Have you waved to the orange-vested crews picking up discarded trash and recycling in your neighborhood? The crews are reporting that they are receiving thank-yous from a lot of folks. Weve noticed neighbors on their regular walks joining in the fun of keeping our communities clean and green.

Libbie Johnson, locally active in our horse community, has coordinated the enrollment of 25 horse farms and related businesses. These new volunteers will nearly double the number of 2009 Polk County Adopt-a-Highway volunteers who have committed to expressing stewardship through this program. All volunteers agree to clean a designated two mile stretch of public road four times a year for four years.

Who are these new volunteers from N.C. and S.C.? The farms, organizations, and commercial businesses will represent the adoption of an additional 50 miles of road. A list of the applicants follows.

N.C.: Blockhouse Stables, Blue Moon Farm, Carolina Carriage Club, Carolina Mule Association, Country Carriages USA, FENCE, FlightQuest Farm, Fox Meadow Farm, Freer Equine Mobile Vet Service, Green Creek Horse Community, Green Creek Miniature Horses, Hayloft Farm, Hobby Horse Farm, Horse Country Consierge, Jdon Farm, Re-Ride, The Hay Rack, Tryon Hounds, Two Fox Farm.

S.C.: Fairview Farms, Ironworks Farm, Motlow Creek Equestrian, Sleepy Hollow Farm, Smokey Hollow Farm, The Farm House.

The new applicants and enrollees above will be joining the current teams, including Tryon Kiwanis Club, Bear Creek Lodge, Winterbrook Farm, Foothills Humane Society, Caroland Farms, Woods Neighborhood, Thermal Belt Rotary Club, Pat Doggett, The Oaks & Breakfast, BSA & Troop #150, Rotary Club of Tryon, Manfred Walter, Rotary Club of Tryon, Polk County Democrats, Boy Scout Troop 659 of Columbus, Finally Farm, The Smith Family in Memory of Virginia, Weaverbarton Dairy, 5th Ranger Bn 1944, Polk County Government, In Memory of Susan D. McCutcheon, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Adawehi Healing Center & Beneficial Foods, In Memory of Larry Howard, Horse on Course, The Quattlebaum Family, The White Family in Memory of Bill and Bernice, Victory Baptist Church, and Deborah McIntyre Family.

Plenty of roadside space is still available for adoption. Call Laurie Plemmons with the NC DOT at 828 891 7911 to find out how to put your family or organizations name on an Adopt-a-Highway sign in your neighborhood.