Florida couple wins Sonoma HGTV Dream Home

Cheryl Smith was speechless when the HGTV folks showed up at her door. Running back inside to get her husband, Joe, the retired Lakeland, Florida resident repeated the words, “I just can’t believe it,” over and over.
Aroused from a night watching television and told that they had just won the fabulous 2009 HGTV Dream Home, the Smiths were elated and could barely contain their enthusiasm as they were led outside to try out their new car, a 2009 GMC Acadia. The $2 million grand prize package includes the Victorian-style farmhouse on Fifth Street East in Armstrong Estates, its contents including beautiful furniture and state-of-the-art appliances, a fully stocked wine cellar, custom doghouse, and the car.
“My heart is beating so fast. I just can’t believe that out of 39 million entries, ours was the winner,” said Smith.
A tight-knit family, Smith and her husband retired to Florida to be closer to one of their sons. Another son lives in Michigan. Between them they have 8 grandchildren. One of the first calls Cheryl made was to her son Rob, who was incredulous.
HGTV officially awarded the home to the Smiths during its Dream Home Giveaway show on Sunday evening. Thousands of hopefuls watched as the show highlighted Sonoma and the home, including a visit from John Lasseter, Armstrong Estates resident and CEO of Pixar.
For the past 13 years HGTV has been designing, building and giving away the dream homes. The company, headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., has offices throughout the country and is a leader in home and lifestyle programming. In fact, HGTV is distributed to more than 89 million U.S. households and is one of cable’s top-rated networks.
Besides being “excited beyond words,” the Smiths are looking forward to owning a home that doesn’t require home improvements or renovations – something they’ve gotten good at over the years, even building and installing a Murphy bed in one of their current home’s rooms.
“This is more than a dream come true because it’s real,” said Smith. “Keep entering. We’re living proof that ordinary people do win.”