News
CLICK HERE FOR 2008 WICA NEWS...
Important Announcement!!
Posted January 5, 2010 Due to circumstances beyond our control, the WICA Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 16th, will be
Held at the Water Island Firehouse
Almost Auction Time Again
Posted January 2, 2010
Breakfast With Santa
Posted December 14, 2009 Another Holiday Tradition on Water Island was a huge success. There was a large group of Water Island children and foster children from St. Thomas that were treated to a great breakfast and a visit with Santa.
The event was sponsored by the Water Island Civic Association and Water Island Search & Rescue. Many people contributed to the success including Heidi Erwig, Barbara Archibald, Linda Gidley and Marion Wilkinson.
WICA Repairs Roads
Posted December 11, 2009 The Water Island Civic Association recently hired a local contractor, Mr. Rawlings, to do repair work on our worst roads. This work is intended to make the roads passable until the V.I Government makes the permanent repairs.
Largest Cruise Ship In The World!
Posted December 8, 2009 At about 7:30am on Tuesday December 8, 2009 the Oasis Of The Seas cruise ship entered West Gregorie Channel to begin its' first of many visits to St. Thomas.
Click on picture to enlarge
Thank You!
Posted December 8, 2009 A Big "THANK YOU" goes out to Cliff Moore for repairing the broken swim buoys at Honeymoon Beach. Thank you Cliff!
2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar A Success!
Posted December 6, 2009 The 2nd Annual Christmas Bazaar on Water Island was a big success. Thank you to all that volunteered to make it work! Check out the pictures!
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR MEMBERS
Posted December 5, 2009 ALL WICA Members, please log in to the "Members" section of this site and access the 2010 WICA Annual Meeting Package and Proxy Voting. Just a reminder, Saturday, January 16, 2010 has been set as the WICA Annual Meeting date. The meeting will be held at Shaffer Hall on Honeymoon beach. Registration begins at 8:30AM and the Meeting starts at 9:00AM
Announcement!
Thanksgiving 2009!
Posted November 27, 2009 The tables were set ... the food was ready ... and the people were hungry! Thanksgiving 2009 on Water Island was a success!
A nice crowd of around 60 friends and neighbors gathered at Shaffer Hall on Honeymoon Beach to enjoy Thanksgiving together.
After Linda Gidley was kind enough to say "Grace", everyone dug in. The assortment of delicious food was outstanding! Four Turkeys, Ham, Meat Loaf, Pork Loin and Chicken. All types of wonderful side dishes. And the desserts .... they were to die for! Pumpkin Roll, Apple Pie, Key Lime Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Pie Cheese Cake that was out of this world, Ginger Bread, Walnut Bars, Red Velvet Cake and of course lots of Whipped Cream!
Nice Holiday music and great conversations.
A BIG "THANK YOU" to Marion Wilkinson for organizing the Annual event and to everyone that helped set-up, clean-up and cook!
Postal Service Complaints
Posted November 18, 2009 It was suggested at the last WICA meeting that this information be posted regarding how to submit a complaint to the United States Postal Service. Click on this link, USPS Complaints to register complaints online as well as other contact information.
New "Water Island Trader" Section!
Posted November 5, 2009 Thanks to Water Island resident Ed Marin's suggestion we have added the "Water Island Trader" on the site. This will let fellow Water Islanders offer their items for sale that another resident might be interested in buying. Just click on the link in the right column titled "Water Island Trader" and start selling!
Sad News From Crown Bay Marina
Posted November 3, 2009 Crown Bay Marina has announced that on October 26th Carole Dudley passed away. She had served as an indispensable administrator and goodwill ambassador for this popular Caribbean megayacht destination for the past 24 years.
Dudley’s untimely death at age 63 followed a brief, but courageous battle with stomach cancer that prompted her early retirement last April as Crown Bay Marina’s Director of Operations, a position she had held since February 1998.
Friends and colleagues are invited this Friday, November 6th, to gather at Crown Bay Marina from 4:00 – 7:00 PM for an informal celebration of Carole’s life. A more formal ceremony is planned for January 2010, to dedicate the Carole Dudley Memorial Courtyard, currently under construction at Crown Bay Marina.
Bye, Bye, Derelict Boats!
Posted November 2, 2009 The next time you come into Flamingo Bay you will notice that the sunken, derelict boats along the bank have been removed. A big "Thanks" goes out to Steve Bubb and Brian for their work in moving the boats to the Solid Waste Transfer Site.
Birthday Invitation!
Posted October 28, 2009 Gov de Jongh has invited The Water Island Community to his Birthday Celebration at 6PM on Friday 13 November.
The celebration is to be held across from the Frenchtown Post Office in between the Texaco gas station and the old Quality Food building.
Entertainment will be by the Imagination Brass and the St. Croix Central High Quelbe Dancers.
Refreshments will be served.
A Sign up sheet is located at the Ferry Dock Bulletin Board.
Annual WICA Meeting Date Set!
Posted October 21, 2009 Mark your calendars! Make your travel plans! Saturday, January 16, 2010 has been set as the WICA Annual meeting date. The meeting will be held at Shaffer Hall on Honeymoon beach. Meeting packages will be sent out during the month of December.
Video From ViNow About Fort Segarra
News From Crown Bay Marina!
Posted October 7, 2009 Starting this month we are fortunate to have a Monthly News Update from Crown Bay Marina.
DOCKMASTER'S LINE TO THE WATER ISLAND COMMUNITY
For those of you who do not know, Crown Bay Marina is pleased to provide complimentary dinghy dockage for patrons utilizing our property. Our dinghy dock is for vessels that are under 12'. If you will be docking for a long period of time, we ask that you pull as far forward into the dinghy dock as possible to allow the transient users clear access. There is no overnight dockage in the dinghy dock.
For those dinghies over 12', we ask that you either contact us on VHF channels 16 or 11, or by telephone at (340) 774-2255. We will provide you with an available slip. Again, it is complimentary for those who are staying on our property. If you go off property there is a nominal fee. This is on a space available basis. Please do not dock your dinghy on the bulkhead walls or in areas that are clearly marked as "NO DINGHIES" or "RESERVED".
Season is quickly approaching. We have an exciting season planned for both our wet slip guests and members of our community. Stay tuned for further information on our soon to be published Calendar of Events for the season.
We look forward to serving our local boaters and our Water Island Community.
Come On Out!
Posted September 28, 2009 On Friday, October 2nd there will be a joint clean-up of Limestone Beach by Water Island Search & Rescue members and the Montessori School of St. Thomas. This event is being held as part of the International Coastal Clean-Up taking place throughout the Virgin Islands.
We will be meeting at Phillip's Landing Ferry Dock at 9AM. FREE beverages will be provided! Your help would be greatly appreciated. Anyone having a pick-up truck to transport the youth and to help take the bags of collected trash to the dump would be MOST welcome!
If you are available or need any additional information please contact Tom McCoy at 774-2715
We Have Lost Another Friend
Posted September 24, 2009 Another sad moment for Water Islanders. Our good friend, Dick McFarland passed away on Monday of this week, September 21, 2009. Dick and his wonderful wife of 61 years, Charlotte, were fixtures every year at the Water Island Annual Auction. Dick was one of the kindest, gentlest, souls we have had the fortune of having on Water Island. If there was work to be done Dick was the first to volunteer. If you needed help he would drop what he was doing and come to your aid.
Dick was very civic minded and made sure he served his community whether in Lucas, Ohio, his hometown, or on Water Island during the winter. His winter haven and favorite paradise was Water Island, US Virgin Island.
Dick's full obituary can be found at Mansfield News Journal.
Mail Delivery Service on Water Island
Posted August 31, 2009 Responding to the numerous complaints about the mail service, WICA held a meeting with Administrator Petersen, Delegate Chistianson's office (Ed deLagrde), and Postmaster Gibbs on 28 August 2009.
This effort was spearheaded by Joanne Bohr and Mary Dunakey. Randy Coe, Jim Wilkinson and Chuck Gidley assisted their efforts.
A Discussion Paper was prepared by the WICA team and presented in advance of the meeting to government officials. It was our hope that the questions contained in the paper would be answered at the meeting. Unfortunately, most of our questions were not answered or were answered in such a vague manner that we had a hard time capturing the tangible results of the meeting.
Below is Mary Dunakey's after action report/email from the meeting. We will coordinate with the government officials to confirm these action items and timeline.
Rest assured that WICA is not satisfied with the results of the meeting and that we will continue to take steps to have the mail delivered to Water Island in accordance with the contract. We are not done yet.
Updates on progress will be posted on this site. More to come.
Feel free to contact any of the team if you have input.
After Action Report From Mary Dunakey
Greetings,
Thank you all for attending the meeting on Water Island this morning. It is unfortunate that we could not have 100% participation by all parties for the entire meeting, however, the effort is very much appreciated by all Water Island residents to address the issues regarding the many concerns for the timely delivery of all classes of mail addressed to Water Island.
Postmaster Gibbs provided us with a 2 page handout of the USPS Handbook P-5. My copy consisted of Pages 8 and 10. The entire 46 page handbook is attached to this email. Please scroll down and review Page 9 (which was missing from my handout). We were asking for the performance standards for the highway contract and this page addresses our concerns on point. I would direct you in particular to items 135.1, 135.3 and 135.5.
I believe we made it clear that the current supplier has never one time since gaining the contract in 2006 provided a boat with the security measures required in the contract. I believe we also made it clear that all classes of mail have not been delivered since 2006 to date, including today.
The commitments that were agreed to today in order to begin resolution of the problems are as follows:
1. The supplier has agreed that the carrier will begin calling residents who have received a package to meet the public ferry to pick up the parcel from the carrier. The supplier reports that a 60' boat will be put in service for mail delivery after it is cleared by the coast guard.
2. Postmaster Gibbs has agreed to immediately locate and install on Water Island, the large parcel boxes that were secured for this purpose in November 2008 to ensure delivery of all classes of mail. Postmaster Gibbs has agreed to write up on USPS letterhead the instructions for proper delivery and receipt of US Mail.
3. Water Island Civic Association has agreed to supply the carrier with a current phone book and will work with the carrier to update the list of current residents. WICA also agrees to move the library from the top of postal boxes.
4. We would expect a follow-up meeting in the next two weeks to gauge progress on the resolutions of these important issues.
Thank you again for your participation.
Sincerely,
Mary Dunakey
Water Island Resident
It is That Time of Year!
Posted August 16, 2009 Every year around this time the Water Island Civic Association hires local landscaper, Steve LaPlace, to trim 62 Palm trees on Honeymoon Beach. Steve and his crew do a great job. Although it is a considerable expense, it helps to keep residents, guests and visitors safe from falling Palm fronds and coconuts. This trimming also helps to minimize damage to the trees if we are hit with any severe weather.
Before After
In addition to trimming the Palm trees, Steve LaPlace had one of his crew freshen up the palapas. They sure look better.
The cost to work on the palapas was donated by Heidi Erwig of Heidi's Honeymoon Grill.
Thank you Heidi!
Governor John P. DeJongh Jr. Visits Water Island
Posted August 12, 2009 Yesterday, August 11, 2009 at 4PM, Governor John P. DeJongh Jr. visited Water Island to officially dedicate the new dock at Phillips' Landing and to dedicate the new fire truck we have received from the Virgin Islands Government. After a brief ceremony at the dock the Governor and his staff traveled to the Water Island Fire House to dedicate the new fire truck. (For Full Story and Photos Click Here)
Dedication Ceremony
Postal Delivery Notice
Posted July 23, 2009 The above notice was posted on the community bulletin board at Phillips Landing. The mail carrier can be contacted at the Arturo Watlington Sr. Post Office at Tel# 774-6980
Happy 4th of July!
Posted July 5, 2009 The Water Island 2009 4th of July Parade was fantastic! Joe & Melissa Harris out did everyone with a great "Aloha" float. The old, and the new, fire trucks brought up the rear of the parade. Eric Ackerson did a live broadcast on Radio 1 during the parade. The "50/50" and "Poker Run" to benefit Fisher House was a huge success. While Marion Wilkinson, the event organizer, and Jeannine Mydlenski sold 50/50 tickets, Jim Wilkinson sold poker hands for the Poker Run. All told we were able to donate a total of $341 to this very worthwhile cause. To learn more about the Fisher House program click here.
For more great pictures of the parade click here.
Phillips Landing Looks Great!
Posted June 19, 2009 Thanks to the Roadside Cutting crew Phillips Landing looks wonderful. After having all the abandoned vehicles removed and the landscaping done there is plenty of room to park and it is nice to look at. When you see the road crew please stop and tell them how much we appreciate the great work they are doing.
Going, Going, GONE!
Posted June 10, 2009 Water Island is a much prettier place after the nineteen abandoned cars and 3 golf carts were removed from Water Island today!
This was a joint effort between WICA, St Thomas/Water Island Administrator and the St Thomas Abandoned Vehicle Task Force (under Porperty and Procurement). WICA had to pay $1850 to get all the cars towed to the Deepwater Dock from the ferry Dock, Flamingo Bay, old hotel site, Sprat Bay, and other locations around island.
And, we will have to pay Steve and Brad for the barges (estimated to be about $3000). WICA has received $600 from the owners so far and will send bills to remaining vehicle owners that we could identify.
Including the last time abandoned vehicles were removed (Dec 08), over 50 vehicles and 10 golf carts have been removed from island. WICA will have spent over $10,000 for the removal and we hope to recover as many dollars as possible from owners. However, many of the car owners could not be identified or the owners chose not to pay. The total net cost to WICA will be around $8000. That is a lot of money, but now the island looks much better.
Shortly, WICA will distribute a policy (in coordination with the VI Government) to all residents covering how abandoned vehicles will be handled in the future. WICA cannot continue to pay for vehicles left by residents, renters, workers, etc. Look for the policy soon on the WICA web site.
Hooray For The Red, White & Blue!
Important Information!
Posted June 4, 2009
ST THOMAS ABANDONED VEHICLE TASK FORCE
YOU WILL NOTICE THAT ABANDONED VEHICLES HAVE BEEN TAGGED WITH AN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT STICKER.
STICKERED VEHICLES MUST BE MOVED TO PRIVATE PROPERTY WITHIN 48 HOURS.
ON MONDAY, JUNE 8, A GOVERNMENT WRECKER WILL COME OVER TO COLLECT ALL THE VEHICLES AND MOVE THEM TO THE DEEPWATER DOCK.
ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, THE VEHICLES WILL BE MOVED OFF WATER ISLAND.
IF YOU HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS STICKERED, PLEASE PROVIDE CHUCK GIDLEY A CHECK FOR $200 (MADE OUT TO WICA) TO COVER THE BARGE COSTS.
FOR QUESTIONS CALL CHUCK GIDLEY WHO CAN PUT YOU IN TOUCH WITH THE SUPERVISOR OF THE ST THOMAS ABANDONED VEHICLE TASK FORCE.
More Improvements!
Posted May 30, 2009 The WICA enclosure in the pavilion has been enlarged and fencing placed from floor to ceiling to better secure WICA equipment. And, WICA has purchased 12 new tables which are stored in the enclosure.
Water Island "Carnival Kids"!
Posted May 11, 2009 Water Island kids start enjoying Carnival at a young age! Here we see a bunch of happy campers enjoying the 2009 Carnival festivities. From left to right we have; Ayla, Alishka, Aubrey, Katie, Nicole, Amanda, Ashton and Noah! (please forgive any misspellings)
Congratulations Heidi Erwig!
Posted May 1, 2009 Our very own, Chef Heidi Erwig, accompanied by our own Sous Chef, Wendy LaFranchise, competed in the first Annual Ultimate Chef Challenge at Food Fair 2009 on Wednesday, April 29th. Their challenge, along with 6 other local "Top Chefs" was to create a gourmet meal composed of locally grown meats and vegetables and fruits. For a full recap of the events click here to read the news story on the St. Thomas Source. Click here for more great pictures!
Great News!
Vehicle Removal From Water Island
Posted April 20, 2009 Barbara Petersen (St Thomas/Water Island Administrator) has agreed to let WICA use the fenced area in back of the Deepwater Dock to consolidate vehicles and the VI Government will periodically take the vehicles off island if WICA pays for the barge transport. This is a good solution for both WICA and the VI Government.
The gate to the fenced area will be locked. If you have a vehicle to be moved off island, contact Chuck Gidley to make an appointment to unlock the gate and bring a check made out to WICA for $200. WICA will hold the funds in a separate sub-account to identify who has paid when time comes to move cars off island. Please note that ownership of the vehicle does not pass to WICA when placed in the fenced area; you still own the vehicle. WICA is simply facilitating the movement off island.
We are ready to begin collecting vehicles in the fenced area NOW!
PASS THE WORD SO WE ARE READY WHEN THE VI DECIDES TO MOVE THE VEHICLES.
A Big "Thank You" to Ike & Beth
Posted April 17, 2009 Ike and Beth have been kind enough to donate a working refrigerator to WICA to replace the one on its' last leg at the pavilion. Thank you Ike & Beth!
Also, the expanded cistern enclosure project at the pavilion is complete. We will also be raising the wire enclosure inside the pavilion to the ceiling as well as rerouting the gutter pipe going from the front of the pavilion to the cisterns. We hope to have a registered plumber begin work on fixing the restroom toilets and sinks in the near future. Your WICA dollars at work!
"Here Comes Peter Cottontail...."
Posted April 12, 2009 The Easter Bunny hid a lot of eggs at the Randall's again this year! Beverly and Alex were kind enough to open their home to all children for their annual Easter Egg Hunt. We think this event was bigger then the one at the White House!
Click here for more pictures of the "treasure hunters" on Water Island.
We Will Miss You Friend!
It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of our beloved friend Gerald Shaffer, better know to all his friends as "Shaf"
Click here to leave your thoughts and prayers
Posted April 1, 2009 A loved and admired member of our Water Island community has fallen. Gerald Shaffer, better know to all his friends as Shaf, died peacefully this morning, April 1, 2009, after suffering a stroke last week.
His wife Anne and children Jane, Tom, and Lee said their good byes and now stand bereaved but thankful for the full life he lived.
He loved Water Island and the many friends he and Anne made here since her father bought their house overlooking Honeymoon Bay in the 1960s.
It would be hard to overstate Shaf's many contributions and his spirit of volunteerism on Water Island. No one was a stranger to Shaf, only friends he hadn't met yet, and he reached out with a friendly hand and warm greetings to everyone.
Please check back here as more information will be reported when it is received.
UPDATE - The memorial service for Shaf will be held this Friday, April 3rd, at East Side Christian Church in Evansville. Visitation will be at 10:00, with the service held at 11:00am.
The Shaffer family has requested that in lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Shaf's memory to East Side Christian Church, 2001 Bayard Park Drive, Evansville, IN 47714 or the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Cincinnati, 644 Linn Street, Cincinnati, OH 45203 www.alz.org/cincinnati or the Water Island Civic Association, One Water Island, St. Thomas, USVI 00802.
Note: All donations to the "WICA Shaf" fund will be kept in a separate account and be used for a "Shaf Legacy Project" to be determined.
Who Has Seen The Movie "Miracles Can Happen"?
Posted March 28, 2009 Well, believe it or not, after a slow start to the night (as can be seen in the first picture below) JOANNE BOHR WON A GAME AT BINGO! It was another great night of fun at Bingo this past Thursday. We really missed Heidi & Mercy. And, we had 3 false bingos called! Come on out the next time, Thursday, April 9th, 7:00PM at the pavilion!
Thank You!
Posted March 28, 2009 A big "Thank You" goes out to Mark Knopf for using his 'dozer to push back the brush pile on the dump road this past week. Just a reminder to all, if you are placing brush there please put it as far back off the road as you possibly can. Thanks!
The Mardi Gras Party To End All Mardi Gras Parties!
Posted March 19, 2009 Wild Costumes! Wild Food! Wild Fun! What a great time everyone had at the Mardi Gras party on Sunday, March 15th. Held at Casa Floride and hosted by Steven & Sue Bubb and Pat & Eddy Cheesborough, the fabulous party was open to ALL Water Islands guests and residents. The party actually celebrated 3 things, First - Mardi Gras, Second, Sue Bubb's birthday, and three - Walter Phillip's 109th birthday!
Check out these great pictures! BEWARE - THESE PICTURES ARE NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART!
NOTICE!
Posted March 11, 2009 If anyone is replacing their refrigerator that is still in working condition we could use it at the beach pavilion. The ones that are down there are on their last leg. Give Chuck Gidley a call at 340-690-0181 if you can help.
A Message From the President
Posted March 5, 2009 The next time you go to the Beach, you will notice two new cisterns have been installed behind the pavilion. The two new 1000 gallon cisterns were installed on Thursday by Parks and Recreation, along with a downspout that will catch the rain water that normally runs off the front of the pavilion.
This will give us a total storage capacity of 4000 gallons of water, which doubles the previous capacity.
Many thanks to Joe Harris for his work to coordinate and assist with the installation. Joe spent at least 8 hours of his time working along with Parks and Recreation employees.
The Water Island Civic Association will now expand the enclosure fencing in order to protect the new cisterns from being damaged from vehicles using the parking area.
Chuck Gidley, President, WICA
Mardi Gras Comes To Water Island
Posted March 1, 2009
Island Wide Party - Everybody is Welcome!
Letter From the WICA EC President
Posted February 23, 2009
TO: Water Island Residents
FROM: Chuck Gidley, President, Water Island Civic Association
SUBJECT: Dog Droppings on the Beach
1. Based on overwhelming concern of the users of the beach, we would like to strongly encourage dog owners to NOT bring their dog to Honeymoon Beach. The instances of dog droppings on the beach have increased greatly. Our children, friends? children, and the children of tourists play in the sand and recently have uncovered a lot of poop covered up in the sand. Even we adults have encountered dog droppings at our feet when we sit in our chairs at the beach. This is an extreme health hazard as explained in the article below.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.wormsandgermsblog.com/articles/diseases/parasites and www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxocara, pet droppings can contribute to a disease animals pass on to humans, called zoonoses. When infected dog poop is deposited, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites, such as hookworm and tapeworm, can linger in the sand for years. Anyone who comes in contact with that sand - be it through playing sports, walking barefoot, or other means - runs the risk of coming into contact with these eggs; even your dog. Infections can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. CHILDREN are most susceptible, since they play in the sand and put things in their mouths or eyes. Let's all clean up after our pets and avoid the zoonoses!!!!!!
2. The popular Virtual Tourist website recently had an entry about Honeymoon Beach - "I have to confess that I was really disappointed once we got there and saw dog poo in the sand not too far from the water". These kinds of blog comments are very hurtful to Water Island.
3. Please inform dog owners you see at the beach that, according to Virgin Islands statue and law, dogs are not allowed on the beach. And, encourage them to take the dog off the beach. It will take all of us working together to get the dogs off Honeymoon Beach. So take it seriously and ask the dog owners to please be considerate of the others on the beach.
2009 WICA Auction A Huge Success!
Posted February 22, 2009 Click here for all the info!
3D? On Water Island?
Posted February 17, 2009 Like something out of a 1950's poster, strange people, with strange eye wear, descended on Honeymoon Beach last night to watch "Journey To The Center of the Earth" IN 3D. Here is the proof!
Hold Your Cards!...We Have a WINNER!!!
Posted February 13, 2009 Who says we don't know how to have fun on Water Island? Last night we held another "Bingo Night" at Honeymoon Beach. About 35 friends came out to win. Marion & Jim Wilkinson set it up, Heidi Erwig brought her Pop-Corn machine, and a good time was had by all. Here are some pictures of the festivities -
Joanne Bohr actually got ONE number on her card. Congrats Joanne!
A lot of people played multiple cards. Talk about hard core Bingo players!
And, of course, Heidi was penalized for calling a "false" Bingo!
SNIPPET
Posted January 29, 2009 Gov. John deJongh Jr. delivered his third State of the Territory address at 7 p.m. Monday night, January 25th. During his address he made mention of the Water Island Civic Association. It was nice to see that we as a neighborhood organization are considered an asset to the Virgin Islands Government. Below is the section of the speech that the Association was mentioned.
"Our efforts at community revitalization continue to move ahead, as we support the American Legion to build Bromley Berkley Post 133 in Frederiksted, and continue our partnerships with the Christiansted Restaurant and Retailers Association, the Coral Bay Community Council, the Charlotte Amalie Revitalization Task Force, the Water Island Civic Association and Our Town Frederiksted."
GAS DELIVERY
Posted January 29, 2009 The next scheduled gasoline delivery to Water Island is set for Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 8:45am to 11:30am at the Deep Water Dock. Bring your gas cans, your car, your scooter, your golf cart, your boat and FILL 'ER UP!
LIMESTONE BEACH CLEANUP
Posted January 29, 2009 On Sunday, January 25th a large group of volunteers from Water Island and St. Thomas descended onto Limestone Beach to conduct a major cleanup. This effort was spearheaded by Tom McCoy. Thanks Tom!
The following article about the clean-up appeared in the VI Daily News;
A large group of volunteers rounded up more than 60 bags of garbage on Water Island on Sunday morning, hauling tires, bottles and rusted metal scraps off Limestone Bay Beach on the island's southern shoreline.
The beach clean-up was organized by the Environmental Association of St. Thomas and St. John, Water Island Rescue and Water Island residents. It was the first time EAST has done a Water Island clean-up.
"It was a very successful day and we got a lot done," EAST activities chairman Dalma Simon said.
From 9 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday, about 50 volunteers grabbed trash bags and set to work, picking up as much as they could from the rocky beach and carrying it up a rough trail to the main road. The bags were deposited into Water Island's garbage bins, which are emptied regularly by the Waste Management Authority.
Simon said most of what was found was plastic bottles, which end up in the ocean and get swept into the bay. They also found a 250-pound tire that was too big to move, Simon said.
"I couldn't even budge it," he said. "We're going to have to come back."
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources helped the effort by transporting about 30 volunteers from St. Thomas over to Limestone Bay. The rest of the volunteers were Water Island residents, Simon said.
After the hard-working volunteers finished clearing the trash off the beach, they cooled off by jumping into the water and enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Simon said the spot is beautiful and he hopes to organize an EAST snorkeling trip there soon.
2009 ANNUAL WICA MEETING
Posted January 29, 2009 The Annual WICA Meeting was held on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Shaffer Hall on Honeymoon Beach. A recap of the accomplishments by WICA was presented along with all of the Committee reports. For an in-depth look at the meeting WICA members can check out the Meeting Minutes along with the 2009 WICA Budget in the Members Section of this website!
Fire Truck Training
Posted January 8, 2009 Water Island Search and Rescue (WISAR) will be conducting a training session on the operation of the Fire Engine this Saturday, January 10, 2009. This training session will start at 8 am and will be held at the firehouse. It would be great if more volunteer firemen, or women, came out in case we ever have to really use it. Please consider this as an invitation to show up and get involved . . . WISAR could use the support of any potential firepersons. Thanks!
If you need any additional information please contact Tom Archibald
Water Island Welcomes in 2009!
Posted January 2, 2009 At the stroke of midnight (London time, 8PM local time) Water Islanders welcomed in the new year at Bob & Joanne Bohr's home. There were many old friends, new friends and friends we hadn't met yet, enjoying the New Year's Celebration. A great time was had by all! Thank you Bob & Joanne! For more pictures of this festive night please click here.