Published: July 02, 2008 12:02 pm            

Youths clean Tygart Gorge

July 2, 2008 — The Tygart Gorge is 52-tires less cleaner thanks to a group of young men from the Ramey-Estep Home who recently traveled by canoes to dig the rubber debris from the waters.

During a short ceremony Wednesday at the entrance to Carter Caves State Resort Park, the youth were thanked and honored for their efforts.

Tom Clay, business manager at Greenbo Lake State Park, loves to fish and said as the price of gas and food continues to rise, he hoped folks would decide to vacation close to home and see the beauty the gorge has to offer.

“This is the most scenic place in Carter County,” he told those attending the ceremony. “If we clean this area, then the people will use it. These young people need to be thanked for their hard work. They are from Boyd County, but they came to Carter to help clean up the gorge. They took canoes and dug tooth and nail to get those tires out of here.”

Taking charge of the cleanup was Brian Mattingly, science teacher at the Ramey-Estep High School, who said it was certainly a ‘worth-while project’.

Judge-Executive Charles Wallace also attended the ceremony and proclaimed June 25 as Tygart Cleanup Day. Each youth involved in the cleanup was given a copy of the proclamation.

Meanwhile, Kali Mattingly was recognized for an earlier cleanup of the gorge that took place April 21. Mattingly, along with other youth from the Boyd County Branch of Kentucky Committee for Volunteer Services, dug 23 tires from the waters. She said her group hopes to make it an annual event. Also involved in that cleanup was East Carter High School student Rebecca Wente.

Clay also commended Jill York for her work with the cleanup. “You got to get behind a good cause and good kids,” she told everyone standing along the creek bank.

With the manners of perfect gentlemen, a few of the Ramey-Estep youth spoke about traveling the creek by canoe. Nick said it was enjoyable work. “It’s beautiful out here,” he commented. “I had never been down Tygart before. It was a lot of work but it was fun.”

        

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