information, see the event flier Patch has included with the…

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UPDATED (PART 2) In Annette's Words: Danny's Story

Danny Host's mother Annette navigates family and friends through a few of Danny's most recent, tough days. Read her blog entries here and follow his progress as we update.

Updated Tuesday, Jan. 11 Danny and his family are back in the comfort of their own home. In her latest posts, Annette reflects on bright spots in her time with Danny, and the impending loss of her son. Oak Forest Patch recognizes and appreciates Annette's openness with her blog community and Patch readers. We encourage you to extend your thoughts and support to the Host family through Patch, our Facebook page, or through Annette's Caring Bridge site. Published Monday, Jan. 10 Today's the day. Danny Host and his family will leave Children's Memorial Hospital and return to the family home, his mother Annette Host told her blog audience Monday, Jan. 10. Danny will continue battling Stage IV brain cancer from the comfort of his childhood home…

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Week in Review

Weekly Patch-up: The Heart of the Host Family, Teen Driver in Crash, Remembering a Lifelong Resident

Sit back and let us get you up to speed on your hometown, in case you missed it this week.

The first week of the year can be a busy one, as you head back to work after the holidays, or spend some time getting your home back to pre-Hurricane Family conditions. Maybe you've missed some of our great Oak Forest coverage from the week. No worries if you did, we'll give you a quick recap of our top stories from this week. We have another full week planned for you, so if you haven't added us to your "Favorites" yet, you might want to—you don't want to miss a thing.