By Phoebe Donald Robinson/Shelby County Reporter

The annual Lay Lake shoreline cleanup sponsored by the Lay Lake Homeowners and Boat Owners (HOBO) Association begins April 14 and ends April 20 with a volunteer appreciation picnic at Beeswax Park off Highway 145 at noon. Zeigler hot dogs cooked by the Baptist Church at Lay Lake will be served on Flower Baking Co. buns and Golden Flake potato chips, all donated. Volunteers will receive a free t-shirt.

The Lay Lake HOBO Association was formed in 1997. Its mission is to protecting the best lake in Alabama – Lay Lake – and focuses on water monitoring and safety, working with Alabama Power to mark the channels on the river. The Lay Lake HOBO has two main events: the Christmas Parade in December and the annual cleanup in the spring. Dues are $25/year.

Art Gibbons is the HOBO president assisted by officers: Karen Jenson (Shelby area); Dave and Lynn Cunningham (Talladega area); Chuck Jenson (Shelby Shores); and Jerry Dozier (Waxahatchee Creek).

Judy Jones is the 2013 Cleanup Chair and committee and areas are: Beeswax Bait and Grocery at 205-669-1218; Blair’s Place, Kenneth and Sandra Dupree at 256-249-4439; Bullet Creek, Judy Freeman at 205-669-0022; Cedar Creek, Don and Gail McGrady at 256-249-2566; Heaslett’s View, Leroy and Peg Sizemore at 256-249-2847; Homestead, Barbara Lowe at 205-669-4904; Isa Station, Don and Jan Wallis at 256-245-9717; Kelly Branch, Gene Quick at 205-669-2130; Oak Harbor, T. C. Ellis at 205-669-4146; Perkin’s Landing, John and Katie Young at 205-669-9602; Mostetler’s Point, Pat Smith at 205-669-1222; Shelby Shores, Bill and Linda Ackley at 205-669-7200; Sunrise Cove, George and Kathy Nichols at 205-669-2495; and Waxahatchee, Rick and Alice Wilson at 205-669-9731.

Trash bags are available at the area reps listed above. They can also be found at marinas including Bozo’s, LaCoosa, Lay Port, Paradise Point, Sunset and The Landing on 47. Additionally, they can be found in Talladega County at Rick’s General Store and in Wilsonville at Coosa Valley Milling.

For removal of large items (not logs) by Alabama Power barge call Jones at 205-669-4865, Jonesfl@bellsouth.net. Barge will pick up April 16-17, 2013.

Dumpsters placed by Waster Management are in Chilton County at the Public Boat Launch (put bags by trash cans); in Shelby County at Beeswax Boat Launch, Bozo’s, LaCoosa Marina, Lay Port Marina on Waxahatchee Creek, Okomo Marina and Paradise Marina; and in Talladega County at Lay Lake Estates Boat Launch, Sunset Marina, Heaslett’s View and Peckerwood.

For further info see LayLakeHobo.org.