Ronceverte has been taking advantage of the April weather to get a jump on the annual cleanup in the River City. Work has been ongoing along Greenbrier Avenue with volunteers cleaning drains and sidewalks, and trimming along this section of town from Walnut Street to Elm Street. Working with the city street department, volunteers from within the city to include the Ronceverte Woman’s Club and residents of Greenbrier Avenue have assisted with the cleaning by removing dirt and gravel accumulated from the winter. Also shrubbery and other growth has been removed from the avenue to allow for walkers and runners to use the sidewalk.
During the weekend of April 18, volunteers of the Trinity Methodist Church, called “The Church Has Left The Building,” spent their time cleaning along Greenbrier Avenue from Walnut Street to US 219 Frankford Road. The group of 19 volunteers participate in the city’s annual cleanup along with other churches within the community.
Also during this weekend, members of the Friends of the Lower Greenbrier River Association spent their time cleaning along the Greenbrier River at Island Park. This project ensured the cleaning of the river banks removing debris along this pristine areas of the park.
The city is also making changes to its entrances into the town with new welcome signs and plantings along US 219 north. The city is using funding from the Marie Leist Foundation to purchase the new signs, while churches and organizations have worked with the city to replace old and faded signage for their groups. “This partnership is creating a pleasant image for visitors to the town,” said Councilwoman Barbara Morgan. “If everyone takes time to clean up their property and to organize to improve the image of the town, we will soon have a town that provides a pleasant welcome for visitors transiting Ronceverte.”
Main Street Ronceverte has begun work cleaning the buildings in the downtown business district. Windows have been washed and storefronts cleaned in preparation of the upcoming annual cleanup. “This is a community participation project,” said Kathy King, president of the Main Street Ronceverte program. “We work together to make our town a pleasant place to live and to encourage visitors to the historic community.”
The city will hold its annual downtown cleanup on Saturday, April 30, at 8 a.m. Volunteers are asked to meet at the depot on Edgar Avenue where gloves, bags, rakes and brooms will be distributed.