KSB NEWS
KSB Spring 2022 Keep Salado Sparkling Event:
Our fellow friends and neighbors came out in full force for the annual Keep Salado Beautiful Spring Clean Up on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 8:30 - 12:00.
This is a 'DRIVE BY' event... So drive up to our table at the Salado Civic Center and we will hand you a 'Clean-Up Kit'.
You can use your kit to clean up Salado anytime, April 9-16, 2022. Turn in your trash and recyclables to the dumpers located in the Civic Center parking lot.
Post photos of your collection on Facebook @KSBcreeksandgardens.
Thank you to all our hard workers for keeping Salado Sparkling!
#KSBcreeksandgardens
Our fellow friends and neighbors came out in full force for the annual Keep Salado Beautiful Spring Clean Up on Saturday, April 9, 2022, 8:30 - 12:00.
This is a 'DRIVE BY' event... So drive up to our table at the Salado Civic Center and we will hand you a 'Clean-Up Kit'.
You can use your kit to clean up Salado anytime, April 9-16, 2022. Turn in your trash and recyclables to the dumpers located in the Civic Center parking lot.
Post photos of your collection on Facebook @KSBcreeksandgardens.
Thank you to all our hard workers for keeping Salado Sparkling!
#KSBcreeksandgardens
March 24, 2022 - Well, Thanks to lots of hard working volunteers and wonderful colaboration with lots of great people...drumroll please.. WE DID IT AGAIN!
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KSB in partnership with DBT outdoor lighting solutions upgrades historic green bridge lights in time for the famous salado christmas stroll
November 22, 2021- Check out the fabulous new lighting at the Green Bridge Garden. Thanks to our donors for making this possible, and Damon Bro with DBT Outdoor Lighting Solutions for his expertise. Damon has also provided the lighting at the Sculpture Garden
Salado Thomas Arnold Elementary Receives Texas Department of Agriculture Expanding 3e's (X3e) Grant
Salado Thomas Arnold Elementary Receives Texas Department of Agriculture Expanding 3e's (X3e) Grant will create a Farm Fresh sustainable organic school garden and outdoor learning center
Salado, Texas – Texas Department of Agriculture has recognized Thomas Arnold Elementary School garden as the recipient of a $10,000 Expanding 3e’s (X3e) Grant. This grant will provide resources necessary to continue restoring the garden established by the PTO and Community partners in 2012. We selected this Farm Fresh project because of the 2020-21 Covid 19 pandemic crisis. Thomas Arnold Elementary opened to all students with the agreement that each student and every teacher would wear a mask and maintain a social distance. This procedure continued throughout the entire school year. One day in early spring, my third-grade class and I took a mask break in the area that we called the garden. Though no longer a garden, it did have some native plantings, a limestone amphitheater and a nice trail that encircled the entire area. On this particular day, the students ran the trail like butterflies coming out of their cocoons. The bluebonnets were beginning to sprout in the weed-filled, forgotten beds and the sun was shining. For this teacher, it was a moment I will never forget. This moment of bluebonnets, Texas-native plants and children, all determined to grow in spite of the circumstances, reminded me of my Texas roots - OUR Texas roots. If ever there was a time to restore this garden and reimagine education, it should be now as we leave our Covid cocoons to learn from the difficulty of this school year.
The Farm Fresh Project that we look forward to implementing is a successful, sustainable elementary school garden. Our ultimate vision is to provide PK through 5th graders with a hands-on educational experience where they learn about nutritional food choices by giving them the opportunity to plant, tend, harvest and taste the herbs, fruits and vegetables that they themselves cultivate.
Currently, we have six raised beds in a large garden area. Thanks to our community partners, the beds are ready for irrigation. In the larger garden area, there is space designated for fruit trees and pollinator plants. This Farm Fresh project goal is to create our school's first edible garden, cultivated by the 3rd grade classes in this initial year, and expanding to other grade levels in subsequent years.
The Farm Fresh grant funding will provide for the acquisition of vegetable seedlings and fruit trees, irrigation installation, student-friendly garden tools, garden seating; and restoration of the existing amphitheater with a shade canopy, to create a true outdoor learning center.
Our community partners have made an amazing difference this summer; Cen-Tex Partnership provided our link with Ft Hood and arranged three workdays when soldiers cleared weeds and large plants, moved raised beds and hauled soil. Keep Salado Beautiful and Bell County Master Gardeners have provided planning and plant expertise, and several area landscapers have offered advice on irrigation and amphitheater repair.
The Kathi Walrath Memorial Garden will be dedicated on Friday, August 27, 9:00 am.
Kathi Walrath was a school volunteer who not only worked tirelessly on behalf of students and staff, she also found time to support young soldiers stationed at Ft. Hood. Because Kathi played a significant role in creating this school garden years ago, it is with great pleasure that we at Thomas Arnold Elementary dedicate this new raised bed garden area in her memory.
Salado, Texas – Texas Department of Agriculture has recognized Thomas Arnold Elementary School garden as the recipient of a $10,000 Expanding 3e’s (X3e) Grant. This grant will provide resources necessary to continue restoring the garden established by the PTO and Community partners in 2012. We selected this Farm Fresh project because of the 2020-21 Covid 19 pandemic crisis. Thomas Arnold Elementary opened to all students with the agreement that each student and every teacher would wear a mask and maintain a social distance. This procedure continued throughout the entire school year. One day in early spring, my third-grade class and I took a mask break in the area that we called the garden. Though no longer a garden, it did have some native plantings, a limestone amphitheater and a nice trail that encircled the entire area. On this particular day, the students ran the trail like butterflies coming out of their cocoons. The bluebonnets were beginning to sprout in the weed-filled, forgotten beds and the sun was shining. For this teacher, it was a moment I will never forget. This moment of bluebonnets, Texas-native plants and children, all determined to grow in spite of the circumstances, reminded me of my Texas roots - OUR Texas roots. If ever there was a time to restore this garden and reimagine education, it should be now as we leave our Covid cocoons to learn from the difficulty of this school year.
The Farm Fresh Project that we look forward to implementing is a successful, sustainable elementary school garden. Our ultimate vision is to provide PK through 5th graders with a hands-on educational experience where they learn about nutritional food choices by giving them the opportunity to plant, tend, harvest and taste the herbs, fruits and vegetables that they themselves cultivate.
Currently, we have six raised beds in a large garden area. Thanks to our community partners, the beds are ready for irrigation. In the larger garden area, there is space designated for fruit trees and pollinator plants. This Farm Fresh project goal is to create our school's first edible garden, cultivated by the 3rd grade classes in this initial year, and expanding to other grade levels in subsequent years.
The Farm Fresh grant funding will provide for the acquisition of vegetable seedlings and fruit trees, irrigation installation, student-friendly garden tools, garden seating; and restoration of the existing amphitheater with a shade canopy, to create a true outdoor learning center.
Our community partners have made an amazing difference this summer; Cen-Tex Partnership provided our link with Ft Hood and arranged three workdays when soldiers cleared weeds and large plants, moved raised beds and hauled soil. Keep Salado Beautiful and Bell County Master Gardeners have provided planning and plant expertise, and several area landscapers have offered advice on irrigation and amphitheater repair.
The Kathi Walrath Memorial Garden will be dedicated on Friday, August 27, 9:00 am.
Kathi Walrath was a school volunteer who not only worked tirelessly on behalf of students and staff, she also found time to support young soldiers stationed at Ft. Hood. Because Kathi played a significant role in creating this school garden years ago, it is with great pleasure that we at Thomas Arnold Elementary dedicate this new raised bed garden area in her memory.
KTB supports Texans for Clean Water
Over the past year, KTB held regional stakeholder meetings and a statewide meeting to discuss litter reduction. We heard from businesses, local government officials, and constituents about solid waste management issues affecting their communities. The resulting feedback indicated a need for increased recycling infrastructure, education and resources to alleviate litter. As a result, the KTB board decided to endorse the Texans for Clean Water plan, a free-market, no-tax solution to plastic waste and litter.
Texans for Clean Water is advocating for a statewide rebate program to incentivize the recycling of plastic bags and bottles all while funding litter clean up and enforcement efforts.
Please watch this short video and consider endorsing the plan here!
KEEP SALADO BEAUTIFUL'S 2021 SPRING sweep 'DRIVE BY CLEAN UP' SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2021
The 'KSB 2021 Drive Thru Spring Clean UP' was a complete success! Our volunteers assembled on Saturday, April 10th and spent and hours helping us keep Salado sparkling!
Thank you to EVERYONE!
The Spring Clean-Up is a community-wide collaborative project coordinated and sponsored by Keep Salado Beautiful. For more information, please contact Lisa Nix at 254.947.5153 or keepsaladobeautiful@yahoo.com.
We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2021 Fall Clean Up!
Thank you to EVERYONE!
The Spring Clean-Up is a community-wide collaborative project coordinated and sponsored by Keep Salado Beautiful. For more information, please contact Lisa Nix at 254.947.5153 or keepsaladobeautiful@yahoo.com.
We look forward to seeing everyone for the 2021 Fall Clean Up!
February 5, 2021 - It does take a village and every age group can help! Salado High School National Honor Society and ACTON academy students help with litter control. We appreciate all the many hands with help keep our Village sparkling! When you are out and about for walks on our new Village side walks, take a trash bag and pick up!
December 23,2020 - Thanks to Cole Brentham we have a new Sponsor for the Sculpture Garden. Adopt-a-spot sponsored help maintain a location in the Village by clearing litter, brush, and if necessary mowing and trimming. Thank to all of our active sponsors that help keep Salado beautiful. There are more locations that need care if you are interested in sponsorship.
Watch for sign change and a re-launch of this program in the next few months as KSB and the Village enhance their partnership.
Watch for sign change and a re-launch of this program in the next few months as KSB and the Village enhance their partnership.
KSB's 2018 Governor's Achievement Award in ACTion!
December 23, 2020 - Keep Salado Beautiful Board proudly announces the completion of the project from our 2018 Governors Community Achievement $90,000 Award. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) awards the prestigious Governor’s Community Achievement Award to Texas communities for their outstanding overall efforts to keep their communities beautiful each year. Keep Salado Beautiful’s 2018 award has been used to install the decorative safety railing on the Thomas Arnold Bridge crossing I-35.
Thomas Arnold Elementary students walk across the Thomas Arnold Bridge for field trips several times a year. KSB sponsors these trips to the gardens or for clean-up events. Safety of the students and other pedestrians that use this bridge will be enhanced by the railing. Travelers on I-35 will notice the railing and the unique Salado “S”.
KSB would like to thank the Village BOA and the Main Street Committee for their work on this project.
Thomas Arnold Elementary students walk across the Thomas Arnold Bridge for field trips several times a year. KSB sponsors these trips to the gardens or for clean-up events. Safety of the students and other pedestrians that use this bridge will be enhanced by the railing. Travelers on I-35 will notice the railing and the unique Salado “S”.
KSB would like to thank the Village BOA and the Main Street Committee for their work on this project.
November 15, 2020
Headline: Temple Daily Telegram: "Village volunteers help maintain our small town's elegance".
KSB's volunteers came out and began the much needed restoration of the Green Bridge Pocket Garden that was torn to pieces by the improvements made to our Main Street in 2020. The Green Bridge was the first pocket garden created when KSB became an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful in 2009. KSB conducted a fundraiser to help restore the garden and the folks that love our sweet Village donated without hesitation. Coach Jared and Coach Blair and LOTS of SJHS students help unload and distribute the much needed mulch and compost to the garden. The heavy lifting and overall supervision was provided by Tracy McLoud. Tracy makes everything happen, and KSB is so grateful for her passion and dedication to Salado.
KSB's NEWEST POCKET GARDEN AT THE HISTORIC VICKERY HOUSE
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November 3, 2020 - This is how KSB keeps Salado Beautiful!! We planted a new garden at the Antique Rose of Bell yesterday. Rose and Charles Dunifer, the owners of the Historic Vickrey House asked us to help them plan and plant a new Pocket Garden. They want to be part of the new Main Street beautification. Thanks to the First Monday Gardeners, a group of hard working ladies!! Once established, this new native garden will be lovely.
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Salado's Historic Lenticular Green Bridge Pocket Garden Needs Your Help Now
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July 2020 - The two year Main Street improvement project for Salado is in the last phase. The sidewalks and antique lampposts are installed and Capital Construction is in the process of paving the street. The resulting improvements are a massive and will make Main Street easier to navigate on foot, on bike or in a car. The improvements have come with a cost to KSB. Our beautiful historic lenticular Green Bridge pocket garden has been devastated. The native plants installed in 2009 that have been tenderly natured over the past decade are gone. As a result we are reaching out to the community asking for your help. Please consider donating to our Green Bridge Pocket Garden Restoration Project.
There are two ways you can donate:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/204505760979543/1560597374101379/ May 2020 - Keep Salado Beautiful Receives 2019 Coca Cola Public Space Recycling Grant
Updated: October 8, 2020 Our Grant bins have been delivered and are installed through out the Village. The 8 recycle bins were placed on October 8th, thanks to help from Chrissy Lee at the Village office and Merle Stalcup. Information cards have been delivered to businesses so that people will, hopefully, use the bins properly. The Village will be responsible for servicing these bins and plan to add companion covered trash cans. The bins are located at: 1. Barrow, going toward the creek 2. Corner of Main and Royal 3. Sirena 4. Pace Park (lower road) 5. On Main Street at the corner by Barton House and 21 Main 6. Shops on Main 7. Corner by Axis, Salado Wine, and Sylvia’s 8. Springhouse Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) has recognized Keep Salado Beautiful as a recipient of the 2019 Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Grant. In celebration of America Recycles Day on November 15, 2019, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages (CCSWB) and KTB announced the first-ever 2019 Coca-Cola Public Space Recycling Grant Program to provide KTB affiliates with monetary assistance to help start or strengthen their public space recycling programs. The grants are focused on increasing access to recycling options in parks, green spaces, recreation areas, and on city streets, and educating residents on recycling. Keep Salado Beautiful has received $2,000 to support their recycling project to place eight recycling bins along Main Street and in the Parks. Along with grant money to initiate a recycling bin program in our downtown core, KTB will provide technical assistance as needed to help create effective educational tools to accompany the bin placement. KSB has purchased the Recycling Bins with Grant money that they received. There will be 5 bins placed along Main Street, 1 on Royal Street, 1 at Sirena and 1 in Pace Park. Each bin will have the Village of Salado and KSB logos. Information cards have been printed and will be place at businesses close to the bins to help educate proper use of the bins. The Village will service the bins and has requested to be notified by businesses or members of the community when the bins need to be serviced. Installation of the bins is planned when the Main Street improvements are complete. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Susan Terry at 254-760-1150 |
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KSB's request to use the 2018 Governor's Grant Has been approved by the STate of Texas
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On June 12, 2018 Keep Salado Beautiful was awarded the 2018 Governor's Community Achievement Award.
Each year Keep Texas Beautiful along with the Texas Department of Transportation selects award winners from across the state of Texas for their ability to engage citizens, local businesses, schools and other organizations in environmental improvement initiatives that result in a landscaping award from TxDOT. Salado was selected in Category 1: Population up to 3,000 and received an award of $90,000. KSB Board representatives met with the Village officials, Village staff and members of various Village groups to consider all possible uses of the our 2018 Governor's Grant and it was decided to install an ornamental railing on the bridge across I-35 at Thomas Arnold. This railing will not only provide a much needed safety measure for pedestrians that across the bridge but will also provide a beautiful treatment to be seen by all travelers on I-35. |
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Pace Park Clean-Up Project
Pace Park Clean-Up Project:
On June 1, 2019 from 11:00 – 1:00 KSB and Salado volunteers gathered to clean up litter and flood damage in Pace Park following recent storms. 12 volunteers (2 of whom were Scouts) worked for 3 hours each and cleared 20 pounds of trash/debris and 5 pounds of recyclables, and began the process of clearing the swimming area.
Also, the Village crew came in during this time and moved out the trees that had been uprooted during the flooding.
The Village plans include:
Salado's Main Street Historic Green Bridge Improvements:
July 2020 - Salado's Green Bridge Improvements - The KSB Volunteers will be restoring the garden at the Green Bridge this fall. KSB will install irrigation to help native plants establish, and utilize methods based on the plant's hardiness zone making the garden sustainable and easier to maintain over time.
Follow us on Facebook for details!! #ksbcreekandgardens #terraliving #thenaturecompanyofsalado
Historic College Hill Additions:
July 2019 - Curious people want to know, “What is that plant?”
New Recycling Bins - Salado Junior High:
KSB provided new recycling bins to the Salado Junior High AVID Program. Students in the AVID Program will collect items on the campus and take them to the campus recycling area monthly. The students are modeling good citizenship and helping the environment.
On June 1, 2019 from 11:00 – 1:00 KSB and Salado volunteers gathered to clean up litter and flood damage in Pace Park following recent storms. 12 volunteers (2 of whom were Scouts) worked for 3 hours each and cleared 20 pounds of trash/debris and 5 pounds of recyclables, and began the process of clearing the swimming area.
Also, the Village crew came in during this time and moved out the trees that had been uprooted during the flooding.
The Village plans include:
- increase parking,
- adding signs that establish rules and provide information,
- clean an area across from the springs for public use
- apply for a grant to develop trails, improve bathrooms and the pavilion.
Salado's Main Street Historic Green Bridge Improvements:
July 2020 - Salado's Green Bridge Improvements - The KSB Volunteers will be restoring the garden at the Green Bridge this fall. KSB will install irrigation to help native plants establish, and utilize methods based on the plant's hardiness zone making the garden sustainable and easier to maintain over time.
Follow us on Facebook for details!! #ksbcreekandgardens #terraliving #thenaturecompanyofsalado
Historic College Hill Additions:
July 2019 - Curious people want to know, “What is that plant?”
- KSB is working side by side with the Salado Museum and College Park to add native plant markers to the flower beds on College Hill.
New Recycling Bins - Salado Junior High:
KSB provided new recycling bins to the Salado Junior High AVID Program. Students in the AVID Program will collect items on the campus and take them to the campus recycling area monthly. The students are modeling good citizenship and helping the environment.
