Northwood News ♦ June 2003

President’s Message

By Vince Jankoski

Spring has sprung and the annual Lockridge Drive creek cleanup was its usual rousing success.  The turnout seems to get bigger each year.  Special thanks should be given to Carole Barth and Jim Zepp who organized the affair and provided the logistical support.  Special thanks should also be given to those who provided the clipping, cutting, and removal services which eliminated the vines and other invasive species along the creek bed.

I found that the most encouraging aspect of this year’s clean up was the large number of children who participated.  While a formal count was not conducted, veteran creek cleaners noted that there were probably more children than adults.  Each year, an increasing number of kids participate.  This is most encouraging for two reasons.

First, from an operational perspective, the youngsters, teenagers, and those in-between have unbounded energy, can go places their elders cannot reach, and do not mind in the least getting wet.  This makes the adults’ job much easier.  Second, it warms the heart to see young women and men with an appreciation for nature and the willingness to improve the environment.  Their assistance is to be commended.  Their spontaneity is to be admired.

There are essentially two things that we can do in order to foster a healthy environment for the younger generation.  First, we can leave them an environment which is better than we found it and as unspoiled as we can make it.  Second, we can teach them to do likewise for the next generation.  From the turnout at the creek clean up, I can conclude that we are successful at both.  We, as a neighborhood, should pat ourselves on the back.   ■