Moving on up

Andover family has home moved to higher ground ANDOVER — Four months after the foundation collapsed the Leenstra's house has a new lease on life. On Jan. 3 the home was relocated from its former location, which was prone to flooding, to its current location about 60 feet up the hill on what was the backyard. "The whole thing has been stressful," said Linda Leenstra. "Just getting through this, the stress has really lifted." On Sept. 8, 2011, the foundation of the Leenstra's house caved in due to pressure caused by flooding. The move required that the house be seperated into pieces. The modular portion, separated into two pieces, took three hours to move. A separate bedroom addition took over six hours to move to the new location. At the end of the day Linda and Jack Leenstra were able to peer out from the home's new location, but the work is far from over. The home still needs a new floor and the electric and water lines rerouted to the new location. Linda Leenstra thanked Dykstra Engineering for managing the project and Butler Homes for moving the structure. "Everyone has just been wonderful," said Leenstra. The Leenstras hope to be back in their house within the next month. A fundraiser to further defray costs for the family is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 3, at Sheridan's Restaurant and Tavern, 631 Limecrest Rd. in Newton, starting at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $20 per person and will include a buffet, live music, dancing and door prizes. To RSVP call Sheridan's at 973-534-3402.