— Guests gather for Rumpke’s community picnic at the Medora Landfill
Submitted photo
Dessie Byarlay, pictured with landfill manager Brad Marlow, was awarded the Sylvia England Golden Fork Award for best side dish for her apple cranberry slaw.
Submitted photo
Valerie Miller, pictured with landfill manager Brad Marlow, took home the Peggy Thompson Golden Spoon Award for best dessert for her persimmon pudding.
Submitted photo
MEDORA — Rumpke Waste & Recycling welcomed more than 120 neighbors to the Medora Landfill for its 28th annual community picnic on Sept. 18.
Guests were treated to fried fish prepared by members of the Carr Township Conservation Club, sides from Pewter Hall in Brownstown and ice cream from Kovener’s Korner in Seymour. Several attendees also brought side dishes and desserts to share.
In addition to the meal, the event also featured live music, door prizes and landfill and recycling center tours, where guests received information about the history of the site, daily operations and future development plans.
“The picnic is a longstanding tradition we cherish and look forward to year after year,” said Brad Marlow, who is the landfill manager. “What started in 1996 as a small gathering has grown to become a family reunion of sorts, featuring longtime neighbors, community partners and even former and current employees. We’re grateful for the opportunity to welcome folks to our site for an evening of food and fun, while also showcasing our operations.”
The event concluded with an awards presentation to recognize the best dishes of the evening. Rumpke presented the Sylvia England Golden Fork Award for best side dish to Dessie Byarlay for her apple cranberry slaw. Valerie Miller earned the Peggy Thompson Golden Spoon Award for her dessert, persimmon pudding.
The Medora Landfill opened in 1971 and was purchased by Rumpke in 1983. Today, the site provides disposal for the southern Indiana and Kentuckiana region. The landfill is permitted to accept up to 3,000 tons of waste daily.
Rumpke’s Medora Recycling Center, located near the landfill, processes approximately 700 tons of material each month. Recyclable material is collected from residential, commercial and industrial customers. Some recyclables are transported directly to in-state manufacturers to create new products, while Rumpke transports the remaining items to its regional recycling facility in Cincinnati, Ohio, for processing.
For information about Rumpke or to schedule a facility tour, call 800-828-8171 or visit rumpke.com.