Cockrells Creek Cleanup
Despite a soaking rain, NAPS held its creek clean-up event on Cockrells Creek, Saturday, September 17th, followed by a picnic for all participants at "The Stack." Several clean-up crews, ferried by captains with skiffs, combed the Northumberland County creek and its tributaries, wading along the shore to pick up containers, tires, and other trash, including 2 old refrigerators and a vintage washing machine – an estimated 4,800 pounds of garbage. Nearly 50 volunteers plied the waters, sorted the recycling from the trash, or helped serve a picnic lunch at the end of the event, including 19 Northumberland High School students from the Beta Club. The event was also supported by Omega Protein, Smith Point Sea Rescue, Reedville Fishermen's Museum, Native Plant Society of the Northern Neck, Recycling Network of the Northern Neck, National Resource Conservation Service "Earth Team, " and Virginia Clean Waterways. Other supporters include Charlie Fears and Bill & Millie Koehler.
NAPS had held several creek clean-ups in the past under the direction of Mike Harwood, and hopes to tackle other Northumberland County waterways each of the coming years. NAPS Vice President Monty Deihl organized this year's clean-up, and Anne Bélanger & Jan Ahart organized the picnic event. Smith Point Sea Rescue and Virginia Marine Police patrolled the waters to keep the crews safe. NAPS t-shirts were given to each of the volunteers.
NAPS sincerely thanks the 19 student volunteers: Elizabeth Best, Lauren Brent, Caitlyn Cralle, Justin Diggs, Richard Frolia, Elizabeth Hudnall, Bridgette McLaughlin, Ryan Parker, Karla Pinkard, Alexandre Pitman, Jennifer Radcliffe, Brandy Robinson, Destiny Robinson, Hannah Rogers, Brenda Santamaria, Dominic Scerbo, Sydney Setser, Smitha Thervioat, and Rachel Tomlin.
Many area watermen and sportsmen volunteered their boats, fuel, and time. NAPS especially thanks these 14 volunteer captains & mates: A. B. Crowther, Becky Crowther, Bill Crowther, Mary Deihl, Lacie Gaskins, Joel Deihl, Charlie Gillmer, Maureen Gillmer, Vincent Haynie, Tom Moore, Zack Moore, Frederick Rogers, Walter Rogers, and Charles Williams.
NAPS also thanks its members and other volunteers who participated: Jan Ahart, Mike Ahart, Lee Allain, Diane Cichowicz, Monty Deihl, Bill Estell, Nancy Garvey, Ida Hall, Carol Hammer, Greg Haugan, Sue Haugan, Lynton Land, Richard Lebaron, and Skip Campbell, Lon Crow, and Robby Robinson from Smith Point Sea Rescue.