Date: Fri 06-Jun-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Baxter-traffic-island

Full Text:

Volunteers Sought To Beautify Traffic Island

(with photo)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Every time Diana Baxter drives past the traffic island at the corner of Route

25, Orchard Hill and Hungtingtown Roads, she is appalled.

"This is the first island you see coming into Newtown and the last you see

leaving town and it looks shabby," she said. "It's a hideous mess and no one

wants to take care of it."

Until a few years ago the traffic island was well maintained. Maxine Ginn, who

lived on the property nearest to it, always took care of it. But Mrs Ginn

moved to Florida several years ago.

"Last year someone planted a few marigolds but everything on the island is so

overgrown that it looks just awful," Ms Baxter said.

An artist and craftsman who makes mailboxes and three-dimensional welcome

signs on slate, Ms Baxter decided to do something about the problem. She

called the local garden clubs but they said they already had their hands full

trying to maintain the islands in the borough.

"The highway department finally agreed to pull out all the old overgrown

shrubs, put in sand and recurb the island in the next two or three weeks,"

Diana Baxter said. "I believe the curbing was damaged in a traffic accident

and the driver who was responsible should have paid to fix it, but it wasn't

done."

Next she approached Lexington Gardens and Cedar Hill Farms about donating

flowers.

"Lexington Gardens agreed to donate flowers and Linda Hufner (at Cedar Hill

Farms) said she would donate flowers and mulch," Ms Baxter said. "Now all I

need are volunteers to help plant and take care of the flowers during the

summer."

Anyone who is interested in helping should contact Diana Baxter at 426-1401.