ABWIG ……… Keeping The Dream Alive

ABWIG and Tampa Sailing Squadron Volunteers will once again be in the North and Main Channels this Saturday installing marks. As you may know, we installed two “floating” channel marks (#1 &#2) on the main channel a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the recent storm broke the marks loose and they went “on vacation.” We found the green #1 off the shoreline of the TECO plant just north of the North Channel, in about 7’ of water, held fast by the very thick and heavy ship chain that anchored it. We don’t yet know why it broke free, but suspect a 5/8” shackle either failed or unscrewed (although it was wired closed). We will reinstall it in the Main Channel and we plan to place new #1 & #2 floating marks in the North Channel. Hecker Marine Construction plans to install two new pilings today in the Main Channel, on which we will hang #8 and #9 day boards this weekend. This should complete the channel marking.

The number 1 and number 2 floating markers that were installed in the Main Channel last weekend are gone.  We are trying to pinpoint the time that they went missing.  If you have any information please comment on our fb page, the website or email Len Berkstresser  at lenberkstresser@aol.com

Due to the inclement weather this week, the AB Nature Park will not be opening this weekend.  I know everyone is anxious for the park to reopen but the rains keep the final phase of the project from being completed.  We will publish the date the park will reopen as soon as it is announced.

Thank you to all who came out and supported the fundraiser and a big thank you to Massimo’s for supporting the “Bring the beach back to Apollo Beach” campaign.

Massimo’s pizza in the Winn Dixie Shopping Center is having a fund raiser to benefit ABWIG.  This will help us raise some of the $3000 we need now to purchase the new channel marks, lights and tackle.  Next Wednesday, July 27^th Massimo’s will donate 10% of the days’ sales receipts to help us, “Bring the Beach Back!!!”

They have great pizza, salads, calzones and subs.  Please plan on Massimo’s for lunch or dinner next Wednesday so that we can secure a healthy donation for the ABWIG dredging and beach restoration project…

Thank you,

ABWIG Board of Directors

The ABWIG BOD wants to provide an update in the donation totals since we asked the community to raise $4400 at the beginning of July.  We have raised $1385.00.  We are at 32% of our goal.

Special Thanks go out to the following:

Megan Martinez, Teresa Rice, Debbie Caneen, Debra/Eliot Marcus, Dolorene Teper, Bob/Pat McChesney, Barbara Allaert, Todd Gonzales, Dale Dintelmann, Eileen Eletto, Bryan/Carrie Lawson, Elena Stumpe, Mike/Nancy Aldrich and the Tampa Sailing Squadron

For those of you who haven’t yet donated and are in a position to do so, let’s get it done.  This isn’t a Fund Drive for National Public Radio, or a Pledge Telethon for Jerry Lewis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  These are YOUR WATERWAYS and YOUR PARK, we (defined as the South Shore Community) need to raise at least $3000.00.  I know we can do this.

You can donate by visiting the ABWIG Website: ABWIG.org and clicking on the PAYPal Button.

You can donate by visiting the ABWIG Facebook page and clicking on the FUNDLY Button.

You can send us an old-fashioned check to ABWIG, PO Box 3251 in Apollo Beach, Fl 33572

Thanks for your support,

Len Berkstresser

President of ABWIG

The Apollo Beach Waterway Improvement Group and Hillsborough County Parks and Land Management channel dredging and beach restoration project is moving along very well.  Although we are all pleased with the progress, we still have more work to do.  Once the channel dredging is completed, hopefully in the next month, we will be placing new channel marks and lights.  The bill for this work is $4,500, so we need to continue raising money.  If you are pleased with what you see in the video and want to help us continue the efforts to “bring the beach back” to Apollo Beach and make the channels safe for navigation, please donate.  You can do so on the website (there is a donate button on the home page) or you can send us a check to PO box 3251 in Apollo Beach, 33572.  Help us finish the project and bring this fantastic community project to a successful conclusion.  Thanks to all!

Please Note:

Dredging will begin in the North Channel on Saturday, June 4th.  Dredging will happen seven days a week.

Boaters notice:  There can be absolutely no wake through the channel.  Please be vigilant traversing the channel.

We thank you for your cooperation.