Tickletown Trust & Trade History

The old building at the foot of Chapel Hill in Humphrey, N.Y. was built as a general store/residence around 1865. It operated as Timme’s Grocery for nearly a century, then in 1986 was re-christened Tickletown Trade . . .

Twenty years ago when I decided to try my hand at shopkeeping I remembered hearing, as a kid, the story of “Tickletown” – a small village whose citizens were so happy with a particular election they renamed themselves that. Even though Tickletown had actually been up the road about three miles, I took the name as my D.B.A. and Tickletown Trade was in business.

Back in the good old days general stores were not just a one- stop shopping place where people bought (or bartered) food, furniture, farm supplies, clothing, medicine and more; they were also local gathering spots often hosting Post Offices and some comfy gossip chairs. Locals hung out for hours to exchange news and swap lies. To try to keep the ambiance alive and for the fun of it, I used a large room adjoining the store space as a

“game room” featuring a piano, pool table, overstuffed chairs and card (checker) tables. For about 12 years Tickletown Trade added to the stories already absorbed in the old walls. Lots of swapping was done. The building continued to serve as a central social hub for the community.

In 1998 after much soul searching about my life in general and the store in particular I decided to phase out the items I was selling but no longer believed in. I started on a search for local sustainable products and services that would promote awareness of local resources, build a tighter community and empower the local economy. Slowly over the next few years I found lots of folks concerned and interested in our mission of rural regeneration, creating a sustainable community and preserving our planet.

Finally today a group has formed to establish Tickletown Trust &Trade, a Conscious Living Center, from the building and grounds of the old store. The original store space will once again be retailing local sustainable goods as it did 100 years ago.

Our Dream for Tickletown

Tickletown is full of people – living, working, playing, talking, trading, sharing, learning and teaching. Some spaces hold year round residents who cooperate in sharing the common kitchen, laundry, library, gathering room and fun rooms. There are cozy places for guests to stay. The integrity and embodied energy of the building has been preserved and it has been accepted into the National Historic Registry. The original store space is again functioning as a community hub and trading center where local sustainable goods and services are exchanged – some for money, some for other local sustainable goods and services. There is a gathering room where people can come together comfortably. Some of the downstairs rooms are developed into fun rooms where sustainable earth-friendly activities are blooming. Some examples are weaving, natural dyeing, woodworking, natural healing (massage, aromatherapy, etc.), food preparation and preservation, wine and beer making, sculpturing, music, drama, poetry and many more.

The building itself has been restored using natural renewable materials. It’s very energy efficient and gets its electricity from wind and solar systems. Hot water is produced from the “Copper Cricket” – a solar hot water heater installed on the roof. Rainwater collecting provides wash water and grey water is used to irrigate gardens. All toilets are composting. The residents share fuel-efficient vehicles. The grounds around Tickletown have been transformed by permaculture design into beautiful, inspiring, functioning gardens which supply most of the food for the residents. Extra produce supplies a small seasonal restaurant in the building. Funshops on natural building, composting, permaculture design, beekeeping, nature awareness and many more are held throughout the year.

The mission of Tickletown Trust & Trade is to be a living example of people enhancing their lives and the natural world they are part of by supporting, protecting, and loving the Earth.

Many of you know that Tickletown began rapidly developing during the past spring and summer. I had already received support for what evolved as the big event of 2006, the Community EarthOven Festival, which took place on September 2^nd and 3^rd. Despite the cold rain of Tropical Storm Ernesto, it was a huge success! About 40 people joined in a lively discussion on sustainability over potluck meals; some braved the elements, getting their hands and feet (a few even barefoot!) in the mud. Elizabeth and Sophia Thompson demonstrated how to make delicious sourdough bread. We created an awesome oven that will be a focal point for the community in many future gatherings.

The oven festival was the inaugural step in our journey toward creating a place for rural regeneration.Our mission is to exemplify, educate, and emposer people toward more sustainable rural lifeways. To do this, we must make Tickletown an example of “living more with less,” while providing space and opportunity for others to do the same. With that goal in mind, we will focus on the following topics for the coming year’s workships and projects:

• Growing Food – composting, no-till beds, companion planting, seed saving, wild-harvesting

• Preserving Food – fermentation, apple pressing & vinegar, winemaking & cheesemaking

• Eating Locally – local foods challenge, T.A.S.T.E. dinners

• Building Green – permaculture design, water catchment, humanure, renewable energy, sustainable building methods including strawbale, stone and cob

• Healing Naturally – medicinal herbs, retreats, homeopathy, alternative therapies, yoga, massage

• Creating Local Economy – alternative holidy gift fair, sales space for local sustainably-made goods

• Making Art Naturally – music, drama, natural arts & crafts, weaving, woodworking

• Living Neighborly – co-housing project, full moon potlucks, community workdays to build sustainable projects for each other other, recycled craft nights, FUN.

The year has already turned. We have already begun and GREAT THINGS ARE IN THE OFFING! THE GADRIAN GAZETTE with its insert of The Tickletown Newsletter is scheduled to come out in February. They will be published online and hard copies sent to all Gadrian members who request them.

Lois Hilton, Owner/Director