What's Happening in Huntington, NY…

The Sand Castle, a lighthouse built in the Beaux Arts style in 1912, guards the entrance to Huntington Harbor, but is in danger of collapse. The Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, a local organization, has worked for over 30 years to restore the lighthouse’s interior, but only recently realized there were problems outside as well, according to society member Pam Setchell. The group set about a fundraising effort when they found out the lighthouse’s concrete base was eroding and in danger of crumbling completely.

Repairs have already begun, since $700,000 has already been raised. The work is in the hands of Sobbo Maritime Construction, and Frank Sobbo, who owns the company, says the first thing he will have to do is individually move each gigantic rock at the base of the structure. The process is providing difficult since the rocks have been in place for over 100 years, are covered in algae and other growths, and are hard to handle.

After the sheeting has been erected and concrete poured, the rocks—600 tons of them—have to be put back, along with steel sheets that will form a protective wall. The society hopes to raise another $100,000 to complete the work.

Efforts like these can benefit if supporters work with postcard printing companies, which can create cards to mail to interested parties throughout the area.