Photo by LORETTA JACKSON Representing Pack 12 of the Hollis Cub Scouts were some hard-workers, front row from left, twin sisters Eleanora and Beatrice Kolar, Lilah Wertheimer and Samantha Ward, seen here with parent volunteers, Cat Kolar and Josh Ward.

A black pickup truck roaring past accidentally spun gravel onto a group of high school volunteers picking up roadside debris in Hollis during a recent town cleanup. Some raindrops pelted others.

The day was a spring mix of optimism and anticipation for some break-out sun that mostly declined to cooperate. Nevertheless, scores of residents and friends turned out on May 4 for the annual roadside cleanup of Hollis, an event sponsored by the Hollis Conservation Commission for around 15 years.

Twenty-three members of the Hollis Brookline High School track team and scores of other participants donned reflective vests and staked out territories throughout the town. Car parts, nails and beer cans, along with all manner of litter and debris went into hundreds of blue plastic bags secured from and later returned to the Hollis transfer station on Rocky Pond Road.

Thom Davies, treasurer of the Hollis Conservation Commission and volunteer executive director of Beaver Brook Association, a nonprofit devoted to conservation of the thousands of acres of Hollis land that is nurtured for enjoyment and education, commented as volunteers returned. They were laden down with trash and roadside filth.

“The Hollis Brookline Booster Club is well thanked by us for providing reflective vests and track team vests,” Davies said. “This event inspires town residents to play an active role in cleaning up the roadside.”

Bergen Dickau, age 9, was one whose perception of the importance of town pride was shared with insight. His brother, Erich, and mother, Katrine, concurred.

“If we all work together, we can make a difference,” Bergen said. Erich added, “You can have a cleaner and better world.”

Meanwhile, crowds of volunteers throughout the morning checked a town map at the sign-in tent that showed roads designated to be cleaned. Those roads spoken for by the track team, boy scout groups and girl scouts, along with members of businesses and local organizations, were marked so that duplicated efforts were avoided.

An enthusiastic contingent of female cub scouts was on site to participate. Twin sisters Eleanora and Beatrice Kolar, along with scouts Lilah Wertheimer and Samantha Ward proudly toted their big blue bags toward the drop-off area.

The twins’ mother, Cat Kolar, and Samantha’s father, Josh Ward, noted proudly that the young ladies represented the town’s first-ever cub scout pack comprised of females. Online sources document a rule change in 2017 of the structure of the Boy Scouts of America organization to include girls into the Cub Scout program as of 2018 and open for them a path to Eagle Scout rank.

Laura Bianco, alternate to the HCC board, thanked all who approached the table beneath the bright green canopy emblazoned with signage: Hollis Conservation Committee. Donuts were abundant and well received.

Nearby, Davies added a postscript. He said it is unfortunate that some people use the town’s roads as trash receptacles. He is thankful, he added, for those who compensate for the disregard and spontaneously pick up litter during walks and bicycle rides and during routine travel around town. He thanked the Hollis police department for erecting a lighted sign well in advance of the clean-up event that surely increased participation.

“It has certainly raised awareness and we’re grateful.” Davies said. “We’re all in this together.”

Loretta Jackson may be contacted via email: ljackson@nashuatelegraph.com