About Us
Who We Are
The Hickory Ridge Community Center is located in Hamblen Township in the northern edge of Brown County. Our facility is available for community members to rent at very affordable rates and is ideal for hosting community events as well as family reunions and celebrations.
The Hickory Ridge Community Center is owned and managed by the Hamblen Township Civic League, a nonprofit 501(c)3, and an all volunteer based organization. The bylaws state membership is open to all persons who wish to become a member of the Hamblen Township Civic League. Membership shall not be denied on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, or age. Use of the facilities is available to all without discrimination. Community members are not required o be a member of the Hamblen Township Civic League in order to use the facilities.
Current Board Members: President: Kevin Patrick | Vice President: Linda Outcalt | Treasurer: Teresa Brock | Secretary: Lou Summers | Trustee: Doris Arnold | Trustee: Virginia Perry | Trustee: Tim Brock
Our History
The Hamblen Township Civic League was formed in the early 1960’s by a group of civic minded citizens who recognized the need to create a meeting and recreation space for those living in northern Brown County. The Hamblen Township Civic League was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in November 1961. This group raised the funds and purchased the property used to create the community center. They named the facility the Hickory Ridge Community Center. They chose this name because the property was located on top of a hill and had a large number of hickory trees growing on the property. Various fundraising activities were held to raise funds to by the property and create the Community Center. Those fundraising activities included community bean suppers, chili suppers, community carnivals with games, talent shows and queen contests, horse pulls, tractor pulls, shooting matches, and go kart races.
Through the Years
In 2001 The Brown County Community Foundation awarded a grant to the Community Center which enabled them to enlarge the community center with a 14 x 24-foot building addition to house an office space, storage room, and a handicap accessible bathroom.
For many years Head Start held classes at the community center and the center continues to host the Hickory Ridge Senior Citizens group.
The Community Center has no paid staff and continues to depend on volunteers to run the center.
Our Community Groups
Hickory Ridge Senior Citizens
The group provides opportunities for social activities for local seniors. Some meetings feature a potluck lunch followed by playing cards, games, ad puzzles. At other meetings the members may meet and go out to lunch. Sunny days may find the seniors enjoying the paved walking track at the facility.
Brown County Health Department Nurses
The nurses meet with the seniors at the community center about once a month to provide wellness checks. Several of the seniors received COVID boosters during one of the wellness checks.
Brown County Election Board
The community center is the election site for Hamblen Township Precinct 2