A frozen lake is a sacred place. Evergreen Lake was created with the construction of the Evergreen Dam between 1925 and 1927. Originally created to provide the utilitarian role of a water source for the town residents and fire protection, it now serves as a symbol of the heart of the community. The 40-acre lake is encircled by picturesque mountain views that shift hues throughout each season of the year. In winter, the frozen lake becomes a magical winter place of play as the largest Zamboni-groomed outdoor ice-skating rink in North America. 

A sledding hill is a sacred place. It is a place of winter play where children and adults alike experience the thrill of speeding down a snowy surface. Many winter sports can be exclusive based on finances, but a sledding hill is an inclusive gathering. A sledding hill is an open invitation to anyone willing to risk.

There are over 20,000 titles on the shelves of The Hermitage. Colle describes the unique value of the bookstore as, “A place for people interact with 20,000 different minds and perspectives from different places and times.” It is not only the books that makeup the used bookstore, but the names and stories of those who previously owned the books are often shared.