The first time I heard "Trash Pick-Up" my stomach did a roll and I thought, "You have to be kidding!" Four years have passed since that first time and I now admit I really enjoy Trash Pick-up days. Why?

The first reason is certainly the satisfaction I receive upon looking back over a large stretch and seeing nothing but grass or scrub. How often can you say that in a 200-yard stretch of roadway? The second reason is the sheer fascination in what people throw. On our last pick up, I found three cans of chewing tobacco, a common habit in southeastern Virginia, but this was the first time I have ever seen any. There were large bottles of Bud. Often however, Ice House predominates, and one time it looked like the area had upgraded to more premium beers with large numbers of Coors, Dos Equis, and micro brewers. Then, of course, there are the half full bottles with the lid tightly screwed on. Can I hope these persons are giving up drinking for good, so I won’t be picking up his/her bottles anymore? On one of the early pickups there were by count 100 tires. Fortunately, now tires are rare.

Lastly, there are the treasures. On our last pick up, the best the group could do was a hollow turtle shell which I am saving for the grandchildren. I remember the day when one of our members picked up a set of metric wrenches. Another member found a heavy-duty wrench and a nearly new sponge for their kayak. Then there was the car phone that we turned into the sheriff, and the torn dollar bills. We wonder what that was all about! And of course, all the clothing, from high heeled shoes to an "Afro" wig and an enormous brassiere. Coins are common, but the best was a 1905 quarter.

Jimmy Morgan started trash pickups. He made a serious commitment to clean up the three prime gateways to the Dragon, routes 17, 602 and 603, and believed it an important goodwill gesture to the community. We are proud to carry on his tradition and would like to see more of our members participate. Call Larry Corson (804-693-2607) now to volunteer for the next trash pick up, Saturday, March 16.

Lorna Anderberg

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