ABATE Acres Future Improvements

by Robert “Worm” Grasse

The land committee was PROUD and ready to accept the challenge our membership was given. About a year ago the committee put out a questionnaire concerning the future development of ABATE ACRES. Instead of renting a tent year after year for the Summer Hummer fundraiser, the results of the questionnaire indicated that our membership would like to have a permanent structure/band shelter built on our property. The comments on the questionnaire said no funding should come from the general fund, so we would need to raise the money as a separate fundraising donation option similar to the Dan Frantz Fund that paid off the mortgage at ABATE Acres several years ago.

Back to the CHALLENGE that was proposed to us. Here’s part of a letter given to the committee from Josef “Mr. Wizard” Stanek.

“I will make the offer to our ABATE group that I will match 1:2, up to $10,000, for member donations to build the new Pavilion. For each $2 our other members donate, beyond what ABATE provides, I will add $1. For that donation, I would like to memorialize Brenda L. Stanek.”

Like the words found in the movie, “The Godfather,” this was “an offer we couldn’t refuse.”

Today I am proud to announced that WE DID IT! As a group, ABATE has come together and has raised the $20,000 needed to get Josef’s $10,000 donation offer to start us on our way of building our permanent Band Pavilion that will replace the rented tent each Summer Hummer. This pavilion will also allow us to store our equipment, picnic tables, etc. under cover during the winter months.

At this point we don’t know what the estimated cost of this project will be. We are currently in a period where lumber prices are at a high. Hopefully designs and estimates will be received during the fall and winter months, and we will be better prepared to solidify plans for the pavilion. Until then, please continue to donate to this fund if you see fit. Although we have received enough donations for Joe Stanek to make his $10,000 donation, we know that the ultimate cost of the pavilion will be a higher total that what we have so far.

THANK YOU, MEMBERS – for pulling it together and being so generous. We truly are a Brotherhood.