FREEPORT — Each Wednesday, Magnus Heitz of Freeport listens for the familiar sound of the garbage truck, and waits for it on the deck of his home.
Once the truck arrives, the young boy waves to Luis Baca, of Moring Disposal, who makes the moment special by waiting to dump the garbage from bucket to truck.
On Wednesday, Magnus donned a garbage man shirt and gloves, ready to meet Baca and hand him the curbside trash. Magnus wanted to show Baca that he’s dressing up as a garbage man for Halloween.
Tracy Heitz, Magnus’ mother, said her son has always been intrigued by garbage trucks. While late to speak, the boy’s first words, she said, were “empty the trash.” He also has numerous garbage trucks and plays garbage man daily with his older brother, Nye.
“This all began about a year ago with Magnus taking an extra interest in garbage pickup day,” Tracy said. “It used to be we would have to take him outside to wait and see, and then he started to wait for the sounds of the truck and he’d run to watch from the deck.”
Jacob Heitz, the boy’s father, said Baca and Magnus have formed a bond. Knowing that Magnus loves to see the bucket in action, Baca makes sure he creates a garbage-dumping spectacle that any child would enjoy.
“When I asked Magnus what he wanted to dress up like for Halloween, he said, ‘Luis, the garbage man,’ so I went out and bought a shirt and added duct take to make the stripes on the shirt. I think it is adorable,” Tracy said.