Clara Reed
spent some time in
Pawlet, Vermont
For as much fun as Rick Sassa has with trash, he takes his job as dump manager very seriously. There's
no arguing that he is the area's number one promoter of reuse and recycling.
There's a glossy photo of Paul Newman tacked to a post. The autograph on it reads: Recycle or die! Best Wishes, Paul
I asked Rick whether Paul Newman had really autographed that picture for him. Rick told me, no. But who's to say he wouldn't have?
Last Saturday while visiting with my dear friend Irene in Pawlet, Vermont I had the opportunity to visit the Pawlet Recycling Center and Landfill.
Most folks in Pawlet just call it the dump. But clearly, going to the dump in Pawlet isn't simply a chore, it's an event. I got to meet a nice young man named Rick Sassa, and he has forever changed how I look at trash.
You can tell by talking to Rick that he is an artist and he uses his talent to educate and entertain dump-goers. Compost Pete (a favorite with the youngsters) invites you to feed him grass, food scraps, leaves, and garden waste. Once digested thoroughly, these waste products become rich usable soil. Have you ever seen such a thing?
According to Irene, since Rick became Dump Manager a couple years back, holidays are a whole new experience at the dump. She told me that for Valentine's Day Rick pinned romantic record album covers all over the walls. One of my favorites, Andy Williams is still there. For this upcoming Halloween, there's a tin monster climbing on to the transfer station roof that Rick created out of old heating ducts and stovepipe. I snapped a picture, look...
While Irene was sorting her her glass and plastic, I noticed a wall full of paintings, none of them were my taste, of course, but some of them were rather interesting to view. Rick explained that it's the Free Art Gallery. Apparently he rescues paintings that are thrown away by others and displays 'em. If you see one you like you're encouraged to take it home. But let me remind you that many of 'em were thrown away for a reason.
Outside there's an area where Rick puts all the stuff he thinks might have a value to someone. Sure there's some peculiar stuff, but there's also doors, windows, and odd pieces of furniture that with a little paint and imagination could be quite nice. Irene told me she picked up a set of windows that fit perfect in her sugar house.
If you find yourself with some time on your hands on a Saturday and you're near Pawlet, Vermont, stop at the Pawlet Landfill and say hello to Rick. I'm tellin' ya it'll change the way you think about garbage.