Last month, and every year for the past 41, we have recognized a “Citizen of the Year”, a resident who has contributed to the betterment of our town through volunteerism, public service, and neighborliness. We also recognize residents for their singular efforts elsewhere.

Our neighbor to the west, Windham, has bestowed their first “Citizen of the Year” award on one of our neighbors – David Foster – for his numerous contributions to his hometown. A resident of Hampton for the past several years, Foster, a Willimantic native, has never neglected his roots, his philanthropy nearly as legendary as his music career.

Notably, Foster’s donation toward the Shaboo Stage on Jillson Square went a long way in realizing Willimantic’s amphitheater, which opened in August, 2018 with performances from, among others, Jose Feliciano and the Shaboo All-Stars, a local band of which Foster is a member. Foster was one of the original owners of the Shaboo Inn in Mansfield, the music venue which sponsored nearly 3000 concerts from 1971 to 1982, bringing renowned artists such as Blood, Sweat and Tears , Bonnie Raitt, Jonathan Edwards, James Montgomery, Journey and Sting to Thread City. The Stage’s Debut was one of many benefit concerts Foster has been involved with. He was instrumental in raising $8000 recently for the Covenant Soup Kitchen with performances of the Shaboo All Stars at the Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den and Willimantic’s Bread Box Theater, and in 2014 he participated in a concert on the stage of our own Community Center with proceeds donated to the Hampton Fuel Fund.

Most recently, Foster has vowed to purchase a new facility for the No Freeze Project, Windham’s homeless shelter, when the current location closes this spring.

The Town of Hampton salutes you, David Foster. Your cultural contributions and charitable acts are inspiring, and we’re proud to say you’re our neighbor.