Belles Greeters On Azalea Trail
Tyler's 2008 Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, an annual celebration featuring eight miles of home gardens filled with colorful azaleas, dogwoods, tulips, wisteria and redbuds, opened Friday and is scheduled to continue through April 6.
The driving tour begins at 500 S. Broadway Ave., which is the U.S. Highway 69/business route, and East Houston Street. On each weekend, visitors will have the chance to meet the Azalea Belles as they serve as official greeters, dressed in antebellum-style fashion.
The Azalea Belles were chosen from Robert E. Lee, John Tyler, Chapel Hill, Whitehouse, Lindale, All Saints, Brook Hill, King's Academy and T.K. Gorman high schools, as well as from the home-schooling families of the area.
Each of the Belles submitted a written application to the Azalea Committee of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, a portion of which asked the question: "What Does Tyler Mean to You?" Below are some excerpts of the quotes from this year's Azalea Belles:
Jacquetta Anderson: "I love Tyler's history, especially the ever famous Apache Belles and the historic homes that line our blocks."
Rachel Baber: "Born and raised in Tyler, I consider it a wonderful, friendly, secure place to grow up. Living where I can see familiar faces and yet enjoy attractions usually found only in big cities, makes for wonderful memories."
Ashley Bouvet: "To me, Tyler signifies home. Instead of a town, it's better distinguished as family. More importantly, it's a place where young people can mature into successful adults in a loving environment."
Misty Branham: "I haven't lived here very long, but I really like a lot about Tyler and I love learning more. Tyler means a lot to me."
Claire Chilton: "I love how our community gets together and celebrates the natural beauty our city has to offer. It is fascinating to think of people coming from all over the world just to get a glance of the gorgeous flowers that I am so fortunate to live with and enjoy everyday."
Molly Cook: "My home since before birth, Tyler has always held a special meaning for me. Tyler brings to mind friendships, family and a heritage to be proud of; a heritage steeped in traditions which are close to my heart."
Meredith Cozby: "Tyler is very important to me, as I have lived here my whole life and all of my friends live in Tyler too. I am proud to live in Tyler because the people are friendly and the azaleas and roses make Tyler a pretty place."
Roxanne Davis: "Tyler is a safe and fun city where you can be with your friends and be confident that you're protected, which ensures that you'll have fun!"
April Fleming: "Tyler is the place of my birth and I have lived in the area my entire life. After touring places like Natchez, Mississippi and St. Francisville, Louisiana, I have realized the importance of docents in informing others of the historical value of our great city."
Ashley Nicole Fondren: "Tyler is a thriving city with many wonderful people. It is a beautiful place with many parks and historical sites. Tyler holds many opportunities for the people here."
Mehgan Frazier: "I love that Tyler is not just another town, but that it has fascinating history behind it. I love all the beautiful buildings in downtown Tyler; it makes Tyler very unique from many of the more modern cities."
Toni Hall: "Tyler to me means nice people and friendly faces. I like how Tyler has preserved all of their historical buildings and features. I love the brick streets; they are so pretty and my Great-Grandfather helped lay them."
Lexi Hodges: "Well, for me Tyler is home! It's so many things. Tyler is so much of the past, but at the same time, with all of the children and teenagers, is so much of the future and I can't wait to watch it grow."
Gabrielle Howland: "As a lifelong resident of Tyler, I've always enjoyed the beauty of the natural environment. I have great memories of my family walking through the Azalea Trails and taking family pictures."
Caylee Krouse: "Tyler is my hometown and I would not want to move anywhere else. The people in Tyler are extremely nice and courteous. If anyone I knew was moving to Texas, I would recommend Tyler for its beauty and generous people."
Whitney McDonald: "Even though I never dreamed of living in humble little Tyler, I love it here. The people are so friendly and the buildings are so beautiful. Tyler is my home and I'm proud to be a part of the community. It means love and security."
Hannah McKeown: "A rich tradition that has become part of our family is the anticipation of the first blooms of spring in order to capture that perfect family photo along the Azalea Trail. I am glad to be a part of a community that I can build memories in."
Temple Mims - "Tyler means home to me. It's the place where I was born and raised. It's a beautiful city with the Azalea Trails and the Rose Festival. Tyler is an amazing town to live in."
Brookelyn Nickelberry - "Tyler to me means home. Tyler is beautiful for many reasons; one for the azleas. There are trails of them. We are also known for our roses, which also add to the pride of Tyler. I am proud to live in this town."
Kathryn Norton - "Tyler is a much smaller city, which means that everyone knows everyone. Tyler also has beautiful azaleas and roses and since I live on the Azalea Trail, I get to enjoy them all the time."
Cynthia Ontiveros - "Tyler has been like home to me. I grew up in another city and all I wanted to do was move here. It took a little time to get use to, because it's so big and beautiful and I came from a tiny town. Tyler truly is my home."
Hannah Price - "Tyler keeps a clean environment and southern traditions. For example, we still have the brick streets downtown, historical areas, Rose Parade and the Azalea Trail. Tyler is a great place to raise a family."
Mary Helen Reuter - "Most of my precious memories have come from Tyler and have been branded into my heart and mind. Nothing will ever be able to make me forget this amazingly beautiful city"
Shelby Rhodes - "When I think of Tyler, I feel that it means warmth, it means family and it means love. Tyler offers so many wonderful things for its citizens. I know that this city will always be dear to my heart."
Mary Caroline Selden - "My family and I moved to Tyler in 2006. Prior to residing in Tyler, we lived about 40 miles away but made frequent visits to Tyler. For a small town girl, a trip to Tyler was a great adventure and eagerly anticipated."
Shelby Lynn Staggs - "To me Tyler is home. Not where I live, but in my heart. There is something for everyone here; you can show your creative side and the residents are friendly and helpful. Tyler is the city that makes you feel at home."
Lauralee Stewart - "I was born in Tyler and raised here, so to me, Tyler means a safe home where my family is and a beautiful town that I know I can always come to. Tyler is such a wonderful place and I am proud to say I live here."
Kandice Sutsch - "Tyler is memories, dreams and influences of my youth. I'll always remember climbing pine trees, spending summers on Lake Palestine and visiting the Rose Garden for Mother's Day."
Kaytlin Tharp - "Tyler is beautiful and so friendly. I love that it has so many things to do and get involved in. Tyler is so clean and family oriented-there's something for everyone."
Caroline Williams - "Although I wasn't born in Tyler, I am very grateful it has become my hometown. Tyler is known for its beauty and tradition. I am very proud to be a part of that. When I think of Tyler, I think of southern hospitality."
Beginning March 14 and each weekend thereafter, visitors may obtain trail information at the Visitors Information Center located at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce between the hours of 8:30am-5pm Monday - Saturday and 9am-3pm on Sundays. There will also be information available daily at the Rose Garden Center, between the hours of 8am-5pm weekdays, 9am-5pm Saturdays and 1-5pm on Sundays. The Visitors Information Centers will be closed on Easter Sunday, March 23rd. For a complimentary visitor's guide call (800) 235-5712 or visit the Web site at
www.VisitTyler.com.
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