On Sunday, November 13, at the Nederland Community Center residents of Nederland and of the greater Peak to Peak region gathered together for the 2022 Nederland Community Thanksgiving Potluck. They gathered not just to feast on over 450 pounds of turkey and over 200 pounds of mashed potatoes, but also to celebrate, and to bask in, the extraordinary sense of community that can only be found up here in the mountains.

Volunteers met at the Nederland Community Center on Saturday, November 12 and from the early morning to late at night they decorated tables, peeled potatoes, carved turkeys, prepared the stuffing, and dedicated themselves to the overall success of this holiday tradition. Backcountry Pizza provided volunteers with a variety of pizzas as other sponsors, such as the Mountain People’s Co-Op, provided cases of potatoes to be peeled, while B&F Mountain Market, owner of Peak Wine and Spirits Karen Fletcher, Zack Scott Homestead Realty, and Mark Stringfellow provided the turkeys.

Residents were asked to sign up to volunteer prior to the event if they wished to cook a turkey or two to bring to the Nederland Community Center on Saturday, so kitchen coordinator Nate James and his team of helpers could carve them in preparation for Sunday’s event. The skin and juices from the 45 turkeys was also processed and made into six gallons of gravy.

On the morning of the event, Sunday, November 13, coordinator Danielle Dennis put the finishing touches on the dining room, placing the last of the table centerpieces and arranging the compost center, where those in attendance can help ensure a Zero Waste event. Volunteer coordinator Michelle LaPointe helped the volunteers for the event get familiar with their serving stations before attendees started to arrive at noon.

From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. local community members came in droves, many of whom brought their own signature recipes, from unique cranberry sauces, to green bean casseroles, as well as brussel sprouts. Some highlights from the potluck table include a yam and apple casserole and spanakopita. Most attendees also remembered to bring their own dishes and silverware to help with the waste management efforts of the event organizers.

As the community sat together in the dining area to feast they were accompanied and serenaded by Nederland local musicians Otis Lande and Sarah Bish, whose musical stylings fostered a warm and intimate setting for the community to delight in the company of one another.

Children gathered at an arts and crafts table, hosted by local artist Heather Taylor-Lande, and gleefully created their own colorful and unique turkey portraits using bright autumn leaves, construction paper, markers, and googly eyes.

Representative for the Nederland Fire Department Jess McElvain set up her table with signature green and red chili recipes from the firefighters themselves.

The 2022 Community Thanksgiving Potluck, though an event centered on delicious food, is truly a celebration of Nederland’s unique community spirit, which is still alive and strong. The donations received for this year’s event far exceeded the cost of the event, meaning that organizers already have a head start on next year’s potluck.

This year’s event was sponsored by local businesses Ace Hardware, Backcountry Pizza, B&F Mountain Market, Crosscut Pizzeria, Keep Magnolia Clean, Mountain Peoples Co-op, Nederland Food Pantry, Nederland Fire Department, Nederland Presbyterian Church, New Moon Bakery, Salto Coffee, Train Cars, and Zack Scott Homestead Realty, as well as by local community members Karen Fletcher, Mark Stringfellow, and Heather Taylor- Lande.

“Backcountry Pizza definitely deserves props; they let us use their kitchen after hours to mash the potatoes,” Nate James told The Mountain-Ear after the event. “Thanks to Tres Gringos for helping us store some of the food, and to Ace Hardware and Crosscut Pizza for helping to provide the green beans and the ingredients for the stuffing,” James said before also giving a shout out to Nederland Area Seniors and to the Nederland Food Pantry.

“Definitely a shout out to Otis Lande and Sarah Bish who played, Nederland is loaded with musicians and they are the ones who heeded the call to donate their time,” Danielle Dennis told The Mountain-Ear. “Also Heather Taylor-Lande who ran the kids’ art table for donating her time. Of course we thank all volunteers, turkey cookers, and sponsors,” Dennis said.

“I just want to make sure we give a big thanks to all the volunteers that helped out over the weekend,” Michelle LaPointe said. “We couldn’t do it without the help of the community.”