MTC 2021 EVENT
Maintain the Chain 2021 Event
The first annual MTC clean-up event was a huge success. The annual, self-directed, volunteer event was open to individuals of all ages. A total of 45 teams (over 150 participants) registered for the event. Photos and project descriptions were received from approximately 20 different teams (see below). Projects included cleaning lake bottoms, trailheads, and the roadside along State Route 28, removing invasive terrestrial plants from the shoreline, building a rain garden and building rain barrels, visiting an Adirondack Watershed Institute steward to learn about invasive species, and more.
Marie and Whitney Schoenberg were acknowledged as the winners of the 2021 MTC "Best Project" Award (right). The girls created flyers and posters and spent the day educating boaters about the importance of maintaining the cleanliness of the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Their project was innovative, educational, and creative, precisely the MTC event's intent. Marie and Whitney spent the day at Palmer Point to capture all the boat traffic increasing the number of people they could educate about the importance of keeping the lakes clean. In addition to a gift certificate to a local business, their names were added to a wooden MTC plaque, which was presented at the annual FCLA meeting in August (each year MTC event organizers will add names of MTC winners to the same plaque). They also received an individual plaque as a reminder of their efforts during the MTC event.
Marie and Whitney Schoenberg from Holiday Shores spent the day at Palmer Point educating boaters about the importance of a clean and healthy environment by distributing information on ways to "Maintain the Chain". WINNER of the 2021 MTC Event "BEST PROJECT" Award!
The Boon, Gonsalves, and Hotaling families of Old Forge, NY continue their tradition of spending the day cleaning up the bottom of Fourth Lake.
Ray Letterman of the FCLA and his family from Fourth Lake create a rain barrel during the MTC event.
Mickelsons and Shaw families found lots of treasures while cleaning up the shoreline near Eagle Bay, NY.
Nolan family harvesting invasive terrestrial – (wall lettuce) plants along the shoreline near Eagle Bay. Before, after, and on the way to the transfer station.
Harvesting terrestrial invasive plants. A family affair. The Nolan’s and Wrights. WINNER of a gift certificate of appreciation for their MTC efforts!
The Hagers (father and daughter) start building a rain garden. The project is to be completed over the next several days with the planting of deep-rooted native plants.
Mary Denn leads the Cherokee Road team in cleaning up trailheads from Old Forge to Inlet, NY. WINNER of a gift certificate of appreciation for promoting and participating in the MTC event.
Luis Mikelsons of Fourth Lake visits a steward from the Adirondack Watershed Institute to learn about protecting our lakes from invasive species.
Emery Guck spent the day cleaning up Nick's Lake and beach both on foot and by kayak. WINNER of a gift certificate of appreciation.
Gail Lehman collected trash from Seventh Lake during the MTC event.
Ann Sury and Dick Morrison clean up White Rock Lake near their Texas home. With ties to Otter Lake, they felt the need to participate in the MTC event even though they live hundreds of miles away!
Adele Murdock Burnett combed a small beach on Fourth Lake and collected firework debris.
Natalie Barber and Mike Burline of Eagle Bay, NY cleaned a beach on Fourth Lake and cruised Third and Fourth Lakes picking up a variety of trash floating in the water.
Garynne and Hazel Rosato removed this 14-foot piece of lumbar from Fourth Lake along with a pipe, chain, and rope. WINNER of a gift certificate of appreciation (largest item pulled from the lake).
Anthony Rocco enjoying an ice cream after cleaning up the cove across from The View in Old Forge, NY with his wife Melissa. Turns out this is a weekly event for them.
Finn, Teddy, Mia, Grace, Brynn, and Katie clean-up Fourth Lake around their camp.
