The third annual Holley Creek Cleanup, sponsored by the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance to promote the idea that waterways need care, became a two-day event this year.

Candy Adams, director of Keep Greene Beautiful (KGB) and coordinator for the event, said a total of more than 4,000 pounds of trash of all descriptions was removed from the creek between Snapps Ferry Road and Tusculum Boulevard.

On Friday, 18 youths from the Greeneville Adventist Academy, led by teacher Jim Kennedy, removed trash from the creek bank from U.S. Highway 11E to TCBY on Tusculum Boulevard.

The second cleanup event, in which more than 25 people participated, took place on Saturday, when the Adventists are in worship services, Adams noted.

The most unusual items found this year were a speed limit sign, found by John and Cecilia Rapp, and a computer keyboard, found by Steve Freudenberger, scoutmaster of Troop 46, Boy Scouts of America.

Cecilia Rapp also won the "dirtiest" award for getting the most mud on her clothing
and shoes while cleaning the creek bank.

Troop 46 received the prize for the most participants from one group on Saturday, with nine, and tied with the local chapter of the U.S. Marine Corps League for the most poundage collected, Adams said.

The former Marines bagged the biggest single item, a large section of gutter, and also recovered an air conditioning unit.

The "Snake Award" went to Salome Myers, who spotted the only snake of the day on Saturday.

Prizes were gift cards donated by Kmart. Trash bags and gloves were provided by TVA.

Fred Kaufmann, president of the MNWA, gave a safety lecture before the cleanup began, while volunteers munched doughnuts and drank juice.

At the end of the morning, volunteers gathered back at the Big Lots parking lot to give their reports, receive prizes, and enjoy a pizza lunch.

In addition to the Middle Nolichucky Watershed Alliance, the event was sponsored by the Greeneville the items removed from the creek.

Other sponsors were TVA, Keep Greene Beautiful, Coca-Cola, the Tennessee Department of Transporatation, Big Lots, and Wal-Mart.