Spring Clean-up Day makes a big difference in our community

 

[April 27, 2021] 

Saturday morning, about 85 people started their day early gathering at Latham Park in Lincoln for Spring Clean-up Day. The objective of the day was to go out in teams and pick up trash along the right of ways of the roads that lead visitors into the city. The idea of an annual clean-up day came from Lincolnite Scott Turner who saw a need within the community and chose to take action.

As was noted by Scott’s daughter Amber on Saturday, instead of saying “someone needs to do something,” Turner took it upon himself to step up and take the reins on a clean-up project. In the past few years he has organized this day, Turner has garnered a lot of support from the community through volunteerism and also through sponsorship from area businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Registration for the Saturday event started at 8 a.m. As volunteers arrived they were asked to register and assigned to a team they would work with. Gloves were made available for those who needed them.

Volunteers were also invited to carb-up with donuts from Mel-O-Crème served by Miss Logan County Fair Queen Faith Doer, Junior Miss Grace Carter, Little Miss Aubrey Rogers and special guest server Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Kelsi Kessler.

The morning was a bit chilly and a drizzling rain was present throughout the event. As 9 a.m. approached, Turner called everyone to attention and thanked them all for coming to help clean up our town. He explained that the groups would go out together and work until about 11 a.m. For two groups, transportation was provided by C & J Party Bus and the First United Methodist Church. Pick-up trucks went with each group and were used to collect the bags of trash and deliver them to the roll away dumpster provided by Area Disposal and located across the street from Latham Park.

Turner told everyone to feel free to stop a bit early if the rain became heavier, and to be sure to return to the park for free food provided by Nuthatch Hill BBQ, Stuffed Aria Pizza, and Top Hat Creamery.

Among those in the crowd ready to get to work were newly elected Lincoln Aldermen Rick Hoefle and Wanda Lee Rohlfs. Both will be sworn into office during the first Lincoln City Council meeting in May.

Others in attendance included newly elected Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch and wife Annette who serves on the Logan County Board, departing Alderman Ron Keller and United States Congressman for the Illinois 18th District Darin LaHood.

Several folks, including Little Miss Logan County Aubrey Rogers, took a moment to sign their name on the large sponsorship sign on display at the park, before heading out to do the work of the day.

LDN caught up with only a few groups during the morning. One group was busy collecting trash along Lincoln Parkway in front of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital walking path.

Another pair was working around the intersection west of Lincoln Parkway on Woodlawn Road.

A large group was busy gathering trash closer to the interstate, in the ditches and rights of ways adjacent to Thornton’s and Steak & Shake.

The Steak & Shake group had their pick-up truck full to the brim by 10:30 a.m. and returned to the city owned parking lot across from Latham Park to unload. Bags were being counted as they were thrown into the dumpster. From 10:30 a.m. to a little past 11 a.m. vehicles continued to arrive and off-load the bags of trash from truck to dumpster. The final count for the day, 2,020 large plastic bags filled with garbage were collected along the right of ways.

As people filtered back into the park, food was served by Nuthatch Hill BBQ, and Turner arrived with a large order of pizza.

After the main meal, dessert of ice cream in three flavor options was offered by Top Hat Creamery via the Traveling Top Hat.

The day concluded with folks enjoying their food and music provided by Marty Ryan.

After the event was over, Turner noted on his social media that he was very thankful for all who had come out to help clean up Lincoln.

The efforts of Turner prove a point that many should consider. We can all say something needs to be done, but when we step-up and make ourselves the ones to do it, then great things happen.

Thank you Scott for being the one who chose to step-up.

[Nila Smith]