Tue 7/10/2007
Hi everyone! It's that time again and we need your help - our roads appear to be looking better than in past years, but the mowers came through and have exposed the trash! I have heard from several folks of their disappointment that the roads can't be kept clean, but we're just getting started and it's beginning to show. I wish I had before/after pictures to show our progress in the past four months! And honestly, I am surprised that the roads don’t look worse after the holiday (perhaps people are getting the message!).
 
The word is spreading about what we’re doing and now we've got bright green t-shirts to show our force - and I mean bright! My spare bedroom literally glows when I walk by it! I'll be getting your shirts to you this week and for those of you who didn't order one, I've ordered a few extra's in hopes I could get more commitments to help, but these shirts come with a price though - your time! J Since we're getting into the dog days of summer, I suspect it will be a lil' hot & humid Saturday morning - so it won't be expected that you stick it out longer than 2 hours (but any amount of time is appreciated). Everyone volunteering Saturday will need to wear their shirts for safety reasons and to bring attention to our community that this is a group effort. Hopefully Mother Nature will be kind and not let it rain. If we do get rained out, let’s shoot for next Saturday, July 21st.
 
Last month, I set-up a table and sign-in sheet at Lake Harding Marine (corner of Lee Rd. 379 and 158 - north of the Long Bridge). We had 22 volunteers and this time a dollar was found, along with a brand new Barbie in the box and a warning citation book from the LCSD (which I mentioned last night at the County Commissioners meeting…)! THANK YOU to all that volunteered!! I will do the same set-up again and you can pick up supplies and water, as well.  You do not need to haul off the garbage you pick up - just leave it a few feet on the side of the road and we'll pick it up at the end. It's not absolutely necessary you sign in, but it gives "proof" that our community needs attention, has concerned citizens, and will be used for future reasons. I would eventually like to turn this project into one where we can recieve grant money to support our needs (but that is later on down the road - one step at a time, as my mother would say!).
 
I would like to send out a SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of our sponsors who helped get our t-shirts made: Lake Harding Properties (Hugh & Linda Dicks), Stewart Construction (Eddie & Cindy Stewart), Lake Harding Marine (JB & Faye Waites),Top Notch Construction (Jimmy & Marianne Flanagan), Pizza D'Action (Louis & Lisa Draper), Jeff Simmons/Lake Harding Bodyworks, Steve Brown/Steve's Car Care, Peppermill Grill (Mitch & Terri Harbin), Bow To Stern (Kevin Massee), Jon Barnes, The Country Market, VFW Post 3212, and Osanippa Creek Lodge (Rick McDaniel). Tammy Waites of Raceway Graphics designed the shirts - she did a fabulous job and was great to work with! I also received additional donations from a close friend that included signs that I can recycle. I will have them re-lettered and use them to warn drivers we’re ahead picking up litter (and we need that!).
 
As I mentioned above, I attended the County Commissioners meeting last night and updated them about what we’re doing. I think I surprised them because the last time I spoke (in April) – they all looked at me like I was crazy. Judge English has invited me to speak to two community groups that are trying to do the same as us, but are having a tough time getting volunteers, in August. I was also asked to contact other county residents who have recently called in looking for help. I know – I know, it sounds like they want me to do their job, but I would love to see the entire county get involved! Who wouldn’t like to see every road clean and beautiful? I also asked about signage (ie, “Please Don’t Litter: Keep the Lake Harding Community Clean”). I found a place that makes high quality aluminum signs and I think it they would be highly visible if they were mounted on the county road signs throughout our community. Justin Hardy, of the Lee County Highway Dept., said it should not be a problem and has pointed me in the right direction to git ‘er done! I’ll keep you posted on the progress.
 
I appreciate everyone’s support and help – please forward this message to your friends and neighbors that may be interested in pitching in. The more volunteers we have makes for a cleaner community! I hope to you Saturday morning J If you need to reach me, my cell is best @ (706) 366-3531 and my home is 749-6067 (after 6 pm EST)
 
Thank you!! Paula Brickner
PS – I have set-up a new e-mail account, please be sure to add it to your “safe senders” list because I’ll start using it from now on. It’s lakehardingcarp@bellsouth.net (next will be a website if I can figure out how to do it!!)