Local sand sculptor finds new life for lost palms

(Photo by Adrian Rodriguez)
Andy Hancock, a local sand sculptor, is seen with carved palm trees in front of Franke Plaza.

By ABBEY KUNKLE
Special to the PRESS

Six weeks ago, local wood and sand sculptor Andy Hancock brought new life to the Island in the form of five carved palm tree posts at Franke Plaza. When American Electric Power Company (AEP) wanted to cut down the tall palm trees that had begun to interfere with power lines, business owners in the plaza commissioned Hancock to beautify the area by sculpting the palms as promotional art.

Dennis Franke, owner and namesake of the plaza, had previously tried to save some of the palms by having them pushed out of the way of the power lines, but AEP eventually felt that the palms were potential hazards to the function of the lines.

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