A new look for Bessie? Local environmentalist gives Lake Erie mythical monster a plastic makeover

Lake Erie’s mythical monster, Bessie, was spotted Wednesday in the Cuyahoga River. But this Bessie looked a bit different from the one of local lore.

Plastic pollution awareness advocate Eddie "Trash Fish" Olschansky, along with artist Ian Petroni and a team of volunteers, crafted their own Bessie from plastic shoes, balls and bottles he’s collected from the river over the last six years.

"We've got a orange construction barrel in there, we've got hard hats, we've got sand shovels and kids' toys," Olschansky said. "It's like an 'I spy.' Every time I look at it I find something new."

Olschansky launched Bessie during a rally held by the People Over Petro Coalition to raise awareness for action along Cleveland’s waterfronts.

"This is the new face of the stressors of the Cuyahoga River.