Extreme Everything this Week

It's one of those weeks in Owensboro-Daviess County that don't happen enough. Thousands of people and businesses have rallied around Thompson Homes to build the Mattingly family their dream courtesy of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. This very deserving family will return from the Bahamas on Saturday to see their new home nestled in the rolling hills of eastern Daviess County.

Today, Governor Beshear visited the homebuilding site and then broke ground for the long-awaited U.S. 60 bypass extension at Meadow Lands School in front of hundreds of school children and community leaders. I was humbled to be included in the group that turned those first shovels of ceremonial dirt for a project that—combined with the new U.S. 231 in Spencer Co. IN, the Natcher Bridge and the Natcher Parkway—will become part of a new four-lane corridor from I-64 to I-65.

This evening, Pam and I returned to the Extreme Home site to take in what is truly an historic occasion. It's inspiring to see so many people work side-by-side to accomplish this big goal. It's rewarding to see rival businesses become partners on a community team for a week. Those that have come by to watch have smiles on their faces as they admire the collective spirit and hope to catch a glimpse of one of the show's stars.

On our drive home Pam said, "Did you notice how everyone was so friendly?" I had noticed it; everyone there knows they're a small part of something very special. Indeed, a good week for Owensboro-Daviess County.

A more pleasant rebuild

I was sworn to secrecy awhile back, and the secret is finally out. Thompson Homes President Tommy Thompson announced today that his company is coordinating the construction for one of ABC-TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Editions starting September 5th, Labor Day Weekend. Tommy called it the "Super Bowl" for Owensboro.

One deserving family within a 20-mile radius of Owensboro will be the beneficiary of their dream home. Thompson has been busy gathering donated materials, building supplies and labor for the four-day build that will culminate with the family returning from a vacation on September 12th. The spotlight will be on Owensboro for that week and then again in late November or early December when the show airs to an audience of 14 million in the U.S. and abroad.

The coordination involved in the event is enormous. More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to help, the show itself will have 300 people in town, five meals per day will be served to people working on the home 24 hours per day. There will be a job for whoever wants to help. A rally will be held on Friday, August 28th at 8 a.m. to help explain the opportunities. Visit http://www.extremethompsonhomes.com/ to learn more.

In this community over the past nine years, we've rebuilt from two tornadoes, the mother of all ice storms, hurricane winds and more. This Extreme Makeover will be the best one yet.