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It is that time of the year again when the Taber Times features the numerous winners from the local Community in Bloom yard contest, as those with an affinity for a green thumb, are showcased with their various properties.

To the casual observer, it is simply a nice area you see in a passing area as you drive down the street, but the drive behind it is so much deeper than that.

Communities in Bloom is a volunteer-based, non-profit Canadian organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation.

While future features will only highlight the pristine yards of local contest winners, it is likely the people take just as much care in other areas of their lives.

It could simply be taking the dog for a walk and picking up a piece of garbage they see along the walking path, conserving water by shutting it off between brush strokes brushing your teeth, or helping decorate downtown for a big event.

There are all little things on the surface that if they are combined can make a world of difference for the betterment of the community.

For those who do not think about the beauty Communities in Bloom helps create around town, there is the simple bottom line the residual effect a movement like Communities in Bloom can offer.

In the laws of economics, there has never been a case of property values going down, or businesses or families not wanting to locate in an area for an increased tax base because it looks too nice.

But certainly rusted-out, broken-down cars on front lawns, eye sores to the entrances of towns off of major highways and streets looking like they are your personal dump will certainly depress the monetary value of a town’s assets.

Various projects the local chapter of Communities in Bloom help maintain include the Angel Garden at the Taber Police Station, the Heritage Garden south of the Aquafun Centre, Confederation Park gateway, Japanese and Cenotaph gardens, planters on 50th Street, Ken McDonald Memorial Sports Park gateway, cemetery entrance and Prairie Lake Estates.

The latest yard competition Communities in Bloom put on is just the latest of many initiatives, the small, but dedicated group do here in Taber.

While the focus may be the environment, it is the environment of Mother Nature, the environment of the economic landscape and simply the environment of the soul in wanting to see something beautiful before your eyes that Communities in Bloom help create.

Communities in Bloom should be commended for their efforts and could perhaps spur us all on to help out a little more.

It could be using more environmentally-friendly products, picking up garbage from in front of your businesses or volunteering for an organization that is close to your hearts much like Communities in Bloom is to its members. There are so many things that can be done to make this world a more beautiful place.

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