| Smith Millinium Bridge on The Baker River |
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reprinted from "The Record Enterprise" by permission
THE BAKER GETS A BOOST
by MARCIA MORRIS
September 13, 2007
PLYMOUTH-It was no ordinary first day of school.
Students at the Sant Bani School in Sanbornton traditionally hit the streets before they hit the books, traditional starting
their school year with a full day community service field trip. This year that meant waking up before dawn on a chilly, rainy
September morning last week and heading out for a day of paddling on the scenic Baker River in Plymouth.
But this was no holiday excursion. This was very serious business, as over sixty high school age student volunteers,
with school staff and faculty members, undertook a monumental river cleanup effort that included extracting well over 100
tires, rusted car parts and other debris from the site of a former junkyard on the banks of the Baker River just about a quarter
of a mile upstream from the Smith Millenium Bridge in Plymouth.
"The twin pillars of our school are reverence for life and service to all," explained Sant Bani Service Coordinator
Todd Schongalla, who led the cleanup expedition. "Our kids are working hard, but they know what the school is all about.
Our goal this morning is to cleanup the river for the wild creatures that inhabit the area, to help make it a lovely paddle
for recreation, and hopefully to inspire others to keep it clean for the future."
Schongalla said that the Baker River cleanup project was chosen this year, in part, at the instigation of local businessman
Earl Flanders of Pemi-Baker River Adventures, a Plymouth based kayak, canoe and tube rental company that often runs river
trips on local rivers including the Baker. Flanders provided dozens of boats for the students, who ferried back and forth
from the junkyard site, hauling debris to the boat launch at the Smith Bridge where it was picked up for disposal by employees
from Plymouth Public Works.
"We are really grateful to Earl for pointing out to us that this project really needed to be done," said Schongalla.
"When I came up to scout out the site, I was amazed at the magnitude of the job. We knew what we were getting into.
But this is a truly stunning river and so it is worth it. I'm not sure people know what a beautiful river they have here
in Plymouth."
Flanders said that he had been trying to call attention to the need to cleanup the former junkyard for many years and
that he was thrilled that the students were finally getting the job started, but he pointed out that last week's effort would
only scratch the surface of what needed to be done at the site. "Right now the river is close to its 10 year low, so
this is an ideal time to do a river cleanup," said Flanders. "Usually by July every year the river level is quite
low, but it only takes two or three days of rain to bring it quickly back up to a higher level. Any flash flooding can wash
more debris downstream."
Flanders said that the students had been able to cleanup the portion of the old junkyard that had actually fallen into
the river itself, but that much more remained along the banks and the shoreline, threatening to wash into the river in the
future. The Town of Plymouth is currently attempting to identify sources of grant funding to assist with what will likely
be a major cleanup operation at the site.
In the meantime, calling themselves the "tire tigers", the students from Sant Bani School jumpstarted the project,
both at the junkyard site and all along the banks of the river from the Millenium Bridge to the Pemigewasset where debris
had washed downstream during periods of flooding over the past several years. They ended their excursion at the riverfront
boatlaunch on the Pemigewasset downtown Plymouth.
"In addition to field trips like this our students are required to do 30 hours of community service every school
year," said Schongalla. "They are encouraged to develop a close relationship with organizations and interests doing
good work." He said that in the past students have worked at Wellington State Park and at the Humane Society and Squam
Lakes Science Center among others.
"This is great for the kids and great for the community," said Schongalla "Helping others helps to build
self-esteem. It is really inspiring what they have accomplished."
The Sant Bani School is an independent day school attracting young people from all over the Lakes Region. Exchange students
from Thailand, Kenya and Kazakstan participated in the Baker River cleanup effort. More information on the school can be
found at the website at www.santbani.org.
Some of our previous activities.
On May 27, 2006, BSA Troop 13 from Rehoboth, MA were kayaking on the Pemi from Woodstock to Blair Bridge and said they had
a great time.
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| photo by: BSA Troop 13, Rehoboth, MA |
On July 12, 2005 we had our first ever "Big Canoe Challenge Race" at Stinson Lake in Rumney, between Mike's Meeting
Place Restaurant and the Stinson Moutatin Grill. The winning team Received the gOLDen PADDLE to proudly display in their
restaurant. This first race was won by the Stinson Mountain Grill. Food and refreshments were enjoyed by all after the race.
We would like to thank Boy Scout Troop 401 of Merrimack NH for choosing
Pemi-Baker River Adventures to supply canoes for their trip on the Baker River, on June 7 2003, from Rumney to the Smith
Millinium Cover Bridge in Plymouth. They did get a little damp from the light rain, but it didn't dampen their spirits.
To see pictures from this trip click on the link below.
TROOP 401 PHOTOS
On May 25 2003, 49 hardy adventurers from the First Adventist Christian
Church of Teaneck New Jersey braved the elements and went canoeing on the Pemi from Plymouth. Unfortuntately we were
unable to get pictures of this trip, but I can tell you that they did have a good time even though is was a little damp when
they started. Thank you for letting us supply your needs for this trip.
On Sunday, May 18 2003, a group from the NH Ski Club took a kayak trip on the Pemi from The Ledges to Campton.
I have a few pictures of the trip. To see them click on the picture below.
On May 10th we hosted our first trip of 2003 with MRWC for trip on the
Baker River.We have pictures of the trip and you may view them by clicking on the link below.
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