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photo by Scott Schmeltzer
People watch “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” Monday at the Diamond Jo Casino in Northwood, Iowa.
Local ‘Extreme’ episode airs
DeVries family gathers with builders at casino
Published Monday, December 8, 2008
NORTHWOOD, Iowa — About two months after “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television crews came to rural Hayward to surprise the Dirk and Susan DeVries family with a home makeover, the ABC network aired the local episode Sunday to the delight of many area residents.
Gathered at Diamond Jo Casino to watch the premiere and to celebrate the makeover were volunteers, family and friends of the DeVries family — and of course the DeVries themselves.
It was the first time the family got to see the whole process behind the makeover — from when TV show host Ty Pennington and his design team knocked on their door, when their old house was demolished and when their new house was built.
“How they put that all together was unbelievable,” Dirk said after watching the show.
“Extreme Makeover” producers knocked on the door of the DeVries family on Sept. 30. The next day the family was sent on a vacation to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Larson Contracting and volunteer workers demolished their house Oct. 2 and began building a new home in about 100 hours.
The house was finished on Oct. 5, and the keys to the new house were handed over Oct. 6. On Oct. 7 — the big day — the rain-soaked crowd of onlookers yelled, “Move that bus!” while the DeVrieses stood wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the surprise of seeing their new house.
The show on Sunday started with pieces of the family’s video application and an explanation of all that Susan gives to the community, despite living with a rare heart condition.
It showed the mother in her music classroom at Hollandale Christian School teaching with homemade instruments and explained that she is also the first-grade reading specialist there and even the bus driver.
The family’s youngest daughter, Hanna, expressed a fear of losing her mother and described Susan as her best friend and role model.
The show had moments that brought some to tears and other moments that caused others to laugh out loud.
Susan said she was pleased with how the show gave much of the glory to God.
Before the show aired, the family thanked the audience and all of the volunteers who helped to make the makeover possible.
“Every day we live in solid evidence of how other people can be God’s hands,” Susan said. There are not enough words to say thank you enough.
“We feel so unworthy when we see these other families on these shows ... ” she said. “We’re not sure why we were chosen.”
Susan described the family’s new home as safe and beautiful.
Dirk thanked Betty Nienoord and Beverly Draayer, the two women who encouraged the family to apply for the makeover. He said if it wasn’t for them, they wouldn’t be standing there watching the premiere.
Dirk quoted a verse from the Bible that explained where much is given, much is expected. He hopes his family can live up to that and continue to give as much as they can, he said.
They presented Al Larson, owner of Larson Contracting, with a butterfly stone painted by Susan that matches the stone placed in front of their house.
Larson said though he was a little nervous going into the makeover, he feels fortunate he was able to give. The whole week sent by in the blink of an eye.
He said people ask him if he thinks the show touched the lives of the DeVries, but in reality it touched the hearts of many more — 3,000 people who built, volunteered or watched the house being built.
“Hopefully we’ve touched enough people that the giving and caring will go on,” Larson said.
The crowd made a toast to the DeVries.
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Comments
Posted by drluv2u (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't get local channels where I live, does anyone know when this might air again for direct tv?
Posted by citizen07 (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you go to the website I think they put full episodes online
Posted by metisman (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 11:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, nice house!
Posted by justmealmn (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They sure crammed alot into that short one hour.
Posted by ks_b_me (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just curious...how can someone drive a school bus that has a life threatening disease that could stop her heart at any time?
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I said it before, but out of curiosity, what was the extent of the punch list? You have to believe one or two switches weren't working when the Family came home?
But I take my hat off and salute the people that participated in the construction!
Posted by headscratcher (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ks_b_me
Should she just sit and wonder if her next breath will be her last one?
Just be happy for them.
Posted by nesaajr (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great show, only they missed telling of how giving the local business community and its citizens were to the whole thing.
Missed the gift their daughter recieved, scholarship to college and from Dave Severson Ford along with the Ethanol plant of the Pickup and fuel for one year.
Congrat's to the Community as a whole!
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm wondering if they actually rode to the airport in the same limousine that was on the show or if it was in some other vehicle. It's fun to hear stories from the people involved and read the stories in the paper versus what we saw in the show time wise. bobbyg- I heard from a credible source the Al Larson was very picky about getting the best to work on every project so that nothing would go wrong.
I would be interested as to what kind of instructions the show gave the family as for what to do! It was exciting!
Posted by dewdroppedin (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 3:12 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm wondering if Susan Devries has a pace maker?
Posted by johnny7223 (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I do not live there but have Family and friends there and that this Family deserved this gift.
I am very happy for the DeVries Family and hope things get even better. But to the show, where is the praise for all involved in the gift giving and volunteers that gave their all. I seen a lot of going to Ty.
But it did bring tears to my eyes.
And DITTO to rhe responce of (nesaajr above)
Posted by inobmaz (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 4:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
drluv2u
Do you line close to AL Or any place that has over the air TV. ABC is avaiable almost everywere in MN over the Air
Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just out of curiosity, I had seen on t.v. a few weeks ago that people that had received Extreme Makeover Homes, where now in foreclosure. The reason is becasue their taxes increased.
Hello people! Did anyone bother to think about that? If theses people are less fortunate, and can barely maintain what they all ready have, how can they afford the property taxes when they are increased? And you better believe Uncle Sam wants his share.
What about the heating cost? Before the Devries only had heat on the main floor.
People that are less fortunate need to be educated. Will the Devries receive financial counseling? Or will they be left to figure things out for themselves?
That is what was lacked on television by the other people. People that had received these homes were not educated. Therefore they were all losing their homes. They said they wished someone would have told them that their taxes were going to quadripple.
The extreme team should change their strategy I think, and instead of sending people on vacations, send them to money management classes, and teach them how to balance a check book, and learn how to save for those rainy days.
I watched the show, and yes it was extremely quick, but it all looked good in the long run. The community really came together when there was need. I think the Devries family deserved the home after watching the show, and I also think that the Devries family should be very thankful to all of the contractors and volunteers that volunteered their time and materials, to build their home, and I am pretty sure they are.
Does the extreme makeover team provide the families with the list of contractors and volunteers that helped to put their home together? If not, then they should.
I still have not received my thank you card, but that's ok, I am a strong believer in carma.
Either way, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays to the Devries, and to everyone in AL. - A 12 hour shift volunteer of the Devries family.
Posted by BLSSS (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For heaven sake, people, can't we just be HAPPY for this family? Any one of us can pass away, without notice, from ANYTHING. Susan knows her disease and knows her limits. I am sure if she weren't feeling well that she would have someone else drive that day. With all the love that she has shown the children, of this community, do you really think she would put them in danger? AND, before you ask, no I don't know Susan, personally. I have, however, had the honor of being acquainted with members of this family and townsfolk. There is not a "1" of them that wouldn't give the shirt off their backs, to help others.
With all of the negativity that has surrounded this, what should be a, blessed event, I have to say that I am ashamed. There is. far. too much unhealthy & unnecessary animosity here. This family and their friends read the Albert Lea Tribune, as well. Do you not think that this hurts them to read all this negativity? How about we grow up and act like adults. Envy & jealousy are not attractive on anyone!
God bless this family and the wonderful people of this community that have unconditional love for others.
Posted by goodcarma (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Geez charlie, lighten up. You're assuming a lot about the family.
The family that was losing their makeover house had used it to finance their not very profitable home business, not because the taxes increased.
In the Devries' case, they installed a geothermal heating system. Very energy efficient and low cost.
They've been home for 2 months, had numerous demands on their time, everyone wanting to see their home, and still run their personal lives, and you're upset you haven't gotten a card yet??
Posted by drluv2u (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
inobmaz
No, I am from out of state, not sure about what would be available re the over the air, but I will look into it, thanks! And thanks to citizen07, too.
Posted by drluv2u (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
inobmaz
No, I am from Iowa, not sure about what would be available re the over the air, but I will look into it, thanks! And thanks to citizen07, too.
Posted by sorrycharlie (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey goodcarma, all I am saying is that if someone built me a $200,000 plus home, I would at least put an ad in the paper thanking everyone, and letting them know how greatful I am for all of their hard work, and or sending them a card, or letter. Something, verses nothing always seem to help. That way it will keep the rest of brow beaters in town quiet. You know, the ones that did not voulnteer. Probably someone like yourself. Don't you think that donanting a substantial amount, deserves some form of gratitude? Times are tight for everyone right now, not just the Devries. A simple thank you from that family would have put the fire out on a lot of these hot heads around here. Don't you think. And as stated before, if you can read above, I can give a r_ts a_s, if they say thank you or not. I've got the big man watching down on me for my good deeds. Don't need your 2 cents. So go smoke that in your pipe!
Posted by bigbear (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorrycharie, I don't agree or disagree with you on this subject but what good deeds do you do that the big man is watching down on you? We give $50.00 a mo. to St.Judes and I don't expect any thank you cards from them it's just what you do, you'll be rewarded some day if you do believe in the big man
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This note is for the ungreatful people that cry about this or that!!
QUIT COMPLAINING!
Be happy that we have good people in the world to give and continue to give more than their share!
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bigbear!!
Bless you
That's one of my favorites!
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The idea of doing good deeds is not to get a big pat on the back. We are suppose to do it out of the goodness of hearts. Maybe they do plan on putting something in the paper, but so what if they don't. I could tell by the way they acted on the show that they were very grateful to EVERYONE!!!!!
Posted by tengstrom (Tim Engstrom) on December 8, 2008 at 7:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorrycharlie:
Duh!
Ever click on the "Extreme Makeover" logo on the front page of the Tribune Web site? It goes here:
http://www.albertleatribune.com/larsonco...
Explore.
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sorrycharlie, they have thanked the public numerous times and that's all you should be expecting.
It was fun what I did experience, but wish I would have seen more of it.
Posted by citizen07 (anonymous) on December 8, 2008 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There was a huge thank you in the paper! I don't even get the paper, but I read the paper when I do laundry and came across it.
Posted by seethruthesmoke (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 7:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I went to school with Dirk. Have not seen him for years. He still gets that great excitment on his face. They are well deserving of all the have recieved. Good work Albert Lea!
Posted by wingo (anonymous) on December 9, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
NormanRogers, Not every one that posts on here is from Albert Lea, a lot of the biggest grippers are from out of town, so what does that tell you!!!! Albert Lea is like any other town, we have good people and we have bad, it's always the bad news that gets yelled the loudest.
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