The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 84, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 18, 1986 Page: 5 of 20
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Buchel Bank clowns wore the hit of the Beautify ( uero meeting Tuesday afternoon at the Municipal Library The & Trust; May Ellen Schoop of Austin, guest speaker and Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful; Mary Ann
engaging group marched on the library grounds to a boogie tune, showed their placards, sang a song and Metting. Robin Chandler; Ebby HaHiday Acres of Dallas, guest speaker and State Chairman of Keep Texas
presented a delignttul skit Front row clownsters are left to right Phyllis Lapp. Becky Koranek. Brenda Goebel Beautiful: Pauline Kuecker; and Rae Stahl.
Valerie Cox (the litterbug clown), and Susan Adams Standing are left to right Bob Neel, president of Buchel Bank
Don’t clown around with litter in our home town
B> JA( Kit HAI i
Spotlmh: l tiiior
Beautiful lexas is becoming a realits these davs An all out fight
against litter is being waged throughout the state. Cuero is right
sma«.k in the middle of the battle with her concerned citizens on the
warpath against litter E'vervdav there's gain against that tremendous
ogre - litter
Tucsdas was the perfect example of team effort as the Beautify
l uero committee held their monthly meeting at the library.
Representatives from both the city and county governments,
District Highway Department. Chamber of Commerce and
Agriculture, Main Street Project. Downtown Business Association,
C uero Independent School District and various civic clubs were all
present at the enthusiastic gathering
At 2 45 down the street towards the library marched a gaggle,of
Buchel Bank clowns, laughing and cutting up all the way With their
sad faces, funny faces, multi-colored hair and outrageous outfits
they have clowned their way into the hearts of Cueroites. Their an-
tics bring a wonderful message - do awav with litter and Beautify
( uero
The whole clown idea evolved when the Awareness committee of
Beautify ( uero requested the bank provide a few clowns for their
parade entry in the Turkcyfest event On the big day, ten enterprising
clowns turned up with a skit.
“Our president. Bob Neel, started the ball rolling. All of the bank
employees were given the opportunity to be a clown volunteer.
Costumes were furnished by the bank,” explained Susan Adams, the
pink polka dotted clown. "We were responsible for our makeup and
hair. All of us worked on our skit. It was spontaneous. One idea led
to another.”
"Mrs. Blanton is so enthusiastic about the whole project. It’s in-
fectious. We feel we arc doing something for the community and
thoroughly enjoying our participation," admitted Susan. “We like
being involved and are fortunate that we have leadership in the bank
that allows us this opportunity. We will be available to do skits for
the schools.”
“Our clowns have been a big asset to the awareness program,"
said Bess Blanton. Beautify Cuero chairman. “We’re particularly in-
terested in having them perform for the school children.”
The clowns cavorted around the library grounds marching in with
grand style to the tune of “Colonel Bogey’s March." Their skit in-
cluded a song, signs and a messy clown, Valerie Cox, who is even-
tually punished with a fly swatter. The crowd on the gallery loved
their antics.
During the business meeting, committee chairmen reported their
progress.
Special speakers at the meeting were real estate tycoon, Ebby
Halliday Acres of Dallas, who serves as state chairman of Keep
Bass Blanton, assisted by Rotary prasidont, Bill
Blackmail, preparas to show the film shown at the
Beautify Cuero to the Rotary Club Thursday. She
presented the same film to the membership of the Lions'
Club Wednesday
Case of the missing film
Who had the film? Who was the culprit? Had a litterbug snatched
the reel because of its impact on viewers? All these questions came
up Tuesday afternoon when Bess Blanton and Polly Ritterskamp
realized that they didn't have the film shown b> the guest speakers at
the Beautify Cuero meeting.
“Good heavens,” exclaimed Bess. “I'm supposed to show that at
Lions Club on Wednesday and Rotary Club on Thursday . We must
find that film.”
“To the telephone. Bess. We'll head them off at the pass. We’ll
call the highway patrol and have them stop that car!” said Polly with
a tremor in her voice. “Or catch them at the Austin airport.”'
All was not well. Hours and 20 telephone calls later, the film was
located in the slate office. Polly acted as pony express and roared
over to Luling Wednesday to pick up the reel at a half-way point.
The cavalry was on the way. Polly arrived with the precious cargo
at 11:45 in lime for Bess to make the presentation at 12:00.
“Whew,” said the frantic twosome. “Saved by the bell.”
Texas Beautiful and May Ellen Schoop of Austin, Executive Direc-
tor of Keep Texas Beautiful.
Both women praised the progress of the Cuero committee. They
toured the town with Kaye Tarkington and Polly Ritterskamp and
later had a radio interview with Patsy Duke of Patsy’s Corner,
KQRO radio station.
The speakers showed a 14 minute film depicting the eight winners
in the 1986 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards Winning
Cities. Of great interest to Cueroites was the progress of Rockwall
which was in our category during the competition. Rockwall had an
entire city code rewrite, introduced Rocky Rubbish, a trash can
mascot creature, who later was the basis for a puppet show shown to
school children and viewed on television.
Rockwall also instigated a First Saturday of the Month Cleanup
for the entire town. Clean City Community Guides were sent out
with utility bills. Guides informed Rockwall households about the
new litter ordinances, property management requirements, junked
car disposal procedures, enforcement and penalities.
“Your town has done a remarkable job in a shert period of time.
Usually complete coverage takes a few years,” said Schoop.
Ted Reuss and Ted Battles reported on the mammoth drive plann-
ed for litter pick-up October 15 and 16. County and city employees
will pick up litter in the west end of town. October 25 was designated
as Clean-up Day. Volunteers will meet at the City Hall at 8:30 a.m.
On display were the litter bags created by the school children. This
was part of the program created by the Education chairmen, Debra
Baros and Ann Hedrick. Banners for the Beautify Texas float were
made by the art classes of Sandi Dawson. Music classes have also
been drawn into the project. They are composing and learning anti-
litter songs. I,
i
The local National Honor Society chapter is considering an
“Adopt a Highway” for 2 and one-half miles in front of the high
school. Instructors of the Driver Education Course are informing
students of litter ordinances and distributing litter bags.
Police Chief Tony Allen announced that the litter ordinance pass-
ed October 2 will be enforced and that scores of junk cars have been
disposed of.
Carolyn Ferguson, recycling chairman, reported that St.
Michael students, high school teachers and custodians are involved
in the program. Last year over 55,000 pounds of cans were turned in
locally.
Following the meeting refreshments were served.
“It was a wonderful meeting with over 75 people in attendance.
We’re gaining more momentum every day.” said a pleased Bess
Blanton.
Those present at the meeting went home with visions of a beautiful
clean Cuero dancing in their heads and a ringing in their ears -
“Don’t clown around with your town.”
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Berner, Homer H. The Cuero Record (Cuero, Tex.), Vol. 90, No. 84, Ed. 1 Saturday, October 18, 1986, newspaper, October 18, 1986; Cuero, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth844335/m1/5/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Cuero Public Library.