WOW-mail The Official Newsmagazine of the Westchase Community Association July 2008



WOW
Events Calendar

 

   
4 Current Issue
4 Community News

Columns and Reports
 

4 Becoming a Master Gardener
4 Casing the Bookshelf
4 CDDs Meeting Notes
4 Community Association Manager's Report
4 Commun. Resource Officer
4 DINKs
4 Dishing It Out
4 Diversions and Excursions
4 Eye on Your Health
4 Fake Ad Contest
4 Fitness News
4 Financial News
4 From the President
4 GAC Report
4 The Healthy Gourmet
4 Hurricane Guide
4 Kids' Stuff
4 Letters to the Editor
4 Lighter Side of Linebaugh
4 Pet of the Month
4 Pet Page
4 Pets: Lost and Found
4 Publisher's Notes
4 School News
4 Senior News
4 Sip and Sauté
4 Suburban Diva
4 Swim and Tennis Centers
4 Swim and Tennis Committee
4 Swim and Tennis Programs
4 Swim News
4 Tech Talk
4 Tennis News
4 UTB Library News
4 Village Voices
4 Voting Member Mtg Notes
4 WCA Board Meeting Notes
4 Westchase Profile
4 Westchase Singles Club
4 Your Mental Health

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4 Business Directory
4 Advertising Rates &
Specifications
4 Contact WOW Staff
4 WOW Submissions and Writers' Guidelines
4 Business Classifieds
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4 Event Calendar
4 Neighborhood Guide
4 WCA Budget
4 CDDs Budget
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4 Westchase Govt. Primer
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Westchase Documents and Forms
 

4 Draft of New Guidelines
   
4 WOW 2008 Scholarship Application
4 WCA Deed Restriction Violation Procedure
4 Modifications Form
4 Home/Yard Modifications Procedures
4 S&T Center Room Reservation Form
4 CCRs
4 Bylaws
4 Guidelines


 

The Fourth of July: A History of Americans’ Celebration
By Chris Barrett, Publisher/Managing Editor

On Independence Day, Americans across the nation will celebrate their country’s birth. Millions will mark the Fourth of July with a picnic or barbecue, a parade or trip to the beach, a baseball game or a grand fireworks display. But as Americans celebrate their 232-year history, most are completely unaware of the history of the Fourth itself. Just how did 18th and 19th century Americans celebrate this national holiday? And would modern Americans even recognize them?

What would you predict?

If it’s any measure, our founding fathers didn’t make perfectly accurate predictions about how 21st century Americans would be celebrating the holiday. Immediately following the Continental Congress’ 1776 vote to declare independence from the British Empire, Massachusetts lawyer John Adams predicted that his fellow countrymen would thereafter celebrate their Independence Day with fireworks. Only he thought they’d do it on July 2. Adams wrote home to his wife Abigail about the day. “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Why July 2? Following a month of fiery debate, on July 2, 1776 the Continental Congress finally adopted a motion made by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. It stated, “These United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent states…” Rather than celebrate July 2 as the country’s birthday, Americans, however, chose to instead honor what another founding father called “Mr. Jefferson’s advertisement of Mr. Lee’s resolution.”

For it was on July 4, 1776 that The Declaration of Independence, penned by another Virginian named Thomas Jefferson, was approved by that same body. While the British did not formally recognize the states’ independence for seven more years, a tradition of celebration was born.

Philadelphia, the country’s early capital, celebrated the first Glorious Fourth, July 4, 1777, in recognizable fashion. During a formal dinner, members of the Continental Congress made toasts. The day also saw 13-gun salutes, politicians’ speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews and fireworks. Ships in Philadelphia’s harbor were even decorated with red, white and blue bunting.

Early celebrations of the Fourth in the late 1700s through the Civil War in 1860 generally involved grand speechifying and artillery salutes, followed by large formal dinners. These were usually hosted outdoors by local political parties, unions or social clubs – unless a cholera epidemic happened to keep everyone away. The first Independence Day dinner in early Washington, DC, was held in 1795, next to Rock Creek, which still flows through the capital. The 100 early Americans in attendance enjoyed a dinner prepared by a local tavern.

These early celebratory dinners were laid upon tables as long as 200 feet, laden with sumptuous feasts. Beef, pork, mutton and even the occasional roasted ox were served, along with vegetable and fruit. It was topped off with cakes, pies and puddings. Homemade lemonade, ice cream and strawberries smothered in cream were common, but the most popular dishes differed with geography. Fish stew was consumed in New England and clam soup was popular in New York. Washingtonians, Charlestonians and Philadelphians, however, preferred turtle soup.
 

Enter WOW's 10th Annual Dining Survey!

(Click on image above!)

Red, White and Boom!
By Cara Farchione

The smell of burgers on the grill, the feel of flip-flops on your toes and the sound of sparklers in the air: can you picture it? The Fourth of July is just around the corner. While burgers and beach trips are some of the best things about this peak-of-summer holiday, the pinnacle of the day isn’t on the ground. It’s the light and sounds in the sky.

Tampa Bay has no shortage of Independence Day fireworks celebrations. In fact, at most locations near the water at around 9 or 9:30 p.m. on July 4, the sky in every direction lights up in a kaleidoscope of colors. To help you find your place to celebrate, we offer a guide of Fourth of July celebrations that are scheduled this year. No matter which you choose, you are sure to have a blast!

Channelside District – Downtown Tampa
The Channelside fireworks are a popular choice for local Tampanians. The Channelside shopping and restaurant district will have their Fourth of July celebration kick off at noon and it will last until 2 a.m. There will be live music, family activities and, of course, fireworks that evening.

Yacht Starship – Downtown Tampa
How about a view of the fireworks from the water? There is nothing like the backdrop of downtown Tampa at night to frame a beautiful display. Tickets are $99, which includes dinner and dancing. The ship sales at 7 p.m. and docks around 9:30 p.m. If you are interested, buy your tickets early as this cruise tends to sell out quickly. For more information, visit www.yachtstarship.com. Ahoy!

Community News
 

   
4 Blue Jeans and Bling Gala for The Spring Rocked the House!
4 No Special Assessment in Settled Appleby Drowning Lawsuit
4 Going Green: Green Travel
4 Westchase Stage Swarmed with Pickpockets and Orphans!
4 Swim Team Holds First Spring Picnic
4 2008 WOW Scholar Misha Lang
4 2008 WOW Scholar Elyssa Barnett
4 TriGals and Friends Tackle the Half Ironman
   

Village News
 

   
4 Glencliff Village Guidelines Notice
4 Greenpointe Kids Celebrate School’s End
4 School’s Out and Keswick Throws a Party
   

Around the Block
 

   
4 Westchase Blood Drive on July 12
4 Going Green: Household Chemical and Electronics Recycling
4 Newcomers Slate July Luncheon
4 Nominations Sought for Nathan Lafer Good Neighbor Award
   
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 

 

 

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