What a welcome home it was for Sam and Cassie Wendl last week in Panora.

More than two hundred local residents gathered Thursday night to watch the couple return from California to see the newly remodeled first floor of their home.

Panora Mayor Patrick Parker called the welcome home a great community bonding experience.  He says the Wendl’s were elated to see the support from local residents, and shocked by the results of their home makeover.

“They were surprised, they were bouncing with joy and excitement wanting to get in (the house) and see all the changes it’s gone through and I think it will be days trying to learn all the changes that are going on within their house.”

Parker says the interaction between local contractors and crew members of HGTV and the Ellen Show was one the neatest things about the whole project experience.

“Whether it was getting lumber for a project, the first thing they would do is check with Lake Lumber.  If they couldn’t get it, at that point they’d try to see what the next closest lumber yard was they could go.  But they did everything that they could from the tile, the electric, the plumbing, general carpentry work–as much as they could they used our local contractors for the project.”

Parker says the overall volunteerism last week from everyone in the local area was the best he’s seen in his time as mayor.  He also wants to thank everybody for helping do whatever necessary to make the project a special time for Sam and Cassie.