The "New" & Improved Maple Leaf Needs YOUR Support as we look to Maple Fest 2027

EDIT: I want to thank everyone! We have reached our donations goal and have received the new Maple Leaf costume. It should be ready for the 2027 Maple Festival event. Below are the unboxing videos that look at the new costume and its features.

Ever been to the Hebron Maple Festival and seen the Hebron Maple Leaf? Maybe the Leaf gave you a high-five, maybe the Leaf danced around to music, or maybe you caught the Leaf riding on the tractor parade. In any case, the Leaf was there to bring joy to the Maple Festival. The Leaf was there to make kids & families feel happy about attending the Maple Festival. 

That was my purpose when I created the concept of the Maple Leaf in 2010. I had wanted to create the mascot for the festival. When I first started out, I was a member of the Knights of Columbus Pancake Breakfast before I made my way to downtown Hebron. I started with a costume I bought on my own with a sheet of paper tacked to the costume with the name "Mr. Maple Leaf." No one knew originally what I was- they thought I was a burning hot dog, or something of that nature. The sign helped to define the character.

I am here to formally thank everyone who donated to create the "new" Maple Leaf. I cannot thank everyone enough. We have accumulated over $1000 in donations but we are still looking for around $400 to fully pay for the costume. This new costume was all thanks to the citizens of Hebron who stepped up and contributed to keep this tradition alive. They have shown me that this tradition is worth keeping and that they want to keep the passion of the Maple Leaf alive. Thank you to everyone who has donated for the new Maple Leaf costume for the 2027 Maple Festival. It will be donated to Michelle at the Flour Girl Cafe, as her staff has taken up the role of the Maple Leaf the past few years.

Below are a collection of photos featuring the new costume. It is not a final draft but it is what the new Maple Leaf will mostly look like. Additionally, if you would like to help us raise the last bit of money, you can donate at the GoFundMe page here: Maple Festival Go Fund Me Fundraiser We are almost at our goal and hope to reach it in the next few weeks! Please help support this tradition so we can share our love and fun at the Maple Festival. 

Over the years, I gained some credibility as

a mascot. Kids looked for me at the Maple Festival and I created the Facebook page to share the love and joy with everyone. I have easily close to 50 personal photos, many with children, politicians, and on the tractors in the tractor parades. Additionally, I made it into newspapers. I had tried to get into the newspapers each year. 

One year, I was kicked out from someone who claimed I did not have a right to be there. It was a bit upsetting and it angered others who had seen me around town because they know I was there for them, no one else. Some people demanded that they would "make their own Maple Leaf costume and walk around town" if the real Maple Leaf could not be present. The support was phenomenal. The town had my back. I never asked for any money. In fact, I paid for my own costume twice, as I replaced the first one with a sturdier second one over the years. In any case, various different groups took over the Maple Festival and eventually allowed me to participate.

I just want everyone to be aware of this maple movement- I created the Maple Leaf mascot and the image. I brought the idea of the Maple Leaf to everyone. It has now become the official mascot and tradition of the Maple Festival. I moved out of Hebron and have given Michelle's staff at the Flour Girl Cafe a chance to be the Maple Leaf. I have passed the tradition forward, but the same mission still stands to spread joy at the Hebron maple Festival. 

We are currently in the midst of creating the "new" Maple Leaf costume. I reached out to vendors and found a vendor that is making a new costume. This one will be "new" and will obtain logos for the sponsors, Flour Girl Cafe and The Town Center Project. Both of these groups have helped to keep the tradition alive and make the Maple Festival as great as it can be. 

We are almost done with creating the costume. As mentioned, it is looking to be ready for 2027. Please consider donating to the cause, as we hope this costume and tradition will last for many years beyond 2027.

Link to Maple Leaf fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/keep-the-maple-leaf-mascot-tradition-alive

Hebron Maple Leaf: Mascot of the Maple Festival

The Hebron Maple Leaf brings joy to the Maple Festival each year.  It was always great to see a young boy or girl about three or four years old  give me (as the great Maple Leaf) a high-five or a big hug to show that they appreciated me.  It’s the greatest feeling, and it’s the reason why I felt like a superhero when I became the Hebron Maple Leaf.  I gave out high fives, hugs, and most importantly, I created smiles.  Lots of smiles.  I felt this strange sort of power like no other, but it was a friendly kind of power.  I wasn’t there for any other reason than to spread joy and make them happy.  That’s what superheroes do, only they spread joy by fighting crime rather than entertaining.  My role was a bit different, but it’s the same concept. 

In its twenty-six years, the Maple Festival has seen new venues come and go, and some completely changed.  I had remembered when I first attended the festival and it was widely accessible with lots of entertainment.  The entertainment was still there, but over the years, it had reached a low point.  Publicity dwindled down, there were fewer maple sugar houses to visit, and there were no longer buses transporting people back and forth.  One of the biggest shockers of all was that no one could find where to buy maple syrup.  Previously, the maple syrup had been sold on the village green, but it had now been limited to sugar houses, which were far off from the village green.  While in costume, I had multiple people ask me, “Where can we get Maple Syrup?”  People came from all over to the Hebron Maple Festival, and several were disappointed that it was difficult to find maple syrup at a festival that promoted maple syrup to begin with.  The festival was still widely acclaimed, but it just didn’t feel like the “golden years” when I first went to the Maple Festival.  I could only imagine that maybe Hebron was losing its passion for Maple Sugar making?

I wasn't entirely sure what I could change.  At this time, I had ideas, but nothing I could change all on my own.  But I had thought about making some kind of change, if I had the power to do it.  I wanted to make something much more memorable, much more passionate, and much more iconic of the Maple Festival.  I wanted to make children and people feel a lot more friendly and passionate.  I wanted to capture a “Maple Fest spirit” among the residents who came to the festival.  I wanted people to feel passionate about our town and our Maple Festival.

It took me some time to research, but I finally came across a Maple Leaf costume while searching online.  I immediately thought to myself, this is it.  This is the next big idea.  I knew this costume would be something big (and not just because of its size). Previously, there were other mascots at various times throughout the festival, but none of them brought the kind of passion that the festival really needed.  Until now. A giant red leaf, in the shape of a cylinder, with spikes protruding out of its head to make the arms of a leaf.  It was absolutely ridiculous, weird, and corny, but so perfect.  It was the symbol of the Maple Festival.  This costume will be the next greatest thing for the Maple Festival, I thought.  I never imagined how right I was at that very moment.

When I bought this costume, it did raise some plausible concerns.  I wasn’t sure if people wanted a random guy walking around town in a Maple Leaf costume.  The idea was ridiculous, and it was kind of creepy if you thought about it.  I mean, a person you don’t know can see everything through a mask, but no one can see him?  I didn’t technically have permission to become this “official” Maple Leaf mascot.  If I put on this costume, I would be doing it of my own free will.    I thought to myself, someone has to start it.  Bringing up the costume to the Maple Festival committee was kind of ridiculous, because it was so unnatural and unfamiliar that I was almost certain they would disregard it.  But I figured, what the heck, I’ll wear it anyway and blend in and draw the support of the community.  I knew I could make the case for a mascot at the Maple Festival.  I had the passion, and whether I was accepted or not, I was going to bring it to the festival.

So that began my venture into town, which became a yearly tradition.  You might think it’s easy to put on a costume and walk around town, but honestly, there’s a lot of prep work involved.  First of all, a mascot is never supposed to reveal his or her true identity.  While a lot of people know who I am, I generally don’t go around broadcasting it.  Many people still do not know who the real person is beneath the Maple Leaf costume, and I’d like to keep it that way.  I had a challenge ahead of me.  Where would I be able to put on and take off my costume without being noticed?  This was something I needed to figure out.  I had to find a spot where I was well hidden, and where I could leave a few of my belongings (car keys, shirts, the costume’s bag) without the fear of them being taken away.  I found my secret spot, some ways away from the town green, which wasn’t a distance I couldn’t tackle.  It was just one of the much smaller challenges I had to endure if I were to be the mascot.

Next, a great mascot needs endurance.  I have to be able to stay in the costume for a while, no matter how warm it gets.  I usually prepare myself by wearing shorts underneath the costume, bringing lots of water or Gatorade, and extra t-shirts, preferably white shirts that aren’t as hot.  Either way, I sweat.  Sometimes I’ve sweat through two or three shirts, so it gets very, very hot if you intend on ever being a mascot (especially an incognito one around town).  And then there’s the deal with shoes.  It was always the shoes everyone noticed.  The few who ratted me out for my true identity noticed my shoes.  They were the same shoes I had worn as a human.  Not very smart on my end, I guess, but children are observant.  Although the costume comes with its own shoe holders, they aren’t very supportive to wear when walking around town.  I used to spray paint my shoes red, which looked absolutely ridiculous and artificial, until I thought of the better idea of buying red shoes to complement my everyday shoes.  So, now I just wear red shoes that match the costume.  Took me awhile to figure it out, but I finally realized that rather than spray painting an old pair of shoes or trying to wear the complicated foot holders, matching red sneakers were the path of least resistance.  And with that, there’s a lot of walking and a lot of strain on the feet, so one must endure all these perks of being a mascot, even if it means getting blisters.  Trust me though, it's not that bad.

When they first saw me, they thought I was a red sun or a giant burning sausage.  It never occurred to the civilians what I truly was.  Then I got smarter, and I put a logo on the costume.  Only then they knew to refer to me as the name etched upon the logo: “Mr. Maple Leaf.”  There’s still much debate to this day as to whether this mascot is truly a maple leaf or a giant burning sausage, but the identity of the mascot is left for interpretation.

A couple times I’ve been asked, “How much do they pay you to be the mascot?”  Of course, I never answer them in costume.  Most people probably thought I was part of the Maple Festival committee.  They probably thought I was a mascot because someone from the town had asked me and forced me to be one, not because I wanted to be the mascot.  This was my own purpose from the beginning.  No one told me I had to do this.  And I don’t do it for money.  What makes being the mascot so much fun is that I know I’m passionate about what I do.  I don’t think about what holds me back, I only strive to make it work for everyone.

And I was respected.  When I was across the street, the Girl Scouts would yell, “Maple Leaf, over here.”  They were waving to me, reaching out to me, wanting me to see them.  I took pictures with senators, the local Republicans, the local Democrats, and the local news people who spotted me out.  It was like I was some king walking through my own kingdom.  I truly was a superhero, as was announced on Facebook:

“My day is made! I always get a pic of the Maple Leaf every Maple Fest!”

“All the girl scouts LOVE you!!! We all do... you Are the symbol of Hebron maple fest!!!”

            “You were awesome yesterday, Maple Leaf. You were the ‘Maple’ in Maple Fest.”

             (Facebook comments)

Just when everything goes well, and people appreciate what I’ve done, someone is always there to protest.  I had one lady there that claimed she was part of the festival committee who yelled at me and was trying to kick me out, “You’ve done your time here already.  You don’t have permission to be here,” she yelled at me.  “Now it’s time to go home.  C’mon, leave already.”

             There were people waiting in lines to see me, and now they were kicking me out.  This lady had no idea what she was trying to get rid of.  The people were the ones who wanted me here, and now this lady was trying to take it all away from me.

            As furious as I was, I had support.  Residents were willing to boycott the event if I didn’t show up next year. 

“My daughter will be mortified if there is no maple leaf.  He was so amazing he took the book from the kids and carried it around with him all day.  You are amazing maple leaf. These 3 loved you.”

“Poor Hebron Maple Leaf - the ubiquitous They are trying to get rid of him! Leaf needs our support, fellow Hebronians!!!”

“We got your back Hebron Maple Leaf!! You bring joy to this event and solely do it for the people. Love having you there and will not attend if you aren't allowed.”

 (Facebook comments)

It was amazing how I could spread so much joy and so much controversy just from wearing a Maple Leaf costume around town.  I was only doing the event a favor, and doing it free of cost.  But like a superhero, there’s always that idea of not knowing the unknown (which scares a lot of people).  But honestly, I think they were just jealous that I became the festival.

            Eventually, I was allowed back to the Maple Festival.  I had fought the town, and new management came to run the festival this year- new management which allowed the Maple Leaf to spread joy around town during the Maple Festival.  There were always new challenges to face this year, and there will be more in the future.  But this won't stop me from doing what I love.  I became a celebrity, and I keep trying to spread my joy in all new kinds of ways, whether it be riding on the tractor parade with Miss Connecticut Teen, taking the bus back and forth, or starting dance parties with citizens at the event.  I hope to continue the reign of the great Maple Leaf for years to come as it brings passion and joy to the town during one of its annual events.

Hebron New Year's Resolutions (Let's Make Hebron Even Greater in 2016!)

1. Fix the RHAM High School Nature Trail

RHAM High School used to have an amazing nature trail with a small brook running through it.  I remember going down there during science classes to do some research back when I was in high school.  Students even put up a sign and pointed out where the various plants and animals were located.

If you were to go there today, you'd notice that the previous trail isn't even noticeable.  It's got a ton of weeds and bushes growing where it used to be and trash is all over the place.  It's time we clean this up and give the high school and our community a respectable nature trail where we can learn and explore our town's forestry areas.  We shouldn't take away learning just because we haven't maintained our town nature trails (It's actually better than I thought, but let's take it a step further).

2. Bring a Business into the Old Gas Station

It's about time we actually put something here, rather than drive by everyday seeing a roped off area with weeds growing out of concrete.  I know it's a small little area, but c'mon, we have to put something in it's place.  It's been about three or four years, I can't even count how many... I just drive by and see the empty building looking old and decrepit.

3. Fill in the Village Green Area

You know that large green area across from Ted's that's called the "Village Area" or something like that?  I'm not sure people even know what it is, or what's moving into the area, but it's about time we put something there besides just a walking path.  A long road goes up through the area, now we just need some scenery (or businesses) to go alongside it.  Please bring something here to fill our town's gaps.

The road to... nowhere.

4. Buses at the Maple Festival

Remember four or five years ago when the Maple Festival was at its peak?  Maple syrup was sold at the center of town, and they had buses that went all around town, delivering people to the various sugar houses and events.  What happened to the buses?  The festival feels so disconnected without the buses transporting people from the center of town to the sugar houses.  Let's bring it all together again.  I challenge the Windham Chamber of Commerce who is taking over the event this year to bring back buses and unite this wonderful event!

5. Recreational Center

Sure, we have the Teen Center (if that's even in use anymore), and there are gyms, schools, and golf courses throughout town, but we don't have a generic recreational center.  You know, somewhere where bands can play, or maybe there's an arcade, or just some place for people (young people) to hang out on a Friday night that isn't a bar.  Maybe a coffee house or something of the sort. We need to make this town have more events and more places that will keep our youth active.  If we don't bring in a Recreational Center then we need to make our preexisting ones more active.

Enjoy all our nature trails while you're at it.

Yeah, I'm probably missing something... no worries, I will update!  What are your Hebron New Year's resolutions?  Send them to hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com and I will post them here!

2015 in Review

Well, 2015 is almost over, and that means we'll be going into 2016 expecting to see more from our beloved town of Hebron, Connecticut.

As 2015 comes closer to an end, let's remember some moments from the year.  As far as I know, there wasn't a complete change in the town in 2015.  We hosted many of the same events we've hosted in the past, like the Hebron Harvest Fair, the Maple Festival, and the second annual Hebron Day.  These are events we've hosted this year and should be back for 2016.

As for new businesses, I noticed that the old Hebron Pharmacy building is getting a new business (Physical Therapy?).  We will have to wait and see, but the building will be used for some kind of therapy.

As for attractions, I noticed many more nature paths throughout the town.  I'm not sure if these were constructed in 2015 or not, but I had not known about them prior.  One of the trails goes from Veteran's Park to Ted's Supermarket, which is a nice walk through some wooded areas and behind new construction.  Secondly are the trails behind Burnt Hill Park which extend to roads around the park.  Maybe these were here before?  I had not known of them before.

In any case, there wasn't too much change overall, but 2016 is coming and we can bring more change to our town in the coming year.  What would you like to see?  What would you expect from Hebron?  Where will we be this time next year?

Autumn is Here!

Look at the beautiful autumn weather around Hebron!  Autumn is in full circle.  Hebron really shows its colors at this time (no pun intended).  The fair and harvest has come and gone, the kids are in school, and the images of the farm town we know and love has really come to life.

Other than that, missed posting about the fair and Hebron Day.  September was a huge month.  Kids came back to school, sports were flourishing in the town (autumn baseball and softball, soccer), and we had tons of different events like the Hebron Harvest Fair, Hebron Day, and Hebron Historic Day.

Some pictures below are from the fair from this September, back when it still looked like summer in Hebron, even though Autumn was on the rise.

Autumn has come swift and fast, so who knows when the winter will get here.  We still have some time, but be prepared for when the snow hits.  In the meantime, enjoy the wonderful rural autumn look around us all!  My only suggestion would be to continue the festivities in some way.  The fair might be over, but we should still celebrate our town's country life in the autumn.  

2015 Happy New Year!

I've been really bad at updating this blog.  It's already almost February, and well, the Maple Festival and spring are right around the corner (I have to make sure to get pics of the Maple Fest this time, but you know it's kind of hard for this Maple Leaf to hold a camera and everything).

In any case, I thought I'd touch on some of events that happened in 2014 in Hebron.  A lot were former traditions like the Hebron Harvest Fair and the Hebron Maple Festival, but one event that was new and a success was Hebron Day which was put on by Hebron Parks and Rec.  A lot of people attended this event, and it brought the different town venues and clubs together.

I bet you didn't know that 2014 marked the 125th anniversary of The Douglas Library.  Yup, it's true.  Our town library is now 125 years old.  I remember when I was wee young Maple Leaf and the library was in the old building (okay, I don't remember it that well, but it's true).

What other events happened in Hebron?  I'm sure there's many more.

Gina Marie's got an expansion to add to an already successful restaurant.  It's pretty much become the title of our town restaurant over the past couple of years.  Every time I go by, a lot of people are there.

I know the holidays are over, but I thought I'd stop and take a look at these beautiful lights that were at Brain Freezers.

It was quite a beautiful sight this holiday season.  Glad to see Hebron had the spirit and was very creative in its light demonstration.

If you have any more fun Hebron 2014 moments, don't hesitate to share them with me!  I'm always looking for stories to add to my blog.  What are you expecting in Hebron for 2015?  Please share with me at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.

And have a happy, fulfilled, and Hebronized 2015!

Snow!

Well, we here in Hebron are at the end of our winter months and we've gotten quite a few snowstorms in the past week.  There's lots of snow outside piled and piled from on and off days of snow and Northeasters coming through the town.  School has been cancelled for quite a few days, and the amount of days piles up with the amount of make-up days for school.  Other than the snow, not much else for news.

I'd be happy to share some of your Hebron snow photos if you email me at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.  I will put them on the blog's main page as a post.  A lot of us are sick of the snow, but why not enjoy it while it lasts?  No worries.  The Maple Fest is right around the corner and spring will be here soon.

Just checking to make sure no one is hibernating too much,

Hebron Maple Leaf

           

The Hebron Harvester - New Blog!

Dear Hebronians and other blog viewers,

My name is Hebron Maple Leaf (or Mr. Maple Leaf), and I have been the mascot entertaining families during the Hebron Maple Festivals.  I first started working at the Hebron Maple Festival back in 2010.  At that time, people didn't really know my name, but I was there.  I didn't gain prominence until 2012, when the name "Mr. Maple Leaf" was posted to my leaf.  Since then, I have been in the Journal Inquirer and various other newspapers covering the story of the Hebron Maple Festival.  Some of the papers have incorrectly stated my name, but hey, that's okay.  They're starting to get it right.  In any case, I have a lot of pride for my hometown and I love to share this pride with my fellow Hebronians.  That's one reason why I've made this blog...

This blog is dedicated to our beloved town, Hebron Connecticut.  In this blog you will learn about news, updates, places, and history surrounding the town of Hebron, Connecticut.  This blog is in no way connected to the newspapers or news sources that cover the town (though I hope someday the news will notice the blog is here and take notice to the information contained in this blog).  This is a resident-made blog accounting the various activities taking place in Hebron, Connecticut.

I have lived in Hebron all my life and I'm a happy and strong Hebronian.  I'm recounting the town's significance not because I have to, but because I want to.  I feel it is my duty to provide commentary and news for our beloved town.  Your input and comments are always appreciated.

If you have any suggestions or stories you wish to be reviewed and posted on this blog, please email "Mr. Maple Leaf" at hebronmapleleaf@gmail.com.  You can also find me on Facebook as the "Hebron Maple Leaf."  My profile is located here: https://www.facebook.com/hebron.leaf.  My Facebook fan page is here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hebron-Maple-Leaf/407415369327154.

I thank you all for viewing my page, and I hope you will all contribute and post to make our Hebron experience fun and enjoyable!

Mr. "Hebron" Maple Leaf