Monday, January 26, 2009

The Sunday airing of a "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" filmed in Chapman brought back many emotions for residents who continue to rebuild from a June tornado.

About 40 people gathered at Chapman United Methodist Church. Others hosted watch parties from in their homes or went to an American Legion post.

The program featured construction of injured Iraq war veteran Patrick Tutwiler's home and Chapman's rebuilding efforts after the tornado that killed one woman.

A video crew, program star Ty Pennington and designers spent a week in Chapman in November building the Tutwilers a new home and working on other projects.

"Extreme Makeover" also built and furnished a new community center and storm shelter.

Resident Mark Shipman says there were many tears as he and others recalled the tornado's devastation.