Mountain Ward Makeover Blog

This blog was created simply to make it easier for members of the Mountain Ward (and perhaps their families and friends) to find the various media clips related to the Mountain Ward Makeover. A brief overview of the project is given, with a few snapshots. The last posting has links to all the media coverage.

You can either scroll down from top to bottom, then click on "older posts" and scroll down some more, or you can skip to whichever section you want, by clicking on the desired post title on the left sidebar.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennie Taylor at 801-737-0680, 801-628-3848 or jennie.taylor@hotmail.com

Enjoy!!

McKinley Home: Before

Here is the McKinleys' home before any of the construction work began.
This is the McKinley family right before they turned their home over to the Mountain Ward.

Getting Started

Here are some pictures of the first steps toward a completely renovated home.

The Youth at Work

Here you can see that the Youth really were leading the way on this project. A new bay window was added to the living room.
The kitchen floor was entirely redone.
The carport was framed and enclosed to become a garage.
Even parts of the ceiling were redone.

Rain or Shine

The Youth's work ethic stayed strong, no matter what happened with the weather.

When the rain began to fall, the house was covered--and the work continued. The stone work was largely done under the plastic tarp.
The last few pieces of siding on the west side were put in place from above.

It truly is an answer to prayers tha no one was hurt during this project!!!

The Night Crew

Each night after the Youth left, a variety of other ward members and neighbors came in to work the night shift.

Many people worked into the wee hours of the morning each night.
Amateurs took part in the project, as well, receiving instruction from the more experienced volunteers as they went.

The new kitchen floor begins to take shape.

Double Time!!!

The last few days of the project were done in "double time." On Friday afternoon, just hours before Youth Conference was officially set to end, it was announced that the ENTIRE home would be redone (including a new sprinkler system, new sod, and new landscaping)--all by Monday at 6 pm.

The new living floor was set in place once the painting had been done in that room.
Late Wednesday night, the bathroom was added to the project list--new floors and all!
Once the cupboards were installed, the kitchen really began to take shape.
When the oil-based wall caused the latex-based paint to peel off, Sister Montgomery was called in to the rescue--with wall paper.
A new stone mailbox--not part of the original plan--was also put in.
From Friday on, the "night crew" really became the "wee-hours-of-the-morning" crew.

Finishing Up

A lot of the finishing work was done in the final hours before the McKinleys were to arrive on Monday. Everyone stepped in, and everything turned out beautifully!

Fresh flowers were placed on the living room coffee table, and homemade cookies on the kitchen table!
There were even adorable towel animals folded on each bed. Clearly no corners were cut here!

Welcome Home, McKinleys!!!

Here is the McKinleys' new home. The Youth were joined by a lot of neighbors and friends, as they prepared to "unveil" the house.
Once the "bus" was moved out of the way, the McKinleys were escorted into their new home.
Needless to say, it was a hit!!!
Welcome Home, McKinleys!!!

Makeover Media

Here you can find a list of the various media coverage for the Mountain Ward Makeover.

This project makes it much easier to see what President Hinckley meant when he said, "You represent a marvelous generation in this Church. I have said again and again that I believe this is the best generation we have ever had. [The young men] and the young women are tremendous" (October 1997, General Conference).

Church News, Top Story 14 June2008:
http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/

Standard Examiner: Multimedia Edition of the Big Reveal
http://www.standard.net/live
Click on "Watch the McKinley's walk through their new home" on the right side of the screen (you may have to scroll down a bit).

Standard Examiner: Front Page Story of the Reveal
http://www.standard.net/splash/ (the Standard actually did three printed pieces in the paper, but you have to subscribe to the newspaper to access those on-line. If you get the paper, you can log on to see them on-line.)

Deseret News: Front Page Story of the Reveal
http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,700233421,00.html

Deseret News: Multimedia Edition of the Project
http://deseretnews.com/photo/slideshow/1,5587,5054,00.html

KSL Covers the Big Reveal Live
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=3498734

KSL's Story from Day 2 (Tuesday 3 June)
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=3461104

Fox 13 Covers the Big Reveal
http://www.myfoxutah.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=0974D4D06A8DB65DAA71B3DA67B4ED1C?contentId=6733305&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

Fox 13 Story from Day 5 (Friday 6 June)
http://www.myfoxutah.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=6713091&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1

ABC 4's Story from Day 2 (Tuesday 3 June)
http://www.abc4.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=0a594a58-137f-4de9-a93e-02e716282404