8th Annual Old Seminole Heights Home Tour

Today's Trib has some good stories about the Old Seminole Heights Home Tour.

WHAT: A tour of a dozen homes built from the 1920s to the 1970s, including one built in 1942 by Melvin Jones, a blind man. It's listed in "Ripley's Believe It Or Not."

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. April 2.

WHERE: Pick up your ticket and a trolley ride at Seminole Heights Garden Center, 5800 Central Ave., Tampa

HOW MUCH: $10

INFORMATION: (813) 237-8808

I tried to find the Ripley's story online but was not able to yet do so. Aside from featuring one home on the tour I especially liked the look at the nuts and bolts of organizing a home tour. What a great add-on to the story. Good job B.C. Mannion.

"Neighborhoods considering a home tour to raise money and attract home buyers can learn from the experiences of Old Seminole Heights."

"TOUR PLANNING TIMELINE
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER: Committee kick-off meeting. Determine where tickets will be sold and where parking will be available.

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER: Solicit nominations. Begin drumming up volunteers for day of tour.

OCTOBER-NOVEMBER: Evaluate nominations.

DECEMBER: Arrange trolleys for tour. Select homes for tour. Submit news releases to national publications, such as Southern Living, American Bungalow and AAA Going Places.

JANUARY: Reserve any necessary public facilities, such as parks or recreation centers. Preliminary deadline for advertisements to run in the brochure.

FEBRUARY: Deadlines: for homeowner to submit information for the brochure; for completing historic research on homes; for payment and proof of advertising for brochure.

MARCH: Deadline for homeowners to approve final write-up for brochure. Brochure is completed.

EARLY APRIL: The tour is held."