Police admire new hairdos after St. Baldrick's event

BATAVIA – Hairstylist Stephen Wake, owner of Focas Hair Salon in St. Charles, was seeing how much money he could raise for the tufts of hair remaining on Geneva police officer Penny Boedigheimer's head, which was rapidly becoming bald by his hand.

"Now this one is probably worth more than $5," Wake yelled to the crowd.

Boedigheimer was among those who had their heads shaved at Water Street Studios Thursday to benefit St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-driven charity that funds research to find cures for childhood cancers. She was captain of the Water Street Shavees team, which included other officers from the Geneva Police Department and St. Charles Police Department.

She didn't mind the clean-cut look.

"It's a nice break from having to do your hair," Boedigheimer said with a laugh. "This event is great. It's fun. It brings people together."

Boedigheimer is a mixed-media artist at Water Street Studios and thought it was the perfect place to stage the event.

Last year, she participated in a St. Baldrick's event at Claddagh Irish Pub in Geneva. Boedigheimer said she knows too many people who have suffered from cancer, including children.

"My neighbor's granddaughter was 4 years old when they discovered a tumor, which had to be removed," Boedigheimer said. "She's now 10 or 11 and doing well."

Geneva Police Sgt. Tim Baker and his son, Ben, a Geneva High School student, agreed to get their heads shaved at the same time.

"It's fun to support these things," Tim Baker said. "This is the first time I've had my head shaved since I was in the Army."

Ben Baker said he probably will get looks when he walks into school Friday, but he likes his new haircut.

"It feels really nice," he said.

Katie Russo, wife of Geneva police officer Mark Russo, was admiring his new style.

"I like it," she said. "It looks good. I thought it was going to be shorter."

Mark Russo also was happy with how it turned out.

"I don't have to worry about using too much shampoo now," he said.

Sgt. Roger Anderson and officer Adam Stander from the St. Charles department also got their heads shaved.

"I love to do a lot of volunteer work," Anderson said. "I think it is a great cause."

But he doubts the look will stick.

"I've had my hair the same way for so long," Anderson said.