It appears Formidable Franklin Garden Club was the top team for this year’s Clean Rivers Day, bringing in 1,030 pounds of trash.

The Blackwater Nottoway Riverkeeper Program hosted its ninth annual cleanup on Saturday.

Though I was not able attend after being hospitalized, over 100 hardy souls came out to help better our community and the environment. Two tons of trash and debris were removed from area ditches, stream and rivers.

Some trudged along in boots and some attacked by boat. Thanks to the City of Franklin, Southampton County, Litter Control Council and Virginia Department of Transportation for providing services that aided in this effort.

Among participants were Bobby Clontz from The Nature Conservancy along with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, who led a contingency of canoes and kayaks from Joyner’s Bridge to Franklin down the Blackwater River.

Also participating were Southampton Academy, Team Spirit of Moonpie, Team Kate Tiller, Franklin Black Achievers, Cub Scout Pack 27, Courtland Ruritan’s, YMCA Leaders Club, Franklin Garden Club, Ashland/Hercules, Team Curtis Newsom, Team Wendy and many other folks who cleaned up on their own.

Special thanks to Anne Parker, Bobby and Nancy Turner, and Doug Rogers for their assistance. And I also want to thank Dean Wagenbach for stepping in as the unofficial interim Riverkeeper while I was laid up.

Clean Rivers day is a community pride, community team effort to better our little piece of this world. Next year I hope every school and organization, church and family will come out in April and help keep clean the rivers we call the Blackwater and Nottoway.