THE FLIP SIDE

Lake treasures worth loot in shoreline cleanup

A treasure hunt takes place at Beaver Lake this Saturday, an event that is cleverly disguised as the lake's annual cleanup.

Each September, hundreds volunteer to walk the 450 miles of shoreline and pick up litter to spruce up Beaver Lake after a busy visitor season. There's no telling what treasures these willing workers will find when filling a bag with trash in the event hosted by the Army Corps of Engineers.

That's the idea behind a contest that the outdoor section of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has sponsored for almost as many years as there has been a cleanup. It's a fierce competition to see who brings in the funkiest, the weirdest, the most unusual item of litter du jour from the lake shore.

A youth winner and an adult winner get a swell prize. If a fun contest isn't enough reason to volunteer, how about a free lunch? How about a boat load of door prizes that are given away while volunteers chow down on the goodies at Prairie Creek park?

Here's how to get in on the cleanup fun. Pick up trash bags after 8 a.m. on Saturday at Prairie Creek, Hickory Creek, Lost Bridge North or Dam Site parks. Workers will also hand out tickets to the lunch and prize drawings that start around noon. They can also direct volunteers to places around the lake that need some attention. Volunteers in vehicles target spots where roads dead end at the lake. Others in boats find shoreline litter in the backs of coves and pockets and some of the popular gathering spots.

During the morning, wise volunteers keep their eyes open for little trinkets of treasure that stand out from the usual cans, bottles and what not. One year a young volunteer brought in a G.I Joe. Another found a hula skirt. The only rule is contestants have to take their item home with them or put it in the trash bin after the contest. Only one entry per person.

No telling what finds await volunteers this year. The lake is low, making conditions ideal for litter pickup and shore combing.

To enter the contest, bring your item to the lunch at Prairie Creek. Ranger Alan Bland and I will be at the shelter house to record your find on the Big Chief tablet. We'll have a youth winner age 15 or younger and an adult winner 16 or older.

Such a prestigious contest requires much pomp. We'll have a secret judge and the prizes are top secret. That's because we haven't got a judge yet and don't know what the prizes will be. But you know they will be swell.

We'll announce the winners and award the loot during lunch at Prairie Creek.

The Beaver Lake Cleanup is more fun than work. See you at the lake on Saturday.

Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip

Sports on 09/20/2016

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