Dear Friends and Family of The Bayhouse
As you are aware, in October 2012 we suffered a loss like so many others (in the area) did when Super Storm Sandy swept away our beloved home, The Bayhouse. However, unlike with a traditional home, as The Bayhouse is anything but traditional; insurance, “normal” working conditions and your average building material list do not apply.
It has been said that a house is built of walls and beams, a home is built of love and dreams
Thankfully when it comes to The Bayhouse there is no shortage of love for it and of it. And with this love as the driving force, we were grateful and proud that when last season ended over 50% of the docks, inclusive of the footprint in which the new house will stand, had been rebuilt…stronger.
This was no small feat, literally or figuratively, and for this we are, and always will be, grateful to those who have helped out by giving so freely of their time, expertise, knowledge and money; and to others who helped scavenge for materials, or provided a shoulder to lean on, lent tools, trailers, boats; to the guys who went out to help and came home wet, muddy, smelly and suffering of burns…without you all, 631 Cinder Island might still be just a graveyard of memories. So thank you for being so giving of yourselves, but mostly thank you for giving us the one thing that means the most and that is the knowledge that 631 Cinder Island will once again be home to The Bayhouse.
Project Rebuild
As we look forward to the coming spring (and no more snow!) with renewed determination and hands a little less calloused, we find ourselves faced with the monumental task of Rebuilding and Restoring The Bayhouse at 631 Cinder Island…and just as it could not have been enjoyed without all of you in the past, we cannot move forward without you now.
Saturday, March 29th - Mark Your Calendars!
We hope that you will be able to join us at The Spartan Lodge in Baldwin (754 Prospect St, behind DJ Houdek’s and by the library ) for a celebration of all the great times we’ve had at The Bayhouse and all of the great times that are yet to come. The event will take place from 4:30-10:30pm. $40 per adult* at the door will get you in to eat and drink (beer, wine, soda) while hanging out with friends. Raffles will be available, so be sure to wear your lucky underwear. RSVP’s are mandatory so please email us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com or call 516.783.0590 by Thursday March 20th and let us know if you’ll be able to join us (hooray!), or if regrettably, you won’t be able to make it.
*children are welcome, and free of charge
If walls could talk
It is our hope that every one of you reading this letter has experienced The Bayhouse either for yourselves or through a family member or friend, and this is sort of the glue of the house – the memories made there, the projects undertaken, the lives loved, lost, created and celebrated are to us, what this house was made of. Unfortunately at this time these memories can only be found in two places, one is at the bottom of the bay and the other is with you. As part of Project Rebuild we are planning to create a new journal and a new “wall of fame” where these precious memories can once again fill the house, and so we are asking you to share yours with us.
Please send your memories, either handwritten or emailed, to ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com
The good, the bad and the ugly, we want them all…please send pictures to us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com or mail hard copies (scanned or original) to Aly McDermott 3035 Riverside Dr, Wantagh NY 11793.
If you are planning to attend the fundraiser and it’s easier for you, we will be collecting and displaying pictures that night, as well as offering the opportunity to write your memories down while you are there.
How to help/What we need now
- If you would like to donate money electronically please visit our Fundrazr page at www.fundrazr.com and search “Project Rebuild” in the search box. To send a check please write it out to Kevin McDermott and include Project Rebuild in the memo line. No amount is too small and every dollar is appreciated
- If you would like to donate building materials/tools please let us know what you’ve got and where it needs to be picked up from – email us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com
- We said earlier that this house is made of memories, and while it is, we have found it more comfortable to make (new) memories and relive the old ones from the comfort of picnic tables, couches, adirondak chairs, beds, etc…so to donate household items (anything from silverware to beds and bedding) please email us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com***Please note that (unfortunately) at this time we are unable to accept any household donations due to storage constraints, so please bring yourselves and your memories to the fundraiser, but leave your queen mattresses and Ginsu knives at home J
- We know that a lot of you are sitting on well intentioned gifts and/or gift certificates that you received for the holidays but have no intention of using for one reason or another, so if you would like to donate an auction item for the March 29th event please let us know by emailing us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com.
- If you would like to donate some of your time and get out there with hammer in hand please email us at ProjectRebuild631@gmail.com or text Kevin at 516.313.5763 – weather permitting framing will begin the week of April 13th, and construction will be ongoing throughout the spring and summer.
With gratitude in our hearts
Once more, but certainly not for the last time, we thank you. Thank you for your support, your generosity, your time, your friendship, your interest…THANK YOU!
With love and gratitude we thank you for your continued support,
The McDermott and Linhart Families