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Continuing a new Christmas tradition in Tama’s Oak Park

The Bandstand in Oak Park is again resplendent with holiday decor. Sisters Julie Chyma and Joni Simpson started decorating the structure several years ago. Community caroling is planned for the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Bandstand to which all are invited. News-Herald/John Speer

A renovation effort for the Bandstand in Oak Park took place some 15 years ago.

Since then, it has been “adopted” by neighbors including sisters Julie Chyma and Joni Simpson who have brought Christmas season spirit to the park by decorating the bandstand with lights, garland and Christmas tree for several years.

A tradition of caroling will be again be carried out on Sunday evening, Dec. 18, when community members are invited to join in caroling in the park at 5:30 p.m.

The bandstand has more history attached.

It was featured in a 1959 article in Vogue Magazine written by John?R. Humphreys, the husband of Peggy Frink, and the son-in-law of Tama resident Gale Frink.

BOVE- The cover of the 1961 book by John R. Humphreys which contained photos from Tama which included a shot of the bandstand in Oak Park. -Book From The Janet Merck Collection

According to a Tama News-Herald account published then, “Humphreys and his wife were married in June, 1959, and for their wedding trip took a cross-country trip by car in search of America’s “hidden towns.””

They stopped in Tama, and the bandstand was photographed by Humphreys and included in the magazine article.

According to the 1960 News-Herald, Humphreys wrote “Tama, described as a “by-passed” town with back-yard barns and a park bandstand rated a full paragraph in the article which appears in the Feb. 1 issue of Vogue, slick, high fashion ladies magazine.”

Humphreys later published a book based up on the honeymooning couples trip, “The Lost Towns & Roads of America” and the bandstand photo is also included in it.

The present family home of Rod and Chris Drummer located on north McClellan is among Tama photos also pictured along with the bandstand and the Oak Park fountain.