TMSP enhancing quality of life for residents

TICONDEROGA | Back in the 2009 era, things weren't looking too economically promising in Ticonderoga. The once thriving and colorful downtown of the mid-20th century had faded away, leaving behind some vacant, sad storefronts and a metaphorical casting of gray on Montcalm Street, the glory days but a near-silent whisper. At that juncture, it was a low point, and downtown Ti indeed was looking pretty poor. Out of that deterioration, the Ticonderoga Montcalm Street Partnership (TMSP) was born. "There was a group of people headed by the now-deceased Brick Howe," explained TMSP Executive Committee member John Bartlett. "The original focus was on economic development in the downtown." That group of people (including Robert "Chooch" Dechame and Sue Rathbun) were passionate about improving Ti as a whole and focusing on and enhancing bringing traffic into the downtown. TMSP was founded as a 501(c)(3) organization, and since its inception, has been entirely volunteer-run. Today, its organizational structure consists of the Executive Committee, a Board of Directors, and the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) serving as the TMSP Coordinator. "With any of the events we do, it is nice to see the influx of people on Main Street and the impact it has on local businesses," said Debbie Barber, TMSP Secretary and Best Fourth in the North Chair. Barber speaks first-hand as not only an Executive Committee member, but also as a business owner. Her family-owned and operated Burleigh's Luncheonette, situated right on the corner of Main Street, sees a marked increase in foot traffic when TMSP events are held. Many other Montcalm Street business owners see the same trend. "StreetFest is easily our biggest day of the year," said Lynne Reale, owner of Fox & Fern Adirondack Mercantile. "Sales are increased substantially." TMSP's goal is simple- to create a positive future for Downtown Ticonderoga. TMSP works closely with its community partners for the betterment of Ticonderoga, with a specific focus on Main Street and the business district. It is no secret Ticonderoga is not a high-income area. With many families lacking in disposable income, family entertainment has become a luxury that many simply can't afford in the current economy. That's where TMSP shines- the organization is responsible for bringing free and low-cost family-friendly activities (which translate into beloved memories) for the town's residents of all ages. "For those who don't have anything, if we don't provide them with entertainment options, who will?" TMSP Executive Committee member, Megan Bambara, pointed out. Their five main annual events- the Best Fourth in the North, StreetFest, FallFest, HalloweenFest, and the End of Winter Carnival- not only deliver complimentary enjoyment, in the process, those events become economic drivers for the downtown merchants and business owners. "TMSP brings high-quality events that attract visitors to town, and the events are also very much needed to create quality of life for residents. They have access to activities, performances, and music, which are all largely free," TACC President & CEO Matt Courtright noted. This past 8th annual FallFest on Sept. 27 saw increased vendor and farmer's market participation, as well as an expanded firework finale, saw Percy Thompson Bicentennial Park busy for the entire day with hardly a blade of grass to stand on to be had at some points. The Knights of Columbus are offered their support this year and have signed up to do so again in 2026. "We love seeing people getting to enjoy things like face painting and kids' activities, food trucks, shopping in our stores, and the farmers market," Bambara said. "Watching those families and kids head home fulfilled is the best feeling." According to Courtright, the goal for every TMSP event is to always grow bigger and better every year. "Every one of our committees has to operate that way," he said. TMSP Committees include Promotions, StreetFest, Design, the Best 4th in the North, and FallFest. As a member of the National Main Street Center, the organization continues to incorporate their approaches, principles, and trainings into their efforts. And those efforts don't end with five yearly events. Rather, TMSP has its hand in many avenues within the town that community members are largely unaware. Recent projects over the last few years entailed beautification efforts such as planting flower boxes and other flora on Montcalm Street, clean up and enhancement, and placing scarecrows in the park. TMSP has also helped relight the Liberty Monument, and relight the LaChute Falls in the park. Most recently, TMSP is planning for playground upgrades in the park to make the structure inclusive and ADA-compliant. Electronics recycling and Downtown Clean-Up Week are also thanks to TMSP. "From the inception, TMSP has implemented projects that benefit the town's residents and visitors," Courtright said. "Often we get a project completed, and it becomes a gift for the Town." In 2019, TMSP also collaborated with the then-PRIDE and TACC to begin the original Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant process. Though the first year was unsuccessful, it planted the seed, and the second time a Ticonderoga application was submitted, New York State awarded the little upstate town with $10 million to get downtown up and running again. "That has been great for the community," remarked Bartlett. "We are now starting to see the fruits of that labor." There's also TMSP raffles during Holiday Shopping & Dining Night, a food pantry shopping spree, and new board member Lynne Reale recently restarted merchants meetings for business owners. Multiple Best 4th in the North fundraisers are also held at intervals throughout the calendar year. Prior to TMSP's founding, the Best 4th in the North was operated by a Town committee. Once it no longer qualified as such, TMSP stepped up to take the event on, ensure it, and grow the committee. Shortly after, TACC and TMSP created a formalized partnership. "Our staff has a role in planning, guiding, marketing, and coordinating that has been going on for well over a decade, almost 15 years," Courtright said. The traditional Independence Day celebration is easily TMSP's most costly and ambitious endeavor. Every year, the money pot gets completely exhausted, the committee back to zero. Planning for each year can begin up to 18 months in advance, and of the $82,000 total dollars (minimum), TMSP invests in its five big events, Best 4th eats up $52,000 of it. Yes, you read that right. "A lot of people don't realize it, but everything costs something," Barber said. "The bands in the park have to be paid for, the bounce houses, and the bands and performers in the parade, the fireworks, it is all together a lot of money. The cost for just the parade is between $8,000- $10,000 on any given year." But where does that money come from? "We receive a stipend from the Town of Ticonderoga, and we also have another of different fundraisers," said Bartlett. Bartlett, who has shifted his role within the organization to Fundraising Coordinator, also writes between eight and 10 grants a year, but grant funding is never guaranteed. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism also kicks in, and last year Bartlett's grants amounted to $18,000 awarded to TMSP. But otherwise, the volunteers are on their own and at the mercy of community support to keep the wheels turning year after year. "The community has the power to really continue to drive us forward," Courtright said. "When you support a local business and they are doing well, other businesses will open. Our growth will be driven by residents." And as everyone is all too familiar with, nothing is getting cheaper- goods, products, or entertainment. "Just as it does for business, the increase in cost affects events, too," Bambara admitted. "We are trying to make each event have a little extra "oomph" next year for the 250th anniversary. With the grants we apply for, the dollar amount doesn't change much, so we need to compensate with fundraising and more support. These events cannot just happen with grants alone; we need to expand sponsorships." TMSP has two upcoming fundraisers: a Chicken BBQ to benefit the local Ti events will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the K of C from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Dinner will be available from 4:30 p.m. until the last chicken sells. Take-out and dine-in options are available. $15.00 per dinner includes a ½ chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, roll with butter, and a dessert. Live music will also take place as part of the fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring Kait MD. To reserve your dinner, call the Ticonderoga Knights of Columbus at 518-585-6520. As part of their HalloweenFest, TMSP is holding their first-ever "Feast for the Fourth", a special dinner to benefit the Best 4th. The special one-night only event will take place on Monday, Oct. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Burleigh's. For $20 per person, guests will enjoy a hearty turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, and cranberry sauce. The children's menu will feature chicken tenders with fries for $10 per child. Every meal includes a slice of Barber's red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Both dine-in and take-out options will be available. TBA guest servers will add an extra layer of fun to the evening. Guests can reserve their dinners by calling Burleigh's Luncheonette at 518-585-6262. At a volunteer roster currently at around 20-25, Bambara said TMSP could easily- and would like- to enlist at least 50. "TMSP needs additional assistance from community members who are willing to give their time and talent in planning and implementing these events," Bambara said. "Everyone can make a positive impact; whether you can give an hour, serve on a committee, or would like to become a board member, we would like to hear from you." Those wishing to support TMSP's work through a tax-deductible monetary contribution are encouraged to visit timainstreet.org or stop into the TACC office at 94 Montcalm Street.

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