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Dear Editor:

This is a letter of appreciation for Keep Blount Beautiful, a group that is working hard to help make this area we live in a place to be proud of, a place that demonstrates that its citizens realize what a blessed piece of the earth we live on.

Who can truly believe that the Creator of all said, "Let us put man in to a garbage heap?" Throw your trash into your neighbor's yards and pastures, and along the highways? I thought we were put into a beautiful garden for a good reason. The soul was meant to live in beauty and harmony.

While visiting in Colorado, we saw a state that was filled with beauty, and they had Adopt-A-Road signs statewide, which showed that its citizens are proud of their surroundings. These signs were everywhere, and amazingly, folks from all walks of life are helping to keep the roads clean and beautiful.

The names on the signs included families, individuals, churches, fraternal organizations, places of business, football and basketball teams, garden clubs, etc. They understood that the great outdoors is a treasure, just as all of us should know.

We read about and saw the pictures about the recent Bravo awards that were presented this month. That event was fostered by the Blount County Garden Club and coordinated by Keep Blount Beautiful. Their recognition of gardens, landscaping and building improvements encourages good environmental stewardship. So we want to acknowledge and thank both groups for helping to beautify our county neighbors.

A lot of you could really make a difference if you would help to keep your area cleaned up. The Adopt-A-Mile program is now in place, to encourage and recognize litter pick up along our roads. Keep Blount Beautiful Coordinator Charlene DeSha would welcome any help on that program.

Sincerely,

Joanne Marshall
5533 J. Riley West Drive
Greenback, TN 37742