A Note From A River Litter Getter:

Last Saturday was River Sweep. I was up at the crack of dawn to go to Rabbit Hash, one of five Sweep sites in Boone County. I'd tell you all about the amazing work our record number of volunteers did or the priceless help from Boone County Public Works employees or the tireless aid that the Red Cross volunteers provided for everyone but honestly, I think the following letter written to the editor of the Boone County Recorder says it all.

This past Saturday, June 16, 2007 marked this year’s River Sweep, or as we like to call it down here, the “Dash for the Rabbit Hash Trash Bash.” It has become an annual event and holiday, much like Old Timer’s Day and National Carp and River Cat Appreciation Day (only you don’t want to eat what you catch!).

The event is conducted much like a highly prestigious professional fishing tournament….only in our contest, YOU are the winners. Because of the unmitigated concern and dedication of every one of the volunteers who come to Rabbit Hash two or three times a year to participate in the annual river clean-ups, Boone County residents benefit and prosper, and quality of life along our 35 miles of beautiful Ohio River shore goes up a notch or two.

Everyone gets to the starting point, bright and early, drinks some coffee, eats some donuts and listens to the official rules of the contest, so ably outlined by the inspired and energetic members of the Boone County Solid Waste Management team and the Boone County Public Works associates. The starting pistol fires and the contestants scatter to their favorite fishing location, dreaming of that ‘big catch’ of the day.

Four hours later, the alarm sounds and everyone returns to the starting point, where lunch and cold water is served. Tee shirts and prizes are distributed as the participants share strategies, adventures, and bemoan the big one that ‘got away’, while they wait for the final tally of weight and cubic volume of the day’s catch. It is estimated that this year’s River Sweep will break all previous records in our area.

“And the winner is….the citizens of Boone County.” Thanks to a dedicated few, we all come out the winners. Do you think, that on the final judgment day, when God conducts His exit interview from this earth with each of us, He will ask,” Did you leave my earth in better shape than you found it?”

Don Clare

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky