Massage therapists give time to makeover volunteers, crew
Staff reporter
Marion County residents were involved this past week in assisting construction crews that were building a new house for the Nutsch family of rural Douglass, as part of the television reality show "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
More than 20 graduates and current class members of a massage therapy class taught at Butler Community College of Marion, provided free massages to volunteers Thursday afternoon.
More than 1,000 workers and volunteers representing a general contractor and 12 subcontractors, descended on the property located a few miles southeast of Rose Hill, to build the family a new home.
Kevin and Cathy Nutsch and their five daughters, ages eight through 16, lost their home Aug. 9, when a propane gas leak caused an explosion that leveled their three-bedroom bungalow and family auto repair and salvage business.
Fortunately, the family was on vacation at the time.
Since that time, the family had been living in the basement of Cathy Nutsch's father.
"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" selected the family for the popular television show to build a new home at the same site as the other home. The work began Oct. 17 and was completed Sunday.
Mark Eaton, owner and chief executive officer of Wichita Roofing and Remodeling, was the general contractor for the project.
By Thursday afternoon, Eaton and his crew had been working non-stop for 72 hours.
"I've had probably a total of eight hours of sleep," said Eaton on a one-on-one interview.
When asked how the project was proceeding, Eaton said it was "going wonderfully."
Rain did not dampen the spirits and determination of those involved, but did make for a sloppy work area.
"The excavators have done an unbelievable job," said Eaton, referring to the areas under construction and being utilized by workers and volunteers.
Streams of traffic including heavy equipment and vehicles busily passed the media tent where the interview was conducted. Sand had been poured on areas utilized by vehicles.
Backhoes and graders were busy in front of the home, preparing the dirt for grass and trees.
Teams of workers were shingling the house, and doing exterior and interior finishing work.
Even though Eaton and his company have completed many types of remodeling and construction projects, none compare to this one.
"No one in town (Wichita) has taken on a project like this," he said. "Probably less than 30 contractors in the country have attempted this."
Workers also have been encouraged by spectators who have maintained a week-long vigil across the gravel road at the site.
Occasionally, celebrities with the television show made appearances, signing autographs and being photographed with fans.
By Saturday, the contractor handed the keys to the design team for final touches. Outdoor landscaping also was completed, giving the house instant trees and grass.
The family returned Sunday afternoon to their home for the big reveal.
"We're glad to have been a part of this," said Carolan McFarland, instructor at Butler of Marion.
Donations collected by the massage therapists were given to the Nutsch family.
The show is scheduled to air sometime in December on ABC.
