About 40 enthusiastic volunteers came out on Saturday, April 6, to participate in this year’s Swannanoa Sweep community cleanup. Volunteers divided up into crews and fanned out to clean roadsides throughout the Swannanoa community, including large stretches of Old 70, U.S. 70, Davidson Road, Buckeye Cove Access Road, and Patton Cove Road. This year’s haul included 110 giant orange bags of trash, piles of assorted debris, discarded campaign signs, tires, and furniture.

As always, there was a little bit of “treasure” mixed in with the trash. One volunteer found a five dollar bill, and another unearthed a Sam’s Club gift card, proving once again that it pays to volunteer! The weather cooperated beautifully, and there were smiles all around as the group gathered at the end of their labors to swap stories. Many thanks to the wonderful group of community members and Warren Wilson College students who gave up their Saturday morning to “sweep” Swannanoa!

Since its inception 8 years ago, hundreds of residents have been a part of the Swannanoa Sweep, and each year their efforts have left our community a cleaner and brighter place. The Sweep is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS) and is held each year in early April. A Swannanoa River cleanup is planned for the fall. Stay tuned for details …