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By: Jim Fitzpatrick |
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Email: jim@nunica.com |
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Local Farmer in Polkton Township writes for the Coopersville Observer. |
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Along Brandy Creek By Jim Fitzpatrick
The Coopersville Observer December 27, 2004- - No. 42 |
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In days past, it seems, every farm had it's own mini-landfill; or "dump", as Grandpa called it. And Grandma, she often had all kinds of stuff that she wanted hauled out to that infamous spot back by the woods. The dad, the kids, the mom, the whole clan; they all knew right where to get rid of anything that certainly would not be of use on the place anymore. Sometimes even the relatives would bring their junk out from the city to stash in that pile of aging artifacts. That never did seem quite right; but, it did happen at times. Right there in the gully, just up from the creek bottom, would put it well out of sight and mind - forever! Any minor amount of pollution from those used oil filters or empty paint cans wouldn't amount to a "hill of beans" out here in the country. If you didn't have a gully or woods on the place, over there along the fence line, in that low spot would do.
Yes, that's the way it was out here in the country. It worked pretty well for a hundred years or more. Or, at least it seemed like it did! Some dumps were much better than others for kids to pick through and find some real good treasures. They're still that way, if you happen to stumble upon one of them among the undergrowth. They are still out there, hardly any of them ever got cleaned up - just went out of business as time went on.
Finally, a little more awareness of our environment slowly worked its way into our mentality. On top of all of that good thinking, along came those handy little push around trash containers for only a few bucks a week. Now, the way it is, Carl comes around with that big, ugly, red, white and blue refuse hauling truck. He empties them on schedule, real nice and tidy like. That business kind of helps you remember what day of the week it is, too. To miss trash day is almost as bad as not making it to church on Sunday. At least that's the way the wife makes you feel if by chance you forget to drag the thing out to the road. The farm and the yard look a lot more in order these days. |
