"A Celebration of Community Pride and Diversity" is the slogan for the 7th Annual Celebrate Clearwater Neighborhoods Day on Saturday, April 2. The event is sponsored by the city's Development & Neighborhood Services Department. Four vans will transport council members and staff representatives - Library, Public Works, Clearwater Gas, Customer Service, Planning and Parks & Recreation - along designated routes. Janis Smith, who is coordinating the festivities, said that each van would visit 8 to 10 neighborhood block parties. Citizens will have an opportunity to meet and greet their city officials.
Clearwater Beach claims the oldest association, founded in 1944. The day will begin with a neighborhood yard sale from 8:00-10:00AM followed by a picnic in the "triangle", between Bay Esplanade and Narcissus Street, from 4:00-7:30PM. Hot dogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings will be furnished. Residents are asked to bring beverages. President Gigi Boyes said volleyball and horseshoes would be available for those who are athletically inclined.
The Coachman Ridge neighborhood is comprised of homes near Coachman Road west of Highway 19. President Barbara Shepard, a newcomer from California, and the board of directors are planning a block party from 12:00-3:00PM. In addition to picnic goodies, there will be games for the children and if schedules permit, visits from a fire truck and a dump truck.
Country Club Additions encompasses the area north of Drew Street between Betty Lane and (old) Greenwood Avenue. Residents will gather at the corner of Jackson Road and Missouri Avenue from 2:00-4:00PM. Side dishes will be donated to enjoy with hamburgers and hot dogs. President Pam Rilling said, "The association was founded in the 1980s by my in-laws, Ray and Joy Rilling."
Dave Chilcote, Del Oro 's representative, has asked homeowners to bring side dishes to the shelter at Del Oro Park. Hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and soft drinks will be provided from 11:00-3:00PM. While adults are visiting with one another, Spiderman Bounce and games will entertain the younger set.
Neighbors from several streets east of Edgewater Drive will hold their cookout at Charles Street Park for the second year. Robyn Mussler, coordinator, has planned face painting, games and hula-hoops for the junior members. A local band, The All Stars, will entertain the crowd. Grills will be available for barbecuing, and residents will contribute their favorite dishes.
The bylaws for the Harbor Oaks association were formed in October of 1947. Margaret Hightower, Vice President, said the event would be held at the Magnolia Street Dock "rain or shine". Before joining the city celebration, the dock was the scene of an annual party every June for many years. Ms. Hightower said, "The neighborhood has some great cooks, so the salads and desserts will be delicious additions to the menu of hot dogs and hamburgers." There will be activities and games for the children from 11:00-2:00PM.
Morningside-Meadows Homeowners Association, active for 33 years, combines two neighborhoods south of Gulf-to-Bay and east of Belcher Road. Members will enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks with homemade salads and desserts at the Morningside Recreation Center from 11:30-2:30PM. Activities, games, sack races and a Moon Walk will add to the fun. Neighbor Bob Barry, of the duo Valentino & Barry, will provide music.
In the Countryside area, Northwood West partygoers will meet on Anderson Drive N. at Frisco Drive. Doug Williams, who serves as President of the Neighborhood Coalition, said residents may come and go anytime between 10:00-3:00PM to visit, eat or enjoy the Moon Walk. Boys and girls are looking forward to the arrival of a fire truck.
Old Clearwater Bay Neighborhood will celebrate the occasion from 4:00-6:00PM with a Seafood Fest on Fairmont Street. Local chefs will fry fish and hush puppies to compliment platters of shrimp and oysters. The ladies will bring appetizers, salads and desserts. At 7:00PM, Blue Line CPD, a community television program with Police Chief Sid Klein, will film the show on site.
Skycrest Neighbors will spend the afternoon from 3:30-7:30PM at Crest Lake Park. Elizabeth France plans to engage a radio station or musical group to entertain. Activities will include bocce ball and horseshoes. Covered dishes will be served with hot dogs. Organized about 7 years ago, the group is initiating a project to list neighborhood owners and their pets for identification purposes.
Neighborhood Services is also sponsoring the North Greenwood Teen Coffee House Talent Show on Thursday, March 31. The competition will be held in the North Greenwood Library parking lot, from 5:00-7:00PM. Movies Under the Stars will be feature a family-oriented movie in Coachman Park from 6:30-8:30PM, Friday, April 1.