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Life in new house a whirlwind for 'Extreme Makeover' family

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer Updated 12:32 AM Monday, November 9, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — James Terpenning and his family are getting accustomed to being recognized wherever they go.

“I go to the library a lot and have met people who said they painted the walls in my bedroom and swept the floor,” said Terpenning’s brother, Joe. James said he encourages people to introduce themselves if they helped out on his new home so he can thank them personally for their amazing generosity.

Life for the Terpennings has been a “whirlwind” ever since Ty Pennington and his gang from “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” showed up with a megaphone on Carthage Drive July 30 shouting their name. The local episode premiered Sunday night, Nov. 8, with an estimated 11 million viewers watching.

“It won’t be immediately seen worldwide, but it will eventually air in 69 countries around the world,” according to ABC’s senior producer, Diane Korman.

Shannon Terpenning admits it’s a bit disconcerting to think that millions of people will have eventually been inside every room of her house.

She said soon after the cast arrived on the scene, the family was taken to a hotel and all of their belongings packed up, their clothes dry-cleaned, and everything put into storage. Within 106 hours, a thousand volunteers and a hundred local contractors under the direction of Rob Arnold and Coventry Fine Homes had demolished their 1,200-square-foot three bedroom house and constructed a 3,300-square-foot handicapped-accessible home. Meanwhile, the Terpennings were whisked off to royal treatment on a Disney World vacation. For the four kids, it was a first plane trip and a first visit to see Mickey.

After returning to the Miami Valley, the family was sequestered in a hotel without newspapers, television or telephone. They were then brought in a limousine to the “reveal” on Aug. 6 where 8,000 showed up to welcome them home.

“It was nerve-wracking, we didn’t know what to expect when they moved the bus,” said Shannon. “When we walked in it was move-in ready — everything from sofas to silverware, the cupboards were stocked with food and toilet paper and they bought new clothes for the kids. At first I felt like I was living in somebody else’s home.”

Some things felt familiar, thanks to the creative “Extreme Makeover” team. Ty Pennington’s photos of the family were framed on walls and tables throughout the house. Shannon’s new piano bench was decoupaged with her favorite sheet music. Paralympic trophies earned by James Terpenning were prominently on display. Even vegetables and herbs had been transplanted into the new backyard garden with vegetable signs created from the former home’s wooden fascia.

Because James was rescued as a Vietnam orphan, the master bedroom has an Asian theme. Uncle Joe can watch “The Little Mermaid” whenever he likes in his own movie theater bedroom, surrounded by Disney memorabilia. And 6-year-old Josselyn, who loves games, now sleeps in a pink-and-purple fairy tale castle that’s been turned into a giant game board dubbed “JosseLand.” No wonder her best friends love coming over to play.

Everyone wants to be her friend now, said Josselyn, who along with her three brothers, was given a tuition waiver to Wittenberg University.

“Even kids that don’t know me,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2440 or MMoss@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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I'm not usually a big fan of Home Makeover but I did watch it on Sunday. I was so amazed at Mr. Terpenning's compassion and strength. His story is an inspiration to others and proof that there's really no excuse for not living life to the fullest and helping your fellow citizens every time you get the chance. Truly amazing!

Michelle
3:38 PM, 11/10/2009

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god bless america thank you god for giving me the chance to live in this world as an american and witness great and inspiring things like this i want every living soul on this planet to have oppurtunitys like this freedom to make the choices what ever that may be i want my brave soldiers home with thier familys i want everyone who wants to work to have a job and be paid well for the sacrifice and wear and tear they surrender of there bodies to provide us with the little things we take for grante

just one of millions
10:41 AM, 11/10/2009

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I don't know these folks but I am thankful for their blessing. I am very thankful for the Extreme Home Makerover team and ABC for enabling people to help people with needs that might not otherwise be met. I appreciate ABC's airing the program in an era of time where most TV programs are not family friendly.

Ray
4:55 PM, 11/9/2009

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I am so pleased that this family got selected to have the wheelchair friendly house built. James is truly a person for the rest of us to look up to. He seems to be such a genuine person and I am thrilled that this will make life at home easier for this family.

Constance W
2:46 PM, 11/9/2009

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Greatest episode ever. The luck of having your house renovated is such a dream. http://www.mantisgardentiller.com

Mantis Tillers
11:37 AM, 11/9/2009

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