Everybody’s favorites
More than a few of you compared choosing a favorite
from the TOH gang to being asked to pick among your
children, but you weren’t shy about sharing your
appreciation for the entire This Old House team.
“Norm Abram is the best example of what teaching
should be. He’s a consummate professional, with
incredible patience and the willingness to share his vast
knowledge. It’s so evident he truly loves what he does,
and it’s a love that is infectious.” —WILLIAM, VIA INSIDER
“All my friends worship Tom Silva. We talk about our
current projects and bounce ideas off of each other, but
our favorite saying is WWTD: ‘What Would Tom Do?’
Plus, we love it when he gives Kevin a hard time.”
—ANDREW BRETTRAGER, MANHATTAN, IL
“Richard Trethewey is my hero. He’s inspired me to
tackle many plumbing jobs. When I replaced the old pipes
in my basement, many looked at me like I was crazy when
I suggested PEX instead of copper. I just said, ‘They use it
on This Old House!’ ” —JASON KRAMER, CINCINNATI
“Roger Cook is the closer for TOH. He’s often doing
most of his work once every other trade has trampled the
job site, and everyone’s probably feeling the crunch to get
the job fi nished. But Roger always pulls it together and
puts the icing on the cake.” —ABIGAIL HUGHES, VIA E-MAIL
WATCH AND LEARN
You might not be working on a whole-house reno, but that doesn’t mean you
haven’t learned a thing or two (or 20!) from This Old House.
“This Old House gave
me the vision to see
that I could do home
improvements myself,
and started me on my
DIY journey. I’ve been
able to do a number of
major remodels
myself thanks to TOH.
Bob, Norm, Rich, and
the rest of the cast
showed me everything
from reglazing old
sashes to building a
screen porch to how
to take down a wall.”
—DUANE MCDONALD,
VIA E-MAIL
“When I needed a new
roof I used synthetic
slate like they used on
the Billerica House
(and I put it on myself
with the help of a
friend). I would
probably never have
known of that product
had it not been for
TOH. I love that I’ve
learned so much over
the years, and became
a home-improvement
junkie, thanks to This
Old House.”
—SHERRY HOLTMEYER,
COTTAGE GROVE, MN
“ About ten years ago,
when my wife and I
remodeled our home,
everything I’d learned
by watching came in
so handy. I have no
formal training, nor
did I have a role model
in these areas when I
was growing up; it’s
all due to the shows.
Every project I’ve
watched on This Old
House has given me
at least one important
lesson, and usually
more than three.”
—JERRY, VIA INSIDER
“This Old House has
given me confi dence
to tackle projects but
it’s also educated me
to have meaningful
conversations with
men and women in the
trades, and given me
an appreciation for
their livelihood.
Technology can’t
replace the knowledge
and guidance of a
trustworthy and
experienced
tradesperson .”
—VIYAN UDAWATTA,
COLUMBUS, OH
LOL moments
Back in 1979 there wasn’t an acronym for it: You just
laughed out loud. Renovating homes is serious business, but
the guys have never taken themselves too seriously.
WACKY WARDROBE
“Funniest moment? Bob Vila’s
hat in the fi rst season.”
—CHRISTOPHER, VIA INSIDER
SECRET LOCATION
“In 2000 , Norm took the
Charlestown House’s owner to
the New Yankee Workshop—
but fi rst, Norm blindfolded him
so he wouldn’t know where the
shop was .” —TIMOTHY, VIA
THISOLDHOUSE.COM
THE NEW GUY
“Funniest moment for me was
Kevin’s fi rst day on the job.
Roger greeted Kevin—and
scolded him for being late.”
—TONY, VIA INSIDER
“My favorite was Kevin’s fi rst
day. He was so nervous!” —SANDI
HAZEN PEEL, DAVENPORT, IA
“I thought Kevin was too young
at fi rst, but look at him now!”
—MARYANN MOLAEI, KALAMA, WA