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October 25, 2003
Save Our Seine
In memory of André Dupont
October 24, 1981 - April 6, 2003
On April 6, 2003, we tragically lost
a true and dear friend. His name was André Dupont and we loved
him very much. André was quite the woodsman and felt a true
appreciation for nature and its beauty. October 24th marked
his birthday and we all decided to get together and honor him
by cleaning up a section of the Seine River. We shared many
laughs amidst the driftwood, rusted BBQ lids, floating running
shoes, and drowned shopping carts. We know that André was smiling
down and that he was proud of us for making a difference. We
love you André!
All those present: Crystal Desrosiers,
Chantal Marcoux, Daniel Bohemier, Frederic Jubinville, Paul
Rajotte, Cédric Paquin, Geneviève Rosset, Gabriel Gosselin,
Mélissa Wlock, Alain Foidart, Mélanie Walkty, Léah Walkty, Ryan
Mckena, Tyler Fitzmaurice, Kelly Fitzmaurice, Daniel Muller,
Neil Dinnin, Josh Boutang, Christel Dorge, Richard Mahé, Kim
Dewar, Scott Kissik, David Danyluk, Daniel Rochon, Eric Bissonette,
Martin Gautron, Christian Dupont, Nathalie Dupont, Benoit Morrier,
Ephrem Dupont, Louise Dupont, Michel Rouire, Roger Challis,
Pauline Dupont-Potvin, Cousins
A couple of weeks ago, Save Our Seine's Coordinator,
David Danyluk, received an email that explained some friends wanted
to get together to cleanup the river - could he help out?
David often gets anonymous phone calls reporting
some 'dumping' in the river. "I certainly prefer being contacted
with an offer to help rather than just letting us know there is
more work to do. I can't remember having received such a generous
offer - especially one so unexpected."
The date was set for Saturday, October, 25th and
about 40 friends and family met at noon in the Safeway/Salisbury
House parking lot at St. Anne's and Niakwa Rd. The temperature
was -10 Celsius with the wind-chill.
Equipped with gloves, toques, rubber boots, hip-waders,
SOS's heavy-duty plastic bags, very positive attitudes and a canoe,
the team made its way to the Seine River.
The team paired-up and crossed the footbridge to
tackle the east and west riverbanks, progressing north to the
Fermor Bridge and south along the river.
The area selected was an area of need identified
on the Oct. 11th SOS's Fall Paddle and
Wildlife Survey. In addition to a large amount of debris in the
surrounding vegetation, there was also a large logjam that was
impeding the flow of the river. The logjam is at the most narrow
part of the Seine River - only about 2 meters wide - and is a
chronic trouble spot.
Within minutes the cleanup team had filled many
bags of trash gathered from along the riverbanks and the riverbed.
Soon the sun brightened and within the shelter of the trees, the
cold wind disappeared. We didn't know that in less than 24 hours
Winnipeg would get 10-20 centimeters of snow!
By the end of the day the targeted area was completely
cleared of garbage and trash, in and around the river. A huge
pile was created and stacked at Morrow Street so that the City
of Winnipeg Parks Department could come and haul it away Monday
morning.
What pleased David Danyluk most was clearing the
logjam. "Not only was the wood and debris removed from the river,
the junk was hauled up the hill and piled so it would be removed
from the area. This is the only way it won't end up back in river."
This fall, SOS had decided to host a BBQ
and Guided Tours for the Discover the Bois-des-esprits as SOS's
major Fall Event instead of a Fall Cleanup. Although the very
successful event introduced almost 300 people to the St. Vital
forest, many regretted we did not get on the rubber boots and
give a section of the river a good cleaning.
Save Our Seine was thrilled to assist with this
successful, surprise cleanup!
Some members of the group discussed making their
Cleanup project an annual event!
SOS would like to thank all the volunteers who came
out and pitched-in to make such a wonderful difference in the
Seine River Environment!
Merci!
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