"We used to provide recycling services at the annual Long
Beach Blues Festival. Between preparing for the event, working the
event and cleaning up after the event, the festivals were a marathon
for us. But I remember that we worked hard and played harder. The
weather was always good, the music fantastic, our admission was
free and we got paid for recycling. America, what a country!"
~ Samuel Totor (participated 1984-1991)
"I have very fond memories of working at the Recycling Center.
I formed a number of friendships that I still maintain to this day.
I remember doing office pick-ups and seeing people dive into their
trash cans when they saw me coming through the door to retrieve
pieces of paper they had forgotten to recycle. I used to do Leisure
World on a regular basis. This meant riding around in the back of
"White Wonder" (the truck we had then) with numerous 55
gallons barrels and jumping out every time it stopped with an empty
barrel, then helping the driver lift the glass barrel into the truck,
dumping the tin cans into a liner and throwing them into the back
of the truck. As we careened around the complex, I would consolidate
the barrels in the back. I loved doing this job because I would
always lose at least five pounds. It was the best form of exercise.
I also remember the great parties we would have at the center at
night with big bon fires in a halved 55-gallon drum.
I planted the Canary Island pine trees on the hill sides next to
the drive-up ramp. I feel very old when I see how big they are.
They were seedlings when I planted them.
The recycling center was very important to me as I went on to a
career in recycling. I ran the program at the Long Beach Naval Station
for five years until it closed in 1995."
~ Laura Willbanks (participated 1981-1985)
