Volunteers gathered Saturday to restore some of the natural beauty along the Chipola River in Calhoun County by walking the banks and taking to the water in boats and canoes to collect trash.
After being supplied with trash bags and “grabbers” to help pick up debris – courtesy of the Keep Calhoun County Beautiful organization – the group gathered five big bags of soda bottles, beer cans and food wrappers that had been marring the scenery.
Those taking part included Calhoun County Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel and Gene Rollins, who got a quick cooling off when their canoe overturned and left them in the river. Capt. Emory Godwin and Deputy Fred Tanner spent some time on the river, and while their canoe did not capsize, it did start taking on water and sank, sending them swimming back to shore.
Having a little more luck in the water was Calhoun County Commissioner Lee Shelton, his wife Stephanie and five-year-old son, Gunner, who is shown above right, practicing with a trash picker.
Also lending a hand was 10-year-old Victoria Barfield and her mom, Jennifer Barfield, along with Victoria Rollins, 15, and her mom, Tonya Rollins.