The Kansas City based Ozark Wilderness Waterways Club’s (OWWC) 51st Annual Ozark River Cleanup took place over the Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4, 5, & 6.
Fifty-one participants cleaned 17.3 miles of the North Fork River, in segments between Twin Bridges and Dawt.
OWWC, as MO Stream Team #41, base camped at Twin Bridges Canoe and Campground for the cleanup project, and were joined by family members and representatives from other Stream Teams from Ava, Cabool and St. Louis. The group found the North Fork to be much cleaner than in previous cleanups on that river. Weather was cool; a welcome respite from the recent extended heat wave in the Kansas City area.
Twenty-six bags of trash, 34 bags of aluminum cans, and 5 tires were among the varied items removed from the river. The cleanup project totaled 760 volunteer hours.
The group appreciated the time, efforts and commitment of each volunteer. The Waterways Club is also grateful to campground hosts Jim and Ann Duncan, Myron and Ann McKee of River of Life Farms, Susan Williams and Ron Harden of Dawt Mill, Sherry Fischer of MDC, District Ranger Jenny Farenbaugh and Forester Darla Rein of the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs District of the Forest Service, and American Rivers for their valuable assistance in this teamwork project. The efforts of Rod Friga of Willow Springs Friga Tires, are also appreciated for accepting the tires retrieved from the river.
2010 OWWC North Fork River Cleanup Awards are as follows:
Most Descriptive, Detailed Data Log – Ross Broderick;
Heaviest Object: Railroad Tie – Gary Bindley and Janice Henry;
Largest Object: 3’X10’ Metal Conoco Sign – James Miller and Scott Hicks;
Most Objects Retrieved Over Knee Deep: 104 – Karen Palmer;
Most Sacks of Aluminum Cans (Tie): 4 bags each – Ron Bishop, Greg and Emma Hall;
Most Bags of Trash: 3 – Doris McLaughlin and Ron Mock;
Most Tires Retrieved: 2 – Barbara Van Vleck;
Riverbank Yoga Master: Andrea Repinsky;
Most Unusual Object: 5 Pkg. submerged Frito Lay Crackers (still dry and she ate them! – Barbara Van Vleck;
Most Paddling Partners: Richard Guyn;
Volunteer Fireside Minstrels: Matt Kirby and Andrea Repinsky;
Most Valuable Object: Quarter – Karen Palmer;
Creative Campsite Décor Award: Matt Kirby and Andrea Repinsky;
“The Boy Who Never Grew Up” Award: Richard Guyn;
Spirit Award: Charley Hayes;
Award for Most Overall Trash: Stained Glass Traveling Trophy – Ron Bishop
OWWC Cleanup Coordinators: Judy & Richard Guyn, Karen Palmer and Bruce Fahrmeier.
