By David A. Wilson
As a part of the city-wide cleanup area in California, a group of volunteers gathered at the old Latham Hospital Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, to clean up the grounds in preparation for the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival. The cleanup improves the look of the old hospital grounds which are not only along the parade route and the south stage, but also in the California Historic District.
The volunteers brought pickups, trailers, chainsaws, rakes, shovels, weed eaters, mowers, gloves, protective glasses and other gear as well as a willingness to take on the task. Permission was previously obtained from the owners.
The work involved not only mowing, but pickup of dead limbs, vines which had overgrown the front of the building. Sprouts and anything else which might need trimming was also tackled.
After the general work was done, several people used leaf-blowers, rakes and shovels to cleanup not only the grounds, but also the street and gutters.
The hard work of the volunteer crew improves the area for the parade and other activities which will take place during California's annual festival.