tridd forums

The time is approaching when we are expected by the Highway Dept. to again clean our portion of Highway 69 South. (Adopt-A-Highway) The date set is November 21. The weather will hopefully be cool, so we won't have to begin really early but we'll be finished by noon. It might be fun for all of us to eat lunch together afterwards.

If the weather turns bad (rain!) we've set a second "makeup" date for December 5.

All I need from you at this time is to mark these dates on your calendar so that you leave them free.

Thanks for your commitment in helping us out.

Lou Anne

More to come - check back here for details.

From Lou Anne:

On Saturday, November 21, you will again have an opportunity to show your support for East Texas PFLAG, for Project TAG, for your community, and for all the "gays" in our area by picking up trash on the highway.

"Tyler Area Gays" is responsible for keeping a designated 2-mile stretch of highway free of trash four times a year. November 21 will be our second pick-up day. Because the weather is predicted to be cool on that day, we will gather at 10 a.m. and should be finished by noon or before--depending upon the number of participants. Upon finishing, we will gather for lunch at The Diner. (I'm not familiar with that restaurant, but have been told it is across from Kids Depot on South Broadway.)

TXDOT signs designating "Tyler Area Gays" shows our community spirit as well as makes our presence known. (I met someone at Monday night's PFLAG meeting who has been in Tyler for six years and never knew we existed! We need to let people know we are here.)

Additional information will be shared as we draw nearer to November 21 but if you have not seen the TXDOT signs, they are located on Hwy. 69 South--3.3 miles south of the light at Target.

Dress comfortably in closed-toe shoes. Leather shoes or boots with good soles are recommended. DO NOT park on the roadway. This is prohibited.

We meet just inside the entryway to First Baptist Church's South Campus which is well marked with a lighted sign on the west side of the highway. A pickup will take us in pairs to a section of the area we need to clean. You'll be provided reflective vests (which we are required to wear), trash bags, water, and gloves (but if you have heavy, leather gloves you might prefer to use them).

If you haven't already marked your calendar for this event, please do so now and plan to join us. (No children under 7 should participate.) We need you!

Tomorrow's the day! Saturday, November 21! 10 a.m. trash pickup for the 2-mile stretch of Highway 69 South designated as being "adopted" by "Tyler Area Gays." Here's our opportunity to show our civic spirit in keeping this section of the highway "clean." I know--we have a 30 percent chance of rain in the morning, but today was a 70% chance and it hasn't been at all bad, at least so far. If it is just misty and sprinkling, put on a poncho and join the rest of us (Otherwise, if it is pouring, our backup date is December 5).

Last time it took about 2 hours, but it can go much, much quicker this time because (1) too many arrived late (the time set had been 7:30 a.m. and not everyone likes to get up that early) Lateness should not happen with a 10 a.m. start time (2) the temperature was hot, hot, hot and we began to "drag" after the first hour. No problem tomorrow with hot weather. The coolness should keep us peppy the whole time. (3) We're meeting for lunch at The Diner and when we start getting hungry, we'll speed it up! Won't we?

Anyway, come join us tomorrow, November 21,at 10 a.m. when you will again have an opportunity to show your support for East Texas PFLAG, for Project TAG, for your community, and for all the "gays" in our area by picking up trash on the highway.

Following are some of the reminders:

The first TXDOT sign is located on Hwy. 69 South--3.3 miles south of the light at Target.

Dress comfortably in closed-toe shoes. Leather shoes or boots with good soles are recommended. DO NOT park on the roadway. This is prohibited.

We meet just inside the entryway to First Baptist Church's South Campus which is well marked with a lighted sign on the west side of the highway. A pickup will take us in pairs to a section of the area we need to clean. You'll be provided reflective vests (which we are required to wear), trash bags, water, and cloth gloves (but if you have heavy, leather gloves you might prefer to use them).

We'll work in groups of 2 or 3 along different stretches of our assigned roadway--always working so we face the traffic. You won't be by yourself.

No children under 7 should participate. Older children must be supervised at all times.

Do not walk on guard rails.

Do not lean over bridge railings.

Do not pick up anything that could be hazardous to your health. This includes needles, syringes, jagged glass, animal carcasses, urine bottles or heavy objects. It in doubt, flag the item on the fence line and alert your TxDOT contact to the problem.

See you in the morning.