Here's an attractive Garden Walkway.

Here's an attractive Garden Walkway.

Even before Viva Cuba, the murals, the Viva Cuba Garden, and other beautification projects, Cuba’s citizens have been civic minded and understood the importance of an attractive community. Vera Cantley’s column “Recalling the Past” in the Cuba Free Press recently pointed that out in a newspaper report from Cuba in 1912.

A Civic Club of both men and women was founded on May 8, 1912. Their goal was the advancement of Cuba, and one of their first efforts involved beautification. During the September fair, prizes were to be given to adults for the handsomest porch box.  First place would receive $3.00 and second place $2.00.  There would also be a prize for the best-kept lawn at the same price.

In 1912, the Civic Club knew the importance in involving young people in beautification efforts. Girls and boys under 15 years old, could receive $2 for the nicest kept backyard and $1 for second place. This might have been a plot by the adults to get the kids to do their yard chores, but it may have worked.

For the largest assortment of flowers, there was a first place prize of $2 and second place prize of $1.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any photos of the winning efforts, so we have included a few random photos of today’s gardeners. Some of today’s amateur gardeners achieve near profressional results, and we appreciate their work to make our Cuba neighborhoods more attractive.

Here's an inviting spot for contemplation in the garden.

Here's an inviting spot for contemplation in the garden.

Mary Miller's roses are experiencing an abundance of blooms.

Mary Miller's roses are experiencing an abundance of blooms.

Some people like to build a water treatment into their landscape design.

Some people like to build a water treatment into their landscape design.