Super Summer Theatre adopts portion of state Route 159

Super Summer Theatre is not all lights and costumes. The members of the organization occasionally like to roll up their sleeves and get a little dirty, too.

Since January, members of the nonprofit organization's board, most older than 60, have helped to keep a two-mile stretch of the two-lane state Route 159 - between mile markers six and eight - free of trash and debris as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program.

"We take pride in our road," said board member Ray Eicher, who spearheaded the highway adoption. "People drive through and say, 'That's Super Summer Theatre's road.' "

It's no wonder why the group members take pride in their work.

According to Damon Hodge, a spokesman for the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Adopt-A-Highway program requires a two-year commitment and four cleanups a year.

Eicher, who has been with Super Summer Theatre for more than 24 years, said the organization's efforts have been successful. Both board members and volunteers have participated in two cleanups so far.

After a short safety briefing, where orange vests and trash bags are handed out, the group divides into smaller teams to cover quarter-mile stretches.

"We pick up a lot of cans, bottles and car parts," said 27-year board member Adrienne O'Donoghue, adding that the job is not without its perks. "Ray found a dollar. We all gathered around to see if there might have been more."

Hodge said the Adopt-A-Highway program has been in Nevada since 1990 and, paired with the Sponsor-A-Highway program, saves the state $1.5 million annually. In southern Nevada alone, 235 miles of road outside of urban Las Vegas are maintained by individuals, organizations and companies.

The organization, which calls Spring Mountain Ranch home, is involved in, sponsors and hosts nearly a dozen charitable events and groups yearly, O'Donoghue said.

"We're trying to build a strong relationship with the community," O'Donoghue said. "The highway is just another small part of that effort."

Super Summer Theatre has approximately 15 months and six cleanups left on its Adopt-A-Highway contract, and Eicher said the job is easier now than in January.

"People see our sign now and don't want to throw trash on our road," he said. "We call it our road now."

Contact Southwest/Spring Valley View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 383-0492.