I feel a theme bubbling up in these lines that I write from time to time. It started with an introduction, (you had me at hello!). Next, it was about neighbours! Everybody has them; not everybody gets to know theirs. So here’s what your neighbours have been doing for you:
Ditch clean up
An unknown number of volunteers, from ages three to 81, showed up at Cedar Grove Elementary April 5, to go out and pick up trash from the numerous kilometres of ditches in Area E and along the highway. An inestimable amount of hiking up and down ditches, sidestepping, bending, reaching and crawling was done by our neighbours on our behalf to retrieve all that stuff carelessly tossed by people in passing cars, (and possibly even a few hikers and cyclists), and they did it with smiles on their faces. The group usually collects about 2,000 pounds of rubbish in just two hours. That means a lot of hands in the equation. They loaded a dumpster donated by Coastal Bin Rentals with the usual junk small and large. A freezer, a barbecue, as well as bottles, cans and wood were taken to appropriate places for recycling or disposal. Organizer Lee Carter says she’s grateful for the chirpy attitudes of these volunteers who came out on a beautiful day to clean up garbage that isn’t theirs, your neighbours and mine doing our environmental spring cleaning for us.
Chaster - Clark Road Connector Trail
In another neck of the woods, there have been trail upgrades and bridge replacements on the Chaster - Clark Road Connector Trail near the trail’s entrance at Sunnyside and Clark Roads. Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) director Rod Moorcroft noticed that the trail had flooded badly over the winter and was nearly impassible. Brian Thicke, also with ECA, took the initiative to inquire whether the SCRD could be coaxed into helping with a restoration project and presto! They could! A contractor, a design, as well as materials and equipment were provided, and in coordination with the volunteers, the old rotting bridges were removed and replaced; pathways have been built up with sand and gravel. All is safe and good.
So when you walk there, or anywhere else in Elphinstone this spring, remember it’s your neighbours who made it nice. Say, “Thank you” the next time you meet! Pictures speak louder than words, but actions speak even louder!
