Page 4 - DEC2024

Page 4 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM December 2024
Elections
By Donna RhoDes
Hebron Town Common Dedications
HEBRON – On Monday, Nov. 4, people gathered on the Hebron Common for a special dedication of new additions and a reveal of improvements on the property through the town’s Common Landscape Committee, which was revitalized in 2022.
When the town offices’ addi- tion was completed, Fred Kohout, now chair of the committee, said his wife Barbara began looking for flowers and shrubs to plant in front of the building. At about that time, Hebron Selectmen sought volunteers to take on an inspection of the common and then come up with ideas on how to make it more attractive and welcoming. Barbara, Fred, and four others took on the mission.
Through their research, the previous Common Landscape
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Committee told the board in 2016 that 13 trees that once graced the common, which spans the area between the town offices, library, and church, were “miss- ing.”
“We don’t know why they were missing, though,” Kohout said.
Old age and disease were sus- pected, so the committee asked experts to inspect the remaining trees and make recommendations on how to proceed with their care. They also requested that they inquire about new trees that could be planted in their place.
Other tasks they were charged with included making recom- mendations about whether the gazebo should be moved, rebuilt, or restored. They also requested a location for a playground and re- quests for a bocce court, benches, and new picnic tables.
All in all, they were asked to “create a Common that could be used by everyone and still accom- modate the Hebron Church Fair (a tradition in July happening on the Common) and other events.”
Last Monday, Kohout was pleased to ask the large crowd standing before him, “So what do you think of the Common? Looks pretty good, don’t you think?”
He pointed out that the ga- zebo had been repainted and had a new roof, and Selectman Pat- rick Moriarty generously donated a new weathervane to decorate the top.
The flag pole was also re- painted, and Kohout said he hoped that by the 250th anni- versary of the birthdate of the United States, Hebron would also gather enough donations to con- struct a star-shaped base below it.
Special dedications that day were also made to benches and a bocci ball court for all to enjoy.
The first bench dedication was made in memory of Suzanne Smith. Suzanne passed away in January of this year after serving the towns of Hebron, Plymouth, and Holderness from 2008-2022 as their state representative. She was known to be a compassionate and caring person who also dealt in homeopathic medicine and loved all things outdoors. In ad- dition to her state duties, she also served as a member of the town’s Conservation Commission, was a Library Trustee, and treasurer of the N.H. Audubon Pemi-Baker chapter, a singer and an actress, Martha Twombly said at the ded- ication.
“She just had amazing talents that she loved to share,” Twombly said.
The second bench placed this year was in memory of Alice Mullen, a part-time resident who gave full-time attention to the town. Alice came to Hebron in 1980 when she met and later married Kevin Mullen. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with the town and Newfound Lake. She became involved in Hebron Community Church, helping with the annual church fair and women’s groups, and en- joyed the beautiful outdoors. She was also involved in the Heartfelt Quilt group in Rumney and, each year sent quilts she made to the girls at nearby Circle Camp. Alice also volunteered for lake moni- toring projects on Newfound and was a long-time member of the Hebron Area Women’s Group.
In memorializing Alice as a second bench was dedicated to her, Gillian VanSchaick said Alice will always be remembered for her love of the outdoors, her humor, and positive attitude.
“She was a friend to many and always there to lend a hand whenever anyone needed help. We’ll always miss her, but it is a joy to dedicate a bench here for her today,” said VanSchaick.
The final dedication was made to Phil Twombly. Roger LaFon- taine spoke about Phil, saying there weren’t adequate words to express his feelings for the man. He recalled how Phil was in- volved in the Newfound Lake Re- gion Association, which named he and his wife Betsy the Most Influential couple for Newfound Lake. Phil was also a member of the Audubon Society and was known to always be involved with
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