By Jim Clark

Karen Rand lost part of her leg during the horrendous Boston Marathon bombing in April of this year. Since then she has moved in with her boyfriend, Kevin McWatters, brother of Ward Three Alderman-elect Bob McWatters, at a Summer St. residence in Somerville.

When word got out that the house required modifications to accommodate Rand’s special needs, the producers and staff at PBS’s This Old House television show took on the task of remodeling the porch area of the residence as part of their program to help victims of the bombing.

Over the course of the past few months, renovations were made and the completed work was highlighted by a visit from Mayor Curtatone and Governor Deval Patrick on Election Day, Nov. 5, as he filmed a public service announcement promoting the service provided by This Old House.

Filming by the This Old House crew took place on Nov. 5 and 7.

The porch of the house at 218A Summer St. is much friendlier for Boston Marathon bombing victim Karen Rand thanks to the efforts of PBS’s ‘This Old House.’