HARTFORD – Selectman Lee Holman learned last summer that the way to a town’s heart was indeed through its stomach.

While nurturing the idea of running for selectman last spring, Holman traveled door-to-door meeting people.

She said she heard over and over that Hartford is a nice town, but it was a shame that people didn’t do anything together anymore.

Being a kind of take-charge person, Holman wanted to do something. But, it had to be inexpensive and it had to be fun.

She decided to hold potluck suppers, figuring that few things could be more attractive than free, home cooking.

“A public potluck is kind of like the miracle of the loaves and the fishes,” Holman said. “If six people show up there’s enough to feed them and if 60 people show up there’s enough to feed them.”

Holman was told as long as the supper was open to all town residents and was free, there would be no charge to use the town hall.

She covered the cost of printing 100 posters and distributed them around the community.

“I realized that some people felt alienated in town,” Holman said. “Maybe there were some old hurts that needed to be addressed or bones of contention that needed to be addressed.”

She said she felt if people could just break bread together they could put down any animosities – even if it was just for a time. About 60 people came to the first dinner.

Holman was pleased at the turnout at the first dinner and more importantly, “We didn’t have any food fights,” she said.

The dinner on the first Friday of every month has become a regular item in Hartford.

Holman said attendance lagged a bit during the summer and has since picked up to 35 to 40 people.

She said old-timers in Hartford have attended the suppers as well as some new neighbors. There’re always children present and food ranges from vegetarian-style dishes to traditional baked beans and casseroles.

“I’m not doing this for personal credit or glory. I’m just happy to see the town getting together,” Holman said. “Once an event like this has momentum, people begin to appreciate it and you can draw on this to build community.

“It’s just a good way to bring the town together,” she said.