Growing up with only one care, which is another oddity today, we often walked to where we needed to go. Evervthing was at our fingertips, and easily accessible. My dad, Ralph, was a salesman at the time and needed the family car for his job. We all made due and adapted very easily, even my mom, Carolyn. She was very fortunate, as her job was at a nearby shopping center that was with in walking distance. She was and to this day, still is a beautician. Her shop was located off Hillsborough Avenue in what used to be the Zayre's Shopping Center. This center also housed a movie theatre that my brother, Tony, and I used to frequent. This theater cost less than a dollar per movie. What a bargain, huh?

My neighborhood was beaming with young families, their children and pets. We were never without friends to play with or things to do.

Besides going to the local movie theater as a child, there were many other fond memories to recollect. One of my family's favorite treats was going to the Dairy Queen off Hanley and Hillsborough. On hot summer days, we would spend many happy hours at the local public swimming pool. It was located across from Westgate Church. Back then, not many families could afford in-ground pools. Next, I want to mention our attendance of the yearly local carnival which was held at Webb Jr. High. Then of course during the holidays we'd annually visit the Christmas House on Hulsey Road. Today, this home is an Adult Living Facility. Besides swimming, we got a lot of exercise and athletic experience at the Town N' Country Baseball Little League field. In the 60's it was located behind Town `N Country Elementary. It is now located near Morgan Woods Elementary. It seems like everything we needed or wanted was close at hand.

I am a product of Town `N Country Elementary School, Dunbar Sixth Grade Center, Pierce Junior High and Leto High School, where I was a proud band member.6

I regret not being able to attend sixth grade in my own neighborhood school. I was only about 3,000 feet from Webb but wasn't allowed to attend due to the new court ordered bussing at the time.

Many businesses have come and gone from Town `N Country, but there are a few that have made it through the many changes. One in particular is the "Ranch House" on Hillsborough Avenue. It is comforting to still see a landmark like this survive from the past.

My love of fishing started in this area. When I was about 10 years old, I'd ride my bike to a great fishing spot behind what was then a "Shop and Go" on John's Road. This is where I hooked my first snook and bass - I've been hooked on fishing ever since, The creeks and canals of this area were so healthy and alive with fish and crabs. It was a fisherman's paradise. 1 would often transport bass I'd catch to a newly formed lake between Myers Road and Yorkshire Road. This was just between Larmon Street and Paris Street. This area used to be a swamp before a developer began digging it out for muck and peat. Low and behold, what was left, eventually became a lake after a few hard rains. My friends and I even had a chance to play softball in the bottom of this scrapped off area before the rains made it into a lake.

I have always loved being by the water; Town `N Country certainly affords you this opportunity in abundance. I know I have taken full advantage of this. In my early twenties I bought a home on Jackson Springs Road which was on a canal. Next, I moved to Portsmouth Drive, which was on another canal. When I married my wife Marlene, we decided to make our home on Spanish Lake Drive, which is on a beautiful pond. Here, we live with our two children, Christopher and Jennifer. Our new neighborhood has allowed me to be on two committees, which are dear to my heart - Landscape and Adopt A Pond.

I've been marketing Real Estate nearly 21 years and I highly recommend Town `N Country to my customers. It has so much to offer. It has grown so much since I first moved

here in the 60's. It is a metropolis of family life, entertainment, restaurants and shopping. It offers something for everyone.

Those that choose to make Town `N Country their home will discover as I have that once you live here, you are here to stay.