EDITOR'S NOTE: This is part of The Herald's yearlong series following three families displaced by the Nov. 10 tornado in Clark and South Pymatuning Township.

Digging up spring bulbs and cleaning up yard debris are tasks that have become routine for Jim and Jan Scott of Sharon. The two regularly spend time at the property where their old Nora Street home in Clark once stood.

Though their home was torn down by the Nov. 10 tornado, reshaping their old yard and cleaning around the familiar place give them reasons to come home.

It was six months ago Saturday that a tornado whipped through areas of Clark and South Pymatuning Township, turning the lives in its path upside down. The high winds not only carried away siding and shingles, but also pictures and irreplaceable possessions.

Scott, 59, and Mrs. Scott, 58, were 25-year residents of Clark, but lost about 40 years worth of memorabilia, including antiques. But they're working on getting everything back together. They said the neighborhood is filled with sounds of hammering and nailing. Contractors have set up shop all over the area to help residents rebuild.

Next door to the Scotts, about 30 Amish workers are helping to rebuild Bruce and Cindy Wetzel's log cabin house, which collapsed on top of Wetzel during the tornado's fury.

"We're here almost every night, if it's not raining," Mrs. Scott said.

On Saturday, the Scotts raked and cut the lawn around the plot that was once their home. They expect contractors will begin construction in late June. Mrs. Scott hopes they'll be in by Christmas, adding that she doesn't want to spend another Christmas holiday away from her home.

After searching through several Web sites, the Scotts have settled on a country-style, three-bedroom home. The house will include a wrap- around front porch, nook and foyer, two-car garage and a railing upstairs that looks down into the living and dining room area. The house will also have a cellar, Mrs. Scott said.

The Scotts found shelter in their cellar during the tornado. "We made sure we had a cellar (in the new home)," she said.

They are settling into their temporary home in Sharon and trying to make the best of the situation.

"We're just getting anxious to see a house. And I don't mean the one we're living in. We're ready to let the contractors come and start," Scott said.

Just like the Scotts, next-door neighbors Matt and Trish Mueller said they are also ready to be in their new place, but are being very patient. Mueller, who was a Navy physician, recently finished his tour of duty and returned home in February. The couple have two children, 4-year-old Christopher and 3-year-old Hanna. Mueller said things are moving "slow" for the family, but coming along.

"We'll hopefully be breaking ground in a few weeks," he said.

In South Pymatuning, the Reeher-Campbells are settling into their new house at 4131 Wynnwood Drive after moving in last month. Tim Reeher, a six-year resident, said the family is taking one day at a time and working to unpack at least one moving box every day.

He and his fiance, Rebecca Campbell, will have a tornado appreciation party at 2 p.m. May 25 at their home.

"Everybody who had something to do with the tornado is invited, especially the people who helped us," Reeher said.

030509