CAMBRIA — A Cambria businessman and veteran who found a way to quit smoking is spearheading an effort to give others the opportunity to do the same.
Kurt Skinner, originally from West Bend, owns and operates South Central Wisconsin Auto Glass Re-pair in Cambria with his wife, Bambi. They started the business in June.
“I do chips and only chips,” Skinner said of his business. “I guarantee my chips.”
Skinner said he had been using tobacco products since 1985, when he was in the fifth grade, first cigarettes and then chewing tobacco. He said that he had tried many times to quit, with no success.
Skinner served in the army for seven years, after signing up a few months after Sept. 11, 2001. Skinner said that his tobacco use varied. When he joined the Army he found it “hard to run and smoke” so he switched to chewing tobacco. Skinner worked in communications in the Army and was deployed twice.
The couple has three children, and one of their daughters has asthma and allergy problems, which helped Skinner make the decision to quit. His wife suggested he try hypnosis. He made an appointment at Capital Hypnosis in Madison? during the first week of August, and hasn’t used tobacco since.
Skinner was so impressed by how hypnosis worked for him that he began trying to find a way to bring his hypnotist to Cambria.
“I know that it will work if a person does want to quit,” Skinner said.
He said that one of his goals when he started his business was to give back to the community.
“My family comes first, and then my community,” Skinner said.
He wants people to have the opportunity to quit at a price they can afford. He is asking local businesses and churches to invest in the community by supporting this effort.
The event begins with a family comedy hypnosis show with registered hypnotist Michael Glowacki on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Cambria-Friesland High School. Seating begins at 1:45 p.m. for the show, which will last between 60 to 90 minutes, depending on attendance. There will be a short break, and then tobacco users will be welcome back to participate in a group hypnosis to quit smoking. Baby-sitting, provided by Our Precious Angels Childcare of Randolph, will be available for those who need it.
Skinner said that the first event will cost $5 per person or $10 per family. To attend the second session the cost is $40 cash or $47 for those paying with check or a credit card.
Skinner said that after the costs of hosting the hypnosis seminar have been met, any extra money raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association in memory of Al Winchell. Skinner said the Winchell family chose these two organizations.
“If this is successful, we may do it every year,” Skinner said.
Skinner said that businesses that have committed to helping bring the hypnotist to the area include Feil’s Supper Club of Randolph, Scott’s Rio Lanes in Rio, Fox Lake Kwik Trip, The Wharf in Fox Lake, Lorelai’s in Fox Lake. Old Chicago of Pardeeville and Rum Runners in Randolph.
Any churches or businesses that would like to help may contact Skinner at (920) 348-5020 or 348-3323, or by e-mail to theunchipper@gmail.com.
To learn more about Skinner’s auto glass repair services or for more information about the event and to download a poster to help promote it, visit www.theunchipper.webs.com. For more information on Capital Hypnosis, call (608) 288-9800.