Greensburg Episode: The Big Well

Susan and Scott Reinecke have paid for their new home in full, but since their contractor filed for bankruptcy, a subcontractor came after the Reineckes for $35,000 in unpaid bills. Fortunately, the subcontractor?s 10-day lien has been extended and gives them some breathing room to figure out their next step. Their contractor promised to finish their home and the Reineckes feel they have no choice but to work with him because they don?t have the money to finish the house on their own. Because the new house is turning into a money pit, the success of their stained glass shop in the business incubator is a blessing. But, in order to stay afloat financially, the Reineckes need to open a second store in a new building on Main Street. The stress of running a store, their unfinished house, paying rent and opening a second business is taking a toll on Scott and Susan.

Levi Smith is still committed to the green movement. He and the Green Club want to eliminate plastic bags from Greensburg and conduct a survey to gauge people?s attitudes towards grocery bags. They are surprised to learn that almost everyone is willing to support a change. With the survey results, Levi asks Steve Hewitt if the City Council will pass an ordinance banning plastic bags. Steve knows that telling people what to do isn?t the best way to accomplish change. The Green Club hands out free reusable bags to residents coming out of the local grocery store. They learned that it?s going to take a lot of small steps to truly become the greenest town in America.

Greensburg?s Big Well is the world?s largest hand-dug well and was a big draw for tourists before the tornado. But, no one has been allowed to enter the well since the storm. The Big Well is one of the last pieces of Greensburg?s history that survived the storm, and people in town are angry when they learn that the plans for a Big Well museum don?t include going to the bottom anymore, 109 feet underground. While he understands the wish to preserve part of old Greensburg, Steve is getting tired of the criticism arising from residents who were on board with the rebuilding plan right after the tornado but are now questioning plans that are well underway.

Taylor Schmidt is home from college. Life-long friend, Levi, shows Taylor the new Greensburg. Taylor is excited about the changes but also feels that the town has moved on without him. Before heading back to school, Taylor visits his grandmother and makes one last stop to his grandfather?s grave.

Kari and Tim Kyle?s new coffee shop, the Green Bean, is bustling during the Christmas holidays. Kari loves running the shop and has hired local teens to help out. Tim and Kari are still stressed about finances because the Green Bean isn?t making money yet. They feel that the only option for success is to move out of the incubator into a bigger space that will accommodate a soda fountain.

Kerri and Doug Ulrich take their children, Kaden and Morgen, to the new school. Superintendent Darin Headrick gives them a tour and shows them where fountain water will be used to refill Nalgene water bottles provided by Brita. Brita has been a major contributor to the rebuilding of the school. Since the new school is the main reason the Ulrich?s moved back to Greensburg, it?s exciting to see the green features of the school that will open in August, 2010.