Greeeting the New Year is a time-honored tradition. Critter photo compliments of the Fanning Outpost US66 General Store.
Cuba, Missouri: Whether you howled in the New Year or spent a quiet one with family or friends, it is always a time to look both backward and forward. In fact, in Roman Mythology the god Janus, often depicted with two heads facing opposite directions, was a god of endings and beginnings. The month of January was named for him. Viva Cuba would like to add our two bits to end of the year musings.
1. Remember the power of transformation. Whether its personal transformation or community-based, it’s important to make that first step. Viva Cuba, a volunteer beautification organization, hasn’t always had all the knowledge or the money that we needed to start projects. We often had no idea where projects would lead us or Cuba. We also became impatient and thought things took way too long or cost too much. But we kept moving forward, and some amazing things happened. The community, the city, and local newspaper supported us, problems were solved, and great artists helped transform our town.
The buildings were power washed as preparations were made to transform Buchanan Street with murals.
The Civil War Murals transformed Buchanan Street.
Individuals initiated some of the transformation in Cuba. Andy Sanazaro Jr. gave this 100 year-old building a new beginning.
When Andy Sanazaro Jr. began his work on the this Main Street Building, no one knew the changes it would bring.
Now, the 100 year-old building has murals, unique signage, and welcomes a new generation of customers.
2. Be optimistic for change. When Viva Cuba organized in 1984, the group wanted to beautify the town to draw industries to Cuba. They moved forward and helped implement change not only in Cuba but also state-wide when they became the first Adopt-A-Highway group in Missouri in 1987 with the adoption of 1.5 miles of Hwy. 19 in Cuba.This is the oldest Adopt-A-Highway designation in Missouri, and many other groups and individuals across Missouri have followed Viva Cuba’s lead. With banners, promotion, plantings, landscaping, clean-ups, and the mural project, the group has always believed that beautification can make positive contributions to community life and effect the economy.
Early Viva Cuba members pose with the first Adopt-A-Highway sign in Missouri.
A survey of our blog posts in the past two years (you can access them by clicking on archive entries in the left margin) shows countless examples of optimism and transformation for a better Cuba.
Join us in 2011 to continue optimistic transformations to our community.
To read of the history and projects of Viva Cuba go here.
To see what a decade of change brought Cuba, go here to see what the streets were like pre-1991.
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