Our Road in Our Town

A few years ago BBC member Jen Miers initiated our participation in the Monroe County Adopt-A-Road program. Under her guidance we adopted a mile-plus section of Old 37, just southwest of town, from the south end of Walnut Street down to just over the bridge over Ketcham/Smithville Road.

The group meets at the former Better Way Moving just south of the Walnut/new 37 stoplight, about ¼ of the way along, where we sign waivers, don bright-colored vests and gloves provided by the county and each take a pair of bags, one for trash and one for recyclables. Then about half of us start at each end and work our way back to the middle picking up "stuff". The November 2 job was the last of the year. We had 8 folks out, which was just enough to accomplish the job in slightly over an hour. The weather was cool and pleasant, but warm enough to start to work up a sweat after you bend over from the waist perhaps 100 times.

A larger group will be needed next March when the club gathers again to pick up after a long winter, typically far and away the biggest job of the year. (This year in March it took 13 club members over 2 hours to do the job.) Usually a group goes out a total of 4 times a year, with a goal of contributing to the community and to keeping a section of county road that we ride on frequently clear of trash.

A special shout-out to Jen for starting this program and for shepherding it along for the last four years or so! She's always there with encouragement and advice, picks up and returns the equipment used, and even provides light refreshments afterwards.