International effort to clean Exit 18

Dr. Fred Leavitt provides instruction to the adopt-a-highway volunteers tackling Exit 18

PUSH, Progressives United of South Haven, a local community group, has been participating in the MDOT adopt-a-highway cleanup program around the Exit 18 highway ramps for several years. Friday morning July 18 found a good-natured group of 14 earnest people tackling the trash.

Convened by PUSH leader Julie Leavitt and supported by South Haven Indivisible leaders Mary Kay Gilbert, Mary Jackson, and Julia Ludwig, volunteers included four Casco Township residents, 3 Julies, 2 Marys, an ecologically minded mother and son team, and Franz and Anne Busch of Give, Denmark, among others.

The group made quick work of the not-so-trashy area, where litter is picked up three times a year.

The Busches are long time friends of Julie and Dr. Fred Leavitt, whom they were visiting in South Haven. Franz Busch was an exchange student in Traverse City as a teenager, and Julie Leavitt met him through her friend's aunt. Johannes and Christiane Busch, children of Franz and Anne, took turns being exchange students at South Haven High School (Johannes in years 2003-4 and Christiane in years 2007-8).

For Franz, cleaning up the USA was a new activity. "All these years we've come to the states, we've seen the [adopt-a-]road signs," Franz said. The yellow-jacketed, bag-toting Dane was happy to lend some energy to the volunteer cause.

Left to right, Anne Busch, Julie Leavitt, Franz Busch, Dr. Fred Leavitt

Casco residents and mother/son team Kelly Hecker and Tristan Jimmerson joined in. "We always help," Kelly said. "It's an important thing to do. I was proud when PUSH adopted the ramps several years ago."

Tristan, a junior at Saugatuck High School, thought reasons for participating were pretty clear. He came "to save the environment. There is no second earth."

Volunteers are provided a reflective vest, trash bags, and a safety training prior to clean up of the adopted road.

Casco residents and mother/son team Kelly Hecker and Tristan Jimmerson cover their territory