nattow

So this was last Saturday's adventure a beautiful 1957 Chevy Bel Air, Candy Apple Red by the way!! And no I did not use the wheel straps cuz the emergency brake was not working it was a new transmission and I was concerned going the distance I was going it would rock and move and possibly call it cause those straps to loosen it also had some tire shine on it. My thanks to the owner's daughter and son-in-law for entrusting this beautiful baby with me. I must say it's a quiet ride down to Sarasota usually I get people stopping and pointing all the time maybe I just didn't notice it that day....

So yesterday July 1st 2023 was a great day, a monumental day. First, I celebrated the 42 business anniversary of my towing company, Nationwide Towing and then I also celebrated my 500th geocache find!! Geocaching for many of you that are not aware as a worldwide activity of finding hidden containers. Some containers are very tiny and just have a log for you to sign, some are a very sizes and have swag in them to take and leave more swag, some have what we call trackables and also geo coins in them that you take IE retrieve and move them on to other containers. You do not keep the containers you put them back where you found them for the next person to find. So yesterday after towing this gentleman's 1932 Ford Model 18 coupe my roommate Carlie Shields and I went off looking for the last three geocaches for me to achieve my goal of number 500 find. And at Bayview Park on Gulf to Bay near the Bayside bridge my goal was achieved number 500 was that a dead end of the street on the water and how glorious it was The sun was setting just right My eagle-eyed friend spotted the cache before I did and with a delightful dinner at Carrabba's Italian restaurant (do try their summer pasta that has lump crab meat and shrimp in it it is decadent) afterward July 1st was an amazing day. I truly am lucky to have a new friend and great roommate Carlie, an amazing towing business of 42 years, and wonderful friends and the geocaching community. I am a lucky girl thank you all. Oh yeah, and a great truck washer thank you, Jeff.

I'll be there...... Saturday

I agree go with #1, since they both tied for number one let's go with that. Although it's very unusual it's what was voted.

My heartfelt condolences, R I P TowOp, we will drag your chains from here.

Hello Tow'rs, I would like to invite you to our May 2021 PWOF (Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida) meeting. Region 6 Pinellas County WHEN --- NEXT Tuesday, May 11, 2021 @ 7pm (meeting doors open at 6pm) WHERE -- Perkins Restaurant 2626 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd (SR60) Clearwater, FL 33759 (NE corner of SR 60 & US 19) plenty of parking. WHAT -- Our monthly PWOF towing meeting for Pinellas County. Normally this is held later in the month but because of a upcoming event (SDMO) it was changed. In June we will get back to the regular schedule. GUEST SPEAKERS -- Denny Raulerson & Jennifer Fabrizio. Very involved SDMO advocates. They will be speaking about local SDMO activities, including their own upcoming "1st Annual Slow Down Move Over Awareness Parade" to be held Saturday May 15, 2021. THIS IS A EVENT YOU'LL NOT WANT TO MISS !! TOPICS -- PWOF Tow Show last month, as well as local topics or issues, what's on your mind and you never know what else !! Feel free to bring a guest, employees, other Tow Ops, because Perkins can accommodate up to 50 people in this meeting room. If you are from another county and would like to attend you, too, are welcome. Kindly remember that these are not bashing sessions. Due to recent changes in the Covid guidelines I would suggest that you all bring a mask and if you are a 1 shot'r, 2 shot'r or a No shot'r please come and meet, share ideas, bring questions, maybe win a door prize and visit with you fellow tow'rs --- YOUR CONSTITUENTS. As always everyone pays for their own meals (also known as "Dutch Treat"). If you have any questions call me, (Ginger Darling Nationwide Towing) 727-444-3911 or text me at 727-410-2911. Share this invite around, if you need to contact me right away, phone call only.

JOE--JOE'S TOWING THE MAN, THE LEGEND, THE POPPOP FUNERAL SERVICE INFO When: Saturday, March 6th, 2021 Time: 12:00pm- 3:00pm Where: Pinellas Park Performing Art Center 4951 78th Avenue North Pinellas Park, FL 33782 The service will be “live-steamed” on the link below: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/largo-fl/joseph-kolodziej-10071946 I would like everyone to know, as per the family request, at this Service we will be STAGING the trucks just like we do at the Light-Ups, BUT WILL NOT BE DOING A PROCESSION---YET---due to many members of our Brotherhood coming in from all over and as the family's wishes, our MEMORIAL TRIBUTE PROCESSION TO "OUR JOE" WILL BE AT A LATER ANNOUNCED DATE. I will be updating this post with info as where to enter and stage the trucks this Saturday, If you have any questions call me, Ginger @ 727-444-3911 or text 727-410-2911, PM, email (nattow1981@yahoo.com) or F/B me. Thank you all so, so much...........

It is with a heavy heart that we say "We will see you later" to a legend in our industry, an icon, leader, mentor, a hell of a tow'r and a wonderful friend Mr. Joe Kolodziej. Founder, owner and a man who wore the many hats of Joe's Towing Largo, FL. Joe passed away Monday February 22nd. My heartfelt condolences to his loving wife Priscilla Kolodziej ,his son JR, daughter Jackie Kolodziej Riley and all the many grandchildren that he so adored, the team players of Joe's Towing and countless friends and members of our Brotherhood. We will be having a procession in his honor at a soon to be announced date. I would appreciate if you all would call me (727-444-3911), text me (727-410-2911), PM me or email me (nattow1981@yahoo.com) with your contact information so I can keep you updated. Would you all please reach out to other tow'rs and help get this information out. I know many of you would like to help with this procession and I will definitely appreciate that assistance ----- this is our JOE and our towing brotherhood WILL MAKE JOE'S TOWING AND THE FAMILY PROUD. Joe asked me several years ago to arrange his procession and quite frequently he would remind me of this request. Of course I told him yes it would be my honor "but Joe, you're not going to leave us" .... well here we are and I AM HONORED TO FULFILL HIS WISH. And the family's wish as well. Joe will hear our horns and see our lights when we honor him. WE ARE ALL MORE THAN LUCKY TO HAVE HAD THIS MAN GRACE OUR LIVES, TO TEACH US AND TO CARE ABOUT US. R I P JOE KOLODZIEJ..........THE MAN, THE LEGEND Joseph George Kolodziej was born on September 17, 1939 in Long Branch, NJ and passed away on February 22, 2021

When: Saturday, Feb 13, 2021, at 5 p.m. — 9 p.m. (approximate) Where: The east (driving from Pinellas County to Tampa) end of the Howard Franklin bridge (I-275) What: We are gathering for a “Light-Up” in honor of Roger Perez-Borroto This is the 5th anniversary of Roger Perez-Borroto being hit and killed in the line of duty while loading a vehicle. He was struck by a hit-and-run driver. There will be plenty of traffic for a visual. For those coming from Hillsbrough County, Tampa area, go south (some call it west) you will have to cross the bridge and exit onto Ulmerton Rd. (688), the 1st exit, and then do a u-turn going back to Tampa. For those coming from the Pinellas side, get onto the bridge going to Tampa. As you cross the bridge stay in the right lane and just after you get to the end and the grass starts, turn into the first cut to get onto the service road. This comes up quickly. It would be a nice touch as you are arriving and cross over the “hump” of the bridge, that you light-up your truck and lay on your horns. About half-way between the end of the “hump” and the end of the bridge you will pass where Roger lost his life. In 2016 in Hillsbourgh County, Fla. (Tampa Bay area) we lost thee of our tow brothers. Roger was the first tow truck operator hit and killed in the line of duty that year. Then, Troy Mcguire, October 9 on I-75, and Danny Hand, November 27 at the on-ramp of Flower Ave. at I-275. All of these drivers did not slow down or move over. One was DUI. Had these three individuals at least obeyed the “slow down move over” law, the families would still have their fathers, sons, uncles, brothers … Let’s come together, Feb 13, 2021, to honor the memory of Roger Perez-Borroto. Let’s let him see our lights and hear our horns and let him and his family know that he will never be forgotten. Everyone who has tow flags, posters and banners please bring them. Please wear a face covering and practice social distancing. Everyone please call, text and email to spread word of the event. Any questions please call Ginger Darling 727-444-3911 (do not text to this number) or text me at 727-410-2911.

********** TOWING MEETING INVITATION ********** This is Ginger Darling owner/operator of Nationwide Towing in Palm Harbor, Fl. I am the newly elected Area Chairman for Pinellas County for PWOF (Professional Wrecker Operators of Florida), your state towing association. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU TO OUR NEXT MEETING, THURSDAY- OCTOBER 29, 2020 at 7 PM, "doors open at 6 PM". This will be a multi-county meeting for Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas counties. WHATS HAPPENING ; PWOF MULTI -COUNTY MEETING HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO, HERNANDO & PINELLAS COUNTIES WHERE; FLORIDA WRECKER SALES 5620 E M. L. K. BLVD. TAMPA, FL 33619 WHEN; THURSDAY OCTOBER 29, 2020 7 PM, DOORS OPEN AT 6 PM WHY; BECAUSE WE CAN!! AND WE (PWOF) WANT TO !! REALLY--WE WANT TO HAVE YOU COME AND MEET YOUR FELLOW TOW'RS, LEARN FROM DEMOS BY FL WRECKER SALES, LEARN ABOUT YOUR INDUSTRY NEW LAWS AND MANY MORE THINGS. Also PWOF would like to once again get meetings going in your county so that we can come together, get to know each other, learn about new laws that affect us and so many other positive benefits for each of us. The saying "UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL" applies. SO PLEASE COME & HAVE A GREAT NIGHT LEARN, EAT, MAYBE WIN A DOOR PRIZE OR TWO OR EVEN BUY A NEEDED/WANTED ITEM WHILE YOU ARE AT FLORIDA WRECKER SALES. This meeting will be outdoors with plenty of tow truck parking, good time to show off those beauties !! You DO NOT HAVE TO CLEAN UP JUST COME OFF THE ROAD, WE ALL WORK HARD AND BEING DIRTY IS OK !!! We also have plenty of room to social distance and be safe, bring a mask also. So bring yourself a lawn chair, we are planning for food trucks to be there for dining (OF COURSE IT IS "DUTCH TREAT" meaning you buy your meal). I would ask please if some of you could bring a couple bottles of various sodas, ice tea or ice, there will be coolers provided. BTW AT THESE MEETINGS -----WE ARE CONSTITUENTS, NOT COMPETITORS. WE LEAVE THE NEGATIVITY AT THE DOOR. THANK YOU. If you have any questions call me at 727-444-3911 (talk only) or text me at 727-410-2911 (identify yourself please). Your Area Chairmen are: HILLSBOROUGH Steve Nodal, Benfield's Wrecker Service Tampa, Fl 813-879-3331 PASCO & HERNANDO Lynda Wood, Cox's Care Care New Port Richey, Fl 727-847-6655 CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU

IN HONOR OF HIS BIRTHDAY AND HIS SISTER ZARAIS COMING TO HIS MEMORIAL FOR THE 1ST TIME. This Saturday August 29, (2 PM-4 PM) is Roger Perez-Borroto’s Birthday (Tow Op killed on the Howard Franklin Bridge February 15, 2016 , he was the 1st of 3 in Hillsborough County that year). We will be holding a Light-Up & Birthday Gathering starting at 2 PM at his memorial site, which is on the Tampa side (coming from Pinellas County) of the Howard Franklin Bridge. Zarais his sister (from Miami) and his brother George we would be happy for you all to be there and share this occasion. Any questions call Ginger 727-444-3911. ZARAIS HAS NEVER BEEN TO ROGER’S MEMORIAL SITE BEFORE AND THIS WILL BE VERY SPECIAL TO HER-----SO LET’S SHOW OUR SUPPORT, LOVE, HUGS & BROTHERHOOD. Please call anyone you know in towing that can attend this event. Media has also been invited.

CONGRATULATIONS CLARISSA!!!!!! You are a amazing person, i so enjoy talking to you and keep up all of the great stuff you do for us towr's. one of these days soo we will get the "outa of a tow truck uniform attire" article done !!!!!!!

hello ya'all, still hanging in here, business dropped about 85% slowly starting to increase since the stay at home order was lifted 2ish weeks ago. getting other things done size L please if i am lucky !!! TAKE CARE & BE SAFE, ginger

Randall, I do agree with wearing a seatbelt 100%, I do advocate it as well, because more often than not, the usage does save lives and it is the law. AND YES I WEAR MY ALL THE TIME. BUT I was thinking about a tow operator friend of mine who was hit by a rock hauler while in his tow truck, about 35 years ago and had he had his seatbelt on he would not have survived the impact. Instead he was thrown over to the passenger side and yes hit his head severely and was in a coma (i don't remember if it was doctor induced or not) but by the grace of God the swelling of his brain reduced and he made a full recovery ! 6 weeks later he was back in a tow truck and now he has moved into the locksmith end of the auto industry. I typed my thoughts out loud, not a wise move. In this accident from what i am aware of the seatbelt sadly would of not helped. Your kind heartfelt condolences I will pass on. Thank you. I spent some time on the phone talking to Jason's family tonight and in addition to the procession I am working on a few other things to help. I too am hoping for a substantial turn-out in Jason's honor, there are a lot of phone calls & decisions to make. And of course keeping in mind the health and safety of everyone, due to the C-virus, the procession date is not yet decided. Your's and Christine's spirit will be definitely felt--- thank you so much. It is always my gift to the family and to the company of our fallen brother that i lovingly arrange these processions. I am humbled to do this for them and my brotherhood. take care & be safe, g

My heartfelt condolences to Jason and his family, friends, Sunstate/B & D Towing and coworkers. I am working on the details for a Tow Truck Funeral Procession and should have some more info hopefully by Wednesday. Please everyone be safe, try to remember to wear your seatbelt (sometimes they don't help BUT..) and if you have any questions call me at 727-444-3911 or text to 727-410-4911. Ginger @ Nationwide Towing Palm Harbor, Fl

Because of the heartbreaking accident this past Sunday February 9th where a drunk driver hit and killed Shawna Smith, a beloved and highly respected towing dispatcher --a member of our brotherhood who keeps tow ops going from point A to point B and then some -- at Professional Towing in Tampa, Fl. Out of respect to her family, the light-up for our tow brother Roger Perez-Borroto has been postponed from Saturday night February 15th to Sunday February 16th. We want to give her family, friends, coworkers and so many people who loved her the respect and the time to celebrate her life. Attached you will see the details of Shawna's services; Shawna's Viewing: Friday 5-7 PM, February 14th @ Zipperers Funeral Home 1520 33rd St SE Ruskin, Fl Saturday: Tow Truck Procession (Lead by Professional Wrecker Service) Trucks need to be at Zipperers at 10 am Saturday, February 15th for lineup of procession traveling to Fellowship Cemetery at 10232 SR674 Lithia, Fl. Procession begins at 11 AM. So as not to take away from this sad event, the details for Rogers light up on Sunday night has been updated below. Thank you all for your understanding and Rest in Peace Shawna Smith As mentioned above, the light up in honor of Roger Perez-Borroto who was hit and killed buy a drinking driver on February 15, 2016 while in the line of duty loading a vehicle on the Howard Franklin Bridge I-275, will be held Sunday February 16th. I will be there at 5:30 p.m., the location is on the Tampa side (I call it the east end and some people call it the north end but it is the Tampa side of the bridge). Attached is a picture (it may be in the second comment) of the location as you come off the bridge there is a little road that you can turn on to and come back up alongside the highway to line up. We will line up with our lights on and horns going so that Roger our tow brother can still hear us and see us. If anybody has any questions please feel free to call me 727-444 -3911 please don't text this number. My texting number is 727-410-2911 and as I might not recognize your phone number please identify yourself if you need to get a hold of me immediately please call me on the first phone number, 444. SO TO CLARIFY THE "ROGER PEREZ-BORROTO" MEMORIAL WILL BE SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 16TH THIS YEAR.

Hello everyone, This past Tuesday February 4, 2020 a bright light went from shining locally in the Spring Hill area of Florida to shining greatly from above. "POP" Mr. Bill Whitey (the father of John Sieber aka "Johnnyboy" of Tow 2 Tow Towing in Spring Hill, Florida) passed away. Pop was in the towing industry for 60 years, mostly in the Long Island area of New York. In the 1990s he had the largest truck anywhere around and probably even further. Johnny, family, and the crew of Tow 2 Tow Towing are heartbroken. Something we all understand and are when we lose a loved one. Today Saturday February 8th and tomorrow Sunday February 9th there will be 4 viewing times at Brewer 7 Hills Funeral Home 280 Maniner Blvd Spring Hill, FL. The times are on both days 2-4 and 6-8 PM. PLEASE COME BY AND PAY YOUR RESPECTS TO HIS LOVED ONES. TOMMOROW, FEBRUARY 9 @ 4:30PM, we will have a Tow Funeral Procession in Pop's honor. Please show up starting at approximately 3:30 PM, so we can line up and be ready, the route will be announced tomorrow at the lineup. I WOULD LIKE as many of you to show up throughout the weekend and tomorrow as possible, (PLEASE REMEMBER, that when we have our functions down here Johnny, most of the time, shows up with many trucks) OUR TOW BROTHER and his family NEEDS our support. This is a tough time for them particularly Johnny. Although we like our trucks all shiny and clean and our uniforms nice and neat, our respect & love shines through even if the trucks aren't clean and the uniforms are "towing dirty". On Monday February 10th, Pop will travel to his final resting place in New York. LET'S GIVE A WARM FLORIDA REMBERMANCE TO "POPS", BY PAYING OUR RESPECTS IN TRUE TOW TRUCK PROCESSION FASHION. THANK YOU, Ginger S Darling Nationwide Towing 727-444-3911 (and for texting only 727-410-2911). Obituary William Joseph Sieber, lovingly known by many nicknames such as “Whitey”, “Grandpa”, “the old man”, and “Pop” led a life of serving others. As a youth he served as an Alter boy at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Brooklyn, New York. From there he went on to serve his nation as a United States Marine. He left the United States Marine Corps to help his family make ends meet when his father got injured and was no longer able to work. He then went on to start his own business helping people in need as a tow truck driver. He even served his community as a volunteer auxiliary police officer. This selfless service shows a habit of going out of his way to help anyone in need. William would give you the shirt off of his back even if it were the first time he had met you. William leaves behind his loving wife, Jean Sieber; six children, William Jr, John, Lisa, Marie, Nancy, and Kelly, 27 grandchildren 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild; loving family and friends. William will be reunited with his parents, William C. Sieber and Dorothy Sieber; as well as his daughters, Teresa Ann Sieber and Diane Miller. https://www.brewerfuneral.com/obituaries/William-Joseph-Sieber?obId=10875276#/obituaryInfo

Our heartfelt condolences.

FUNERAL & TOW TRUCK PROCESSION FOR KEITH KEIRSTEAD DECEMBER 8, 2019 GRAVESIDE SERVICE @ 1 MEMORIAL PARK FUNERAL HOME 5750 49TH ST ST. PETERSBURG, FL We lost a GREAT MAN AND FELLOW TOW BROTHER November 23, 2019. While towing a car Keith passed away of natural causes and did a HELL OF A JOB keeping the tow truck and car out of harms way. The funeral will be held December 8, 2019 starting at 1 PM. This will be a graveside service; there are, at Keith’s wishes, no visitation services. We will be having a procession to honor our brother which will leave after the services and travel past Keith’s home and his shop. After that we will be gathering at a local restaurant. I will update everyone on the route and location of the restaurant in a few days. Please start arriving at 10 AM, ENTER INTO THE CEMETERY ON 52ND ST. (OFF OF 54TH AVE N JUST WEST OF 49TH ST), AND THE END OF THE ROAD THE CHECK-IN TABLE WILL BE ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE. Park before the table and check in, we will have armbands, truck ribbons, cards to sign and a donation jar—ALL DONATIONS GO 100% TO THE FAMILY. Once you are checked in you will be instructed where to park your truck. THIS LINE UP IS FOR TOW TRUCKS & LETTERED SERVICE VEHICLES ONLY. PERSONAL TRUCKS, CARS, MOTORCYCLES & OTHER VEHICLES WILL FOLLOW AFTER THE TOW TRUCKS. ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL GINGER @ NATIONWIDE TOWING @ 727-444-3911. IF YOU TEXT THEN TEXT TO 727-410-2911 (PLEASE IDENTIFY YOURSELF IN THE TEXT). TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT PLEASE SHARE &CALL THIS INFO. THIS IS OUR BROTHERHOOD, COME TO HONOR A GREAT TOW OPERATOR AND A GREAT FAMILY MAN. Thank you, Ginger

It is with a heavy heart that I, on behalf of the family, have been asked to inform our towing family and friends of the unexpected and sudden passing of Keith Keirstead, of L & J Towing, Pinellas Park Florida. Keith passed away the morning of November 23rd 2019, while towing a car from a police call as a result of a medical emergency, butin Pinellas Park. Services are pending, we will have a tow truck procession--any questions please call Ginger S Darling Nationwide Towing 727-444-3911.