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Community Service
18 Years of Highway Clean Up
The Arizona
Department of Transportation (ADOT) presented a service award to
Sedona’s two Rotary Clubs – Rotary Club of Sedona and Red Rock Rotary
Club – for their 18 years of active participation in the Adopt-a-Highway
program, at Phoenix’s Chase Field, June 14, 2008.
Under the theme of “Don’t Trash Arizona, this state-wide volunteer
program involves picking up trash from major local roads.
Ron and Marilyn Larson
and Victor Mendez
display awards. |
Representing
the Rotary Club of Sedona at the award ceremony were Ron and Marilyn
Larson, who had won tickets to the ball game between the Diamondbacks
and Kansas City.
When they arrived at the will-call window to get their tickets, to their
surprise they were told they were in The Suites. At their assigned
suite, situated down the right field line just beyond the foul pole,
they were greeted by a banner declaring, “20th Anniversary of the
Adopt-a-Highway Program.”
After enjoying an unexpected lavish buffet, they chose to sit outside.
During the second inning, they received another surprise when asked to
step inside for an official ceremony.
Victor Mendez, ADOT’s Director, welcomed the crowd of VIPs. He stated
that they were gathered to honor several organizations and individuals
for their outstanding service to ADOT and Arizona. He then read a
proclamation from Governor Janet Napolitano, designating June 15-21 as
Clean the Highway Week.
Litter lifting crew
ready to hit the highway July 12, 2008
from left: Dick Levy, Jim Sullivan, Merv Shapan, Miki Dzugan,
Ken Dzugan, Ron Larson and Litter Leader, Ray Jegge. Photo
by team member Chuck Marr. |
The final surprise was that at the presentation of awards, Sedona’s
Rotary Clubs were the first called up. Mendez praised them for being the
second longest participant in the Adopt-a-Highway program.
The award plaque reads, “Adopt a Highway Volunteers, 20 Years. In
appreciation for the dedication and commitment of the Rotary Clubs of
Sedona to the Adopt-a-Highway Volunteer Program. Volunteers make a
difference.”
When asked about his experience in Phoenix, Ron Larson said, “The ball
game was bad for the Diamondbacks, a 12-3 loss. But the fellowship in
the ADOT suite was great.”
To recognize the entire Rotary Club of Sedona and Ray Jegge, originator
and coordinator of the local Highway Clean-up program, Larson requested
that an ADOT representative attend a coming Rotary Club Tuesday lunch
meeting at Los Abrigados to present the award again.
Steve Boschen, ADOT Project Engineer for Highway 179, showed up on June
17. As the guest speaker, he reported that Sedona’s highway construction
was running ahead of schedule, with the main contractor getting a $5,000
bonus for every day it finishes prior to the contracted date.
See litter lifters in
action at
Highway Cleanup
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