Year in Review 2022
Viva Cuba always has a project in the works! Whether it is planting trees, cleaning up the city, or creating a new mural, we love collaborating! It’s been well over 30 years since Viva Cuba was formed. The term “Viva Cuba” means “Long Live Cuba” and was introduced by Percy Pascoe, a founder of the Cuba Free Press. Our community projects are beneficial to everyone who encounters Cuba and that’s why Cuba continues to grow.
Hear What’s New
This year, a talented team of local Cubans narrated the stories behind our murals. The audio files are attached to each core mural story. Listen to the historic tales that weave the fabric of our perseverance and preservation. Here is a great example:
Tree Progress 
Again this year, Viva Cuba maintained 90 young trees as part of a grant program created by the Tree Resource and Maintenance (TRIM) from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC). Peggy Holland and many other volunteers spent countless hours during the summer months watering thirsty trees. Along with help from the City of Cuba, and a special shout-out to Jerry Montgomery, our trees are thriving.
Cuba Stays Beautiful
Cuba’s Beautification Day celebrates 38 years! The annual Trash Bash, held the first Saturday in May, is a town-wide event. This year, volunteers picked up hundreds of pounds of trash from community parks and around town. They also cleaned and manicured Viva Cuba Garden at the corner of Hwy 19 and Route 66 to make sure Cuba continues to grow beautiful public spaces for everyone to enjoy. Trash Bash Chairperson Linda Prevost is already planning for 2023!
60th Anniversary Cuba Fest
Cuba Fest was a glorious sun-filled fall festival in the heart of our city. Viva Cuba sponsored a chili cook-off with five participants during the event. Taking the top prize, Rockfair Restaurant and Lounge won with their classic chili. Other participants included Cuba Bakery, Frisco’s, East Office, Rivera Maya, and Weir on 66. Festival-goers tasted and voted for their favorite chili.
On Sunday, the annual cemetery tours took place at Kinder Cemetery. The familiar Red Trolley (provided by the Cuba Area Chamber) shuttled visitors from the festival to the Kinder Cemetery. Characters from the past came alive to tell their stories played by local residents. The lineup included: J. F. Cornman – Pat Doyen, Mary Elders- Jenny Elders Abercrombie, Percy Pascoe- Robert Wheeler, Henry Hayes – Robert Wheeler, Sunny Jim Bottomley and his wife Betty – Zack Minardi, and Aurora Cremer.
A New Mural
Viva Cuba was awarded an Impact100 Grant for 2022. The plan is to add a new mural to our already impressive portfolio! Designed by Shelly Smith Steiger, it illustrates a “Greetings from Cuba, Missouri” postcard. Where is still up for debate, but rest assured, it will be beloved by all.
Impact100 is a women-led initiative that provides grants to Crawford County nonprofits. Above all, these grants sustain and support communities and people in our local area. Impact100 Check Presentation to Viva Cuba Left to right: Catherine Lange, Impact100 member, Jill Barnett, Viva Cuba Chairperson, and Kathy Lasley Impact100 Chairperson.
The Missing Mural 
What happened to the River Mural at the corner of Spencer and Hwy 19? It’s a work in progress. The original River Mural suffered severe sun and heat damage over the years. It was decided to replace the base wall of the mural. In doing so, the original mural was removed. However, the plan is to repaint the River mural on the new surface. Phase one of the project is complete. A new outer wall has been added to the building. It is primed and ready for paint. Watch its progress in 2023!
Viva Cuba Swag
Are you Cuba proud? Then show it by shopping small this holiday. We have CUBA hats, t-shirts, and sweatshirts! Better yet, give them as gifts! We also have the popular, “Santa Over Cuba” posters by Ray Harvey, again this year. Make one part of your annual holiday decorations. Pick them up at Peoples Bank.
Thanks for your support this year as we continue to grow in so many ways! We couldn’t do what we do without the generosity of countless businesses, residents, city workers, city officials, and volunteers.
If you have questions about Viva Cuba or our town, please contact vivacuba@cubamomurals.com. We invite you to join our group and be a part of our future beautification efforts.
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