Photos: Hands of Time

Otis Blair works through the heat at Lakewood United Methodist Church on June 22. Blair works more than 35 hours a week outside his full-time job with St. Petersburg High School to beautify his property, as well as others in St. Petersburg.

Otis Blair works some evenings at Lakewood United Methodist Church, which sits adjacent to his Pinellas Point home. Retired St. Petersburg High teacher Alva Osborne said, “Mr. Blair loves the outdoors. You can see his spiritual values as he works with nature.”

The Blairs have created and maintained their yard and home design since moving into their Pinellas Point home in March 1978. Their home, along with the neighborhood has changed since the 1970s. “When we moved in, every house on the block was one color. It was mainly a white, quiet, older community,” Blair said.

Granddaughter Marissa Stubbs, 4, works alongside her grandfather at his home on June 19. Stubbs is the only grandchild thus far who has inherited a green thumb.

Grandchildren Marissa, 4 and Treyon Stubbs, 6, ride their bikes before the sprinkler system starts on June 20. St. Petersburg water restrictions limit watering to specific times two days a week.

The Pinellas Point Civic Association awarded the Blairs with a beautification award that will stand in their yard for one month. Lakewood Estates resident Alva Osborne said, “The Blairs well deserve the award.”