Early Wednesday morning, reporter Kevin and I arrived in Newberry Township to cover the overnight shift at the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build. It didn’t work out, and we never got to go to the build. Even though we did get a good story and video out of our experience, I was bound and determined to return and cover an overnight shift at the build.
So, after several phone calls with several people, I was cleared to access the build, which I did at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday. This time, I went solo. It was my idea to return, and none of the reporters (understandably) had the time for it.
© 2011 by The York Daily Record/Sunday News. The sky begins to pale over the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build early Thursday, June 23, 2011, in Newberry Township. Siding on the back of the house will be completed during the day on Thursday, with landscaping scheduled to begin in the evening.
This night shift was quiet, although lead build staff Jon Scroggin assured me that the previous night — when Kevin and I were stuck at the sign-in tent — had been hectic. But because everything on Thursday morning (mostly drywalling) was happening inside the house, where media aren’t allowed during construction, I was once again stuck outside the action.
So I focused on the quieter moments.
© 2011 by The York Daily Record/Sunday News. Lead build staff Jon Scroggin of Mechanicsburg and Keith Barefoot of East Pennsboro Township in Cumberland County rest for a moment by the backyard pool at the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build early Thursday, June 23, 2011, in Newberry Township. Scroggin and Barefoot are two of several volunteers who are working at least 12 hours every night to make sure production runs on schedule between day shifts, when the TV crews are active.
© 2011 by The York Daily Record/Sunday News. Volunteer Mark Snyder of Mechanicsburg watches as another volunteer operates a track backhoe to loosen up the compacted topsoil in front of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition build in Newberry Township on early Thursday, June 23, 2011. According to lead build staff Jon Scroggin, landscapers will begin work at the build at 8 p.m. on Thursday.
Sunday is the big reveal day, so fellow photographer Paul and I will go together to cover the excitement. In the meantime, be sure to check out the short video I produced from that second consecutive overnight shift.
Words and Light 
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