By ANN WERTMAN

Special to The Press

Looking back in Grange files to Aug. 1, 1990, with great enthusiasm, Seipstown Grange No. 1657 officially signed an agreement with PennDOT in the early years of the anti-litter campaign known as the Adopt A Highway.

The first agreement covered the 8 miles of Route 100 between Tilghman Street in Fogelsville, north to the interchange with Route 309, reaching through Upper Macungie, Lowhill and Heidelberg townships.

This was the stretch of highway Grange members had already beautified for several years by participating in the annual Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program.

The agreement was signed by then Grange Master, the late Clifford W. Miller, and Grange Secretary Myrtle Horning, who continues in this role to this day.

Since the Grange Hall, sold in 2015, was located along Claussville Road, the Grange also signed a second Adopt-A-Highway agreement in January 1991 to beautify the approximate 3-mile stretch of Claussville Road, between Route 100 and Seipstown.

This reporter, having the pleasure of serving as coordinator of these events, I recall more than 35 Grange members diligently filling between 30 to 50 large bags of garbage filled with assorted debris twice each year which were piled high behind the Grange Hall, out of sight waiting for removal by PennDOT trucks.

Visitors to the Grange, who sadly viewed the collection heap from just one cleaning could not believe their eyes.

Unfortunately, until increased traffic Saturday mornings became concerning, for eight years up to and including 2018, the Grange team was very grateful for and enjoyed the assistance of youth and parents from local 4-H Clubs which met in the Grange Hall as they swelled the dwindling number of Grange participants.

Visit PennDOT’s Adopt A Highway or Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful websites to read the sobering and alarming statistics about litter in this beautiful commonwealth.

PennDOT estimates an annual budgetary expense of $13 million on litter control and cites a recent study grouping nine Pennsylvania cities, including Allentown, amassing an expenditure of more than $68 million on litter, illegal dumping cleanups, education, enforcement and prevention.

Seipstown Grange has achieved 30 years of participation in this community service program since first signing these agreements and Grange members look forward to seeing “30 Year Participant” signs announcing the achievement.

As with many community organizations, membership rolls are but a fraction of what they were at their peak and generally there are only seven members and community supporters continuing to meet this annual challenge.

Unfortunately, with each passing year, the volume of litter continues to hold steadfast to about 100 large garbage bags plus all the items too large for bagging.

And, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new this year is an abundance of discarded face masks.

Loyal participants in the cleanup include Grangers Ron and Lyla Derr, Glenn Reeder and Pat Pavelco and continuing community supporters Grant and Jill Mertz.

The team, half of whom are in the 65 to 80 age group, would welcome you or your organization sharing just a few hours with Grange members in spring or fall to help spruce up the beautiful rural countryside in 2021.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Ann Wertman at annawertman@verizon.net.