We are nearing the official start of the summer season, and our area is coming alive with the return of beloved gatherings and the introduction of new events. It is exciting to welcome back live outdoor music, art and cultural celebrations and it’s important to acknowledge the many dedicated volunteers who are the backbone of our community.

Honoring the People of Evergreen

Too often it is easy to overlook the value of history. We are so accustomed to enjoying our area’s open space, taking advantage of cultural offerings and walking past local art and architecture that we do not take time to learn about their origins and the community-minded residents who helped establish and preserve them.

The good news is that Evergreen resident Linda Kirkpatrick, former editor of JustAroundHere.com, has launched an initiative to preserve and promote hundreds of unique profiles that were featured each week in her online publication’s “Nice to Meet You” column. The People of Evergreen project is designed to bring our area’s history to life by sharing the stories of the individuals whose vision, vitality and volunteer spirit have shaped and enriched our community.

The profiles of the People of Evergreen are available on justaroundhere.omeka.net, where they can be searched by names or categories. Omeka is a recognized web source for historic preservation initiatives, educational institutions and museums. Each week, the People of Evergreen Facebook page highlights a group of individuals whose contributions are related to a particular area of focus such as arts, open space and education.

“Shifting 450 profiles to a new website that’s meant to stand the test of time has been an arduous process—at least 25 steps for each profile,” said Kirkpatrick. “But the critical part is building traffic to the new site so that Google searches will become discoverable.”

While the People of Evergreen project has taken considerable time and effort to establish, Kirkpatrick was motivated by a desire to make sure the stories were told. “I’ve always been so impressed with the number of volunteers in Evergreen,” said Kirkpatrick. “In the absence of a city government, Evergreen has been built on the blood, sweat and tears of individuals who cared enough to volunteer their time. My passion for community includes giving credit to those responsible for making it the place I so love and appreciate.”

Tesoro Indian Market to Celebrate Its 20th Year

Join in the 20th anniversary of the beloved Tesoro Indian Market, which recognizes and celebrates Native American artistry and tradition. The two-day event, June 5-6, will feature 50 Southwestern Indian artists who will display, demonstrate and sell their authentic juried art. Jewelry, pottery, weaving, fashions, paintings and ledger art will be presented.

Running concurrently is a two-day powwow paying tribute to veterans and honoring the Native American culture. Entertainment will include educational presentations from dancers and Hawkquest, and traditional music and food will be available. The event is open from 10 am – 4 pm both days and will take place at The Fort Restaurant, 9192 Hwy 8 in Morrison. Admission is $10 and includes onsite parking.

Sculpture Evergreen to Install  New Works of Art Around Town

The landscape of Evergreen will change on June 5 when Sculpture Evergreen installs 10 new creations for the 2021-2022 Sculpture Walk. You’ll see the group of community-minded volunteers hard at work and having fun on June 5 from 8 am – noon.

The group has announced that there are two very popular sculptures that will be retained for another year: Bugling Elk by Jeff Best at the Church of the Cross on Meadow Drive, and Red Rover by Pati Stajcar which is located at Lakepoint Center. To learn more about Sculpture Evergreen and to see images of its permanent collection, go to sculptureevergreen.org.

Get Ready to Boogie “Ranch Style” on June 12

Combine an idyllic ranch setting with outstanding live performances and jam sessions featuring talented local musicians and you have a sense of what is in store at the Boogie Ranch Style event June 12 from noon – 7 pm at the Nelson Ranch located at 5388 S. Elk Ridge Road in Evergreen. Event organizers envision a full afternoon of local bands in different combinations presenting one-of-a-kind musical collaborations. Capping off the event will be a headliner sure to get folks dancing under the sun.

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Resilience1220, a nonprofit that provides free counseling and programs for youth ages 12-20 to help them tackle emotional challenges, with an emphasis on suicide prevention.

Advance tickets are $25 and will include a free drink coupon. They are available online at boogieatthebarn.com. Tickets purchased on the day of the event will be $30. Food and drink will be offered for purchase at the ranch and there is complimentary onsite parking. Attendees are asked to bring their camp chairs.