20th annual Morse Lake Cleanup one for the books

Submitted by Morse Waterways Association

Last month, Morse Waterways Association (MWA), held its 20^th annual lake cleanup event and it was one for the books. Volunteers literally fished out a record-setting amount of debris during the two-day event. A strong contingent of volunteers filled up nine 30-yard dumpsters of logs and one 20-yard dumpster of debris – the equivalent of some 30 truckloads!

Volunteers from Duke Energy returned for a second year in a row to remove all the logs and debris that had accumulated in and around the town docks and the BoatHouse docks on Friday, July 19. The official Lake Cleanup kicked off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 20 with volunteers pulling the logs to shore. Boats came towing logs, limbs, and debris. The city, once again, provided the loader and operator to pull the logs out of the water and the MWA had the chainsaw gang to cut the logs as needed.

This year, Thomas Docks provided the dumpsters to collect and haul the debris. The two large dumpsters were emptied from round one on Friday and were refilled from Saturday’s efforts. There was so much debris this year, the dedicated crew of volunteers worked well beyond the scheduled four-hour timeframe and into the following week.

Dave Vanette, who has been at the helm of this event along with fellow MWA member Art Hall, said, “This year’s Lake Cleanup was an extraordinary event!”

He credits the success of the clean up to the many companies and individuals who helped.

“On behalf of the Morse Waterways Association, we would like to extend a special recognition and our heartfelt gratitude to the following for their exceptional effort to make Morse Lake a cleaner and safer place for residents and visitors alike,” Vanette added.

Thank you to Cicero Street and Utility Director Terry Cooper, Shannon Fiddler with the Town of Cicero, Cicero Parks Superintendent Jimmie Hunter, Thomas Docks, Dan Derda, Greencycle, Duke Energy volunteers Mark LaBarr, J.D. Cox, Don McDuffy, Travis Krick, Ryan Delphia, Kristin Gong, and Nico Kennerly, Edward Jones for donating the water for the volunteers, Martin Marietta materials for helping with restoration of Redbridge Park, photographer Mike Berry, and all the volunteers who made this happen, and those who generously donated to help with the additional expenses.

Mark your calendar for next year’s cleanup from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon. MWA encourages everyone who lives on and around the lake to be involved in helping to keep this valuable amenity clean and safe.

To be included in the list for future notifications related to the cleanup, email Dave Vanette at vanetteda@hotmail.com.

Photos by Mike Berry