John Ringling Parkway Shines Thanks to LSPOA Volunteers

Shown above, a few of the great clean-up team ready to go: Maryann Armour, Ken Abt, Peggy Shannon, Susan Sloan, Lee Edstrom, John Byles, Dan Miles, Karen Byles, Marge Mills, Janet Minker, Jean Williams and Elliott Himelfarb.

LSPOA volunteers were in good spirits early Saturday morning as they gathered near the Umbrella House to begin the cleanup of John Ringling Parkway. LSPOA provided bags and gloves to approximately 20 volunteers, who came prepared with rakes, shovels, pickers, and cell phones ready to capture the oddest trash of the day.

Kudos to Gail Barzman, who created the perfect after-party in the pavilion, where hot but happy members shared cleanup stories and feasted on a variety of cheese, crackers, fruit, and beverages. Many thanks to Richard LaBrie for helping Gail carry the abundance of treats to the pavilion.

Susan Sloan, Marge Mills, Jean Williams, Karen Byles, John Byles and Dan Mills enjoying the after-party. 

The oddest find of the day.

While she faced steep competition for the oddest trash find of the day, Maryann Armour took the title for her discovery of a large plastic bag filled with pregnancy / fertility tests. 

Peggy Shannon presented the winner with a water bottle noting Making A Difference. It's What I Do — a fitting sentiment for Maryann's contribution to the clean up. 

Maryann Armour, the Winner of the "Oddest Trash Find"

Other finds include a variety of oddities, such as footballs (fuzzy to barnacle covered), the remains of a giant horseshoe crab, a large letter U, a bait box, life jacket, waders, jackets, baseball caps, and unimaginable volumes of plastic bags, water bottles and cigarette butts. Luckily, the discovery of a half-filled container of concrete did not contain body parts. That would’ve made for an even more memorable April Fool’s Day.

A special debt of gratitude to Anne Essner and Lee Edstrom for their generous spirit and willingness to use their golf carts to transport the stinky mounds of trash from John Ringling Parkway to resident’s homes for collection by the city.


MaryLee Bishoff, Elliott Himelfarb, Lee Edstrom, Gail and Stuart Barzman each helped to clear the pavilion after the festivities. Thank you for lightening the load.

Again, many thanks to the amazing volunteers who showed up early Saturday morning eager to make a difference in our great community: Maryann Armour, Ken Abt, Gail and Stuart Barzman, Mary Lee Biscoff, John and Karen Byles, Lee Edstrom, Anne Essner, Elliot Himelfarb, Lisa Kates, Richard LaBrie, Marge and Dan Mills, Janet Minker, Peggy Shannon, Susan Sloan, Jean Williams—and anyone else I may have missed.

Thanks neighbors — Lido Shores shines more brightly because of you! ~ Peggy Shannon

Stinky! 

You never know what you'll find

 

Marge Mills and her new waders