Feature Article January 9, 2002
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Elphin McDonalds Cornersby Ankaret DeanThe first column for the New Year is a good time to celebrate a caring and generous man and his wife who are very much part of the community. For the last several years, Earl Mahaney and his wife Joan have taken care of the dumps in McDonalds Corners and Watsons Corners. Not that it should be known today as a dump, but rather a re-cycling centre. The complex of buildings consists of two large trailers provided by the township. First, there is the recycling trailer which is divided into sections and used for newspapers, plastics, and cans. Collected outside the trailer are cardboard, plastic bags, glass, and metals. Earl, and often Joan, are there to keep order, organize the sections, and help people decide how to sort and where to put things. The increase in re-cycling materials is incredible. For instance, the number of bundles of cardboard boxes, which have to be first flattened, has risen from 5 for each pick-up to 40 to 50 per pick-up. Likewise, the trailer in the summer needs emptying every week, and in the winter months, every two to three weeks. The re-cycling has really caught on, Earl remarks. People are taking an interest and really want to help the environment.
It
is the second trailer, the Re-use centre, which is even more
remarkable. Inside, the trailer is filled with clothing, books,
knick-knacks, toys, furniture, footwear, even small kitchen appliances
and computer parts. 
Outside
are kept old windows. large items and, at this time of the year, a row
of skis lined up. Sometimes large items such as a dryer, arm chairs,
or a childs stroller are dropped off.
The biggest thing is that people thank me for taking their
things! says Earl, who even helps people unload their stuff.
Actually it is also the caring and sharing of useful items.
Its the best price, and you even beat the tax! The price is
certainly right; everything is free to those who can use them. Earl
and Joan make a point of keeping the Re-use trailer organized and
tidy. They even go in on their own time to sort out the items and hang
up the clothing. No easy job, but as Earl says, Joan and I get a
kick out of seeing things go out.
For
the community, it is somewhere to take things that are no longer
needed, but are still useful. It makes sense to share our belongings,
but without Earl and Joan organizing and helping, this would never
happen. It was a chance remark that made me realize how fortunate we
are to have such worthy keepers of our re-cycling centre. There is
no reason why anyone in Lanark Highlands should go without warm
clothing. Jobs are scarce in this area and sometimes whole families
come to outfit the children before school.
Thanks, Earl and Joan. We certainly appreciate your efforts.
