By Erica Sprenkel, President/CEO
Your Evergreen Chamber | October 2026
On Sunday, October 4, nearly 100 people gathered in Evergreen for the Evergreen Longer Tables, a free, volunteer-led community meal created around a very simple idea: bring people together, share a meal and make room for connection.
The idea took shape locally through Mark Poshak, who is involved with Longer Tables and helped bring the concept and statewide initiative to Evergreen. It quickly became a collaborative effort when several of us realized we shared the same vision for bringing our community together. Mark, Sara Miller with Miller Center for the Arts Evergreen, Eric Martinez from Java Groove and I joined forces to bring Evergreen Longer Tables to life.
At the heart of the event was the belief that sitting down and sharing a meal puts all of us on equal footing. Around a table, we have an opportunity to see and hear one another, meet someone new and build relationships that might not happen in our everyday routines.
There was no program and no agenda. In fact, we encouraged everyone to leave two topics off the table: work and politics. Instead, the afternoon was about conversation, laughter and getting to know the people sitting nearby.
Evergreen’s event was also part of a much larger celebration. The Longer Tables organization is bringing together 150 tables across Colorado in recognition of our state’s 150th anniversary. I love that Evergreen is now one of those 150 tables, a gathering that represents who we are as a community while connecting with communities across the state.
Bringing 100 people together takes a village and, once again, Evergreen showed what collaboration looks like. Evergreen Park & Recreation District generously provided the space, tables and chairs that allowed us to gather. Cactus Jack’s, Hummingbird Café, The Lazy Butcher, Moonga, The Farmstand, Walmart, King Soopers and The Woodcellar donated food, supplies and other necessities that helped make the event possible. Their generosity allowed us to keep the Longer Table free and welcoming to everyone.
Maybe you met someone new. Maybe you reconnected with an old friend. Maybe you sat beside someone whose path you otherwise would never have crossed. Those small moments are how relationships begin, and relationships are what make a community strong.
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, organized, attended and pulled up a chair. You helped create an afternoon that was simple, meaningful and very Evergreen.
The Longer Table reminded us that building community doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes all it takes is an open chair, a good conversation and a willingness to make room for someone new. I believe, in Evergreen, there is always room to make the table a little longer.
Upcoming Evergreen Chamber Events
Thursday, October 22, 2026
Women in Business Luncheon
Time: 11:15 am–2 pm
Location: Mount Vernon Canyon Club
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Chamber Breakfast
Time: 7:30–9 am
Location: Hiwan Golf Club
Speaker: Brecken Gilmore—HR Consultant
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Mountain Mixer@5
Time: 5–7 pm
Location: Duke’s Landscape Company
