Extreme Makeover: Home Edition blog, August 19, 2008
Day of Wreckoning
Day two in Geneva, and the dilapidated barn behind the Hill family residence has met its maker, or at least the heavy equipment sent in to do the job. With a cheering crowd looking on, two equipment operators dressed in boxing warm up robes took their best shot at the structure. After only a few hard yanks and grabs, the barn was reduced to a pile of wood. This impressive event is only a fraction of what we'll get to see on Wednesday as the house itself comes down. The Hills, meanwhile are enjoying a well-deserved vacation in Cancun-not a bad bonus!
By now, you've probably heard the story of Tim Hill, the former boxer whose career was cut short, starting the Geneva Boxing Team to help young people needing a positive direction. The family even took one of those kids, now 18-year-old Aleem “Hammer” Whitfield, into their custody and raised him as one of their own. Rumor is that Aleem defeated one of the current U.S. Olympic contenders in a future-stars national championship round.
The boxing theme is sure to be played up when the show airs this fall. Today, DeSales Catholic High School was the site for a reenactment of a 1940s-era boxing match featuring Ty Pennington and company. Volunteers were asked to dress up in '40s era clothing and serve as crowd extras. I hope they shoot it in black and white.
One last note on the subject of boxing, if you hadn’t noticed the connection. Lead builder Mahoney Design & Build is based in Canastota, NY, home of… the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum. Coincidence?!