River Keepers get recognition

CAPE CARTERET - Elmer Eddy and a band of friends headed out Friday morning to paddle along a seven-mile stretch of waterway between Cedar Point and Stella.

It was a day like many others for the Stewards of the White Oak River Basin, with the exception of the framed certificate Eddy carried with him.

Their first stop before launching their kayaks and canoes was a meeting of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce at MacDaddy's in Cape Carteret, where the organization was recognized with a Crystal Coast Quality of Life award for its contributions to improving the community.

The Stewards may paddle for the "fun of it," but the organization's Web site is also a testament to their dual role as the "trash brigade," said Chamber board member Tom Kies of NC COAST Communications, which sponsors the award with the Carteret County Association of Realtors.

"They paddle their canoes and kayaks on all of the rivers, streams, creeks and lakes within the White Oak River basin, with the objective of making the waterways totally trash-free for others to enjoy," Kies said.

On occasion there are paddle trips that are trash-free, but more often than not the Stewards encounter trash and litter, from cups and bottles to tires and televisions. Bridges, Eddy said, are often deliberate dump sites.

It's not the way the area's waterways should be treated and an unsightly view when paddling down a river or stream - and so began the work of the Stewards.

"We started picking (the trash) up and all of a sudden we became the Stewards of the White Oak River," Eddy said after accepting the Quality of Life award.

The Chamber and its partners started the Quality of Life award in 2007 to spotlight groups and organizations involved in efforts that contribute to the betterment of the community.

The Stewards of the White Oak River Basin were the 15th recipient, a recognition that Eddy humbly accepted.

"Thank you very much," he said. "We're doing something that we love to do and we appreciate it."

Fellow stewards gave Eddy much of the credit.

"He has earned this," said Dale Weston of Jacksonville. "He has been a blessing to this area and made people aware of the beautiful waterways that are here."

Through Eddy, others have joined the cause and are regular paddlers with him.

"I bought a canoe, heard Elmer (on the radio) and have been out just about every week since," said Jim Niedermeyer of Hubert.

Jim Morris of Morehead City also takes out his canoe, which he prefers to a kayak because it holds more trash.

The paddle trips with the stewards are an opportunity, he said, to enjoy the water in good company. And at day's end, the trash-free view makes it all worthwhile.

"It's just enjoyable to get out on the water, and we hope we've made it cleaner when we leave," Morris said.

Also participating in Friday's trip were Ed Gruca of Emerald Isle and Scott Brown of Morehead City.

 Staff writer Jannette Pippin can be reached at jpippin@freedomenc.com or 910-382-2557.