Saturday, April 25, 2009

FMRS Spring Sweep 2009 Report Hottest Sweep Ever

One hundred fourteen energetic FMRS volunteers came out to clean the river on the hottest day ever for a sweep. They collected 9,960 pounds of refuse and one hundred tires. They were spread from Sand Creek to San Jacinto to Scott County as well as the heart of the county, Vernon. Wherever the workers happened to land, they acquitted themselves well.

Crew leaders Larry Treadway, Bill Browning, Wayne Moore, and Bob Giddens led Boy Scouts Jon Giddens and Leighton Moore in scouring the Vernon and Baldwin Cemeteries. They uncovered an old furnace. Bob stated, “It is getting a lot cleaner. Two years ago you just filled your bag. Now you have to look around and search.”

Jerry Davis led Joan Davis, Emily Davis, Taryn Mayer, Grace Davis, Felicity Sheppard, and Lizzie Maschino to Muscatatuck Christian Ranch. They garnered a steel drum and many bags of bottles, but they needed to leave a pontoon boat for next time.

Simeon Stearns, with a big assist from Troy Jackson, got many family members to attack the dump along Fair Weather Crossing Road on Little Graham Creek. Marley Stearns, _ Stearns, Richard, Susan, Eli, and Elizabeth Wahlman, Curt Scheifinger, Ethan and Preston Stevens, Derrick Byram, René Jackson, Brittany Tempest, and Joe Buchanan pulled refrigerators, couches, chairs, air conditioners, and wire fence from the ravaged area. Several helped unload at the county garage as well after hauling the junk on their pick-ups.

Jim Shaw and Don Layman led the able crew of Dan Struck, Matt, Cathy, Marley, and Eli Vawter, Eric Genda, Tanner Genda, and Lane Sawyer in canoes from Sullivan Ford to Euler Ford. Eli went in the water, but survived very well. Some appliances could not be retrieved, but they will be next time. Everett Sparkman and Joann Moore blazed the trail for Cheryl Trisler, Denver Sparkman,and Roger Bonesteel. Everett had a trailer load Friday to jump start the proceedings at Tobias Ford. They ended with 11 bags and 2 tires.

Randy Kent led Jordan Kent, Pam Wilson, Laura Wilson, Susie Barlow, Andrew Barlow, and Vickie Wheeler cleaned the Euler Ford bridge area. They called the sheriff to retrieve a propane bottle and butane can while sprucing up the location.

Bill Suhre and Roger Robinette canoed from the City Dam to the racetrack. Along the way they picked up sundry items, but the amount of rubble was down considerably. They had to bypass a deep freeze at Flintwood Subdivision and will get it next time.

Cody Kreutzjans, Santana Kreutzjans, and John Phillips ran from bridge to bridge at Brewersville. They hauled out a dozen tires in their canoes, but had to leave about 30 in Sand Creek. We will return. Jeff Malcomb took Justin Anderson on a super cleaning tour from the Flintwood Subdivision to the racetrack. They grabbed the honor of longest cleaning crew, getting in well after the noon eating time. Kevin Coryell and Les Ticknor led a large contingent at the racetrack that included Nathan Sharp, Kohl Coryell, Megan Anderson, Brent Ferguson, Bryce Northrup, Matt Bailey, Megan Sisson, Morgan Eberts, Jodi Ritchie, Kaleb Coryell, Sean Claycamp, Andrew Claycamp, Jalen Tompson, Cherie Ticknor, Rae Gray, Terrah Hartson, Marcie Dollinger, and Brooke Sapp. They cleaned and cleaned but still had to leave two cars in the bank, excavator bait for next time.

George Haysler and Jill Richey led the Wal-Mart crew as well as Emily and Paula Ertel in another attack on the Rock Rest Falls dump. They got tons of debris as the area gets closer and closer to pristine. Hugh Partridge headed up the Artz Ford contingent that included Tiffany and Catherine Partridge. Jeff Barger and crew came along to pick up all the gleanings from the ford. Ed Kellar, Lois Kellar, and Kevin Beal coordinated the clean up at Selmier’s Forest that included Kay and Anna McGriff, Carter and Carson McNulty, Ricardo Pererra, and Susan Beal. They cleaned the length of the park and more.

Steve and Reilly Losey cleaned along South Fork and then three bridge areas on South Fork while Tricia Losey registered people and picked up the sandwiches and pizzas. Sherida Moore, Tricia Losey, Kevin Jayne, and Rhonda served food to the famished crowd. Robyn McClintock led the Girl Scout charge at the Sullivan Ford area. It was a time consuming endeavor. Connie Barrett and a crew of three others representing Starbucks Coffee served Starbucks hot coffee to all at registration.

Larry Allsop, Mr. Pratt, and Josh Day worked on getting the Vernon Commons area into shape. Mike Goodpaster led county workers Alan Maschino, Josh Day, Loren Fields, and Greg Kreutzjans in a long day of collecting and disposing of all the junk. In addition, Commissioner Jeff Barger accompanied them to the very end in the quest of beautifying the county.

Other workers participating in the successful cleanup include Richard Tekulve, Amanda and Tyler Thorne, Sarah and Katie Wright, Thomas Perkins, Teal Smith, Myra and Roger Scott, Debbie Kirtman, Chris and Autumn Baber, Kelly, Kirsten, and Kameron Jayne, Cory Nolan, Jessica Brawn, Susan, Dylan, Jessica, and Emily Dewar, Andy Eaken, Jeremy Allen, Sarah Hammel, Jordan Cox, Nick Ezzo, Vickie Wheeler, Courtney, John, and Allison Green, Chase Bentz, Skyler Bayes, Jodi Ritchie, Matt Vaughn, Max Trikey, Matt Roata, Jennifer, Allison, and Emily Bannister, Sheree Corum, Brendan, Kenntlee, and Lelan Sharp, Pam and Laura Wilson, Alex Alcorn, Jon Eastman, Kate Eastman, Traven Marksberry, Josh McLeod, Tom Moore, John Phillips, Ethan and Preston Stevens, and Breanna and Lisa Wilson.

Due to a circumstance which occurred at one of our cleanup sites, we as a group need to ensure that we have confirmed permission to pass onto any privately-owned river access sites. The FMRS will be drafting up permission forms to be signed by property owners to ensure everyone is aware and protected...

Mother Nature Thanks You!

Troy Jackson,
Vice President, FMRS

Once again,
in the immortal words of
Dan Shade,
“Mother Nature thanks you.”