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photo by Brie Cohen
Volunteers clean out the DeVries' home Wednesday. Many items were removed including furniture, lamps and kitchen wear.
Get ready for demolition
Published Thursday, October 2, 2008
HAYWARD — Volunteers from both inside and outside of Minnesota bore down on the home of Dirk and Susan DeVries Wednesday to clear the house of its belongings and get it ready for demolition as part of the popular ABC TV show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
The volunteers, made up mainly of professional movers, began removing furniture and other personal items of the family at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
All volunteer tents, spectator areas and other tents will be set up later that afternoon.
The DeVries family, which consists of parents, Dirk and Susan, and their three children, April, 17, Derik, 15, and Hanna, 12, received word that they had been chosen for the home makeover Tuesday morning.
Photo by Brie Cohen
A list in April DeVries' room tells movers which items to keep, throw and donate. There was a list like this in each room of the house.
Dirk, 50, is a former farmer who works as a mechanic at Royal Sports in Clarks Grove. He had a farming accident when he was younger that left him without one arm.
Susan, 42, is a music and reading teacher at Hollandale Christian School, who is suffering from some serious health conditions.
Each member of the DeVries has much artistic talent and is known for giving to the community.
Celebrity Ty Pennington and his TV crew knocked on the door of the home at 84588 200th St. in Hayward Township, three miles east of Hayward to tell them the news just before 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Then in the time that followed, crews were busy filming and looking around the house, while the family packed for their trip to Niagara Falls, N.Y. Around 5:30 p.m., they left their old home for the last time to go on their vacation.
They will come back home on Tuesday to see a completely new home.
Photo by Brie Cohen
Volunteers unload cups and plates from the dishwasher and pack them into boxes Wednesday inside the DeVries’ home.
All of the construction for the new home, which is under the direction of Larson Contracting, will be completed in a mere 106 hours.
The house is scheduled to be framed from 9:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday; on Saturday exterior features will be added. On Sunday all the landscaping work will be completed, and then the last day of building will be Monday.
The big “move that bus” scene is tentatively scheduled to be around 2 p.m. the next day.
Areas for spectators are being set up at the site. Look to the Tribune for more information about that area soon.
Comments
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sounds like a good time. When I looked up the sight for volunteers, I thought the first day was Oct.2nd, which didn't make sense, but I thought it was Oct. 2nd? Hopefully,
I'll be there Tuesday.
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I still say they should charge admission just to watch?
Think of it... The money they raise could be used for lot's of things.
I bet they could set up some bleechers, and some hay bales, and let the crowds gather? What about selling tent spaces? Get some porta johns, set up some food stands?
I should be a promoter? hahahaha
Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 6:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just had my questions answered. They had professional movers from Mason City and Bloomington move the belongings out. I really hope that things go well. It's really fun to see and hear all the behind the scene things that are taking place. I'm guessing between 3 to 4 weeks that Extreme Makeover will have been in the area until they leave from what I know.
Posted by ASJ (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What day and time are they taking down the house?
Posted by havefaith (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What will they be doing with the furniture that is in good condition that will be replaced with new?? Will they donate ??
Posted by justmealmn (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its being wrecked as I type this message. The house is scheduled to be framed from 9:30 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday; on Saturday exterior features will be added. On Sunday all the landscaping work will be completed, and then the last day of building will be Monday.
The big “move that bus” scene is tentatively scheduled to be around 2 p.m. the next day which will be Tuesday the 7th.
Posted by kimmypooh24 (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
when are they showing it on tv?
Posted by borninMNnowinTX (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My cousin was there this morning and he believes it will air in December or January! I sure wish I was up there right now to be a part of this great project!
Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on October 2, 2008 at 4:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One thing I've always wondered about is: how do they do the foundation? Footings take a day, walls also take a day??? Or do they use prefab walls?
I sure wish I could be there to learn some techniques in building.
Good luck!
BG
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