KEEP LAGO VISTA BEAUTIFUL
TEXAS GCAA AWARD WINNER 2020
KLVB'S NEXT MEETING
Thursday May 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
On the Green at Lago Vista City Hall (weather permitting)
Email Denise at sellersdk@gmail.com for info and agenda
SCHEDULED WORKDAYS
Often popping up...stay tuned or contact Denise for new opportunities.
Workdays always subject to change.
We always welcome new members!
Anyone wishing to join KLVB or volunteer to participate in a workday, please contact
Denise Sellers, President at 512-467-4582 or sellersdk@gmail.com
KLVB NEWS
Happy Earth Day 2021!
April 22, 2021 Happy volunteers celebrate Earth Day by planting another beautiful tree at Veteran's Park outside City Hall. Pictured are hardworking KLVB members and some special guests who participated in the planting. The guests included Pat Kopychak and Becci McClain, who donated the tree in honor of the care and concern expressed by Trish and Bruce Burdett, also pictured. The Burdetts assisted Pat and Becci by shopping for them during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, when folks (of a certain age) were advised to isolate in their homes. So it was not only Earth Day, but Grateful Day, commemorated on April 22, 2021.
WHAT'S GOING ON AT DAWN POINT?
Chris Williams of the Lago Vista Parks and Recreation Department installs the artistic rendering of the sculpture coming to Dawn Point.
April 12, 2021 Many of you pass by the intersection of Dawn Drive and Lohman Ford Road every day. Recently you may have noticed activity there…so, you’re probably wondering, what’s up?
The area now known as Dawn Point has seen many changes over the years. When erected decades ago, the standing column was an advertisement for developers before the city’s incorporation in 1984. In the 1990’s KLVB built wayfinding signs because folks got lost on our endless roadways. Meanwhile, city services migrated to Dawn Drive. City Hall, and the City Library opened up, then the Police Department and Lago Vista Property Owner’s Association relocated here. With increasing traffic came the need for a traffic light. More recently the green space between City Hall and the Library has become a park, center of the Farmer’s Market and seasonal events. Dawn Drive is beginning to fulfill its mission as the main street of Lago Vista. And Dawn Point is now the gateway to the Town Center of Lago Vista.
Although KLVB has been maintaining the Point for many years, it became evident that the existing vegetation was old and overgrown. The standing column no longer served a purpose, nor did the wayfinding signs since the advent of GPS. Complete renovation seemed in order, and would open up the spot for an art installation. This would also provide balance with the Wind Spiral that was erected by KLVB at the opposite end of Dawn Drive in 2018.
About 3 years ago, the concept of revitalizing Dawn Point as the welcome to Lago Vista’s Town Center was born. KLVB members consulted with local landscapers and artists to begin conceptualizing how this small plot of land could best achieve its potential. Teacher Sheryl Standiford’s Lago Vista High School landscape class was invited to submit concept plans for the plot.
In 2019, Dan Sellers of KLVB met with then City Manager Josh Ray to discuss the project. Support from the city was almost spontaneous. Discussions ensued about each entities’ responsibility. Jointly, the City and KLVB would collaborate on the plan including plants and art. KLVB would interface with the artist and do the hand labor including ground prep and planting. The City would use its heavy equipment for the clearing and demolition. Gradually the plan took shape. All that was needed was the art.
In early 2020 City Manager Ray convened a citizen’s committee to explore options of art for the project. After much consideration, it was decided that an iron sculpture was best suited to the plot. Using local talent was important to the project team. Mark Ansler of IronWaves Custom Iron Art in Jonestown was commissioned. Originally conceived with water as an element, this idea was discarded for several reasons, including our cycles of drought. This decision made; it was time to get to work. In the fall of 2020, Chris Mobley, Lago Vista’s Parks and Recreation Director, was appointed lead for the City’s participation, and the project took off!
The sculpture is an elevated basin with three curved towers. Each tower has multiple strands of metal from top to bottom resembling falling water. The material is scored stainless steel, some of a blue color to simulate water, while the basin contains blue glass to interpret a pool of water. The overall sculpture will be approximately 12 feet in height. Surrounding the sculpture will be 70 drought-resistant native and adapted native plants providing a splash of color never before seen at this location. The entire planted area will be hardwood mulched for water conservation, with some hardscape of river rock. KLVB is using recycled plastic landscape edging, and will install water-saving drip irrigation.
The target is to have the sculpture installed by late spring with the landscaping finished in early summer. The current shortage of plants at local nurseries may impact this plan, but the plants must be installed before summer temperatures get too high. So, look forward to more activity at Dawn Point!
The area now known as Dawn Point has seen many changes over the years. When erected decades ago, the standing column was an advertisement for developers before the city’s incorporation in 1984. In the 1990’s KLVB built wayfinding signs because folks got lost on our endless roadways. Meanwhile, city services migrated to Dawn Drive. City Hall, and the City Library opened up, then the Police Department and Lago Vista Property Owner’s Association relocated here. With increasing traffic came the need for a traffic light. More recently the green space between City Hall and the Library has become a park, center of the Farmer’s Market and seasonal events. Dawn Drive is beginning to fulfill its mission as the main street of Lago Vista. And Dawn Point is now the gateway to the Town Center of Lago Vista.
Although KLVB has been maintaining the Point for many years, it became evident that the existing vegetation was old and overgrown. The standing column no longer served a purpose, nor did the wayfinding signs since the advent of GPS. Complete renovation seemed in order, and would open up the spot for an art installation. This would also provide balance with the Wind Spiral that was erected by KLVB at the opposite end of Dawn Drive in 2018.
About 3 years ago, the concept of revitalizing Dawn Point as the welcome to Lago Vista’s Town Center was born. KLVB members consulted with local landscapers and artists to begin conceptualizing how this small plot of land could best achieve its potential. Teacher Sheryl Standiford’s Lago Vista High School landscape class was invited to submit concept plans for the plot.
In 2019, Dan Sellers of KLVB met with then City Manager Josh Ray to discuss the project. Support from the city was almost spontaneous. Discussions ensued about each entities’ responsibility. Jointly, the City and KLVB would collaborate on the plan including plants and art. KLVB would interface with the artist and do the hand labor including ground prep and planting. The City would use its heavy equipment for the clearing and demolition. Gradually the plan took shape. All that was needed was the art.
In early 2020 City Manager Ray convened a citizen’s committee to explore options of art for the project. After much consideration, it was decided that an iron sculpture was best suited to the plot. Using local talent was important to the project team. Mark Ansler of IronWaves Custom Iron Art in Jonestown was commissioned. Originally conceived with water as an element, this idea was discarded for several reasons, including our cycles of drought. This decision made; it was time to get to work. In the fall of 2020, Chris Mobley, Lago Vista’s Parks and Recreation Director, was appointed lead for the City’s participation, and the project took off!
The sculpture is an elevated basin with three curved towers. Each tower has multiple strands of metal from top to bottom resembling falling water. The material is scored stainless steel, some of a blue color to simulate water, while the basin contains blue glass to interpret a pool of water. The overall sculpture will be approximately 12 feet in height. Surrounding the sculpture will be 70 drought-resistant native and adapted native plants providing a splash of color never before seen at this location. The entire planted area will be hardwood mulched for water conservation, with some hardscape of river rock. KLVB is using recycled plastic landscape edging, and will install water-saving drip irrigation.
The target is to have the sculpture installed by late spring with the landscaping finished in early summer. The current shortage of plants at local nurseries may impact this plan, but the plants must be installed before summer temperatures get too high. So, look forward to more activity at Dawn Point!
KEEP LAGO VISTA BEAUTIFUL AND LAGO VISTA WOMEN’S CLUB FORM A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP
From left to right: Laurie Engels LVWC 2019-20 Philanthropy Chair and current 1st VP, Anna Johndrow LVWC President, Denise Sellers KLVB President, and Sheldon Green KLVB Vice President.
On December 9, 2020, Keep Lago Vista Beautiful and the Lago Vista Women’s Club celebrated another fruitful partnership in the planting of four trees at Faye’s Garden in the Lago Vista Sports Complex.
Sheldon Green, Vice President of KLVB said "Keep Lago Vista Beautiful is again proud to be the recipient of a generous grant from the Lago Vista Women's Club. This year the grant was for the purchase and planting of 2 Mexican White Oaks, 1 Chinese Pastiche, and 1 Big Tooth Maple at the Lago Vista Sports Complex, in Faye's Garden at the Splash Pond. Partnering together, the LVWC and KLVB have again been able to make a fine contribution towards Keeping Lago Vista Beautiful."
Faye Tessnow, a master gardener and member of the Texas Native Plant Society, started and maintained the garden that now bears her name. Before she passed in 2015, she had often expressed a desire for trees to be planted near the garden for the beauty and shade they offered. This desire was reflected in KLVB’s grant application to the Women’s Club which was approved last spring. Thus, KLVB was able to follow through on Faye's wish, and plant the trees where she would have wanted them, contributing additional natural beauty to this area of our community for all to enjoy. Planting was completed by KLVB volunteers this fall.
Laurie Engels, LVWC Philanthropy Committee says, “The Lago Vista Women’s Club strives to improve the quality of life for women in our community through education, informational programs and special events. We provide financial assistance, in the form of community grants, for citizen non-profit groups and scholarship awards for the betterment of the Northshore area. In 2018-19, we presented over $39,000 in scholarships and community grants. Through the years our club has raised over half a million dollars for the North Shore Community.” For more information on the Club, to establish a scholarship, or to apply for a grant or scholarship, please reference their website at https://www.lvwomensclub.com/
You are also invited to join the wonderful world of Keep Lago Vista Beautiful. Like us on Facebook, visit www.klvb.org or call President Denise Sellers at 512-467-4582 for more information.
Photo caption: From left to right: Laurie Engels LVWC 2019-20 Philanthropy Chair and current 1st VP, Anna Johndrow LVWC President, Denise Sellers KLVB President, and Sheldon Green KLVB Vice President.
Introducing Our New KLVB Officers
2021 KLVB Officers from left: VP Sheldon Green, Secretary Kay Schneider, Treasurer Donna Nash, President Denise Sellers
KLVB is pleased to announce their new slate of officers for 2021! These dedicated volunteers were asked to respond to 3 questions: How long have you been with KLVB? What made you want to join KLVB? What do you enjoy most about being a member of KLVB? Here are their responses:
Denise Sellers, President
When my husband Dan and I first started coming to Lago Vista to see our son Jason, we would see articles about KLVB and agreed that it seemed like a good group to become involved with. It took us a few years to get settled, but then we joined in 2015 and have been hooked ever since. We both love to garden and felt we would fit well into this group. We have loved being able to have our grandson Talen participate on work days. Over the past year or so the group has grown and I have loved being a part of such a great group of folks. We are all of the same mind, to make Lago Vista beautiful and litter free. This is my second term as President. I am so proud of this group! Even with Covid-19 we have accomplished a great deal. I look forward to our many projects planned for the years to come.
Sheldon Green, Vice President
I think I attended my first KLVB meeting in 2009, but it was another year or so before I actually took part on a more regular basis. I joined seeking solutions to the issue of cast-off rubbish by the roadsides and street litter problems, and as time passed, I wasn't disappointed, as many successful clean up actions were taken by the motivated volunteers. A community can only be as great as its resident’s work to make it so. KLVB provides a comfortable social platform for those volunteers interested in civic interaction and engaging with city officials with the purpose of furthering beautification and city grounds improvements. Most pleasant of all is volunteering with a wonderful group of spirited and learned KLVB members where there is always a laugh, new and exciting ideas, and many incredible public works in progress. It's a terrific way to be a part of a great community!
Kay Schneider, Secretary
My husband Mike and I moved to Lago Vista in 2011 from northern California and have been involved with the Garden Club and helping to take care of the Elementary School Garden since our first year here. We joined KLVB a year ago. We had been thru a year of health issues and decided that being outdoors would be good for us. We have adopted a couple of streets to pick up trash as I like things neat and orderly. Trash on the side of the road is a pet peeve. We also have adopted the area across from the Elementary School on Dawn Drive. We are very active with St Mary's Catholic Church, and I am the Lago Vista Women's Club Scholarship Chairperson for this year. We really enjoy the KLVB workdays, when we can interact with many of the KLVB members.
Donna Nash, Treasurer
I am relatively new to joining KLVB, although my husband and I have been picking up trash for the past 20 years with the “adopt a street program.” This spring, when the pandemic hit, I choose to join KLVB. Being outside seemed like a perfect solution to “house-a-tosis” and assist our community as well. The members that I have met are delightful and a refreshing joy in these turbulent trashy times. I have been very involved with our Community: Lakeside Christian Fellowship, Lago Vista Women’s Club, LV Garden Club, Christian Women’s Fellowship, LV Country Western Dance Club, Alzheimer’s Support Group and other organizations. It is now my pleasure to be involved with KLVB.
