Posted by asdfgh (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to them! That is really exciting for them.

Posted by ellen67 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations DeVries Family!

Posted by ConTribuTor (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The President of Larson Contracting is "Lynn DeVries". Is this is a relative???

Posted by dutchess (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm so happy for them they are a wonderful family!

Posted by blackcherry (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to the winning family!

Posted by sk_acres (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ConTribuTor......in case you missed the second to the last sentence in the story.......it says that they are not related. Just bad coincidence is all.

Posted by sunrose (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations Dirk and Susan !! I can't wait for our granddaughter out east to read the news-she will be so happy for you too.

Posted by LRB (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congradulation!! Great people!!!

Posted by ConTribuTor (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The original posting did not have that statement. Apparently the staff actually does monitor this forum. :)

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to Extreme Makeover for finding the address. I've lived here most of my life and I don't know where that address is located? I know where Hayward is, but not the rest.

Posted by ggkj16 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So happy for the family. It is a great way for our community to show that we are truly a caring community and to shine for others to know this too.

Posted by Skeeter (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrationulations to Sue, Dirk and kids. This is so exciting! I am so happy for them! They are a wonderful family!

Posted by tamilynne (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I had a feeling it would be them. They were the main rumor I had heard, and all of the pieces fit. I've met Dirk and he is a very nice guy, and have heard Susan is a great teacher as well. Enjoy your vacation DeVries family!

Posted by scurvydog (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is way off topic, but doesn't Ty Pennington's mugshot look like someone who'd write a column for The Onion?

And to stay on topic, I had heard the same rumor. Good for them!

Posted by kona (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i am excited to see brie's images from this morning. i can't wait to see their reaction to this. how exciting!

Posted by tmfresh (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is exciting! But seriously do you really think they were that surprised? After all how many people had heard that they were going to be the family? I know I heard it. Plus I'm sure since they probably applied for the home make over I'm sure they had at least an inkling they were the ones.

Posted by Winter (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to Dirk, Sue, April, Derik and Hannah! It couldn't have happened to a more deserving family!

Posted by katet (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yay for the DeVries family!! I don't know them but I couldn't be happier for them!! Can't wait to hear and see more!! Lets get out there and support both our local crews and Ty's team.

Posted by nesaajr (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrat's Dirk. Long time since High School, I'm sure the rest of the ALHS77 class is happy for you too.

Carroll

Posted by gegal (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I, too, had heard the DeVries' would be selected-no one more deserving! I have been selected as a general volunteer for the makeover and am pumped. They live about 1 mile south of the intersection of Co Rd 46 and Co Rd 30-which is just past the KOA and Holiday Park Golf Course.

Posted by kona (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 1:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i heard there were 5 families chosen and if the 1st family found out, they would go to the next and so on. so much for what i know.

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard from officials that had talked to the Producers that for tax purposes, nobody could know ahead of time.
Except the production company. Kona you are correct.
It has to do with how they are classified as a show to the federal government. Thanks gegal for the directions!
Best wishes to the family.

Posted by bettyboop474 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What is the story behind this family? I'm sure that they are very deserving of this. Congrats to them!!!

Posted by adamwilkie (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations Dirk, Susan, April, Derik, and Hannah!!!! No one decerves this more than you all!!!! For those of you who do not know this family they are the kindest, hardest working, most giving people in the area! Susan bestowed uopn me her love of music almost ten years ago and it has stuck with me! I am active in the Waldorf Wind Symphony and what she taught me all those years ago benefit me on a daily basis. Her gift and love for teaching is amazing! This is so fantastic their family!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I can't wait to help out with this!!

Posted by Libby (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This production should press some good into the Albert Lea economy...for the short term at least. It's exciting to hear about a deserving family to get a home/make-over! I can't wait to watch the show and see (hopefully) familiar land-marks albeit quick glimpses!

Congratulations from a former resident of the area!

Posted by daytime (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wondering what made them so deserving over others. Don't get me wrong happy for the family but how does one get picked over the other. Just wondering.

Posted by 3trees (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For the little bit that I know of Dirk, he seems to be a great guy, very well liked and willing to put the needs of someone else before his own. Congrats...you are what this show is all about.

Posted by alhsgrad90 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just when you thought they would choose a family in the city they go country lets make Hollandale shine.

Posted by alhsgrad90 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whoops my bad lets make Hayward shine.

Posted by icare2 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i am so happy for this family. althought i am not sure that it will really bring a boost to the county. seems like there is only a few businesses that are actually "making a profit" from this. Al Larsen of course is covering his business interests and the rest of the county is being asked to "donate". it would be nice to spread the $$$ to small business instead of giving the big guys another boost.

Posted by lundepride (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Someone wrote in to nominate this family. The letter explained their circumstances, and they were selected based on the details of their lives. Congratulations, I hope this experience touches the hearts of all community members. What an awesome feeling it is to have angels in our own community who watch over us and realize our hardships. Thank heavens some of the angels take action and write the letters necessary to bring this level of good into our lives.

Posted by hazelnut27 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to Dirk & Susan and Family!
We live neighbors to them and think this is great for them!
Dirk is a hard worker and does more with his one arm than most guys do with their two arms.
This is a once in a lifetime experience for our area!

Posted by wingo (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations to the DeVries family and a BIG thank you to extreme makeover. I wish all of the negative comments would be kept to themselves, can't you just be happy for this family and show some excitement.

Posted by jojo (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW! Good for them!! I read the story published about them and they sound like a pretty deserving family. I like it when something like this happens to good people like them.

Posted by anasgrammy (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know the family at all, but want to say Congratulations! I haven't liked reading the negative comments. If this family wasn't deserving, they wouldn't have been chosen. Best wishes to you and enjoy your new home!

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 4:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Is there anyway we can watch the progress if we weren't chosen as volunteeers?

Posted by ASJ (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats to the family.. For the Tribune being the "Main" media I think they really need to get on this more.. You could be updating this website all the time and put in the regular paper.. check out our "new" website for all the news relating to this story.. It would be great to have a little more insight on this lucky and deserving family as a lot of people know nothing about them.. whats going on with the work crews in town, what are local businesses doing to prepare..where is the family going on vacation? Most people think this is a really exciting time for the community so give us more to read about.. My family personally can't wait to yell, "move that bus!!"

Posted by dolphin (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think this is great that they are in our area, and picked a good family to do this for. I also do not know them, but have heard wonderful things about them. Also does anybody know what day they will yell, "move that bus"? I wanna be there!!!!

Posted by kona (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

dito what ASJ said. i hope the coverage is more in depth that it has been so far.

my question is: did this family know before they got the "knock" because it appears as if the kids were home from school by the timing of the posting in the paper.

Posted by lynnedbird (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats to the DeVries Family!!! Hope your vacation is FANTASTIC!!! From what my son has said about your family, he is a friend with Derik, You are VERY deserving!!!
THANKS EXTREME MAKEOVER!!! Can't wait for your family to say "MOVE THAT BUS"

Posted by cininternational (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congrats Dirk and Susan, and kids Was so releved to hear you where the ones chosen. Hope you have a great vacation you both deserve it. You have so much to look forward to when you get home. God be with you in prayers as you are away and we will see you when you get home. Your mom is so excited!!!!

Posted by bobbyg (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The family should sell tickets after it's all over!!!
I'll take 6
Unfortunately the residence is rural, so any "drive bys" will be difficult?
I'll be in the area in 2 1/2 weeks, so I hope the motorcade is still running?
Congratulations, DeVries family!
BG

Posted by Iceman1day (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Congratulations Dirk and Family! I belong to the local snowmobile club that Dirk is an active member of. Durring the time I have been a member ,Dirk has organized and lead the efforts of at least 2 fundraising rides for Muscular Distrophy.This tells me how much of a giving ,caring and Special person Dirk is. Especially while going through a hardship of his own.I haven't had the opportunity to meet Dirks wife and children,but have heard nothing but good things about this Family.I hope they have the best vacation ever and when they return,are Blessed by the support and generocity of this community. I applied to work on the general help crew and was not selected,but you can be sure that my family and I will be there to support the crews and workers as this Blessing unfolds. Thanks "Extreme Makeover" and WELCOME TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA !!!!

Posted by blackcherry (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

icare2: http://www.albertleatribune.com/partners... click on this link and you can see all the companies helping with this project (big and small) all companies involved are donating their time and services including Larson Contracting. A bigger contractor such as Larson Contracting needs to be in charge because they have the equipment and resourses such as the contacts at many of the businesses that are helping to pull off a project of this scale with-in the time frame alotted.
Best of luck to all those involved!!

Posted by whowhatwhenwherehow (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why couldn't this be a makeover for several families? Seems as though many families could benefit instead of going overboard on one house. I hope that Extreme Makeover also provides some guidance on how to pay for and maintain the house, I think that is the least they can do for this family. Seems to me that this whole thing is not actually about helping a family out (as it should be) but instead makes it EXTREME - which is what Hollywod is all about. Does it really need to be a mansion that the family can't afford instead of a reasonable house that the AVERAGE person would have? How about Common Sense Makeover? That could benefit multiple families instead of just one.

Posted by Wildbill (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Interesting how it takes a TV show to make everyone so generous. Locally, nearly everyone is donating their time and materials(with the exception the the restaurant and motel where they're staying and eating which was bought out). Ty Pennington and his company will make big money selling this to ABC. I'm just as excited as everyone else.

Posted by danecook3 (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To: All naysayers

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

It is amazing that the same people that pray for something good to happen for our area then turn around and pick it apart-pick a lane people.
Look a black helicopter-duck!

Posted by observer (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who do we contact to volunteer, the show called agilys this morning to ask for volunteers for thursday morning? I volunteered for thursday and friday afternoons, but did not get a call to help.

Posted by Skeeter (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 10:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can't believe the negative comments that I have read. If you knew this family like I do, you would know what honest, hardworking, and caring people they are. They are so deserving of this.

Posted by aster67 (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 2:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I totally agree with whowhatwhenwherehow. Why build something the average or should I say "underaverage family" could never afford or pay the taxes on. It's all for the television ratings. Is it so good for this family? or is it the beginnings of the end? I wish this family good will, however beware of gifts wrapped in shinning paper (they are not always what they seem).

Posted by ALgirl (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have to agree with an earlier post and I am pretty disappointed in the Tribune's coverage, or lack thereof, of this event. I learned more information about the family, and what's happening by checking out the KAAL website. I think the Trib needs to step-it-up!

Posted by sschmeltzer (anonymous) on October 1, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To: All who are making negative comments about Extreme Home Makeover, Larson Contracting, or others who are donating time and effort to this great cause.

I am having a hard time writing this as I am so dissapointed in how some people have chosen to welcome a fantastic opportunity to show what Freeborn County, Mower County, Southern Minnesota, Northern Iowa, and everyone can do when we all pull together.
Stop picking this great thing apart!
Al Larson, as owner of Larson Contracting has done nothing but bend over backwards to help a family in need.
Starting with the Larson Contracting family and counting every volunteer, construction worker, electrician, plumber, drywaller, and painter that this great deed needs, you reach a staggering number that melts the heart.
I have watched people donate time, money, items, prayers.
From the largest items they could donate down to the smallest items they could donate, people have given.
If companies are paying workers to work on this project or if the workers are donating there time, I say good for you!
I do not know if people turn negative because of jealousies or if they just have a true hatred towards what is good, but I hope and pray for these people.
I hope that they can see the light of sunshine that this project brings.
I pray that at some point they "get it" and stop spreading maliciousness and negativity.
If there is any lining of pockets on this project, it is a lining that is not green in money, but gold as in good.
If you need to be negative towards someone, please aim all the negativity towards me-I have big shoulders, the Albert Lea Tribune can take it.
As for Mr Larson and all the other good people of our area-leave them alone because you know what-they are busy helping your community.

Thanks

Scott Schmeltzer
Publisher

Posted by totslanding (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As a small part of the ALHS77 class I am so happy for Dirk and his family. I was back home last weekend and went out to see the site it was great to see something so wonderful. I also have a brother who is one of the construction workers that makes me so proud to know he is helping to make their lives better.
Good luck to the DeVries Family

Posted by leonci (anonymous) on October 6, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I worked on the house last evening installing the hardwood floors. My team of 13 guys were assissted by 10 volunteers who really made our job go smoothly. I did not know any of you who were sweeping, hauling wood floor in to the job, hauling garbage out when it was needed, covering the floors when they were installed and I need to try to thank you with this message. You were the greatest and pitched in and never a disgruntled comment and sometimes when I am running a crew of 13 guys, I can come across as harsh and brash, but I was always greeted with a smile and willing people. None of you were forced to be there and came out and gladly did the job. I had heard comments about how there was nothing to do for some of the volunteers and I made sure you were utilized to the utmost. We were scheduled to be there from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. and were done 3 1/2 hours ahead of schedule. To any volunteers who helped my people with the wood floors-JOB WELL DONE !!