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GALLONS GATHERED IN GREAT GARBAGE GAMES


13,500, to be imprecise. North Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (NACNW-since 2000), hosted its Great Garbage Games of May, 2006, combined with its 2006 Annual "Meet Your Neighbors" Picnic, on Saturday, May 6, on "Skydiver Flats". The site, just North of Coco Loco was generously furnished by Coco Loco, Louis and Rose Cappello, and David and Alexandra Hauptli.

Six teams of 8-12 children, and three teams comprised of 24 San Pedro Police Cadets (led by Officer Dwayne McCullough) filled more than 300 garbage bags with 45 gallons apiece, as they picked the Cart Path (and some beaches) clean from the bridge to Captain Morgan's.
The event was well organized by leader Pat Stiley and a hard working crew of about a dozen adult volunteers. Six 'Managers' (volunteers with golf carts) selected team captains from the more than 50 children gathered eager to win money. The team captains took turns in choosing their members and quickly huddled to select names. A color was assigned to each team and they were given colored crepe paper, black trash bags, twist ties and latex gloves. After being given the rules of the game they caravanned north to their assigned destinations.
Three officers from the San Pablo Police marched up with 24 cadets. They were divided into teams like the neighborhood group and released to clean from Coco Loco to the bridge.
Bags were marked and left along the road where the transportation team picked them up, took them across the bridge to the staging area, sorted them by team and judged the winners

Mayor Paz, and the Town Council, kept the garbage trucks busy for hours, hauling load after load from the South bridge landing. NACNW President Natalie Palen, noting no remaining evidence of the Garbage Games by Sunday noon, declared the project a town and neighborhood success, sure to be repeated. Special thanks are due Robert Lopez and Steve DeMaio (Paradise Found Belize), Ivan Staines (Caye Management), and Keith Newton (B-Lease) for hours of hauling garbage in the hot sun.

200 hotdogs, 150 hamburgers, gallons of beer and beverages, and mountains of rice, beans and chicken were consumed by children, volunteers, and "Meet Your Neighbor" guests. Captain Morgan's and Hamilton"s donated supplies and manpower to satisfy a never-ending line at the tables. None of this neighborhood-building success would have been possible without the generosity of Casa Pan Dulce, San Pedro Supermarket, Island Supermarket,Superbuy, and Manelly's Ice Cream.

Neither would cash prizes, garbage bags, billboards, or the events themselves have been possible, without the early support of sponsors like Capricorn, Reef Village Resort,B-lease, Sunrise Realty, Rendezvous, El Pescador,and the Butterfly Jungle.

The kids and volunteers not only made miles of the North side more pleasant for residents, businesses and guest of la isla bonita, but residents, businesses and guests responded in kind. Dozens spent hours creating and participating in a feeling of neighborhood warmth, and all seemed to agree, that the picnic must also be repeated.

Clearly, the cash prize garbage collection competition was the highlight of the day.

AND THE WINNERS WERE;
First Place - Tigers captain Chantz Rawson
Second Place -Jaguars captain: Samir Itzob
Third Place - Girl Dolphins captain: Katinie Montero
Most Individual - Eleven and older - Ramos Ack, (tie) Deamya & Marvin, Erick, Migel Nunez, Venancia Cho and Ryan Walter
Ten and younger - Timothy Jams, Charity, Melvin Betancout, Karisa Albeno-Luis-Lloyd Boddo, (3 way tie) Rosita Cho-Sheila M.-Kimara Mohtero and Ruben Olivarez.

A very special thanks to the team managers: Robbie Lopez, Krystyna ???, Heleane McClean, Glen Wilson, Cullen Walker and Taylor LeClaire.

Nice job!

THANKS!

COOL

Great report
-clearing up land owned in part by Scubalady and various gringos-elsewhere this would be considered child labour-anyway what do I know!!!

We are not perfect - CAPT. MORGANS brought ALL of the hamburgers with the fixings and a COOK.

I'm sure we must have left out others too. Needless to say we are all exhausted but had to get this written up by Tuesday for the papers that are coming out tomorrow.

Pat Stiley, the Vice President, was the leader and wrote most of the article. Nurse Natalie Palen is the President, Judie Fisher (no we are not related) is the Treasurer and Marilyn Marx is the secretary. We have a handful of very hard working dedicated people who all spent a lot of time and their own money to make this happen.

I am responsible for our internet message system and had nothing but trouble --- so, many of our northern neighbors did not get advance notice of this. AND I will take credit for the photos. I must also thank my lovely daughter, Taylor, who spent a day of her nine day vacation working on this.

What was not included in this report was the fact that EVERY KID WON MONEY. A FEW OF THEM more than $15. We gave out almost $200 dollars. If anyone is interested I will give the breakdown.

My tongue is bloody from biting it but I will leave it to others to answer those who throw rocks instead of helping clean up.


And Krystyna's last name is Walter.

ScubaLady, Please STOP beating yourself up!! You have just made a great life even better Thank You!My Puppy(100 Lb yellow lab) say's he loves u 2!

OK

Scubaldy, great report. I sure wish we could have been there to help out. Maybe next time. I'm very excited that the community is willing to do this. I think making it a game, with reward and prizes is the only way to go. As for those who have the nasties to say about this, don't let it bother you. Nothing wrong with teaching kids about responsibilities to the environment, and getting them to do it with whatever resources are available. San Pedro will be a much better place because of it. Thank you for all you do. And thanks to everyone who participated.

ScubaLdy,thank you- With those great pictures I thought they got all the garbage, until I read Pedro1's post

Great job....Thank you to all participants

Sun&Sand said it all!

I must admit, however, I too am guilty of causing "child labor" when every spring I make my 3 kids go in the woods behind our home and pick up trash off of the walking trails. And they don't get anything for it - other than a sense of responsibility and commitment to our community. My bad!

WOW all the way to captain morgans this year? super!! Nice job everyone, It's great to see that all those people could get together and do something so needed to make our "La Isla Bonita" look again like the "paradise" it truly is. Thanks to all for a job well done. ps. Scubaldy, don't listen to Pedro1, He just wants to steal your spotlite.

He just wants her to work over to his side instead of north.

After the awards, after the free food and after the festivities, I looked out over skydiver flats and saw one of the kids from my team on his own picking up some trash. If only a few children walked away from this event with a sense of pride in their community, it was worth all the effort.

Amen scubawalk.

that's awesome

Steve from Coco Nets is always giving or helping out at these events.Thanks,Steve.Once again, I see him in the third picture,giving his valuable time testing the pressure of the beer tap.

We are getting smarter about marketing. We had two big signs made that can easily be up dated. We can promote an event and list sponsors.
We told businesses that if they would help they could put up one of their signs (sandwich board, etc). Steve De Maio was a big help and brought his Paradise Found Belize sign and golf cart. Word will get out and the next one will be even better.
We have a yahoo group where we exchange information. You can be added to this if you so choose. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nacnw IT'S FREE!

Hopefully Scubalady is not swallowing too much blood but I also notice in her posting that it appears "THAT THERE WAS A PROMOTION OF ALCOHOL" during this workaholic day -I am not sure that it is a good thing taking away the glorious carefree years from our children just so that we can get foreigners land cleared very cheaply and so that a majority of them can get a "buzz" on whilst the kids are spending hours working their fingers to the bone to earn a few paltry dollars and a few mouthfulls of gringo food(remember Oliver Twist)-I do not buy Nike products for this very reason and am hugely disappointed to see that this practice from the far-east is coming here.

Pedro, what possible reason would you have to buy a Nike product? They don't make couches or beer.

LOL

I remember growing up (In the usa),My parents tought me how hard honest work will always pay off. I did a lot of crappy jobs but in the end I learned that it does pay off. Kids today seem to think that everything should be handed to them. It's nice to see that the kids worked hard and were rewarded with money etc. It teaches them to appreciate (sp) the money they earned while doing a good deed for their neighborhood.

It also allows adults to be slothful,overweight and Lazy

guess that means you've been out picking up the garbage in your yard all this day . . um, in between beers and jagermiester, that is.

I guess that's how you keep your youthful figure and good looks.

I still think it was a wonderful thing, no matter what Pedro say's. No one twisted the kids arms, it was a fun time for all, and they came away with maybe a prize, a little money, a full tummy, a feeling of community, and the adults, even tho some may have had a buzz, had an opportunity to watch and encourage, and maybe join in, getting their butts off the chair, putting the beer down, and helping out. Even if they didn't, they weren't doing anything different than they would have been doing, except the food and beer were free. The kids are our future, and teaching them responsibility is EVERYONE's responsibility. And, Pedro, I'm so sorry you had a bad childhood....not everyone will see this as child labor...most will see it as creating something they can be proud of, participate in, and look forward to the next one. Besides, they didn't have to show up, but they did.

I'm almost certain Pedro didn't have a childhood.

Pedro never had an adulthood.

Actually, if you cut thru Pedro's offensive approach, you could look at this as a suggestion on how to make a well intentioned project better. As an example, at my summer home in Arkansas we have a fall clean up of the lake after Labor Day. Very similar to this project. The difference is there is no drinking until after the work is done and the adults set an example by working along with the children. We have a party afterwords with food and libations. If any adults do not participate in the actual work of clean up, they are not invited to participate in the party. There is a very refreshing attitude of the people there showing a strong work ethic and the idea that the "play comes after the work" and you do not play if you do not work.

Of course I always plan to be gone on that weekend to Vegas.

Three cheers for the clean up
Thank you all who participated in this long needed project. Scubalady, I'm sure if the planners of this fabulous project could give more advanced notice on the message board, etc. you might get some participation from property owners and may even get some help from tourist like me. I've thought each time I've been to AC and saw the extensive trash on the roads and the beaches, North & South, that it was a shame that so little pride was taken to maintain the island.
Again, great job in making the children aware of the need to clean up, and for doing it in a fun way. Maybe people will think twice before they toss a water bag, etc. on the beach or road. And, hopefully people will pick up trash if they see it.

I have a few lots knocking about and they are all regularly cleared of trash (one large lot in Tres Cocos)-however I would like them beautified and prettied up-please would people help and arrange to do this while I am sitting in any bar-many thanks in advance

I think the fact that some kind folks found something for the kids to do that was both fun and of course educational is something to be proud of.

What I don't understand is why Pedro has to constantly cast shadows on others good acts! I know that he has a heart somewhere in there but I am starting to think that only Charlie gets to share his good side. Sorry Pedro I had to say something!

I guess the only way it would be fine is if the owner of the properties was sitting at Pedro's having a beer and Pizza!

Pedro1, If you have a "lot" in Tres Cocos area than more than likley some of your property may have also been cleaned up during the "Great Garbage Days". You too should be thankfull. (I heard they picked up quite a few jagermiester bottles during the day!!)

bywarren, I believe you may be correct! Perhaps I got it backwards!
Hi, Peter! :p

...the only thing that could improve pedro's slew is to dredge it.

Thanks Warren: As a matter of fact we did not serve the kids beer - LOL.

The event was scheduled to start a 9:00 A.M. Some kids were here at 8:00 but most didn't come until 9:30. The cadets didn't arrive until 10:00. We had hoped to be finished and back at the tent by 11:00 but several teams did not get back until 12:30.

We had planned to do the judging and give out the prizes before we fed everyone. However, one local woman (name withheld to protect the guilty but no one has a problem guessing who she is) drove up on her golf cart and had her husband fix her a hamburger BEFORE the kids ate. I tried to intervene and got cussed out. So I said "Feed the Kids"
She also got a beer before the kids got their soft drink. This distressed me so much I had to go to my room and cool off.

The beer was not to be served until after the kids ate, but a few thirsty people just couldn't wait. Those that just had to have a drink earlier walked the few hundred yards to Coco Locos and bought what they needed.

I have totally accepted that it will not matter what I post Pedro 1 will attack me. For awhile it kept me from posting. What hurt more than his slams were those who got on his bandwagon. My skin is a little thicker now. I have friends who will not post here for fear of being ridiculed. That's too bad as they are people who have much to offer.

It doesn't pay to be too sensitive in the world of the internet. Glad you grew a thicker skin, Harriette. Please keep encouraging your friends to post.

I wholeheartedly agree.....

One should not have to develope thick skin to post. Other boarders need to ease off.

I thought you got pooffed. Welcome back. Your comments as always are

The rack is back...

I don't know how he walks around with those things!!!

Law, you crack me up!

And I admire you, Hon!
(anyone as crazy about E as I am has to be pretty terrific!)

We agree, E is a sweetie!

Deacon,(Preacher man) showing that thick skin :p

Christians are not to have thick skin 2miles,Jesus teaches us to forgive instead

..and we are not perfect..no..far from that!! This is why we needed a Savior

OK Scuba do, I forgive you. :rolleyes:

Why thank you,2miles

Hey, ScubaLdy, I'm with you on the attacks. I've found some awfully insecure people on this board, along with the nice, friendly, helpful people. I thought for a moment (ok, more like an hour) that I'd just tell everyone to go.....well, you can guess what I was thinking. Then, after realizing I was letting the a**holes win, I decided I'd just ignore them. My skin was a little thin at the time, too. Now I've got skin like shoe leather!

Thick or thin skin does not make right what happens from time to time. One is either nice or not. Being beated into submissition does not make it right.

I'm just proud that "Bob's flats" is now called "skydiver flats"!

Reaper, What are they going to call it when the buildings are built? I hope they build them with flat roofs so you guys don't hung up on something.

It will be a sad day when we can't land there. I think it's coming soon. Next February might be the last "Boogie in Belize".

Please don't say that!!! I'm hoping for a couple of more years yet of our fun skydivers!
Where next?

Hello wonderwoman,your right-- there is still 10 or 12 lots sitting empty between Bob and our project at Coco Loco's,the landings may just need to be a little more accurate in the years to come.How wide a landing area needed reaper ?

the landing area can't get too much smaller...safety first!

Maybe corona steve will clear a landing spot for you guys on his property. (As long as you have a boat to bring every one back to civilazation (sp) afterwards)

We'll ride the monorail back!

Now that was funny. mo

Will pizza's be served?

Sure, we will order it from pedro1.

Pedro, Pedro who????????????? Do you think they'll deliver north of the cut? Doubt it! Gonna take a while before no more skydiver's flats! Love it! Monorail.........I'm thinking maybe this is the next thing, what do ya'll think?

Wonderwoman, you know not what you stir up

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Oh, geesh, how did I miss that!! Actually, if they'll just put in a McDonalds I would be happy, forget the rooms, the monorail, all the hoo-hah!!!