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Longtime Neighbors Share Tradition

The photo was provided by Kathrin Ramos

Alexandria Ramos crouches amid the softly glowing luminaries of the 2006 Glencliff New Year's celebration.

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2007

WESTCHASE - The annual Christmas party has been a chance for residents of Glencliff to share laughs, food and good wishes.

Years ago, a neighbor began throwing the party, and Bonnie Wells, who has lived in Glencliff since July 1994, said she decided to keep up the tradition. 'I liked the party so much that I just picked it up,' said Wells, 65.

Glencliff, located south of the Westchase Golf Club, contains 48 homes.

Twenty-seven of Glencliff's original property owners own homes in the neighborhood, said Wells, who serves as the voting member within the Westchase Community Association.

In such a small neighborhood with so many longtime homeowners, most people tend to know one another pretty well, she said.

'Everyone is friendly with someone in the neighborhood,' she said. 'It might just be their immediate neighbor next door.'

Wells said a small group of neighbors used to be known as the 'Cliff Wellers' because they were dedicated to helping sick neighbors - bringing over casseroles or giving people rides to the doctor's office.

Although the group is no longer officially around, Wells said the spirit remains in Glencliff because people are willing to help one another in times of need.

Along with being part of the WCA, Glencliff has its own homeowners association, which handles contracts for lawn mowing and house painting.

Neighbors volunteer to keep the Glencliff association functioning and also volunteer within the WCA, Wells said. 'The people really work hard at maintaining the neighborhood,' she said.

Two streets - Glencliff Circle and Edenton Way - make up the neighborhood's thoroughfares. Glencliff Park is near the entrance of the community. The public park's features include a basketball court, soccer field, baseball and softball field, playground equipment, boardwalks, restrooms and a parking lot.

The park underwent extensive upgrades about two years ago costing about $1 million. The soccer field has been such a popular amenity that grass was recently replaced because of extensive use.

GLENCLIFF

NUMBER OF HOMES: 48

BACKGROUND: Glencliff is a small neighborhood consisting of two streets: Glencliff Circle and Edenton Way. The neighborhood is part of Westchase, a deed-restricted community of more than 3,400 homes in northwest Hillsborough County.

HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION INFORMATION: Along with having its own homeowners association, Glencliff is part of the Westchase Community Association, whose president is Brian Ross.

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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