Southern Cruisers of Ellis County head out along Hwy 77, on foot…

Image: The Southern Cruisers of Ellis County 326 Adopt-a-Highway — Southern Cruisers Riding Club members that participated in the Adopt-a-Highway program on Sunday in Italy were: Back Row Earl Goodwin, Mike Ritchey, Gary McNeely, Gena Litton, Bobby Litton, Shay Krnavek, Scott Spencer, Mark Jones, Barry Guthrie, and Cheryl Palmer. Front Row Donna Goodwin, Jaquay Brown and Dylan Jones.

The Southern Cruisers of Ellis County 326 Adopt-a-Highway — Southern Cruisers Riding Club members that participated in the Adopt-a-Highway program on Sunday in Italy were: Back Row Earl Goodwin, Mike Ritchey, Gary McNeely, Gena Litton, Bobby Litton, Shay Krnavek, Scott Spencer, Mark Jones, Barry Guthrie, and Cheryl Palmer. Front Row Donna Goodwin, Jaquay Brown and Dylan Jones. (Barry Byers)

Image: The SCRC 326 sign — The Southern Cruisers Riding Club of Ellis County 326 began their first cleanup effort along a two mile stretch of Hwy 77, that cuts thru Italy, as part of the national “Adopt-a-Highway” campaign.

The SCRC 326 sign — The Southern Cruisers Riding Club of Ellis County 326 began their first cleanup effort along a two mile stretch of Hwy 77, that cuts thru Italy, as part of the national “Adopt-a-Highway” campaign. (Barry Byers)

Image: The dismount — Members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club of Ellis County 326 parked in front of Mama’s Place on Sunday in Italy to prepare for the cleanup.

The dismount — Members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club of Ellis County 326 parked in front of Mama’s Place on Sunday in Italy to prepare for the cleanup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Here we go — Mike Ritchy and Shay Krnavek pass out the “Adopt-a-Highway” trash bags and protective vests.

Here we go — Mike Ritchy and Shay Krnavek pass out the “Adopt-a-Highway” trash bags and protective vests. (Barry Byers)

Image: Donna and Earl — Donna and Earl Goodwin, of Italy, get ready to help clear Hwy 77 of debris and discarded trash.

Donna and Earl — Donna and Earl Goodwin, of Italy, get ready to help clear Hwy 77 of debris and discarded trash. (Barry Byers)

Image: We can do this — Cheryl, Barry and Bobby trade in their black leather jackets for bright orange protective vests.

We can do this — Cheryl, Barry and Bobby trade in their black leather jackets for bright orange protective vests. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gary keeps at it — Gary McNeely was on a mission to make a difference.

Gary keeps at it — Gary McNeely was on a mission to make a difference. (Barry Byers)

Image: Road warriors — Members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club parked their motorcycles and went afoot to collect trash from the roadway.

Road warriors — Members of the Southern Cruisers Riding Club parked their motorcycles and went afoot to collect trash from the roadway. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cheryl and Barry — Cheryl Palmer and Barry Guthrie were happy to be a part of the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup effort organized by their Southern Cruisers Riding Club.

Cheryl and Barry — Cheryl Palmer and Barry Guthrie were happy to be a part of the Adopt-a-Highway cleanup effort organized by their Southern Cruisers Riding Club. (Barry Byers)

Image: Trash teamwork — Cheryl holds the bag and Barry fills it up with debris.

Trash teamwork — Cheryl holds the bag and Barry fills it up with debris. (Barry Byers)

Image: It’s worth it — In a matter of minutes, the Hwy 77 cleanup effort paid dividends as Mike Ritchy finds a dollar to donate to St. Judes Hospital in Memphis.

It’s worth it — In a matter of minutes, the Hwy 77 cleanup effort paid dividends as Mike Ritchy finds a dollar to donate to St. Judes Hospital in Memphis. (Barry Byers)

Image: A scenic view — Southern Cruisers’ members Mike Ritchy, Scott Spencer, Cheryl Palmer and Barry Guthrie help keep Ellis County scenic.

A scenic view — Southern Cruisers’ members Mike Ritchy, Scott Spencer, Cheryl Palmer and Barry Guthrie help keep Ellis County scenic. (Barry Byers)

Image: Fun in the sun — Gary McNeely, along with Donna and Earl Goodwin, walk Hwy 77 during the Southern Cruisers Ellis County 326 Adopt-a-Highway cleanup effort.

Fun in the sun — Gary McNeely, along with Donna and Earl Goodwin, walk Hwy 77 during the Southern Cruisers Ellis County 326 Adopt-a-Highway cleanup effort. (Barry Byers)

Image: Thumbs up! — Shay Krnavek gives a thumbs up during the cleanup.

Thumbs up! — Shay Krnavek gives a thumbs up during the cleanup. (Barry Byers)

Image: Group effort — Dylan Jones, Jaquay Brown, Gena Litton and Mark Jones cruised the roadside spotting trash along the way.

Group effort — Dylan Jones, Jaquay Brown, Gena Litton and Mark Jones cruised the roadside spotting trash along the way. (Barry Byers)

Image: No messing with Mark — Mark Jones displays the “Adopt-a-Highway” trash bag that he’s using to haul debris collected from alongside Hwy 77 in Italy.

No messing with Mark — Mark Jones displays the “Adopt-a-Highway” trash bag that he’s using to haul debris collected from alongside Hwy 77 in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Look what we found — It’s amazing what trash is hidden within the tall grass blades along Hwy 77.

Look what we found — It’s amazing what trash is hidden within the tall grass blades along Hwy 77. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cruising along — Bobby “Trouble” Litton left his motorcycle behind to join in the Southern Cruisers Ellis County 326 Adop-a-Highway cleanup effort.

Cruising along — Bobby “Trouble” Litton left his motorcycle behind to join in the Southern Cruisers Ellis County 326 Adop-a-Highway cleanup effort. (Barry Byers)

Image: The SCRC emblem — Bobby Litton proudly wears the Southern Cruisers Riding Club Ellis County Chapter 326 emblem on his back to help the club during their two mile cleanup effort along Hwy 77 in Italy.

The SCRC emblem — Bobby Litton proudly wears the Southern Cruisers Riding Club Ellis County Chapter 326 emblem on his back to help the club during their two mile cleanup effort along Hwy 77 in Italy. (Barry Byers)

Return to story