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Neighborhood news

Couple ready to put youth program in county's hands

By JACKIE RIPLEY
Published February 23, 2007

When Rob and Fran Gamester founded the Town 'N Country Youth Council five years ago, they had seven members and met in the Gamesters' living room. They now have 110 members and meet at the Town 'N Country Recreation Center.

But the time has come for the second phase of the Gamesters' plan, handing the organization over to the county to run.

It's a day they knew would come but it's one they face with mixed emotions.

"I think we've accomplished what we set out for when we look at what the kids have accomplished," said Rob Gamester, who along with his wife, Fran, will retire from the youth council at the end of the school year. "It's given them an opportunity to shine and blossom, and that's really what we were hoping for."

The county, a part of the youth council since its inception, will take a more active role after the Gamesters step down.

"We plan to increase our involvement and then step back as we find that outside citizen, a volunteer or two, who can step in the way Fran and Rob did," said Paula Jory, a recreation supervisor for the county's parks department.

The Gamesters, who have devoted countless hours to area teens, have watched the organization grow. Not only has it provided young people with a safe place to congregate, but it also has enabled them to organize community events that have been fun and made money. It even has helped a few earn college scholarships.

"We wanted to give Town 'N Country kids the opportunities other kids have," Rob Gamester said.

The Gamesters, whose four children are grown, said they were tired of the bad press kids were getting. "We were teenagers once, and we were good kids," Rob Gamester said. "We knew there are tons of good kids out there."

During their first meeting the teens reinforced that belief with a list of goals they wanted to accomplish.

A Christmas party at the Children's Home and doing something to help the elderly were high on the list.

"They pulled me into the 21st century," said Rob Gamester, recalling how the teens taught him the correct pronunciation of Shrek, the animated green ogre. "They thought it was so funny when I called him Shriek."

The Gamesters, who have been active in Town 'N Country's community planning process, look forward to doing more in that area. Fran Gamester, as president of the Town 'N Country Garden Circle, is eager to devote more time to that organization.

And they plan to travel.

"I love being with the teens, and I'll miss them," Fran Gamester said. But "there's plenty of time to make the transition."

Jackie Ripley can be reached at ripley@sptimes.com or at 813 269-5308.

[Last modified February 22, 2007, 08:04:00]