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Town 'N Country Plans Big 50th Bash In '09

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By B.C. MANION

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 6, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Plans are in the works for a celebration to mark the beginnings of this community - which emerged from cow pastures nearly 50 years ago.

Organizers have begun getting ready to celebrate Town 'N Country's half-century mark with a big community party.

They are aiming for a celebration Sept. 19, 2009, at Jackson Springs Park.

The community's first house was sold Sept. 18, 1959, said Rob Gamester of the Town 'N Country Garden Circle, one of the organizers for next year's big bash.

To be on the safe side, the planning group has picked a rain date and a backup location - in case of poor weather, or any problems in securing Jackson Springs Park.

The rain date is Sept. 26, 2009, and the backup location is Webb Middle and Town and Country Recreation Center complex.

Settling on the potential time and place were just two things accomplished by a planning group that met last week at the Town 'N Country Recreation Center.

A steering committee and several working committees also were designated.

One committee will pull together the history of the community's main players, including its subdivisions, businesses, churches, organizations and other social institutions.

Part of that history was written by James Shimberg, one of the community's original developers.

"The first 50 homes in Town 'N Country sold for $9,200 and offered 40-year FHA mortgages at 41/2 percent interest," Shimberg wrote in an article posted on the Town 'N Country Park Homeowners Association Web site. "The monthly payments were $52, including principal, interest, taxes and insurance."

The history committee will play an important role because the party is celebrating the community's history, Gamester said.

The Friends of the Town 'N Country Regional Library are working on a project to compile the history of numerous neighborhoods and people from Town 'N Country, so it's important to find out the scope of that work - to avoid duplicating efforts, said Juli Milas, one of the steering committee members for the 50th anniversary celebration.

Another committee will take care of planning the day's events, including entertainment, food and dignitaries.

A third group will set up chairs, tables and other equipment and break it down at the end of the day.

Another committee will raise money for the event.

At Gamester's suggestion, the group designated Bob Hood to handle the accounting chores.

It's too early to say what the shape of the event may be or how many people are expected to attend.

When the Town 'N Country Park Civic Association held its 40th anniversary party in 2001, it drew about 2,500 people, Gamester said.

The group is seeking people who want to help. Anyone who is interested can call Gamester at (813) 884-3462 or come to the next general meeting at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 29 at Town and Country Elementary School, 6025 Hanley Road.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507 or bmanion@tampatrib.com.

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