Join us at Lavaca County Commissioner's Court for Proclamation
2023-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Lavaca County Courthouse, 109 N La Grange St, Hallettsville, Texas, 77964, United States
You are invited to be in the proclamation photograph!

Thank you Honorable Judge Mudd, and members of the court for doing a great job for Lavaca County!
_______________
Friends of Lavaca River group would like to thank everyone that got us to this point — it could have been an encouraging word, or attending meetings to create the group, and too, we appreciate the groups that are here today –

Hallettsville Boy Scouts Troup 223,
Hallettsville Cub Scouts Pack 223
Hallettsville Girl Scouts Troop 9513
First United Methodist Church, Hallettsville, and
Sacred Heart Catholic School, Hallettsville
Friends of Lavaca River and anyone else here to support this annual event.
Please join us for the group photo and if you have your cowboy hat feel free to wear it in the photo.
______________________
Again, a big thank you to Judge Keith Mudd for making this possible to be here today, this effort creates a community clean up that will grow each year with more groups and businesses contributing to keep the Lavaca River clean.

__________________

Our first Annual clean-up will be on Saturday, April 22nd. We will meet at the Hallet Oak Gallery at 8 AM to 8:30 AM to give out T-shirts and split into two large teams.

The event will be held at CR1 Poor Farm Bridge and Hwy 77/90 – 9 AM sharp and will end at 9:45 AM in time for Fiddlers Frolics.
PROCLAMATION
LAVACA COUNTY, TX
Annual Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Time

WHEREAS, A proclamation is requested to proclaim an Annual Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Time. Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group will announce on an annual basis, a coordinated date, after working with the proper authorities. This will be an annual event to unite businesses, organizations, groups, and individuals, so that they can participate to help keep the Lavaca River clean.

WHEREAS, The mission of Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group is to create a functioning co-existence with The Lavaca River and not to cause a problem for preventing future floods. We have a park-like beautification project in mind so that we can enjoy the river by hikes and learning about the eco-system.

WHEREAS, The area to be served for a clean-up will be within the dredged 7.5 mile section of the Lavaca River in Hallettsville. The location for the clean-up will start by Campbell Branch creek moving south to Poor Farm Bridge, a total of 2.4 miles, including 100 feet on either side of the river.

WHEREAS, Assistance will be provided by Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, Lavaca County, City of Hallettsville, and Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group.

WHEREAS, Hallettsville Boy Scouts Troup 223, Hallettsville Cub Scouts Pack 223, Hallettsville Girl Scouts Troop 9513, First United Methodist Church, Hallettsville, and Sacred Heart Catholic School, Hallettsville are planning to assist in bringing in volunteers. Organizations, businesses, and citizens that wish to contribute and volunteer time are welcome to join in. This is an excellent opportunity for community service hours.

WHEREAS, Margaret Hallet donated 500 acres to become a town on this river. This community service would be in honor to her memory of making time to bring community together and to have a safe place to be.

WHEREAS, The Lavaca River depends on volunteers to clear trash and debris that impact its flow and to improve its water quality for residences, businesses, wildlife, and biodiversity.

WHEREAS, This year in 2023 will be the First Annual Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Time in 183 years.

WHEREAS, This event also allows a time to talk about good habits, as they go hand in hand. Such as, obeying bridge traffic warning signs to avoid accidents; disposing of trash in trash cans instead on the road; and strapping (tying down) trash and other items properly when transporting. This will lessen fallen objects in the Lavaca River.

WHEREAS, Far reaching effects can come from this effort for bringing good habits to improve water quality for Lavaca County community, as well as, benefiting those downstream. For example, improving drinking water quality, and the water quality necessary for animals, such as, deer, fish, birds, wildlife, livestock; including the need for a certain quality for irrigation.

WHEREAS, As a result of the Annual Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Time, residences, businesses, and travelers will see clean bridgeways.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Keith Mudd, Judge of Lavaca County, Texas, do hereby proclaim an Official Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up Time coordinated by Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group once a year.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hear unto set my hand and caused the official seal of Lavaca County, Texas to be affixed on the day of April 10, 2023.
Judge Keith Mudd

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Lavaca River Clean Up Meet at 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM for T-shirts
2023-04-22 08:00 - 09:45 | Hallet Oak Gallery
A special shout out thank you to Braxton Baranowski and Mathew Shannon, Hallettsville Brahma News Network (HBBN) students! Both were voice-over for the radio public service announcement they wrote and recorded; and they created this beautiful poster for this important endeavor. HBBN is a student run organization that brings news to Hallettsville High School and the community!

To listen the Public Services Announcement created by Braxton and Mathew –
click on this link below:
mathew_shannon_braxton_baranowski_designed_for_Friends_adopt_a_river_psa_mixdown
First Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up

Below is the official press release:
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2023
Contact: Mieko Mahi, Hallet Oak Gallery, venue@halletoakgallery.com, 361-217-7030

Proclamation for Annual River Clean-Up was Announced for April 22nd

This proclamation was approved at the Lavaca County Courthouse, in the Commissioners Courtroom on April 10, 2023, 10:00 AM, presided by Judge Keith Mudd.

The First Lavaca River Annual Clean-Up – Date is Set:

April 22, 2023. 8 AM – 9: 45 AM.
Everyone is invited to participate in this excellent opportunity for service hours and to contribute to the health of the Lavaca River

About:
The Lavaca River is important to the City of Hallettsville and Lavaca County. Members of Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group have partnered with the Lavaca-Navidad River Authority (LNRA), Lavaca County, and the City of Hallettsville for the First Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up to be held on April 22, 2023 from 8 AM to 9:45 AM. The plan is to meet at Hallet Oak Gallery, 115 N. Main St, Hallettsville, TX 77964 on Saturday, April 22, 2023 to disperse into two large teams. First United Methodist Church and Hallettsville Girl Scouts Troop 9513 are participating, and additional organizations, groups, and individuals are welcomed to join in this annual event.
LNRA is donating T-shirts. Inteplast Group is providing caps, safety glasses, gloves, whistles, and trash bags for the clean-up.
Hallet Oak Foundation will supply safety vests, bandanas, and water. All while supplies last.
Team leaders will also, provide a safety briefing, have water, sunscreen, bug spray and a safety kit.
Two large teams will work at the same time: one by Highway 77/90 Bridge and one by the County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge. Anyone may show up and help at the two bridges.
Volunteers must wear long sleeves, long jeans, and rubber or leather boots. Youths of all ages can participate in some way. Volunteers will spend no more than 45 minutes walking along the river by the two bridge entries picking up trash. If you can offer a team or would have questions, please call 361-217-7030 or email venue@halletoakgallery.com. RSVP is helpful, yet not required. “Just show up, dressed in safety clothing, be ready to work in the river and alongside it. Spectators are welcome to bring chairs, watch and cheer on the volunteers! We need as many photographs for documenting the event”, says Mieko Mahi.

Grace Ward, City of Hallettsville Manager, gives assistance, “The Transfer Station will be open April 22, 2023, any metal or appliances you will need to transport out there, need to be put in the free scrap metal dumpster before noon.” A special placed container on the southeast side of the 77/90 Bridge on April 22nd will be available for the community Lavaca River Clean-Up Day by the City of Hallettsville and it will pick it up on April 24th. Not accepted are hazardous materials, such as: paint, freon, automobile batteries, tires, and asphalt shingles.
Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group are seeking someone capable of removing the tires as well as a towing company to volunteer or an individual to volunteer with a tow truck to remove the heavy items. If you or your company can assist, please email venue@halletoakgallery.com or leave a message at 361-217-7030.

PROCLAMATION
LAVACA COUNTY, TX
March and April for an Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up Time
WHEREAS, A proclamation is requested to proclaim March and April as Lavaca River Clean-Up Time. Friends of Lavaca River group will announce on annual basis, a coordinated date after working with the proper authorities. This will be an annual event to unite businesses, groups, organizations, and individual citizens, so that they can participate to help keep the Lavaca River clean.
WHEREAS, The First Lavaca River Annual Clean-Up, where all volunteers are welcome, is scheduled on April 22, 2023. The area to be served will be in the dredged 5.5 miles in the Hallettsville’s section of Lavaca River in Lavaca County, which is north of town and a mile and half past County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge. Assistance will be provided by Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, Lavaca County, City of Hallettsville, Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group, First United Methodist Church, Hallettsville Girl Scouts Troop 9513, and other supporting organizations, businesses, and citizens that wish to contribute for the health of the river.
WHEREAS, The Lavaca River is important to the City of Hallettsville and Lavaca County. Citizens depend on it for water for their homes and businesses.
WHEREAS, Today, as we navigate the heavy traffic on the bridges, we often see it. We also may not see the trash and heavy cast-offs that have accumulated there. The Lavaca River depends on volunteers to clear trash and debris that impact its flow and to improve its water quality for residences, businesses, wildlife, and biodiversity.
WHEREAS, This year, 2023 will be the first volunteer Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up in 183 years, since Margaret Hallet donated 500 acres to become a town on this river. This community service would be in honor to her memory and to her contributions to citizens, commerce, and all the reasons she donated the land to become the county seat. It honors the City of Hallettsville and Lavaca County and what it has become.
WHEREAS, Residences, businesses, truckers, travelers, and visitors will see a clean river and bridgeway and this will bring back thinking about awareness of driving safety, proper disposal of trash, and keeping clean habits. An Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up will improve river regard and courtesy in picking up trash and not leaving it as someone else’s job. Far reaching effects can come from this clean-up to improve water quality for community, as well as, benefiting those downstream that depend on both water and water quality for deer, fish, birds, wildlife, residences, businesses, livestock, and agriculture.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Keith Mudd, Judge of Lavaca County, Texas, do hereby proclaim the months of March and April for an Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up Time.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hear unto set my hand and caused the official seal of Lavaca County, Texas to be affixed on the day of April 10, 2023.
Lavaca County Courthouse, Commissioners Courtroom, signed on April 10, 2023 presided by Judge Keith Mudd.

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Annual River Clean-Up
2024-04-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Hallet Oak Gallery
The Second Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up, Downtown Hallettsville will be held on April 1, 2024
The Lavaca County community, including the Hallettsville Girl Scout Troop 9513 will meet at Hallet Oak Gallery at 8 am to receive a safety briefing and t-shirts, and to split into two large teams. The public is welcome to join in the clean-up. The plan is to leave Hallet Oak Gallery at 8:30 am sharp to begin picking up trash at two locations.

The clean-up is planned to start and end at two bridges simultaneously: County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge and Hwy 77/90, starting at 9 am sharp and ending at 9:45 am with group photos being taken at 10:00 am. “This event is to make a difference by working in two separate volunteer teams to clean-up the Lavaca River in 45 minutes. Comments heard after the last years’ clean-up, was that it was fun, enjoyable, and felt good to help the river which benefits community”, said Mieko Mahi, President of Hallet Oak Foundations’ Friends of Lavaca River group.

Groups Participating:
Friends of Lavaca River Group, Hallettsville Girl Scout Troup 9513, League of Women Voters of Lavaca County, and other groups, including Individuals desiring to be a part of the clean-up. Spectators are welcome to set-up a chair and watch.
The check list of items coordinated:
Mieko Mahi, President, Hallet Oak Foundation, is providing give-away safety items from Inteplast Group. Additional items will be brought in from Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, Patrick Brzozowski, PE, General Manager and Chad Kinsfather, Director of Environmental Services, which included trash bags, T-shirts all sizes. Safety cones from City of Hallettsville for the team leaders to warn traffic of clean-up.
TxDOT items donated: wildflower seeds and 50 safety vests. Friends’ items: 50 bandanas, extra trash bags, work gloves, and safety kit. Donuts will be provided. Mieko Mahi requests these extra items are needed to be in all the team leaders’ vehicles: bottled water, Gatorade, bug spray, spray sunscreen, giveaways, and a safety kit.

Darrell Wachel and Chad Kinsfather will lead the teams on the banks at CR 1 Poor Farm Bridge and Mieko Mahi, Milton Mache, and Patrick Brzozowski, PE will lead the teams at 77/90 Bridge. Valeria Nicole Mayo and Darlene Immekus are the Troop 9513 Leaders for the Girl Scout families.
Special Appreciation Shout-Outs to:

Steven Pituch, Hallet Oak Gallery, fine art photographer for photography coverage
Grace Ward, Hallettsville City Manager, for providing trash pick-up assistance for 1 Day Trash Dumpster Use at 77/90 Bridge – All trash must be in this special provided dumpster by the end of the day. “Please take advantage that it is there and make sure it is full for this special occasion to make Hallettsville both beautiful and safer”, says, Mieko Mahi.
Inteplast Group for Caps, Safety glasses, Gloves, Whistles, Trash bags.
Lavaca-Navidad River Authority for T-Shirts: Lavaca River Clean-Up
TxDOT for Wildflower Seeds to spread out in Oct.
Judge Keith Mudd for Announcement and Proclamation for Annual Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Day.
RL Bordovsky, Town & Country LLC and “Tommy” Tumis, Tumis Tire and Automotive, Hallettsville for their personal assistance to this clean-up to be successful.

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Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up & Awareness
2026-03-09 08:00 - 10:00
Announcing the Fourth Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up in Downtown Hallettsville will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026
The Lavaca County community is invited to participate in the Fourth Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in downtown Hallettsville. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Hallet Oak Gallery, where participants will receive a safety briefing, t-shirts, and be divided into two teams. The public is welcome to join the effort, and the clean-up will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. as the team’s head to two locations along the river to clean simultaneously at two bridges: the County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge and the Hwy 77/90 Bridge.
Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and group photos will be taken at 10 a.m.
“This event is about bringing people together for a common cause of cleaning up the Lavaca River in just 45 minutes. Feedback from last year’s clean-up showed it was a fun and rewarding experience, and participants felt good seeing the river up close and being a part of the clean-up, which benefits our community,” said Mieko Mahi, President of the Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group.
Participating Groups:

Friends of Lavaca River Group
Hallettsville Cub Scouts Pack 223
Other non-profit groups and individuals interested in participating.

Spectators are welcome to set up chairs and watch the clean-up efforts.
Coordinated Items and Safety:
Team leaders will ensure the safety and success of the event by having extra supplies in their vehicles, including bottled water, Gatorade, bug spray, sunscreen, and safety kits.
Sponsors of the Annual Clean-Up are Inteplast Group, The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, represented by Patrick Brzozowski and Chad Kinsfather. Additionally, TxDOT will donate safety vests, and Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group will provide 50 bandanas. Donuts will be available for participants.
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4th Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up Downtown Hallettsville
2026-03-28 08:00 - 10:00 | Hallet Oak Gallery
Announcing the Fourth Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up in Downtown Hallettsville will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026
The Lavaca County community is invited to participate in the Fourth Annual Lavaca River Clean-Up on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in downtown Hallettsville. The event will kick off at 8 a.m. at the Hallet Oak Gallery, where participants will receive a safety briefing, t-shirts, and be divided into two teams. The public is welcome to join the effort, and the clean-up will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. as the team’s head to two locations along the river to clean simultaneously at two bridges: the County Road 1 Poor Farm Bridge and the Hwy 77/90 Bridge.
Volunteers will work from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., and group photos will be taken at 10 a.m.
“This event is about bringing people together for a common cause of cleaning up the Lavaca River in just 45 minutes. Feedback from last year’s clean-up showed it was a fun and rewarding experience, and participants felt good seeing the river up close and being a part of the clean-up, which benefits our community,” said Mieko Mahi, President of the Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group.
Participating Groups:

Friends of Lavaca River Group
Hallettsville Cub Scouts Pack 223
Other non-profit groups and individuals interested in participating.

Spectators are welcome to set up chairs and watch the clean-up efforts.
Coordinated Items and Safety:
Team leaders will ensure the safety and success of the event by having extra supplies in their vehicles, including bottled water, Gatorade, bug spray, sunscreen, and safety kits.
Sponsors of the Annual Clean-Up are Inteplast Group, The Lavaca-Navidad River Authority, represented by Patrick Brzozowski and Chad Kinsfather. Additionally, TxDOT will donate safety vests, and Hallet Oak Foundation’s Friends of Lavaca River group will provide 50 bandanas. Donuts will be available for participants.
Special Thanks to:

Steven Pituch of Hallet Oak Gallery for photography coverage.
Inteplast Group for providing caps, safety glasses, gloves, whistles, and trash bags.
Lavaca-Navidad River Authority for t-shirts and support.
Judge Keith Mudd for the official announcement and proclamation of the Lavaca River Awareness and Clean-Up Day.
RL Bordovsky of Town & Country LLC and Tommy Tumis of Tumis Tire and Automotive for their personal contributions to the event’s success.
See Team Leader on where to leave bags and tires.

This annual clean-up aims to improve the Lavaca River’s condition and promote environmental awareness. We look forward to seeing you there!

HOW TO PREPARE FOR RIVER CLEAN UP
What to Wear:

Rubber boots or old cowboy boots – essential for trudging through muddy or wet terrain, and they’ll keep your feet protected.
Long jeans and long-sleeve shirt – good for protecting your legs and arms from rough brush, insects, or any debris in the environment.
Sunglasses – to protect your eyes from the sun and any flying debris.
Sunscreen – very important to avoid sunburn while out in the wilderness.
Bug spray – because it’s a wilderness area, and bugs can be a nuisance.

What to Expect:

It’s a great event that gets people of all ages involved in cleaning up the river. The volunteers tend to spread out, and sometimes they’ll encounter wildlife like snakes or turtles, which can be a memorable part of the experience.
Snakes you encounter will usually be moving away from you— watch where you step because of broken glass, large rocks and holes.
While kids are encouraged not to pick up glass, adults take on the responsibility for it, which keeps everyone safe.
This event is about more than just cleaning up; it’s about fostering a sense of community responsibility and teaching younger generations that the health of the river is something we all need to care about.

Event Schedule:

8:00 AM: Meet at Hallet Oak Gallery for check-in, receive safety gear (like gloves), and a safety briefing by Chad Kinsfather from the Lavaca Navidad River Authority.
8:30 AM: Split into teams. You’ll have the choice between working near the Hwy 77/90 Bridge or the CR 1 Poor Farm Bridge. These areas will be worked on simultaneously by two teams. Cones, trucks, and signs will direct you to your area.
9:00 AM: Clean-up begins, and there will be water and donuts provided to keep everyone fueled. Spectators are welcomed.
9:45 AM: Clean-up ends.
10:00 AM: Group photo at the Hwy 77/90 Bridge to celebrate the effort!

Previous Comments:
This event seems like a fun, rewarding experience, almost like an “Easter Egg hunt” for trash. The teamwork required for pulling out heavier items—like tires—makes it a great bonding experience. The cleanup process goes really fast when a lot of people are involved, which is key to getting the job done quickly and efficiently.
A Few Tips:

Ask and plan if teams have any special equipment to pull out tires or dumped large items that they see in advance that will require special skills/tools to remove. These are often very heavy and can be filled with sand.
If you’re in a team, make sure to stay coordinated, where to park safely off the road and too, to stay away from walking onto the roadway where oncoming traffic isn’t slowing down for pedestrians.
Enjoy the process and be proud of the tangible impact you’re making in the community!
Kids of all ages are welcome to help! If you are with young children, please stay on the walking paths where you can see their boots touching the ground. Look for small trash like paper or cans, and be safe at all times.Remember, if you’d rather watch, you can be an observer and cheer on others—this is always a big help in keeping this event going.

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