Sporting his trademark shy smile, Blair Rushka and his bike have become a common sight in Canora and surrounding area, as he keeps working at cleaning up waste items left behind by residents and motorists alike.
Rushka, who now resides in Canora, grew up in Esterhazy. Like many with deep prairie roots, he was on the lookout for ways to make some extra money. Approximately 15 to 20 years ago, he started collecting bottles and cans.
“I take it all to SARCAN, they know me pretty well there already,” said Rushka.
Each time he heads out on his bike, Rushka makes sure to tell his friends, “I’m going to work.” Even though his focus is on bottles and cans, Rushka works hard to clean up the surrounding environment, no matter what he finds.
“I’ve picked up a brand new frying pan, a hitch, a hubcap, tires, and even found $10. I make sure to sort everything, and wash the dirty bottles.”
Rushka has five bikes, as well as two wagons which he pulls behind the bikes as needed. Even though he’s by himself the majority of the time, Rushka said he often meets new people, and enjoys making new friends.
“I like it when people stop to help me,” said a smiling Rushka. “If it suddenly starts to rain or if I’m out after dark, they might offer me rides. I even got help one time when I picked up a nail and got a flat tire.”
Even though it’s rare to see Rushka without a smile on his face, there is at least one thing that upsets him. “People throw away so much outside everywhere. I want them to take better care of the outdoors.”
Armed with his determined work ethic, Rushka has travelled as far north as Amsterdam, as far east as Kamsack, south to Ebenezer and west to Buchanan. He appreciates the smiles and waves he gets when he’s out and about, and encourages everyone to really focus on keeping the environment around them clean.
