Talkin' trash

I spent Saturday morning picking up trash along Route 82 from Doe Run east to Apple Grove Road. No, it wasn't some mandated community service: periodically the local conservation group the Buck & Doe Trust sponsors cleanup efforts along the part of the road it has adopted.
One of my litter-patrol buddies was "Mountain Goat" Pat Branum, who clambered up the treacherously steep roadside banks to retrieve bottles and stray pieces of trash. She is very thorough and was certainly not going to let brambles or vines get in her way. At one point I spotted a bottle in a creek and said, jokingly, "Pat, ya wanna get that?" She got wet up to the knees, but sure enough she did!
Amy McKenna, the president of Buck & Doe, thanked us all repeatedly for coming out on a chilly morning, but it was actually fun (the coffee, donuts and camaraderie helped) and it felt good to pitch in to keep our beautiful countryside litter-free.

Saturday's event was organized by board members Pam Smyth and Brendan Miney. In addition to Amy, Pat and me, other litter picker-uppers were Kim Dillon, Annie Jones, Janet Sidewater, Joe Huston, Brendan Miney, Pam Smyth and friend Lon. Amy tells me that the Buck & Doe Trust "is also organizing a similar clean up of the Laurels in conjunction with the Brandywine Conservancy later this month. The first event was rained out from Sandy."