Politics & Government

Wisconsin Restaurant Does Its Part to Help in Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

Beanie's Mexican Restaurant in Port Washington is donating 100 percent of its profits on two upcoming days to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, citing special ties with Ocean City, NJ.

While life in the Midwest continues as normal, plenty of people on the East Coast continue to deal with the repercussions of Hurricane Sandy. Four hospitals in New York remained closed with their patients scattered among other clinics on Sunday, and, according to New York Daily Times, a reopen date still remains unclear.

Nearly 200,000 remained without power in the northeast region as of Saturday, about two weeks after the storm, according to ABCnews.com. And extensive flood damage throughout the area has some worried that the National Flood Insurance Program will not be able to afford what is being ranked as the "nation's second-worst storm for claims paid" by the program, according to the New York Times.

And while the hurricane's reach wasn't far enough to do physical damage here in Port Washington or Saukville, some people did feel an impact — including Marcia Endicott, owner of Beanies Mexican Restaurant, who plans to donate 100 percent of the restaurant's profits this Wednesday, Nov. 14, and Nov. 28 to benefit the victims of the hurricane.

Find out what's happening in Ocean Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"I think that it is a more desperate situation than we think," Endicott said. "When I watch TV and see the people crying because they have lost everything and are still out in the cold it breaks my heart.  From what I understand the government has not been able to get to these people yet and perhaps if people gave to Red Cross and Salvation Army they would be able to help in a bigger way."

Endicott said she and her husband are originally from Pennsylvania and they and their kids regularly visit Ocean City; in June, the couple brought their five grandchildren to the destination.

Find out what's happening in Ocean Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The first thing my grandaughter Hana said was 'I am so glad we went to Ocean City this year,' and I am, too, because — if what I hear is correct — I don't think it will ever be the same," Endicott said.

"We have memories there, we have family there and there are many people with broken hearts there," she said. "I guess I just want to try to do my little part."

  • Recovery: Jersey Shore Recovers After Hurricane Sandy
  • Damage: Aerial Tour of Ocean City Shows Major Storm Damage

 

Sandy shakes Lake Michigan

As Hurricane Sandy made its way to the eastern shore, high winds moving across the Wisconsin created large waves — resulting in a small craft advisory as well as gale warnings. 

And, for some in the Port Washington area, the forecasted waves were a time to play: surfers and kayakers hit South Beach and photographers made their way to shore in hopes of snapping the perfect shot — including Mequon man Rob Strzelczyk. 

"I'm really tied emotionally to that Port harbor, and I've been out in the waves to the point where, I'd been nervous in a boat … so I really wanted to see what (Hurricane Sandy would do here)," Strzelczyk said. 

Fox6 shared Strzelczyk's photo of waves crashing along the breakwall up to the lighthouse while the storm was rushing across the East Coast; the picture now has almost 2,000 shares and almost 1,500 likes

Among the hundreds of commentors on the article are people posing the question, "is this picture actually real?" 

Strzlecyzk says the only modification he did the photo was a little color adjusting — and the addition of a vinaigrette.

"I showed up early (6 a.m.) and got set up thinking first light would provide the best photos, although I did get some great shots, I was cold and shaking a bit so they weren't perfect. I walked around not loving my vantage point, went down by the beach then came back to the harbor for one last shot at something great," Strzelczyk said in an e-mail. "Too funny, the photo getting the coverage was my last shot."


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