Ashtabeautiful: LBCA begins spring clean up
May 17—ASHTABULA — The Lift Bridge Community Association and volunteers tackled spring clean-up duties early Thursday morning.
"It's the official kickoff to spring," said Bridge Street Artworks owner and LBCA member Judy Campbell.
The LBCA implemented the annual clean-up day 20 years ago.
Carlisle's Home in the Harbor owner Toni Carlisle said the idea came from Michael Defina, who owned Defina's Harbor Store at the time, now Bridge Street Artworks.
Carlisle said that it was his idea to start hanging up and planting flowers.
"Bridge Street became known for their flowers," Carlisle said. "Everybody commented on those. It was a great idea. To see an all-volunteer organization come together and do good work where everybody enjoys it ... it's a good thing ... I love this day."
Carlisle said that the organization has two new board members, Larry Mills and Michael Woodin, who have been helping with beautifying the street.
Woodin said he moved back to the area in 2020 and has been involved with the LBCA for six months.
"I'm trying to make sure we can keep the street clean," Woodin said.
"It's definitely a good workout. I've been moving some of these heavy pots and I'm glad I can help out some of the older people who have been doing this for a long time."
Other volunteers were busy cleaning up the street and gardening.
"I pick up whatever there is to pick up," said LBCA member and volunteer Al Sidbeck. "I go up the hill around Point Park, around Briquettes parking lot, up and down the road. I pick up cans, bottles, glass and paper. I probably pick up 50 to 75 cigarette butts every single day. I try to keep it looking nice."
Jefferson resident and volunteer Christine Martello has been volunteering for the clean-up for seven years.
"I've just fallen in love with this place," Martello said. "I grew up with this impression of the Harbor and then I started coming here and it's just lovely. I love what they're doing here. There's a lot of nice businesses down here. A lot of them are staying and improving. There's a lot of camaraderie. People want to make it a memorable place."
Carlisle said the evolution of Bridge Street wouldn't be possible without dedicated volunteers.
"What happens down here is a community effort," she said. "The majority of people you see here today are volunteers who just love what's happening down here and just show up."
