PORT RICHEY, Fla. – What started with disaster is nearing delight. The Lake family stilt home is almost completed.
“The wives have been so supportive of this whole deal,” Greg Lake said. “They’ve been, ‘Go get it guys.’”
Ever since a lightning bolt hit "Camp No. 6," as it’s become known, family and friends have gathered a quarter-mile offshore in Port Richey to help the Lakes rebuild their beloved stilt home.
“I may be thin but I can help,” said Sal Russo, who only started working on the stilt house after meeting one of the other volunteer builders at a local restaurant. “I was here last weekend, I’m here this weekend and I’ll be here next weekend.”
The family started visiting the above-water homes 40 years ago when Dave began bringing his kids there. Now his sons, Greg and Brian, have worked tirelessly to recreate the home that burned.
“It was definitely heart wrenching,” family friend Nick Tsongranis recalled. “It was definitely depressing (when it burned).”
The Lake’s stilt home had giant American flag murals painted on the north and south outer walls. The plan is to paint them again now that the final touches have been finished on the roof and decking.
“Guys are coming out here to help that we don’t even know,” Greg Lake said. “To have friends and family and strangers come out and help has been overwhelming.”
Brian Lake agrees.
“It’s been amazing how people and friends and family members and complete strangers who come out and say hey I want to be part of this," Brian Lake said. "I want to be part of the history of Pasco County.
"These stilt houses have been around for 100 years and we’re just fortunate and happy to be part of it.”
Friends, family help rebuild Pasco County stilt home
10News reporter Bobby Lewis has chronicled the Lake family’s journey to rebuild the stilt home since September. Check out previous installments here:
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
