FRIENDS OF CRYSTAL BEACH | CONTRIBUTED
Early on the morning of Sept. 13 at Crystal Beach Estates, 15 people, ranging in age from 3 to 80 years old, assembled to conduct the community’s annual Big Sweep of the river shoreline, other waterfront areas and roadsides. This 3-year-old little fellow got to drop something into a Big Sweep bag and, it is hoped, embark on a lifelong dedication to getting rid of litter. The 80-year-old says he’s about to age out of this project. Happily, there were only 8 bags of trash, plus a small amount of washed up pieces of timber and plastic foam sheets. By far, the most plentiful items by number were cigarette butts and bottle caps — obviously there is a need for some more litter-prevention education. Afterward, participants were treated to a lunch of hotdogs and ice cream sundaes. The Fall Big Sweep has been an annual project of Friends of Crystal Beach for more than a decade. For more information, call 919-781-1158