Litter in Skaneateles

A Byrne Dairy egg carton, probably left over from Halloween, with this upbeat message: “It’s worth the trip!” Keep it in mind. Also, one more Jingle Bill$ card, with no winners.

Outside the Allyn arena in Austin Park, the cardboard sleeve from a box of Advil, no doubt left by a parent about to sit listening to shouts echoing off the ice, the bam of the puck hitting the sideboards.

One twisted water bottle, attesting to the restorative nature of the beverage and the vigor of its consumer; one Penn 4 tennis ball; one Vitamin Water bottle in the “Focus Kiwi-Strawberry” flavor; one cardboard sleeve from Orbit gum; and one empty can of Schweppes Ginger Ale that brought to mind Commander Whitehead. How I miss the Commander.

In the early 1950’s, Commander Edward Whitehead (1908-1978), a British navy veteran of WWII, was Schweppes’ General Manager/Overseas. David Ogilvy, of Ogilvy & Mather, recommended to him that he lead the ad campaign, saying, “People are more interested in individual personalities than in corporations.”

Here is some typically lovely Ogilvy ad copy: “Commander Whitehead has come to these United States to make sure that every drop of Schweppes Quinine Water bottled here has the original flavor which has long made Schweppes the only mixer for an authentic Gin-and-Tonic… ‘Schweppervescence,’ says the Commander, ‘lasts the whole drink through.’ It took Schweppes almost a hundred years to bring the flavor of their Quinine Water to its present bittersweet perfection. But it will take you only thirty seconds to mix it with ice and gin in a highball glass. Then, gentle reader, you will bless the day you read these words.”

Within five years, Ogilvy’s advertising increased Schweppes sales by 500%. And half a century later, someone casts aside a Schweppes can as if it meant nothing, held no history. One can only sigh deeply.

In the pouring rain: one crushed Milwaukee’s Best can (and if that name be true, what a sad fate to befall a once great brewing city); one Bud Light can; one penny (thank you); and one Mega Colors wet n wild lipstick, in the “Captive” shade, made in China.

One New York State Lottery Jingle Bill$ card that rang for no one; one gift tag, “To Diana, From Marti”; one Junior Mints box; crushed and dented cans that once held Labatt’s Blue Light, Coke and Mountain Dew; and one plastic Lowe’s plant tag marked “Pansy,” in smaller type “Pensamiento,” prompting me to recall that “El pensamiento es la actividad y creación de la mente, dícese de todo aquello que es traído a existencia mediante la actividad del intelecto.” A thoughtful piece of litter, although I’m not sure this is the season to be planting pansies, even with global warming.

In the 1960’s, Ilija Letica had a vision to become a leader in the plastic packaging industry and today that vision led to a white plastic cup lid glued to my sidewalk by freezing rain.

Two litterbug favorites: One empty Bud Light can and one wrapper from Air Heads candy (Strawberry) informing us that Air Heads are “Out of Control.” That’s a registered trademark, so it must be true.

On Jordan Street, one empty pack of USA Gold Full Flavor 100’s. Because I thought you’d want to know: USA Gold was introduced by Commonwealth Brands of North Carolina in 1993, and by virtue of its appeal to the thrifty, rose to become the 8th-ranked seller in the US. In April, however, Imperial Tobacco PLC – based in the United Kingdom – acquired Commonwealth Brands, and those in the know anticipate a move to rename USA Gold as UK Gold, and the need for a valid British passport as proof of age and citizenship.

But wait, there’s more: On Genesee Street in the heart of the Village shopping district, one DenTek Silk Floss Pick. Two thoughts came to mind: 1) How good to see litterers looking after their oral hygiene, even in public, and 2) I need to wash my mittens.

A couple of feet of snow and continued cold weather have kept hands in pockets, car windows rolled up, and generally kept the Village clean of everything but slush. However, I did find one black nylon drawstring with a yellow plastic toggle, and a rubber band this morning, so I know people are still dropping unwanted items.

On an icy sidewalk along Genesee Street, one empty sleeve that held Eclipse sugarless gum, Polar Ice flavor. One is forced to consider why, after a foot of snow with freezing temperatures and strong winds from the west, one would seek to enhance the experience.