Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

Sorry for the long time between blogs, fellow Parrot rescuers.  Paddy's was in limbo.  We had to wait until the insurance adjusters saw what had been damaged before we could tear down or build up any of the buildings.  Well the wait is over. YESSSSSSS!!!!!!

They came today by surprise.  We walked them around the property and helped them with pictures and told them where things used to be located here were now over there.  Haha.  This allows us to FINALLY start the cleanup in and around the restaurant.  We will remove the lean-to of a roof which collapsed. 

Since the basement is gutted, we can move most of the furniture there. 

We can fix the 16ft x 4ft hole in the roof.  And the adjuster for the other buildings is coming tomorrow.        

I figure we lost about three and half weeks while we waited for these guys to show.  Not that I am complaining, because there are thousands of unfortunate folks who have lost their homes.  I think they  are at the front of the line and deservedly so.

So stay tuned, we will crank things up, and post new photos of our progress.

Think May 15th and the new Paddy's Beach will be open.

Paddy's Chunnel

This weekend, the clean up crew, aka The Peruvian Miners, continue to dig Paddy's Chunnel.  

It's Team England and Team France trying desperately to meet in the middle to complete the dig.

Team France

Team England

A special thanks goes out to Lisa Konicki, director of the Greater Westerly Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, who organized the volunteers on Saturday afternoon.  These workers made up a large part of Team France.   

And a big thank you to town councilor and director of the Misquamicut Business Association, Caswell Cooke, who coordinated the  volunteers on Sunday.  These workers witnessed the meeting of East and West teams.  They shared a little bubbly to celebrate.

Oh, it was just a nor'easter

Pauli here, filling in for Anne Marie, 185 Days till 2013 season!!

Just when we thought we were making a little headway, yesterday's little storm forced us to stop all clean up.  The job was board Paddy's back up until this little b#$ch Athena passed through the night.  And since when did they name winter storms?  Anyway, as we left Paddy's we saw waves at the base of what used to be the dunes.  This was two hours before high tide.

Today brought 35 degrees and wind gusts of up to 50 mph and sideways rain/sleet.  Good times.  However, it did bring in some weird stuff ..... SAND.  Not a lot, but it was a definite increase.  Now we only need 72 more storms like that one and we will have a nice beach.

The clean up crew continues to dig out and has entered what used to be the the back of the basement office. Paddy's clean-up crew has dubbed themselves the Peruvian miners.  Their mission is to empty the 4 ft. high sand laden basement one wheelbarrow at a time.

This weekend, they will be heading up a bucket brigade with a fully staffed volunteer crew from Serve Rhode Island.  Included in the volunteers will be a team of my fellow Lions from the  Westerly Lion's Club and the a team from the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all who will join us in the Save the Parrot Campaign.

More to come

Ah the weekend

Today was my first visit to Paddy's since Sandy made an appearance.  I agree with Paul and Frankie pictures do not justify the actual damage.  Everyone who sees it in person is better for it, and can see progress has already been made. We now have two beautiful skylights in the restaurant thanks to the outdoor roof collapsing.  Always thought skylights would be a good addition to our dining experience.

View of newly installed skylights thanks to Sandy

It is amazing what you can accomplish in a few day with hard work and good friends to help carry the load.  The debris is slowly being hauled away and we are  working towards rebuilding. 

Main Bar day after Sandy

Main Bar  November 3rd what a difference a few days makes!!

There was one tragically sad part of our day -while we were exploring in the kitchen we came across many of the parrot's extended family members who unfortunately did not survive the storm.  The carnage was unreal. 

Oh the carnage!!

We did find two monkeys who were still standing.  But they told me they did not see or hear any Hurricane Sandy.  Not sure they were reliable sources they appeared to be drinking.

" I saw NO Hurricane!!"

"I heard no Hurricane!"

The next few days will be busy with clean up and debris removal.  Thanks to everyone who helped out this past week either at Paddy's or through the Chamber of Commerce event today - we are truly blessed to be living in such a wonderful community.

About a year ago, we had the honor of meeting Governor Chafee after Tropical Storm Irene.  He toured the area and assessed damage from that storm which for us was the loss of our decks outside... minimal compared to today.  Who would have thought that a year later we would be meeting the Governor under the some conditions but with a MUCH bigger storm.  I for one am hoping that we never have to meet Governor Chafee again, at least not under these circumstances.  Frankie said to him, "The next time we see you, you better be in Bermuda shorts enjoying a Paddy's Hurricane cocktail and not assessing the damage from one." The local and federal government officials have been extremely supportive and sympathetic to the town of Westerly and I would like to thank them for their support during this time of rebuilding and regrowth.  Now we will have to see how much their support means concerning our real world circumstance. 

Much is happening down at the beach, the debris is slowly being cleared away, the structures are boarded up.  There are a few events and organizations you can support to help the beach community restoration.  The first is the Misquamicut Relief Volunteer Effort for Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4. Serve Rhode Island, the Misquamicut Business Association and the Greater Westerly Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce are coordinating a Hurricane Sandy clean up and recovery effort for the businesses and homes impacted by the storm. For more information go to www.serverhodeisland.org.  Residents and business owners were "officially" allowed all the way down to Atlantic Ave today.  We thank the MBA and the Chamber for bringing in Serve Rhode Island.  Serve Rhode Island will help with removal of debris for some of these people and we thank them for volunteering their time.

We will not be at the beach Saturday, November 3rd.  

However, we will be there Sunday, November 4th.  

 And while this clean up process will be a long and painstaking process the focus will soon turn to rebuilding and regrowth.

Check out the following link to WPRI news coverage with an interview with our own Frankie - he discusses the difference between destruction and opportunity

http://www.wpri.com/dpp/weather/hurricane/fema-reps-to-tour-damaged-areas-in-ri

Over the weekend we will be posting updated pictures from our cleanup efforts.  Please make sure you follow the blog via email to get updates.  Thanks :)

 

According to Frankie " you can't focus on the debris. When you focus on the debris you see the destruction. When you look past the debris you see opportunity".

191 Days and Counting

After all the chaos from Sandy this little guy was still standing..happily waiting for the 2013 season to begin. We hope you will join him in celebrating all that Paddy's has to offer for 2013.  

191 days and counting till we open and boy is there a LOT to do.  Paddy's Beach has taken a hit with Hurricane Sandy - we are down but not out.  We are now the proud owners of the mother of all fixer upper projects.   We are hoping to keep the public and our loyal patrons up to date on all things Paddy's.   We will be updating the blog with pictures and progress reports as soon as it becomes available.  We would like to thank you all for your kind words and offers of support over the past few days.  We are excited to unveil the new and improved Paddy's Beach in the summer of 2013. 

Before Sandy 

After  Sandy - not too shabby!! Looking Good!!

Outdoor Deck and Bar Before Sandy

Outdoor Deck and Bar after Sandy.... pretty shabby  :(

In the next few days look for our posts on Frankie and Pauli meeting the Governor AGAIN after a hurricane and updated pictures of the progress.  Enjoy :) Anne Marie