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Livermore family returns to new home, bright future
By Bonita Brewer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
LIVERMORE - They screamed. They cried. They high-fived and hugged -- first each other and then TV heartthrob Ty Pennington and other home designers who made it all happen.
As some 3,000 well-wishers lined the street and cheered wildly, eight Livermore siblings whose parents died last year 16 days apart came home Monday to what is, essentially, a brand-new house courtesy of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."
"We love you, Livermore!" an elated Danny Scott, 20, and his sister, Rachael, 18, yelled to the crowd, which show producers said was by far the biggest "reveal" crowd they have ever had -- despite Monday's sweltering heat.
Some residents, who started showing up well before 2 p.m., carried signs, "Dreams do come true!" and "Welcome Home, God bless the Extreme Team and our troops."
Even the Livermore High School marching band showed up for some pre-show entertainment. The crowds squealed with delight as TV crews hosed them with cool water.
After going inside to tour the house, 23-year-old Jennifer Scott popped her head out the front door with a big thumbs up, yelling "It's cool!"
The 5:30 p.m. unveiling of the house came after the children, ages 12-23, were sent on a week's vacation to Walt Disney World then delivered back home by limousine. It involved around-the-clock designing, gutting and rebuilding -- by professionals and community volunteers.
"They deserve it," said volunteer Shannon Workman, 20, who helped put personal belongings back in the rooms Monday morning. "It doesn't matter what you do for them, how small it is. They appreciate it."
"They're so humble," agreed longtime family friend Peggy Law, another volunteer. "They didn't expect this. The community came together for them."
One of the show's stars, interior designer Tracy Hutson, said two doves hung around the house all week, a sign to her that the children's' parents were watching over the whole operation to make sure it came together.
"This is by far my favorite house we've done, from the get-go," Hutson said. "This is a bunch of young kids who lost their parents, and they're being given a new start."
"The house is so beautiful, sophisticated, polished," said designer Mikael Moloney. "No stone was left unturned. I'm blessed to be involved in it. We couldn't have done it without the community."
Custom home builder Dave Marcotte of Danville donated much of the labor, and various suppliers provided many building materials.
Show producers wouldn't allow cameras in the house, saying they want to save the surprises for the tentative May 23 broadcast. But volunteers and others who were inside said it is spacious, colorful and "ultra-modern."
With space added to what was a 1,390-square-feet house, all of the siblings now have their own bedrooms. And the girls' bathroom has seven sinks and seven mirrors, along with two showers and a separate powder room. Finally, Daniel, the only boy, will get his own bathroom.
There's a skylight and an entertainment center with a large TV screen surrounded by eight smaller individual screens, and a huge display of family photos.
In the backyard, there's a sunken pool, a small putting green, a stream under a footbridge, and a built-in barbecue with a fireplace and mounted television. The yard has two huge trees standing side by side, representing the parents, with eight smaller trees around them.
Diane Cadigan, 43, died as a result of heart problems on June 28. Her husband, Mark Cadigan, also 43, died 16 days later of complications from diabetes and high blood pressure.
The couple married in 1990 and created a blended family of her six children and his one, and a child of their own, , Theresa, now 12..
Sears put the icing on the remodel cake, paying off the Madeira Way home's mortgage. The approximately $80,000 mortgage was burnt in the fireplace Monday night, said Ann Nell Cadigan, Mark Cadigan's mother.
ON TV
WHEN: The ABC "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" episode featuring the Cadigan-Scott family is tentatively scheduled to air Sunday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
