Earth Day in Amenia brought out the volunteers to better the environment

AMENIA —  After a morning of roadside clean-up that yielded a wealth of roadside trash, the townwide observance of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, continued into the afternoon with a major event at the Town Hall, billed as a “repair café,” offering many features that attracted a steady stream of residents and visitors.

The event was organized by the local Conservation Advisory Council, Enhancement Committee and the Climate Smart Task Force. Contributing to the effort were local businesses, including HG Page Lumber and the Great Cape Bakery’s popular doughnuts.

The morning clean-up work drew a substantial number of volunteers who donned orange vests and heavy-duty gloves for safety, and with a prescribed route in mind, off they went, black bags in hand. A crew from the Morning Star Car Service volunteered at Fountain Square as a way of celebrating their community.

Lily Brito, 6, came out with her mother, Mercedes, both ready to collect roadside litter as part of the Morning Star team.

There were two clean-up launch points: Fountain Square in Amenia and Borden Park in Wassaic.

“Earth Day clean-up is one really good way everyone can pull together and do one tiny bit to show our respect for the earth. We have a lot to do. We’re telling the world we care,” said Councilwoman Vicki Doyle as she helped to organize things at Fountain Square. She offered encouragement to the volunteers and made note of pick-up locations that residents had specified.

During the Repair Café held in the afternoon, local environmental organizations offered displays and literature to educate visitors about their programs and goals. Representatives were on hand from the Housatonic Valley Association, Trout Unlimited, the Dutchess Land Conservancy, Amenia Garden Club, and Amenia Parks and Recreation that organized a sporting goods swap.

“I enjoy working with the town of Amenia. The town is passionate about the land and water,” said Claire Wegh. She is Ten Mile River Watershed Manager at the Housatonic Valley Association, headquartered in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut.

Drawing much interest was the composting demonstration offered by Christy Gast of the local Conservation Advisory Council, one of the co-sponsors of the event. She is also a member of the Climate Smart Task Force. Her display showed how kitchen scraps become compost-rich soil, a boon for the home garden and for lightening the tonnage of the townwide waste stream to be carted away.

In addition to organizations, other stations offered repairs to furniture, lamps, clothing, and even a knife-sharpening service. Children were welcome to try their hands at artistic pursuits.

Recognizing that the town enjoys an enduring relationship with a healthy environment and the beauty of the planet, Nina Peek of the Amenia Garden Club handed out free seed packets to visitors. She also announced that the annual garden tour that had been interrupted by the pandemic will be held on Saturday, July 8. The Garden Club is also eager to welcome new members. To learn more, go to www.ameniagardens.org

Volunteers gathered bright and early at Amenia’s Fountain Square to get organized to collect roadside litter during the morning Earth Day clean-up session on Saturday, April 22.  A second group assembled simultaneously at Borden Park in Wassaic. Photo by Leila Hawken

Attracted to the complimentary packets of seeds being given away by the Amenia Garden Club at the repair clinic feature of the town’s celebration of Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, baby Gordon Simpson, at 8 months of age, is into gardening. He made his selections along with his mother, Natalie Baxter. Photo by Leila Hawken

Volunteers gathered bright and early at Amenia’s Fountain Square to get organized to collect roadside litter during the morning Earth Day clean-up session on Saturday, April 22.  A second group assembled simultaneously at Borden Park in Wassaic. Photo by Leila Hawken