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Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

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Articles from Vol. 23 No. 9 - September 2, 2023

Palmer Lake Historical Society, Aug. 12: Board, members pose as historical figures

By Marlene Brown

The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) board and members donned pioneer garb as members of the family and staff of the Reynolds Ranch at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI) during Family History Day. See photo and caption of Family History Day on the right.

The cast of characters included Diane Kokes as Sarah Reynolds, wife of John Reynolds, owner of the ranch; Patricia Atkins as Miss Patricia, schoolmarm; Gary Atkins as ranch manager; Doris Baker as librarian and teacher; Barb Morehead, household manager; Jeannine Engel as Annie Judd, manager of the kitchen; and Heather Kruger, upstairs nanny of the children.

The Reynolds Ranch farmhouse has been restored by WMMI to its original Queen Anne design of the 1890s. The homestead includes the last-standing buildings of the town of Husted, a railroad town that was built in the 1870s between Monument and Colorado Springs and is now in the northern part of the Air Force Academy. Husted was a railroad stop and economy center with a post office that was closed in 1920. The ranch supplied cattle and fresh milk and lumber processed at their sawmill. The Reynolds’s owned the farm until 1901.

PLHS continues to hold educational events to protect and provide access to historical items of significance relating to the Palmer Divide area, with many items on display at the Reynolds Ranch Family History Day. The Historical Society continues to display items at the Lucretia Vaile Museum at 66 Lower Glenway St in Palmer Lake. See palmerdividehistory.org/about-the-museum.

PLHS normally holds monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month at the Palmer Lake Town Hall, at 42 Valley Crescent St, Palmer Lake, with several events during the year, including Father’s Day Ice Cream Social in June and Annual Yule Log Hunt in December. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30. John Spidell of the Spidell Foundation will present his “Trip to the Arctic.” For more information and to become involved in PLHS, go to palmerdividehistory.org.

Marlene Brown can be contacted at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

Above: Members of the Palmer Lake Historical Society dressed in historical garb are, from left, Wayne Russert, Barb Morehead, Heather Kruger, Kathie Lombardy Kauffer (hidden in rear), Doris Baker, Jeannine Engel, and Patricia and Gary Atkins. Photo provided by Palmer Lake Historical Society.

Other Palmer Lake Historical Society articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG): Strategies for trees, especially in deer country

By Janet Sellers

What happens to trees in the fall

When the leaves change colors and fall in autumn, something amazing happens. Trees create sugars in their leaves, and in fall the sugars go down to the roots, and the tree saves that sugar energy to surge forth new growth in spring. Phloem cells of the tree transport the sugar for immediate growth, or the sugar is converted into starch stored in the trunk or roots. Bare root plants have that abundant stored energy and make a great comeback in spring—better than potted plants that get rootbound.

Deter deer with a fence hedge or “fedge”

Deer have a bad habit of getting into things and making bonsai out of our fruit and other trees, so a barrier is needed. A good deer fence is better with a hedge, known as a “fedge” to keep out sheep originally by tightly weaving the live hedge plants, a kind of super espalier method. It is a beautiful and effective barrier. It may be that a dwarf variety could be easier to protect in the early stages, and they fit into more garden spots. In any case, protection strategies against deer are vital.

Deer can crawl under a fence, so a tight base is a must. Planting a hedge with the fruit trees may be a protection strategy as the fruit tree grows big enough to bear fruit, often four to five years after planting. Deer don’t see very well in terms of depth and avoid problems navigating the depth of a hedge with the height of a fence and likely will just go elsewhere. Many people in our area put up a barrier fence around each tree or around a few trees to deter deer.

We were deer proof for many years at the Monument Community Garden by planting giant sunflowers all around the garden fence because the deer couldn’t see into the garden or find a clear place to jump. That strategy’s demise came when we lost our sunflower plants to late snow and ice three times last year. The poor sunflowers didn’t have a chance.

Crops to plant now outdoors or in pots

Mustard spinach (ready in just four weeks), carrots, beets, lettuce, and most cool-weather greens can start now and later with covered care (frost cloth, burlap, etc.) for possible random cold times. We can get crops even in October and November.

Janet Sellers is an avid “lazy gardener,” letting Mother Nature lead the way for natural landscapes that respect our Colorado high desert forest clime. Send handy tips to: JanetSellers@ocn.me..

Other High Altitude Nature and Gardening articles

Art Matters: Immersive art

By Janet Sellers

This summer season we’ve had a wide variety of art experiences to enjoy in our area. Our monthly Art Hop showcases available local art and artists and weekly concerts offered music at Fox Run Regional Park and Monument’s Limbach Park. The Palmer Lake Arts District has offered Shakespeare plays, sculptures, and art openings and classes.

We’ve had the images from the students of the Monumental Impact program digital artificial intelligence art show fundraiser at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, along with our ever-present art sculpture parks and art walks along our Tri-Lakes Santa Fe Trail. We can always bring our visiting guests and families to these great, free events. Art Hop is also a seasonal chance to go into town and enjoy our galleries, artists, and the outdoor art fair atmosphere around town.

New on the art scene are immersive art experiences that are all the rage internationally, from enormous warehouses-turned-art-experience to small venues that engage visitors with much more because they are more personal and fun. The smaller venues offer art, of course. But the immersive experience fills the senses with sight, sound, and more. Standing back from the art wall is not as engaging as a space with artists’ live poetry and art projector images on the walls or people. Everyone experiences it in the present moment—there’s no time for photo-worthy social media because everybody is actively involved.

Immersion can include action painting by an artist, poetry reading, light shows, nature sounds, or music, and even audiences taking action. People can observe art in a new, creative way as an experience. Projecting images in video or stills around the room or on the people are also innovative ways to engage the visitors.

Different from performance art, video art, or installation art, an immersive art experience involves the rapport of the creative presenters and the live audience. It’s using visual and other human senses to share a creative and fun moment in time. People cannot get this on their own just by looking at static artworks or being in a theater. It is curated by the artists for the experience.

The immersive experience allows artists to lead with art and entertaining stories or poems. It is highly interactive and removes common limits to include multiple creative experiences in one go. And it is not formal. It’s more like a conversation of enjoyment of the art and visitors. People can stand and watch or interact as a mixed reality. Imagine the projected image or video on the people and you get the idea—the people become part of the art experience.

A special immersive event that includes art, light, and poems is planned at Bella Art and Frame Gallery for the season’s last Art Hop Sept. 21. Local poets Mary Brown and me will read short flash poetry works (haiku and more) from our books, and artworks with immersive imagery from my books.

Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, and speaker, sharing her works locally and across the country. Contact her at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Art Matters articles

Snapshots of Our Community

August Issue Snapshot Correction: The Monument Sanitation District was founded in 1963 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

Construction causes dangerous traffic backups

Above: Aug. 15, the first day of school for all D38 schools, showed significant traffic backups by many schools due to several construction projects, including the Highway 105 and Jackson Creek Parkway expansions, along with other road projects by the county and special districts. At 3:30 p.m., the line of cars heading west on Highway 105 for the Monument Academy pickup was 45 cars long, with at least an equal number heading east on Vista Ridge Point to the front of the school. Cars were also backed up heading east on Highway 105 from the I-25 offramp, heading north on Knollwood Drive to MA, south on Woodmoor Drive past Lewis-Palmer Middle School, and Jackson Creek Parkway and Higby Road near Lewis-Palmer High School. While carlines are always challenging in the first weeks of school due to new routes and new parents, the construction added to the chaos. Cars were stuck at lights for multiple cycles due to cars blocking intersections. Some bus drivers deviated from their normal routes to avoid the worst traffic. By the second day, the district had adjusted some bus routes, and the Monument Police Department had deployed some officers to help direct traffic at the busiest intersections. The county Department of Public Works is considering opening an additional road to help with the traffic situation. Please be careful on our roads and look out for students and other drivers. For more information, see http://EPC-Hwy105AConstruction.com/ and http://www.jacksoncreekpkway.com, as well as your school’s website for carline procedures and bus routes. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Hummingbird Festival, Aug. 4-5

Above: The annual Hummingbird Festival was held in a rustic setting off Roller Coaster Road in Monument on Aug. 4 and 5. Festival visitors could learn about hummingbirds, nature, and art. Vendor stands offered food, books related to Native American culture, alpacas, and others. A Monument fire truck displayed items related to fire and rescue. The festival is organized each year by Marlene Brown, Janet Sellers, and other local community leaders. Photo by Steve Pate.

Cemetery records updated, Aug. 7

Above: It was expected the project would take a few months. Instead, it took 13 years. On Aug. 7, the Monument Town Council heard a presentation from two Monument volunteers who updated the town’s cemetery records. John Howe started the project in 2010. He was joined by Michael Weinfeld in 2018. They told the council how they used handwritten ledgers with information taken from family Bibles, minutes from various cemetery committees, and maps including one based on ground-penetrating radar which turned up many of the cemetery’s 186 unknown graves. Howe and Weinfeld also made dozens of trips to the cemetery to photograph gravestones. They also used a pointed probe to uncover some markers that had sunk beneath the surface. If they heard a “thunk,” they knew they’d hit a tombstone. The oldest marked grave is Alonzo Welty’s. He was buried in 1860, 26 years before the cemetery was officially created. In all, there are 1,692 lots. All are spoken for. The cemetery sold out in April 2021. Howe and Weinfeld’s findings are in a 73-page report called “A Loose History of Monument Cemetery.” It can be found online in the packet for the Aug. 7 Town Council meeting at monumenttownco.documents-on-demand.com. Photo by Steve Pate. Inset photo by Tia M. Mayer.

AARP at the Black Forest Festival

Above: Members of Chapter 1100 of AARP in Black Forest provided pastries and cold water to people who attended the annual Black Forest Festival on Aug. 11. They also helped with the breakfast prepared by area Scouts. Chapter member Ray Rozak hooked up his tractor to a trailer and provided free hayrides. From left are Electa Beckner, Lin Rozak, Candace Lehmann, Bonnie Kittel, Ray Rozak, and Max Stucky. Photo by Stan Beckner.

National Night Out, Aug. 5

Above: A crowd of about 200 gathered for the annual National Neighborhood Night Out event on Aug. 5 at the Little Train Park in Promontory Pointe. The Homeowners Association board members hosted the picnic to thank first responders for providing a safe neighborhood. Participants were treated to Broken Bones BBQ, Lori Lynn’s Cookies and Cream treats, a live performance by Nick Davey, a bounce castle, and interaction with officers and staff from Monument Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and Monument Fire District Station 4. Pictured from left are Monument Police Department Cpl. R. Hoeh with Will Beatty, Melody Dixon, and Eva Beatty atop a Monument Police Department cruiser. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

AI art show, Aug. 11

Above: An exhibit featuring art created with artificial intelligence by students was on display at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry last month. The opening and a lecture were held on Aug. 11. All proceeds from the sale of the prints go to Monumental Impact, which enables and supports the growing talent and passion of high school students in technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship. The exhibit was a collaboration between the Palmer Lake Arts Council and Monumental Impact. It was made possible by a grant from CORE Electric Cooperative and was supervised by Dr. Kent Hutson. Pictured in the inset From left are Gavin Schmidt and Alex Epstein framing a print in preparation for the art exhibit. Photos by Dr. Kent Hutson.

Art Hop, Aug. 17

Above: The Art Hop was bustling in downtown Monument on Aug. 17 as artists demonstrated their art and offered finished pieces for sale. Artist Janet Sellers demonstrated watercolor at Bella Art and Frame, and there were outside booths of various artists. The last Art Hop of the 2023 season will be at 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 21, free and open to the public. https://tri.lakes.chamberofcommerce.me/Calendar/moreinfo.php?eventid=454703. See more info at #downtownmonument. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Annual peach sale pick-up, Aug. 12

Above: Monument Hill Kiwanis members and volunteers distribute about 1,065 peaches to about 750 customers’ vehicles at the Bear Creek Elementary School parking lot on Aug. 12. Dean Snow heralded about 40 volunteers to ensure the four-hour event ran smoothly, and Dan Lopez fed the crew with a barbecue picnic. All proceeds from the Annual Peach Sale are returned to the community through projects supported by the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club. For more information, visit https://MHKiwanis.org. Pictured from left: Joe Kneedler, Scott Ross, Paul Zmuda and Ted Bauman carry peaches to customers. Photo by Kiwanis member Warren Gerig.

WMMI Family Day, Aug. 12

Above: On Aug. 12, the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) held its last of four family day events with this one focused on history. The museum staff offered hayrides and blacksmith demonstrations and operated several of its historic equipment including the EIMCO 630 rocker mucker. Visitors could also ride a soapbox racer provided by Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby. The Tenth Mountain Division-Living History Display Group Inc. had re-enactors in uniform representing different World War II combatants along with armament from pistols to machine guns. Information on upcoming WMMI events is at www.wmmi.org. Pictured: WMMI Family Day visitor Dillon Lott drove a Soap Box Derby racer. Photo by David Futey.

Fox Run Park concert, Aug. 24

Above: A beautiful summer evening was filled with the music of Colorado’s own jazz band Dotsero (dotseroband.com) on Aug. 24 at Fox Run Regional Park, presented by El Paso County Recreation & Cultural Services. Concerts in the Park happen every Thursday through Sept. 7 at 6-8 p.m.. Scheduled to perform Sept. 7 is Wirewood Station. All concerts are free. For more information, see https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/2023-el-paso-county-concerts-in-the-park/. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Monument water tank, Aug. 21

Above: During the week of Monday, Aug. 21, painting was finished on the Town of Monument’s (TOM) 2-million-gallon water storage tank. The tank construction site is located in residential Forest View Estates where all household properties are supplied by individual water wells separate from the TOM water system. During September, the excavation contractor will return soil initially excavated and stored off-site for backfill around the newly established tank. Backfill soil levels will reach within 3-4 feet of the top of the tank wall on the back side and will allow 13 feet of tank wall exposure on the roadside facade. Trenching and laying of the pipeline to provide water flow to and from the storage tank to downtown Monument continues along Highway 105. Photo by Max Williams.

Dusky Grouse sighted, Aug. 20

Above: On one of his many hikes in the Mount Herman area, Randy Phillips was able to take this photo of a dusky grouse. His comment was, “Mount Herman is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. Several dusky grouse rudely walked in front of me.” Phillips got this closeup on Aug. 20. Photo by Randy Phillips

Local labyrinth available

Above: A local couple has created a labyrinth in their yard that’s been recognized by The Labyrinth Society, a worldwide organization dedicated to the preservation and education about the history of labyrinths. Bob and Jerusha Goebel built the labyrinth in Cherry Creek Crossing in 2009. The labyrinth is open to the public and is located at 3215 Doubletree Court. Photo by Mike Pipkins.

Other Snapshots of Our Community

Our Community Notices

By Janet Sellers

Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the information number for that event. Please notify us if your event listing needs to be updated.

Community volunteers

Many students need volunteer hours for scouting, civics classes, or other clubs volunteering hours. Monument Community Garden as well as Friends of Fox Run Park will have some openings for student volunteers (and grownups, too) for the summer. Gardening tasks include preparing garden beds, weeding, sowing seeds, and developing the compost. Bring gardening gloves, some tools will be provided on the workdays by other volunteers. Volunteers are needed weekly, in harvest time, twice a week. Friends of Fox Run Park also has openings for volunteers for various tasks. Besides tasks, there will be a short information and skills demonstration for each 2-3 hour session. Contact Janet Sellers at janetsellers@ocn.me for more information.

MVEA outage notifications

Please add your phone number to your MVEA account to streamline outage reporting and restoration notifications. To report an outage please call or text “OUT” to (800) 388-9881. Visit MVEA’s Outage Center before the storm. There is information about preparing for outages, electrical safety, outage reporting, a link to the outage map, and more.

Slash/mulch program

Because of an unprecedented amount of slash and mulch from recent tree die-off, mulch needs to be picked up and used in the community. The rain has kept people from being able to pick it up, but it needs to be picked up as soon as possible. Slash drop off through Sep. 10 ($2/load). Free mulch pick up through Sep. 16. Hours: Tue. & Thu. 5-7:30 pm, Sat. 7 am-4 pm, Sun. noon-4 pm. Mulch loader Sat. ($5/2 cubic yards). Located in Black Forest, Herring and Shoup roads. Volunteers needed for shifts. Info: www.bfslash.org.

Trail repair volunteers needed

Friends of Monument Preserve (FOMP) needs volunteers to help repair the trails in the National Forest Open Space surrounding the Monument Fire Center. The Forest Service recently completed the second phase of Fire Mitigation work and many of the social trails have been damaged. The Forest Service relies on FOMP to maintain these trails. Trail Repair workdays are scheduled on the second Tuesday of the month from April-October. Next meeting: Tue., Sep. 9, 5 pm. Meet at the Mt. Herman trailhead off Mt. Herman Rd and Nursery Rd and bring gloves. Tools will be provided.

The Sunflower is for people with non-visible disabilities

Watch for green and yellow sunflower lanyards, bracelets, and ribbons, discreet ways to make the invisible visible. Wearing the Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they need additional support, help or a little more time. However big or small, your help moves us closer to a society where people recognize that an offer of help, understanding and kindness can make a huge difference to the daily experiences that a Sunflower wearer has. For more information: www.flydenver.com/accessibility, www.hdsunflower.com/us/, and www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/.

Tri-Lakes Cares needs your support

Tri-Lakes Cares is the only food pantry and human services organization serving northern El Paso County through emergency relief and self-sufficiency programs. The community-based, volunteer-supported center is a critical resource for our neighbors in need. The best way to help support Tri-Lakes Cares is to donate. Visit https://tri-lakescares.org/donate to learn how to donate money, medical items, personal supplies, or food. Please check the web for current needs in our food pantry at https://tri-lakescares.org/donate/current-needs. Donation drop-off hours are Mon.-Thu., 9 am-4 pm. For more information about Tri-Lakes Cares or how you can help, contact Tri-Lakes Cares at 719-481-4864 or info@tri-lakescares.org.

Senior Beat newsletter—subscribe for free

Each monthly Senior Beat newsletter is full of information for local seniors, including the daily menu of the senior lunches offered Monday through Friday at the Mountain Community Mennonite Church, 643 Highway 105, Palmer Lake. It also contains the schedule of the classes and events for the month at the Senior Citizens Center and senior-friendly library programs. To subscribe, send an email with your name and mailing address to SeniorBeat@TriLakesSeniors.org. Senior Beat can also be viewed online at www.TriLakesSeniors.org.

Can you volunteer today?

  • Links to local organizations with an immediate need for volunteers are listed on the county’s website, www.elpasocountyhealth.org/volunteering-and-donations, for groups like Care and Share, Crossfire Ministries, blood donations, Early Connections (volunteer from home opportunity), foster an animal, Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County, Salvation Army, Silver Key, and United Way (ongoing opportunities).
  • The Colorado State University Extension office in El Paso County has several opportunities for individuals interested in volunteering. https://elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/volunteer-opportunities/
  • El Paso County volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations are ommitted to building healthy, caring communities and rely on the hard work of individuals like you. Reach out today and find out how you can play a part by becoming a volunteer in El Paso County. Get involved in El Paso County volunteering non-profits and organizations! https://www.americantowns.com/el-paso-county-co/volunteer-organizations/.
  • The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Program is composed of a collective citizens group with a true and common desire to partner with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office by volunteering their services while learning more about the internal workings of the law enforcement community. https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/volunteer-program-0.
  • The El Paso County Volunteer Program is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to learn about the various functions of county government as well as give back to the community. The County’s numerous boards and commissions need your experience, talents and time. https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer.
  • Children’s Literacy Center provides free one-on-one literacy tutoring to Tri-Lakes children in grades 1-6 who are reading below grade level! Tutoring is at the Tri-Lakes Senior Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30 pm, and our Summer Session will run through Aug. 14. For more information, to become a volunteer tutor or to enroll your child, visit www.childrensliteracycenter.org or email Christine Jeffson at Christine@childrensliteracycenter.org.

Other Our Community Notices