CAMBRIDGE — In an ongoing commitment to promote the beautification of Cambridge and the surrounding communities, the Dorchester Garden Club has instituted a new initiative, “Curb Appeal,” to acknowledge the contributions of residential and commercial establishments for their efforts to beautify the local landscape.

Dorchester Garden Club members are tasked with canvassing the county to submit photos of candidates for this recognition and the submissions are voted on by club members at the club’s monthly meetings.

Criteria include beautiful plantings, colorful, freshly planted pots, whimsical, well themed wall hangings or wreaths and welcoming paths to an entrance.

July marked the first of the awards designations and the winners were Bay Country Antiques on 415 Dorchester Ave., Cambridge for “totally awesome baskets” in the commercial category and the home of Barbara Knepp and KC Stangl, 325 West End Ave., Cambridge in the residential category for “farmhouse finery.”

“After 5 years of house hunting on the Eastern Shore we resumed our hunt last June. After a long, hot weekend of searching, our 1892 farmhouse was the last house of the day and it was love at first sight!” recalls Barbara Knepp. “It had been meticulously restored but the landscaping didn’t quite match its elegant interior. We are grateful that our landscaping efforts have been so well received. We still have many outdoor projects planned and are delighted to have found this wonderful home surrounded by amazing neighbors in one of the Smithsonian’s Top 15 places to visit. Cambridge is definitely the jewel of the Eastern Shore.”

Terry Tubman, owner of Bay Country Antiques, takes great care in the excellent curb appeal of his establishment, which has been in business for 35 years. “My daughter and I personally handle the flowers which are specially grown for us in Pennsylvania” notes Mr. Tubman.

Curb Appeal Awards chair, Karen Cartwright, commented “the Dorchester Garden Club looks forward to recognizing the beauty that so many in our community contribute to making this such a wonderful place to live.” Jeanne Bernard, club president adds “we welcome those interested in becoming new club members to reach out to us to attend an upcoming meeting to learn more about what we’re all about.”

To find out more, email dorchestergardenclub@gmail.com, or go to www.dorchestergardenclub.com.