Saturday, March 28th marked the Annual ITB BowBirds & Litter Pickup Event and what a morning it turned out to be!
At 10:00 AM sharp, a dedicated crew of seven volunteers gathered with vests on and spirits high, ready to tackle a 2.4-mile stretch of Highway 52. Over the next three hours, this team turned an ordinary roadside into a cleaner, safer space for everyone.
Their haul? A surprisingly wild mix: countless cans and bottles, a rogue diaper, rubber gloves, a lone tire, and even a few “almost” snake encounters to keep things interesting!
It was hard work, but filled with laughter, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Events like this are a powerful reminder that even a small group can make a big impact, one step, one bag, and one unexpected find at a time.
Special Thanks to the following Litter Pickup Volunteers:
Milton & Margie Berggren
Janet Houlihan (winner of furthest traveled – from Cascade)
Dave & Lisa Hall
Wayne Stutzman
Shawn Carman
If you were part of the 2025 crew that first took on this same stretch of Highway 52, you probably remember the unforgettable sight, an endless line of bright orange trash bags stretching toward the horizon. That year, volunteers filled an impressive 83 bags of litter.
This time around? Fewer than 30 bags.
A huge win and a clear sign that the effort is making a real difference.
After wrapping up the cleanup, it was time to recharge before the BowBirds fun began. Back at Feather-Tech HQ, a feast awaited the hardworking crew, generously prepared by Wayne & Pat Stutzman. Nobody left hungry! The spread featured mouthwatering pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, cornbread, deviled eggs, and chips, comfort food at its finest.
To wash it all down, Dave & Lisa Hall kept everyone refreshed with cold lemonade, soda, water, and Capri Suns. And just when everyone thought it couldn’t get better, Milt & Margie stepped in with a lineup of desserts, including three different flavors of ice cream.
With full bellies and spirits high, the group headed out to the field for some BowBirds action. The conditions couldn’t have been better, perfect weather, freshly cut grass (thanks to the cows), and a target launcher that performed flawlessly. As a bonus, a curious deer even wandered through the field, as if stopping by to check out the festivities.
All in all, it was a perfect day, great work, great food, and even better company.
