By Douglas W. Motley
Senior Writer

An estimated 30 or more volunteers – both young and old – participated in Lake Gregory Yacht Club’s sixth annual cleanup of trash and debris scattered around the perimeter of Lake Gregory on Saturday, Oct. 19.

According to the club’s former commodore, Rick Dinon, the count included 12 Yacht Club members, as well as other community volunteers.

“About one-third of them were from off the mountain and had heard about it from friends and others who just happened to be in the area and wanted to help out,” Dinon said.

Several youngsters joined in the cleanup effort, including Oli Friesenbickler, who was seen picking up bottle caps and tiny bits of plastic that might otherwise end up in the lake, posing a health hazard to a flock of ducks waddling near the shoreline.

The two-hour-long clean-sweep netted about 30 trash bags, mostly containing paper and cardboard products, cigarette butts, fishing line, bottle caps and other debris. The cleanup, Dinon said, was done in conjunction with the California Coastal Cleanup Coalition; the Lake Gregory Recreation Company, which donated the 33-gallon trash bags and bottled water; and the Crestline Community Development Alliance (CCDA), which donated the hand-held trash pickers and vests.

Asked why the Yacht Club decided to get involved with cleaning up around the lake, Dinon responded, “About six years ago, it occurred to us that the perimeter of the lake could use a thorough cleaning before the rainy season begins. This is our once-a-year, end-of-season deep-cleaning that we do after the crowds are gone. The CCDA will be back in April to do their annual pre-season cleanup,” Dinon said, adding, “This was a very good day for everyone. Now a lot of trash will not be going into the lake.”