Town Center Project helps foster feelings of community in Hebron

With a tag line of “Reinventing the heart of Hebron,” The Hebron Town Center Project (TTCP) has been doing just that for several years.

“It all started back in 2017 when our founder, Judith Podell, had a desire to see our Main Street, the heart of Hebron, be more engaged with our community,” said current Board President Holly Habicht.

“We had these beautiful sidewalks that led throughout our town, beautiful green spaces for people to relax in the shade of the big maple trees, but unless you brought your own entertainment, chairs or blankets, beverages and snacks…. it was just lovely, relatively new sidewalks,” continued Habicht.

Podell approached a few people she knew with an idea to create a volunteer network that could help “reinvent the heart of Hebron.” Those individuals – a few local business owners, an accountant, a lawyer, citizens at large – became TTCP’s first Board of Directors.

“Judy promoted her idea, got other community members engaged by asking what they wanted to see happen on Main Street,” said Habicht.

These brainstorming sessions took place at Hebron Day, the library, and through ballot boxes that area businesses hosted. The Board of Directors nailed down a few events that it deemed doable, and moved forward.

“Judy and the Board of Directors quickly realized that producing “free” events costs a lot of money, and Judy went to work putting her past sales experience to good use,” said Habicht.

Recognizing that TTCP needed to be legitimized, the board began the detailed process of becoming a 501c3 nonprofit organization. With TTCP’s nonprofit status in place, the organization was able to apply for grants and offer tax donation letters for any individual and business contributors.

“It was a game changer,” said Habicht.

While local town government supports all of TTCP’s efforts and assists wherever possible, Habicht points out that the organization is not a town entity and therefore not funded by the town in any way.

Backed by the idea of turning Hebron into a “see, eat, and do” destination spot, TTCP began planning its first year of events.

In 2018, TTCP oversaw a Summer Concert Series, Lazy Days of Summer (where every Sunday passive games were on display along Main Street for individuals to use during the summer months), a 4th of July Celebration, participation in Make Music Day (an international day that celebrates music, always on June 21st, the summer solstice), a Harvest Moon Festival, and the inception of its “take a seat” initiative, the Chairs of Hebron. Chairs of Hebron invited local artisans to paint Adirondack-style chairs that were 100% community volunteer cut, built, sanded, and delivered to creators.

“We found our events to be successful, and that the need for community-based events was real. We were encouraged to continue to grow,” said Habicht.

The award of an AARP grant in the sping of 2019 allowed TTCP, with assistance from Hebron Public Works, to install five concrete pads throughout the historic center of Hebron, allowing for the installation of the Chairs of Hebron. The Chairs of Hebron have graced the downtown area since.

“They are utilized daily and commented on often,” said Habicht.

This year, RHAM’s National Art Honor Society members painted six more chairs that are currently on display in the circle of Old Town Hall.

“TTCP can’t thank Hebron Parks and Rec. enough,” said Habicht, noting that the recreation department brings the chairs out in the spring, and stores them during the winter. Artists are also always being willing to touch-up and varnish their creations, as needed, which is also a huge help to the organization.

And Habicht notes that Hebron residents continue to support the project, years later.

“That is community,” she said.

Things continued going well until COVID threw up a roadblock.

“2020 was a difficult year for all nonprofits, but one that’s main goal is to bring people together at a time when we were advised (on a state and federal level) to stay apart... TTCP took it especially hard,” said Habicht.

Habicht noted that TTCP initially canceled all programming.

“But by June, we just couldn’t stand it any longer,” she said.

Make Music Day Chairman Drew Gibson, Habicht, and Podell met six feet apart outside on the lawn and planned a socially-distanced Make Music Day.

“TTCP put word out that Make Music Day was a go, with a few twists,” said Habicht.

The group encouraged individuals to send them their addresses and plan to be outside, performing on their porch, on their lawn or in their driveway, so that other community members could drive up, safely park, sit in their cars, and listen to music.

Gibson and Habicht drove around and placed “TTCP event here” signs on all participating lawns. A map published on Facebook showed visitors where to go. The concept worked well for TTCP and the community.

“It felt like forever since we had gotten together, and this was a great day for the soul of Hebron,” said Habicht.

In order to keep the momentum going, in December 2020, TTCP brought its second art installation to town. The SnoFolk of Hebron were constructed and painted by local volunteers. These six-foot additions to Hebron’s historic downtown make their reappearance ever year in time for the Holiday Celebration that takes place the first weekend of December.

“The SnoFolk of Hebron has proven to be a big part in that ‘see, eat, and do’ mission by bringing whimsy, pride, and community to the heart of Hebron,” said Habicht.

During 2021 and 2022, TTCP has been working hard to bring back the name recognition the group lost during COVID.

Habicht notes that currently there is a bit of a decline in public funding for organizations like TTCP.

“Right now there is so much need from the education sector, diversification, affordable housing, inflation, the economy,” she said. “We know the arts and humanities are important to the well-being of society, and that funding will come back around.”

In the meantime, TTCP plans to depend a little more heavily on local donations and working on fundraising events like Market Day, which was added in 2022, and the Harvest Moon Festival.

“This past year also saw the addition of The Hebron Community Chorus to our family, helping create community through song, a different adventure for us, with the same net result,” noted Habicht.

Habicht says that TTCP’s future goals will see the group stabilizing and growing in 2023, focusing on another art installation and growing current programming.

“Our current group of volunteers - and The Town Center Project is ALL volunteers - are amazing,” she said. “They bring such warmth and commitment to our town and our organization.”

TTCP is always seeking new people and of course, donations. For information on future TTCP events, stay tuned to the organization’s Facebook page and website. Or contact TTCP at ttcp@thetowncenterproject.org.