Oh happy days?

Dear editor:
I would like to thank the many people who contributed once more to a very successful spring clean-up.
Originally, the plan was designed to help senior citizens, disabled people, and those without access to a truck or trailer (or to a friend, relative, or neighbour who had one) to get rid of refuse that wasn’t being picked up with the regular garbage.
However, when it became evident that so many students and retired citizens were having so much fun cleaning up garbage, hosts of community-spirited citizens did their best to make a contribution. Even some considerate families who owned one or more pickup trucks, and/or trailers, tried to gather as much garbage as possible and leave it out for the eager crews to pick up.
Some owners of trailers even allowed the crews to empty the trailers of their garbage. Now that is pure selfless dedication to the entertainment of our youth and retirees.
As further evidence of what joy it brings to thrill-seekers, young and old alike, and what serenity it brings to the contributors, is that originally, more than 20 years ago, the event was planned for only one day but now it stretches out over a week or more.
Living proof of the exuberance it brings to all is Mr. Walter Horban who, for the past 29 years, has spent weeks before the event soliciting meal coupons to feed the happy hunters and cash donations to pay for the gas consumed during the blessed event, spending 12 to 14-hour days organizing everybody, allowing himself to join in the hunt, and, in the evening, verifying by phone what was overlooked and what is available to be looked for the next day.
Why, it’s just like a sophisticated Easter egg hunt.
Of course, he has some help from those who call him, almost on a daily basis, to report goodies that were overlooked. Unfortunately, Mr. Horban is going to withdraw from some of the organization of the hunt. So much joy and excitement have been just too much for him over 29 years,.
He is, however, going to try to continue to allow himself the treat of going out in his truck the first week of May to join the hunt for hidden treasure. After all, he’s retired and deserves some pleasurable pursuits.
And so, thanks again to all those public-spirited citizens who contributed their refuse so generously so that the rest of us could have so much fun finding it and collecting it.
Gratefully,
Ronnie Erb
P.S. After trick-or-treating all day today (May 8), Wally, Billy, and I have discovered that we will have at least another four days of fun. That will make nine whole days. Oh, happy days!