Back in October 2005, Norm Andrzejewski formed Operation Southern Comfort to help rebuild homes on the Gulf Coast which had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Andrzejewski, who lives in Liverpool, assembled OSC’s army of volunteers, and together they rebuilt hope among Louisianians while rebuilding homes, one at a time.
Seven years later, the effort continues down South and last week, after Superstorm Sandy blasted the East Coast, Operation Southern Comfort became Operation Southern/Northern Comfort.
“A small group of volunteers went down to Staten Island and New Jersey last weekend to take some goods and supplies for Sandy’s victim,” Norm said. “They’ll also try to identify organizations for us to partner with.”
Helping Sandy’s survivors
Another downstate trip is planned for Thanksgiving week. “We expect that larger contingents will be traveling, beginning in December, either for week-long or weekend adventures,” Norm said.
Operation Southern Comfort is well-prepared to lend helping hands in the wake of natural disasters. In early 2007, the group formed small steering committee. That group now numbers nearly two dozen.
“They’re the people responsible for the major elements of the organization: finance, fund-raising, trip operations, community connections and public relations,” Norm said. Operation Southern Comfort has no paid staff.
If you’d like to donate, here are some of the things the Operation wants to share with Sandy’s survivors: boots, rubber gloves, socks, shovels, flashlights, batteries, paper products, cleaning supplies, contractor garbage bags, mops and brooms and gift cards from Home Depot, Sears and Lowe’s. For information, call Tammy Rivera at 744-0108 or Norm Andrzejewski at 559-9413.
Fish Cove Bayberry
After decades of ownership by Sarah Reid, the old Bayberry Seafood shop at Bayberry Plaza is now called Fish Cove Bayberry.
Its new owner, Joe Fedele, has operated the Fish Cove North Syracuse, 456 S. Main St., for four years and recently took over in Bayberry.
Joe worked for nine years at the Fish Cove in Shop City for its owner, Joe Falcone. That shop is still owned by Falcone. Fedele franchises his two Fish Cove shops from Falcone.
Neither the Fish Cove off Old Liverpool Road in Liverpool nor the Westvale Fish Cove are tied to Fedele’s shops.
Anyhow, the really good news is that Fish Cove Bayberry is doing its landmark location proud. The haddock melts in your mouth along with bay scallops, sea scallops, clams, shrimp, smelt and calamari. Joe offers the usual sides and sauces, but had added sweet potato fries to the menu. Joe’s baked beans will satisfy even the most insatiable sweet tooth. They’re sugarcoated with molasses and both light and dark brown sugar. Yum! To call in your order, dial 652-1454.
Forewarned is forearmed
Careful where you leave your car overnight! Starting on Nov. 1, except for the business district, parking on village streets is forbidden between midnight and 8 a.m. In the village business district, you get a couple extra hours. Parking is prohibited there between 2 and 8 a.m. The winter parking hours remain in effect through April 15.
Mother-daughter at work
While Terri Blundell works the front desk at Frank Barletta’s Concepts In Hair salon on Route 57, her daughter Rachael styles hair.
Mother and daughter both live in Liverpool in a big house near the corner of Second and Hickory streets.
If you’re ready for a haircut or maybe a new color, call the salon at 457-4452. Terri may well answer the phone, and Rachael may well wield the scissors.
