Friday, 8.21.15 ON THE WEB: www.yankton.net ress akotan NEWSROOM: [email protected] P &D homestyle PAGE 7B “You can’t believe the treasures you get. It’s not just about garbage. ... (People are) making a living of this.” GREG ZANIS What A Dive! Dumpster Divers Know There’s A Lot In Garbage Cans That Really Isn’t Garbage At All

BY ELANA DURE their beliefs, to minimize the © 2015, Chicago Tribune impact of wastefulness. She said her main motivation comes from Greg Zanis has been “looking for the convenience and price tag. “I gold” since 1955. Of course, “gold” thought it was fun,” she said. “It felt is a very loose term. The treasure like we were shopping, but instead may appear in the form of a televi- of going to the front, we went to sion set, mannequin or moped, but the back, and everything was free.” Zanis doesn’t discriminate. If the BATTLING THE STIGMA find has value, he is satisfied. After all, not everyone has such luck Both Zakroff and Zanis have had looking inside a dumpster. to defend their diving. Zakroff said A carpenter by day and scav- she uses discretion before telling enger by night, Zanis, 64, spends a people she occasionally dumpster lot of his free time searching area dives. dumpsters and garbage routes for “Not everyone is cool about it,” neglected items he can pluck and she said. sell to junkyards or individuals. He Zanis said he received similar learned the skills of scrapping from reactions when he has mentioned his father and passed down the diving. family trade to his children. The “There is a connotation that unofficial business is not only excit- people look down at us,” he said. ing, but also profitable — Zanis However, instead of getting of- said he earns $20,000 to $40,000 a fended, Zanis said he just smiles year selling other people’s trash. and tells people how much money he makes a year from his hobby. HAVE GRILL, WILL SCAVENGE After that, judgment subsides, and “You can’t believe the treasures everyone laughs. you get,” said Zanis, an Aurora, Ill., “Anybody can do it; you just resident. He posts videos of his have to swallow your pride,” Zanis excursions to his YouTube channel, said. “A lot of people don’t have TheDreamCar. “It’s not just about the nerve to do what I’m doing. ... garbage. ... (People are) making a Dumpster diving is a free-for-all. living of this.” MICHAEL NOBLE JR./CHICAGO TRIBUNE/TNS) Ninety percent of the people think The diving world is a sort of Greg Zanis, 64, unloads crates from the bed of his truck for at S&S Metal Recyclers II in Aurora, Ill. its illegal or are scared to do it.” underground, dark-of-night kind of Zanis has been scrapping since he was four years old with his father, where he would go into the dumpster DIGITAL DIVES culture. It’s secretive, potentially and throw out the “goodies.” “It’s a way of life,”said Zanis. dangerous and not for germo- Of course, there are opportuni- phobes or the easily frightened. Naperville, Ill., for example, state only sells his at the most cans of tomato sauce too dented ties to collect people’s junk without Outsiders rarely know the world that commercial scavengers must profitable of times. to be marketable. She said some sticking a hand in a dumpster. exists, but those who join it — obtain a license before rummaging “We are like squirrels,” he said. stores donate food to shelters. But Zanis frequently goes on house usually alone or with a partner through trash. “We hang on to our stuff until the even so, the surplus of leftover cleanups and scans Craigslist for free offers. And although Zakroff’s — know to follow the fragmented ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT price is right.” food is overwhelming, and some community’s list of unwritten rules, Dumpster diving is a hobby for things are bound to be thrown hobby is scoring food, she oc- publicized by Jeremy Seifert’s film Zanis finds everything from some, a lifestyle for others. For away. (Divers are obviously willing casionally searches for giveaways “Dive!” bicycles to dinette sets. He even Zanis, it’s a mixture of both. Not to risk eating spoiled food if it (the nonedible kind) on the Freecy- Among them: found a full set of patio furniture only does the pastime provide him means they might save something cle website (a nonprofit movement • The first one to the dumpster once. Typically he will scout the with extra income, it also gives him edible in the process.) to encourage and ). that day gets first dibs. Never en- Aurora area three or four times an adrenaline rush — the element There are several reasons Zakroff said she enjoys using croach on another diver’s territory. a week with his two sons. When of surprise and suspense, the chal- someone may dive for food, Zakroff the site because it allows her to • Leave the dumpster cleaner the pick is good, they may even lenge of rushing to claim his turf. said. Some enjoy the hunt, others get free goodies without the worry than you found it. The worst thing fill their truck a fifth time. On And it’s all close to home. want to save money and some, of stumbling across, say, furry ani- you can do is make a mess. weekdays, they stick to garbage Unlike Zanis, Chana Zakroff, of course, can’t afford to eat any mals. In addition, she appreciates • Never take more than you routes and look for the goodies 21, never saw herself as anything other way. A select few — free- the fact that she can ask about the need. It’s just common courtesy. people leave out on the curb. On more than a self-described “casual gans, who minimally participate quality of an item before she goes Zanis lives by these rules, espe- weekends, however, they go for a picker-upper or receiver.” The West in the conventional economy and to pick it up. With dumpster diving, cially the first: If he sees another dive and dig around store dump- Ridge resident went on her first consumption of resources — feel everything is a gamble. scavenger en route, he’ll ask where sters in search of hidden treasure. Chicago dumpster-diving excursion a moral obligation to reduce and Zanis also likes the digital the seeker plans to dive and avoid This is when Zanis usually hits the with a friend about two years ago. recover the amount of food wasted diving world, but he still prefers those spots. He doesn’t want to jackpot. She was fascinated by the amount in this profit-driven economy. tangible dumpsters and garbage step on anyone’s toes. “My life might seem over- of food her friend obtained from Approximately 40 percent, routes. Not only is it more excit- What many don’t realize is whelmed by this, but I keep a the dumpster and decided to join or the equivalent of $165 billion ing and suspenseful, but it is also that diving is legal everywhere in spotless shop,” said Zanis, who the game after tasting a salad made worth, of edible and available food more convenient. With Craigslist, the United States except where piles his metallic finds into his with freshly picked produce from a goes uneaten in the United States Zanis must follow another person’s explicitly prohibited. As long as a garage and waits to sell them in local grocery store’s trash bins. each year, according to a 2012 schedule. person does not trespass on pri- bulk. He often rips apart products During her first trip, Zakroff said report from the Natural Resources Old-fashioned scavenging vate property to reach a dumpster, and recycles their scraps — gold she was stunned to see the amount Defense Council. enables him to hunt whenever he diving is a welcome sport. There from VCRs and computers, copper of food in the dumpster. Boxes of Zakroff doesn’t consider herself wants. All he has to do, he said, is are, however, certain communi- from TVs — to bring the metal to lettuce just past their expiration a freegan, but dumpster diving for “dress in some smelly clothes, go ties that are less accepting than different junkyards. Zanis said he dates, bags of freshly baked bread food has helped her understand out and get accustomed to (the) others. Ordinances in Chicago and watches the market closely and that won’t sell the next morning, territory.”

YARDS OF THE MONTH

Yankton Town and Country Garden Club announce their with a recirculating stream. North of the deck is a small bird sounds of birds and bubbles creating a peaceful space. Pots Yard of the Month for August: sanctuary protected by splits of the yucca and Russian sage. of begonia, fuchsia, calla lilly, impatiens, and bergenia fill in A number of ornamental frogs and a very LIVE and LARGE around to the back of the waterfall and into the pond BRIAN AND KOLLEEN WANT, 711 FOURTH STREET garter snake greets you near their front door! Orange day lilies, the only plants that existed on the prop- ANGIE WORMERS, 1108 PENINAH STREET This over a hundred-year-old home is the background for erty when the Gerlachs bought the home 7 years ago, have a marvelous garden experience. Curb appeal strikes you as been accentuated with Bleeding hearts, legacy ferns and On this corner lot you will discover a perennial display of you take in the front yard. Day lilies, purpleicious veronica, some of Shane’s pot designs. A wash basin from Donelle’s ‘come again’ annual petunias, moss roses and holly hocks!! coreopsis and miniature coneflowers line the beautiful block step-grandmother has cheerful Gerbera Daisies rising up with Angie has a knack of arranging pots, flowers, rocks, old wall. As you walk through the arbor completely covered with vinca vine spills down. Every year you will find a beautiful bricks, shrubs and grassy areas for a personal quiet space. purple morning glories, both American flags, a tribute to all basket hanging from Donelle’s heart shaped display courtesy She is able to sit in her swing with a glass of iced tea and veterans, policemen and firemen, wave in the breeze. of her 7 year old son Derek who buys her a basket every enjoy the sights and sounds of the neighborhood ... or listen A block planter with various annuals surrounding a year for Mothers day. Pots of spikes and begonias sit in the to the birds... beautiful gazing ball covers the house front. On the right shade of the 125+ year old black walnut trees that line their To provide some privacy and a sound barrier a wonder- side of the yard stands a Minnesota strain red bud tree with property on the north. Cream separators are used as pots ful eight-foot natural cedar fence separates her garden from two beautiful metal flamingos gracefully standing. To the with flowing lobelia and begonia. A rusty trike holds a pot of Whiting Drive ... using reclaimed salvaged red brick from a left of the front door is a welcoming small table with chairs. osteospurmum flanked on either side by bright green pots property on Broadway she has designed a walkway through Whimsical items, including hanging bird houses, a bird bath of Marguerite. Another small bird sanctuary is protected by the rock, homemade bricks and plants. All laid to enhance and a bench with a small statue, are strategically placed in more bleeding hearts and hosta. an area connecting spaces to the hot tub on the backside of the yard. To the left of the house is an old metal bicycle with The late afternoon sun beats down on a cement patio her property. Homemade cement pots sit next to and within baskets full of annual flowers. Tall grasses wave gently in adorned by pots filled with ornamental peppers, gerbera a snapdragon garden. Her large deck is filled with pots and front of several bushes. daisies, oregano, purple and green basil, parsley, gazania, homemade containers full of various annuals including zin- On the left side of the home a patio area with a grill, table petunia, geranium and dahlias. Welcoming wind chimes hang nias and petunias. Angie has created another peaceful spot and chairs provides a comfortable seating area that invites from the rafters over the patio. to relax with friends. She has a ‘crazy’ terra cotta pot holder you the sit and relax. Wherever possible various hanging The driveway is lined by large Cannas. We started with leaning up against the fence that makes me laugh! baskets loaded with begonias decorate the entire area. On one bulb in a planter... now hundreds of Canna plant genera- Angie has honeysuckle and other vines growing up the the side of the garage Brian also showed a wooden feed bunk tions are shared with friends and family throughout the state. fence which adds a lovely scented area not far from the deck. planted with strawberries, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers Each year they are dug out, separated after the first frost, She has a shed to use for gardening tools and ‘stuff’ waiting and eggplant. Kolleen and Brian have every reason to be and stored in the original root cellar beneath this 1870’s to be reclaimed. She has a pile of rock that has yet to be de- extremely proud of the all the work that has been completed home. termined ... it may become mulch for another bed or moved during the last two summers. The showcase for the Gerlachs is their triangle garden. for more grass. Along the neighbor’s property line are a row When they moved here it was a rock covered camper pad, of newly planted hydrangea bushes full of blooms so large SHANE AND DONELLE GERLACH, 617 LOCUST STREET but hard work, planning and legacy plants has evolved into a they may need to be staked!! beautiful perennial garden. Legacy day lilies (gifted Shane’s Approaching the front deck the sidewalk is lined with mar- late father Jim),a friend’s peonies, roses having lived over igolds. Shane and Donelle love the festive colors and easy two decades in a friend’s garden, and gigantic Lavender care of the flowers so line their walk with them every year. (gifted Donelle’s mother, Janell). Moving plants like black Follow the marigolds to a newly constructed deck covered eyed Susan, purple coneflower, irises and Asiatic lilies from Keeping You Connected To The World with pots and baskets of annuals. their former property enhanced this garden. Over the last Donelle plants the pots to match climate and colors. few years additional plants: bearded tongue, astilbe, pinks, Shane has contributed one pot of succulents on a homemade daisies, garlic chives, ground phlox, salvia, mums, zinnia, folding table made by his late Grandfather Palmer. In front sunflower and annuals including their beloved marigolds are LL&S L&&SS of the deck and south side are two water features between edging the garden. Exploding along their fence line and alley the two evergreens — one is a 300 gallon Koi pond with five are beautiful multi colored Hollyhocks that have grown wild, EELECTRICLECTRIC •New Construction frolicking fish and ever-blooming water hyacinth. In front the seeds carrying from their neighbors property. ELECTRIC of the pond is a blooming liatris, red fountain grass and a Another old rotting deck was torn off to create a secret •Remodel legacy Yucca from Pine Ridge-a gift from the Berklands when garden of shade plants like Hosta, coleus,and clematis which •Commercial Shane worked for them at the Broadway Inn. The other is a provides a sanctuary for the master bedroom. The birds 150-gallon pond with waterfall spilling to create a peaceful enjoy the planters and water. The owners added lighted 1600 E. 39th St., Yankton 665-6612 • 661-1040 sound. Guarded by sedum and two ever vigilant boy and fountain beneath their bedroom window so they enjoy the Harry Lane, Electrical Contractor girl fishermen these two ponds will eventually be connected License, Bonded & Insured