Spring cleaning to spruce up downtown

If you get into the spring-cleaning mode next month and can’t stop, consider sharing your talents by making downtown Linton look a little better.

The organization Rediscover Downtown Linton will host its fifth annual spring cleanup day April 21, and it’s encouraging business owners and residents to help.

RDL organizes the event each spring, “However, we encourage business and property owners to keep their places up throughout the year,” RDL spokesperson Kathy Matthews explained. “This is organized to clear the gloom of winter and start off the year fresh.”

Organizers of the Linton Fall Arts Festival also do a mini-cleanup just before the festival in October, Matthews added.

RDL was founded to help promote downtown Linton, and the spring cleanup is just one of the many activities the group organizes yearly.

“RDL works to unite those with an interest in promoting and supporting the prosperity of downtown Linton, and therefore, Linton through Indiana Main Street’s 4-point approach — promotion, design, economic vitality, and organization,” Matthews said.

“It is important to join forces in making Linton better. RDL wants each business, but especially downtown businesses, to thrive. Many times small businesses cannot accomplish things individually, but working together with others that have like interests and economic goals — skin-in-the-game — they can see results … more people supporting local small businesses, people staying in Linton to shop, additional businesses opening and thriving.”

Matthews suggests the more activity potential customers see from a business or businesses, the more they take notice.

“When we see things happening, we get noticed. There is a ripple effect,” Matthews said. “It invigorates people, lifts their spirits, and shows outsiders positive things about Linton and Greene County. It also shows legislators, larger employers, and state agencies that Linton wants good things for their community. (It can) open up channels for monies to be invested in our area.”

Workers are asked to meet at City Hall at 9 a.m. on April 21, and coffee and donuts will be provided. You will receive your “assignment” at that time.

“We will work until about lunchtime,” Matthews said. “If business or property owners are unable to join in on Saturday, they are encouraged to focus on their property the week before. They may want to wash their windows, pull weeds, sweep their sidewalks, even spread a little paint … just focus on sprucing up their exterior.”

Volunteers don’t need to bring anything with them except the willingness to work.

“The City of Linton Street Department and Indiana Department of State Highways help us out by donating trash bags. If individuals want to bring brooms, rakes, buckets, etc., they will always be put to use,” Matthews said

“I encourage you to wear a pair of work gloves, (because) you never know what you will be handling. I usually bring a couple of buckets and supplies to wash windows. We typically make sure the vacant buildings get their windows washed at least once during the year. Nothing says clean like shiny windows.”

Matthews added, “The volunteers will focus on vacant/abandoned buildings, alleys, parking lots and the Mini Park — the most neglected and public areas.”

RDL is encouraging organizations or groups of people to work together during the cleanup, and prizes will be awarded.

“This year we are encouraging groups to get involved by rewarding the largest group prizes for helping out. We are also planning some other fun prizes for volunteers.”

Matthews stated one of the prizes could go to the most unusual item found during the cleanup efforts. RDL is still putting the finishing touches on what prizes will be awarded for.

“One year a doll head was found,” she said.

As a bonus, volunteers who work the entire morning will be treated to lunch (soup and salad) at Huckleberry Hideout, the new restaurant at Huckleberry Winery on North Main St. in Linton.

If you’re interested in helping or want additional information, please contact Matthews at (812) 699-0780 or kdfm1962@gmail.com .

• RDL will host representatives from the Office of Community & Rural Affairs (OCRA) at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 9 at Linton City Hall

“They will be working specifically with building owners interested in applying for grant opportunities to repair their roofs and work on their facades,” Matthews said. “There are opportunities available through many varied state and federal organizations, but can be complicated and intimidating.”

Matthews added the representatives will be able to assist one-on-one to answer questions and direct their efforts.

“Property owners interested in attending can contact me or the mayor’s office for additional information.”

Chris is the publisher of the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by email at cpruett79@gmail.com or by telephone at (812) 847-4487.