MISSION STATEMENT
Keep Lago Vista Beautiful is a volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing and preserving the natural Hill Country charm of Lago Vista through progressive community projects.
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In Memoriam
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See the North Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce Video:
All About KLVB featuring President Denise Sellers
KLVB Introduces 2023 Officers!
LAGO VISTA TX – KLVB is pleased to introduce their 2022-23 slate of officers, elected at the September meeting. As they are all seasoned veterans, we thought up a couple of new questions to ask.
1. What’s important about Keeping Lago Vista Beautiful?
2. Do you consider yourself as having a “green thumb”?
3. What is the best live concert you’ve ever been to?
DENISE SELLERS, President, 3RD Term
KAREN GUESS, Vice President, 2ND Term
KAY SCHNEIDER, Secretary, 3RD Term
KEN BLAKE, Treasurer, 2ND Term
1. What’s important about Keeping Lago Vista Beautiful?
2. Do you consider yourself as having a “green thumb”?
3. What is the best live concert you’ve ever been to?
DENISE SELLERS, President, 3RD Term
- The importance of keeping Lago Vista beautiful is to make our town a pleasant beautiful place that everyone living here can enjoy and be proud of. As a long-time active member of KLVB, I have had the honor to meet and make friends with some super people and even call them family and friends. All our members volunteer their time, as I do, because we all enjoy working and having fun together, learning about each other and our town. My thrill of being awarded Citizen of the Year is recognition from the community that this work is important.
- I love working in the flowerbeds and getting my hands in the dirt. One of my most rewarding challenges is to propagate plants that are volunteers, and then plant them in one of the KLVB Adopt-A-Spots or give them to other members or to people in our community. I love learning the proper way to take care of plants and then try to bring that knowledge to the other members of KLVB and to our citizens. Plants make me happy and I am happiest in my yard or in one of my Adopt-A-Spots. (Reporter’s note: Yes, Denise has a green thumb!!)
- My first thought when I read this question was when we went to see Yanni at the Fiddler's Green Amphitheater in Colorado. I heard about it on the radio and called about tickets and bought them right on the spot. Then I called Dan and said "hey, I just bought us tickets to go listen to Yanni and it is in Colorado". Then I found a hotel room and we left town early the next morning to make the concert. I never had in my life made that quick of a decision to do something and we had a blast.
KAREN GUESS, Vice President, 2ND Term
- First of all, it is a wonderful group of fun, dedicated and hard-working people who care about our community and making it look beautiful. We create beautiful “spots” around the city to enjoy each time you drive by them. We pick up trash along our roadways so we don’t have to look at it, and it doesn’t get washed into our waterways. There are many things that members do behind the scenes that you don’t see, but are the things that keep KLVB moving in important and new directions. I appreciate the many talents that people share, and I appreciate the friendships I have made in this great group. We invite one and all to come join us!
- No, but I do put in the time and effort to do my best. Sometimes that isn’t enough and plants die, but I have learned to just yank it up and plant another!
- I don’t know about the best, but the first was Ricky Nelson. My mother took me when I was about 13 as a consolation because I really wanted to see Elvis and my father said ”No way”.
KAY SCHNEIDER, Secretary, 3RD Term
- Keeping Lago Vista Beautiful is everyone's responsibility. We want a community that is welcoming and inviting - one that will stand out in people's minds, and that they will remember.
- I have a fairly "green thumb". I can get most things to grow. My problem is remembering the name of all the various plants and flowers. When we lived in northern CA, people would stop and ask to take pictures of our flower beds and our yard was pictured once or twice a year in the local newspaper. I have not been quite so successful in TX as the soil is very different. Most of my plants here are in pots.
- The best live concert that I have ever attended was a "Mannheim Steam Roller" Christmas concert in Omaha, Nebraska. I think it was their 35th anniversary concert and it was awesome.
KEN BLAKE, Treasurer, 2ND Term
- One of the reasons we chose to relocate to Lago Vista four years ago is its natural beauty. Within a few months after moving, I learned about KLVB and the volunteers who work to KEEP Lago Vista Beautiful. I became a member and found there were many projects that I was qualified to do such as litter pickup, mulching, weeding, planting, etc.
- Luckily, there are many contributions members can make without having a "green thumb", since I most certainly do not.
- Not sure if this is the best I've ever attended, but it's certainly the most memorable. It was 1955 at Tiger Stadium in Conroe Texas. Venue was the Louisiana Hayride Road Show. Headliner was Elvis Pressley. A platform was constructed at the 50-yard line for the performers. When it was his time, Elvis drove up to the platform in his signature pink and black Cadillac convertible with three very pretty passengers. He jumped out of the car with his guitar, bounded up the platform stairs, tripped on the top stair and fell flat on his face. Luckily neither he nor his guitar was damaged and he carried on with his set and the crowd loved it all.
History of KLVB
Keep Lago Vista Beautiful is a City of Lago Vista committee formed in 1992 by mayoral proclamation to promote the well being of the community by developing programs for cleanup, recycling and use of Lago Vista resources.
During the early years, KLVB developed programs to address many environmental issues such as curbside recycling, and city-wide fall and spring collecting of tree trimmings and trash brought by citizens. Adopt-a-street, anti-littering, landscaping and beautification programs were also added.
Beginning in 1997, several major beautification projects were planned, financed and completed. These include what is now known as Bowden Point and the corner of Lohman Ford Road and Paseo de Vaca. Through private funding, the Lago Vista Property Owners' Association and KLVB volunteers identified four prominent locations where attractive stone and wood directional signs were erected to assist passing visitors.
KLVB purchased three sets of hanging banners; the sailboat, Christmas theme, and patriotic. KLVB also purchased and had installed the iconic aluminum "sailboat" atop the pylon at the intersection of Lohman Ford Road and Dawn Drive; developed the scenic overlook trail at the Sports Complex; the windmill at Lohman Ford and Paseo de Vaca; and the wind spiral on Dawn Drive at the traffic circle.
Throughout the years, KLVB has been greatly assisted by city workers who install the majority of Christmas lighting displays, hang banners, provide and operate backhoes to dig holes for trees, collect trash, and chip tree and brush trimmings.
KLVB pursues community projects through generous donations of funds and volunteer manpower. Private donors, civic organizations and the City of Lago Vista fund these projects.
Success depends on the dedication of current and new volunteers.
During the early years, KLVB developed programs to address many environmental issues such as curbside recycling, and city-wide fall and spring collecting of tree trimmings and trash brought by citizens. Adopt-a-street, anti-littering, landscaping and beautification programs were also added.
Beginning in 1997, several major beautification projects were planned, financed and completed. These include what is now known as Bowden Point and the corner of Lohman Ford Road and Paseo de Vaca. Through private funding, the Lago Vista Property Owners' Association and KLVB volunteers identified four prominent locations where attractive stone and wood directional signs were erected to assist passing visitors.
KLVB purchased three sets of hanging banners; the sailboat, Christmas theme, and patriotic. KLVB also purchased and had installed the iconic aluminum "sailboat" atop the pylon at the intersection of Lohman Ford Road and Dawn Drive; developed the scenic overlook trail at the Sports Complex; the windmill at Lohman Ford and Paseo de Vaca; and the wind spiral on Dawn Drive at the traffic circle.
Throughout the years, KLVB has been greatly assisted by city workers who install the majority of Christmas lighting displays, hang banners, provide and operate backhoes to dig holes for trees, collect trash, and chip tree and brush trimmings.
KLVB pursues community projects through generous donations of funds and volunteer manpower. Private donors, civic organizations and the City of Lago Vista fund these projects.
Success depends on the dedication of current and new volunteers.
Keep Lago Vista Beautiful Recognized as Gold Star Affiliate by Keep Texas Beautiful
70 Texas Communities Honored for their Exceptional Community Improvement Efforts
Lago Vista, TX - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named Keep Lago Vista Beautiful a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to 70 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the membership recognition highest status any community affiliate can achieve.
In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually.
To achieve Gold Star status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community. KTB formally recognized KLVB along with other Gold Star communities during its 54th Annual Conference in June.
“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”
In 2020 alone, KTB affiliates engaged 20,917 volunteers who contributed 37,857 hours to collect 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. KLVB successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens, and beautify and enhance the local community.
In spite of the tragedy of the national pandemic, Keep Lago Vista Beautiful volunteers safely continued their volunteerism in the community. Although the traditional April trash-off had to be cancelled, a Fall Trash Off was well attended, filling 20 roll-off containers with residents’ discarded items. Litter removal continued apace - during the year, 200 large bags of litter were removed in total. In fact, in September 2020, the largest ever group of KLVB volunteers, over 20 participants, picked up 37 extra-large bags of trash in a single day from City streets. A new program, proper disposal of American Flags, was well received in November of 2020. KLVB members assisted the Lago Vista Independent School District in beautifying a problem area at the Middle School. Grants from the Lago Vista Women’s Club, and the Native Plant Society of Texas helped the club continue their beautification efforts in several of the Club’s 15 Adopt-a-Spot locations around the City. All these good works have resulted in increased visibility for KLVB, increased membership, and a Gold Star for the organization.
KLVB President Denise Sellers stated: “Once again I want to give a great big cheer to the Keep Lago Vista Volunteers. This is the first time in our history that we have received the Gold Star Affiliation from Keep Texas Beautiful, and it’s the highest honor an affiliate can achieve.”
70 Texas Communities Honored for their Exceptional Community Improvement Efforts
Lago Vista, TX - Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB), a statewide grassroots environmental and community improvement non-profit organization, recently named Keep Lago Vista Beautiful a Gold Star Affiliate, a designation granted to 70 affiliates of KTB’s nearly 300 affiliates. Gold Star recognition is the membership recognition highest status any community affiliate can achieve.
In 2004, the organization introduced the concept of Gold Star recognition to reward those communities who sought to go above and beyond the established requirements. To remain in good standing with KTB, community affiliates must submit a report, pay dues, attend training and participate in a KTB-endorsed activity annually.
To achieve Gold Star status, affiliates must share information on their mission and goals, answer questions about their economic development and diversity and inclusion practices, or participate in the Beautify Texas Awards or Governor’s Community Achievement Awards programs, and provide a letter of support from their community. KTB formally recognized KLVB along with other Gold Star communities during its 54th Annual Conference in June.
“Our affiliates are the backbone of our organization. We are proud to honor those going above and beyond to keep their communities clean and beautiful,” says Suzanne Kho, Executive Director of Keep Texas Beautiful. “Our Gold Star Affiliates are educating and engaging community members, actively recruiting and managing volunteers, hosting cleanup and beautification events throughout their community and so much more.”
In 2020 alone, KTB affiliates engaged 20,917 volunteers who contributed 37,857 hours to collect 1 million pounds of waste and recyclables from Texas roadways, trails, and waterways. KLVB successfully implemented programs to clean up litter, reduce and recycle waste, educate local citizens, and beautify and enhance the local community.
In spite of the tragedy of the national pandemic, Keep Lago Vista Beautiful volunteers safely continued their volunteerism in the community. Although the traditional April trash-off had to be cancelled, a Fall Trash Off was well attended, filling 20 roll-off containers with residents’ discarded items. Litter removal continued apace - during the year, 200 large bags of litter were removed in total. In fact, in September 2020, the largest ever group of KLVB volunteers, over 20 participants, picked up 37 extra-large bags of trash in a single day from City streets. A new program, proper disposal of American Flags, was well received in November of 2020. KLVB members assisted the Lago Vista Independent School District in beautifying a problem area at the Middle School. Grants from the Lago Vista Women’s Club, and the Native Plant Society of Texas helped the club continue their beautification efforts in several of the Club’s 15 Adopt-a-Spot locations around the City. All these good works have resulted in increased visibility for KLVB, increased membership, and a Gold Star for the organization.
KLVB President Denise Sellers stated: “Once again I want to give a great big cheer to the Keep Lago Vista Volunteers. This is the first time in our history that we have received the Gold Star Affiliation from Keep Texas Beautiful, and it’s the highest honor an affiliate can achieve.”
KEEP LAGO VISTA WINS GOVERNOR'S COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
April 2020
KLVB and GCAA award plaque: Sept 2020. Right to left - kneeling: Mayor Ed Tidwell and Denise Sellers.
In back: City Parks director Chris Mobley, Dan Sellers, Frank Robbins, Frank Colletta, Beth Colletta, Sheldon Green, Margaret Leitko and City Manager Josh Ray .
