Museum of Litter

WORLD OCEAN DAY -- Litter Donations -- 6/8/09 -- Lauderdale by  the Sea

Shown are 2 of the 4 bags of beach litter collected from 7:30 to 9 am. The bag on the left is full of recyclables. Fortunately there is a recycle bin at this portal. Started at Anglin's Pier and walked along the shoreline north to the northern most portal and back.

The grossest things I picked up today were a broken condom the ring end only, and a sanitary napkin. ( Iwear gloves. A runner passed me today and said, "The gloves are a good idea.") The last few days I picked up a couple of green plastic tampon inserters. It just amazes me... who comes to the beach and conducts such personal hygiene in public?

Returning to the pier area I saw a fence  -- about 4 x 5 feet --crashing in the surf near shore. I felt it would be dangerous to a swimmer. It would be almost invisible from eye level in the water. I hung around for a while trying to grab it but it never came close enough that I could safely get it so I had to leave it.

Lost & Found Department:  Gary found a cell phone on the beach while metal detecting. He answered when it rang and was able to tell the brother and the wife he had found it. They will come pick it up tomorrow.

Returned: Lost Camera with 700+ Family Photos

 

Gary recently found a digital camera while metal detecting on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. The camera barely worked, but the memory card had 700+ family photos. The photos seemed to revolve around an adorable young boy and his extended family during all the holidays, sporting events and birthdays for a whole year. There were pictures of him dyeing Easter eggs, in Halloween costume surveying all his candy, standing in snow, under the Christmas tree with presents, family vacations, playing soccor and proudly showing a ribbon won for a track event. There were even pictures of a military funeral.

 

I wanted so much to return the pictures to the family and was certain if I looked closely enough, there would be some identifying clue to find the owner. Sure enough, there was. In the track photos the jerseys and a scoreboard gave the clue "Mariemont Warriors." A quick google search came up with Cincinnati. So far so good, but, still not enough info. Fortunately, a birthday party in the spring/summer provided the clue. At the festivities a magician is standing by the young boy and nearby is a sandwich board reading: "Happy Birthday, Joseph, from Charlie Cadabra." Another quick goggle and soon Charlie is giving me Joseph's family contact info. Now, there's magic for you!

 

Joseph had been vacationing with his grandmother when the camera was lost. She wrote, "Thank you very much, I set the camera on my beach towel and forgot and picked up the towel. I have told my family about you and they can't believe it. First that you took the time to try and find me and then were able to do so. Will never forget you."  An odd twist: the Museum of Litter set out to preserve the environment and ended up helping preserve a family's memories. That feels good!