I walk to work every day and have a chance to notice how people care for their property. The Town of Mancos has been encouraging everyone to spruce up their business or residential property in preparation for Mancos Days, July 26 through 28. It seems that many folks have decided to step up and do some improvements. The Mount Lookout Grange looks much greener now that someone is taking care of the grass and doing a little watering. The Grange is in the process of reorganizing itself. If you would be interested in getting involved, you can contact Arthur Van der Harten at 533-9955.

Madeline Williams, a homeowner on Grand Avenue, has replaced the damaged sidewalk at her residence. Many homeowners are unaware that they are responsible for repairing or replacing sidewalks in front of their homes. So, a note of appreciation goes out to Madeline and also to the Ninnemans on Grand. Their residence has a new xeriscape appearance in the parkway in front of the home. Again, maintaining and grooming the parkway in front of your home is a part of home ownership responsibility. There are also some new people on Grand Avenue who have begun to reseed their lawns and to do some yard maintenance. It all looks great and it does not go unnoticed.

The downtown businesses and galleries do a great job of filling planters with flowers every year. Geeks on Grand took on a big xeriscape project in front of their business. The rock garden look is a terrific improvement over the weeds. Robin and Nancy Strothers moved their home office into the old post office building on Main Street and it, too, shows some obvious "TLC." Please, note the improvement at Valley Repair, the diesel mechanic shop on the north side of Highway 160. Those folks have been busy planting trees, doing landscaping and painting the building. The people of the Mancos Valley care about their homes and businesses. Many people have worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the town's Park and Recreation Department to do rockscaping, landscaping, grooming Boyle Park and let's not forget the mural.

Another project is underway with grooming and improving our existing trails. The "Friends of the Mancos River Trail" is made up of town and county residents interested in trail development and improvement. They will meet the third Saturday of each month beginning Saturday, July 20, at 8 a.m., before it gets too hot or too rainy in the monsoon season. Feel free to come later if that works better for you. The first trail project will be the river trail behind Mancos Schools. People are to meet in the parking lot at Beech and Riverside. The "Friends of the Mancos River Trail" will be removing branches and weeds over-hanging the path. Please bring gloves, water, and whatever equipment you have such as pruners, weed-whacker, wheelbarrow, etc. The Mancos Valley cares about its town.

Marianne Griffin is director of the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce.