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

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Letters to Our Community – Vote for Tom Olmstead

I’m writing in support of candidate Tom Olmstead for D38 School Board. I had the opportunity to hear Mr. Olmstead at the Candidate Forum conducted by KOAA on Sept. 28. I found him to be clear and committed to the parents, students, and staff of D38. His openness to hear ideas from everyone to make D38 a great place to receive a 21st century education, while honoring the family values that make Monument a wonderful place to live, encourages me.

Mr. Olmstead moved to Monument to be near his grandchildren, all Monument Academy graduates. Two granddaughters are currently attending Palmer Ridge High School. He clearly has a vested interest in ensuring we continue to support our longstanding tradition of excellence in education.

Mr. Olmstead’s lifelong dedication to “serve and protect”—first as an Army veteran and then as a police officer—has prepared him well for public service.

I will encourage my friends and neighbors to vote for Mr. Olmstead on Nov. 7.

Ana Cecilia Konduris

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – Vote Patti Shank for D38 School Board

When considering positions on a School Board, background, character, education, and stances of the candidate should be considered as a whole. If one element is missing, look for another, more qualified candidate who aligns with the aggregate.

Patti Shank is a widely cited author on the science of learning and has over 20 years in higher education—her background is exemplary. Patti is open and honest and harbors no secret political interest; she is 100% for the needs of students—her character is beyond reproach. Patti’s education speaks for itself with a Ph.D. in Education, what better qualification for a School Board? Her education is flawless. And finally, Patti has a genuine affection for Monument and, most especially, for the students of D38. Truly, Patti encompasses all the ingredients for a stellar School Board member.

Let’s ensure that D38 has the most qualified School Board by voting for Patti Shank.

Laura Kronick

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – D38 elections—know who you’re voting for

I am writing to express my concerns about Tom Olmstead as a candidate for the Lewis-Palmer School District (D38) Board of Education, District 2 director.

Based on my research, I believe that Tom’s track record and positions are not aligned with the best interests of our community.

Tom’s lack of experience in education and unfamiliarity with the challenges faced by our teachers and students are a significant concern. It is crucial to have a board member who understands the intricacies of our education system and can make informed decisions that positively impact our students.

Furthermore, Tom’s past actions have raised questions about his commitment to transparency and accountability. As community members, we deserve a board member who is open and honest with us, and who will prioritize the needs of our students over personal or political interests. Because he has chosen to align himself with others in our community that clearly have an agenda against the town and school districts in general, we will never really know who is speaking; Tom or those pulling his strings.

In addition, Tom has no experience on critical issues such as curriculum development and student support services. We need a board member who will advocate for a well-rounded education that prepares our students for success in an ever-changing world.

Given these concerns, I cannot endorse Tom Olmstead for the Lewis-Palmer School District, Board of Education, District 2 director. I believe that we need an experienced candidate who is committed to the success and well-being of all students in our district.

Vote Patti Shank for District 2 director, Lewis-Palmer School District Board of Education.

Mitch LaKind

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – Ethics Commission takes up complaint against mayor as “non-frivolous.”

In May 2023, I wrote a letter to OCN stating that Monument taxpayers were going to pick up the tab for Mayor Mitch LaKind’s personal attorney fees to the tune of $21,000 under the guise that it was “in the Town’s interest.” That “interest” was actually an inappropriate sexual comment LaKind made to a female trustee—discovered in the December investigation of illegal electioneering by current Town Council members. LaKind hired and announced at a taped trustee meeting that this was his personal attorney.

I argued in May that the taxpayers should never be paying for an elected official’s legal counsel for inappropriate behavior. Apparently, on Aug. 15 the Colorado Ethics Commission agreed with me. In a unanimous vote, the Ethics Commission said the complaint is “non-frivolous” and will take up the ethics complaint.

By having his cronies vote with him to pawn his legal fees onto the Monument taxpayers, the mayor personally benefitted from the vote. When the mayor’s Town Council colleagues vote to relieve his personal debt because they all ran for office together, each of those colleagues now “own” the mayor and to some degree, his vote. He is forever compromised—no matter how he blathers on that he’s “passionate” about Monument or any purposeful misinformation the council gives you.

Whether you look like Stormy Daniels, Lizzo, or Twiggy, sexually inappropriate comments to any woman is a bad idea. What the mayor should be passionate about is holding his tongue when inclined to offer sexual harassing remarks and repay the taxpayers for the offense.

A link to the Ethics Commission complaint: Complaint 23-17.pdf (https://colorado.gov).

Amy Stephens

Other Letters to Our Community

October Library Events – New programs for Teens and Tweens; Culture Pass for Pikes Peak Highway

By Harriet Halbig

This October the library will host several seasonal activities for teens and tweens.

On Oct. 13 from 2:30 to 5:30 there will be a Teen Spooky Movie Marathon with titles to be chosen by the teens in attendance (ages 13 to 18). Registration is not required.

On Oct. 16 from 4:30 to 5:30 tweens (ages 9-12) are invited to bring a favorite spooky story to share. Complete your experience by making s’mores and a fun memento to take home.

There is a new tween Dungeons and Dragons Club meeting once a month at the Monument Library. The next meeting will be on Nov. 3 from 4 to 5:30. Registration is preferred but not required. All are welcome to join and no experience is required.

From now until April 30, 2024, cardholders can get free access to the Pikes Peak Highway through the district’s Culture Pass program. The pass will admit two adults and two children. For more information and to get your pass, please go to ppld.org/culture pass. Passes are also available to many local museums and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Monument Library has recently added a new playhouse in the children’s area. Come and see!

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

Other Library articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Gardening with cinnamon; fall tool care

By Janet Sellers

“It’s amazing how many worries are lost while gardening.”—”The Empress of Dirt”

Cinnamon is good for people and gardens

I’ve used cinnamon for flower pots and veggie beds to keep out critters with success, but I recently learned about the wide range of how it helps gardening. Cinnamon has gotten more expensive recently, so I have also used pepper flakes and cayenne powder instead—which started with trying to keep our kitten off the Christmas tree branches. It worked great for that.

Cinnamon protects soil and plants from fungi, rot, and more. It deters houseflies, aphids, moths, ants, and spiders even from our closets. I put cinnamon oil or powder on pine cones in a dish or on a shelf—even on a ribbon to dangle by the door. Cornell University cooperative extension reports pesticidal uses include insecticide and acaricide. Repellent of cockroaches, mosquitoes, dogs, and cats. Nematicide for plant parasitic nematodes. Fungicide for disease control in edible mushrooms and more.

The website www.realmissolliesoakland.com/ reports, “… Cinnamon has lots of eugenol, a popular insect-repellent ingredient. The spicy heat and strong aroma of cinnamon can also disrupt insect pheromones, separating them from their fellow bugs and disrupting communication.” It is very good for human food since it has iron, calcium, fiber, various vitamins, and manganese. It also contains carbs, fats, lipids, and proteins.

Tool care in fall in our high desert climate

The Empress of Dirt website (a fun favorite of mine) offers advice for good fall routines: Paint the ends of tools bright colors, rinse off tools in diluted household bleach (4 teaspoons bleach for quart of water) for one minute and then dry well.

Kevin at the Epic Gardening website has rusty tool hints: Clean pruners in a white vinegar bath. Just put the tool in a jar that fits the tool head, add vinegar up past the rust area, and next day the rust is in the vinegar. Then tackle the rest with a kitchen scrub pad and get all the rust and crud off. Then lube and protect with 3-in-1 oil. I clean my hands with Dawn dish soap, but many use Lava soap which has scrubbing pumice in it.

Wooden handles: Sand and protect with boiled linseed oil. Protect moving parts with 3-in-1 oil or WD-40 (check with the manufacturer’s instructions). I use a sponge sander for the handles. I spray WD-40 on cutting tools and use folded 400 grit sandpaper in a back-and-forth motion to sharpen tools. (I dip things like shovels in a bucket of sand to clean them off, and the sand also seems to help the edges). Many people take their tools to a pro for this.

Janet Sellers is an avid “lazy” gardener, letting Nature lead the way for fun kid-and pet-safe gardening. Contact her at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other High Altitude and Nature Gardening articles

Art Matters – October is Arts Month

By Janet Sellers

September was the last Art Hop month of the season, but we have more art events coming up for fall. October brings its own art events and fun for the Pikes Peak Region, the annual Arts Month. This year marks the 10th annual event. The theme is “Open Your World with the Arts” and explore the strength and vitality of our arts community throughout El Paso and Teller counties.

This annual event is the brainchild of COPP’R, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region created to build cultural promotion and cultural tourism. “The Cultural Office increases cultural participation among local residents and tourists, connects our arts community with peers in the tourism and media industries, and ultimately works to build our area as a regional, national, and international arts destination,” according to the office. Besides art to see and buy in our Pikes Peak region, the office is cooking up a Creative Stays program to attract cultural tourists to the region. This will offer a new way to explore and discover the wonderful attractions and amenities our region has to offer.

Palmer Lake Art Group Small Works Show

Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) has its third annual Small Works Show this year at Bella Art and Frame Gallery (250 Front St., Monument) Oct. 6 through Nov. 24. It’s a member show with small artworks just in time for holiday gifting. Throughout the show, artists will replace each sold piece with a new one, so the work on view will be changing throughout the Small Works Show.

Artist Sunday

This special event is always the Sunday after Thanksgiving—mark your calendar! It seems the Thanksgiving weekend is the holiday kickoff for shopping, and artists are joining the fun by having their own national day offering truly personal and unique gifts. “A gift of art is a gift of feeling.”

Artist Sunday includes 500-plus art organizations and economic development agencies across the country promoting and championing artists in their communities. Participating organizations include local arts agencies, state agencies, counties, chambers of commerce, national organizations, associations, municipalities, and community groups nationwide. View the Partner Directory for local partners: https://artistssunday.com/locations/.

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

Table of Contents

Fox Run Park trail work

Above: Volunteers from the Friends of Fox Run Park worked on the trails in Fox Run Regional Park in August and September. After over 60 days of rain in the area, the trails were heavily damaged. Thanks to the El Paso County Parks Department providing the gravel and road base, several volunteers worked to build water bars and fill some of the ruts caused by the rains. Pictured are, from left, Katie Lenger, Barb Heidmous, and Albert Koscienlny. For more information on volunteering, email friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Bye Bye Summer!

Above: There were plenty of ways area residents could say goodbye to summer on Labor Day, Sept. 4. Monument Lake was full of boaters, paddle boarders, parasailers, sunbathers, and anglers. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Gleneagle Sertoma raises $40,000

Above: Gleneagle Sertoma’s 22nd annual Patriot Golf Benefit Tournament raised over $40,000 on Aug. 23 at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. The money will help local law enforcement and military assistance programs. The event started as a way to honor the first responders who died on 9/11. The tournament began when 126 golfers left the clubhouse in a procession of flag-decked golf carts. In photo, a banner pays tribute to the fallen officers whose families have received significant contributions from past tournaments’ proceeds. Photo courtesy of Gleneagle Sertoma Club.

Burkart/Raper wedding, Sept. 16

Above: Our Community News volunteer Audrey Burkart married Ryan Raper in front of more than 100 people in Colorado Springs on Sept. 16. It was a costume wedding with an adventure theme. Burkart and Raper wore purple outfits made by her mother to go for a “regal look.” Burkart embroidered them herself. The couple met online 3½ years ago. Raper proposed on New Year’s Eve 2022. After the ceremony, Burkart and Raper went on a 15-day honeymoon in Venice, the Dolomite mountains in Italy, and then a cruise from Venice to Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece. Caption by Michael Weinfeld. Photo courtesy of Audrey Burkart.

Bines and Brews, Sept. 16

Above: OCN volunteer Chris Jeub and his son enjoy beer samples Sept. 16 at the annual Bines and Brews Beer Fest in Monument, organized by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Twenty breweries and several vendors joined in the fun. Photo by Chris Jeub.

Acoustic Eidolon at TLCA, Sept. 16

Above: OCN volunteer Chris Jeub and his son enjoy beer samples Sept. 16 at the annual Bines and Brews Beer Fest in Monument, organized by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce. Twenty breweries and several vendors joined in the fun. Photo by Chris Jeub.

Last 2023 Art Hop, Sept. 21

Above: On Sept. 21, poets Janet Sellers, left, and Mary Barrett Brown read from their poetry books at the season’s ultimate Art Hop event at Bella Art and Frame gallery. Amid the festive atmosphere, the poets read their works each hour, complete with large onscreen images personally created by the artist-poets. Brown read from her book, The Book of Divine Love, her published book of heart-opening poems of love and personal connection. Sellers read from her artist’s handmade imagery and haiku book, Immersion: Haiku Poems about her memories and adventures of her life near the Pacific Ocean told in short haiku form. Photo courtesy of Tom Brown.

Monu-Palooza, Sept. 3

Above: The seventh annual Monu-Palooza, billed as Monument’s Hometown Music Festival, was held during Labor Day weekend on Sept. 3 at Limbach Park. This year’s music lineup included local bands Skin & Bones, Missy & The Dirty Secrets, Mojo Filter, Ashtōnz, WireWood Station, and The Country Music Project from Denver. Monu-Palooza organizer Charlie Searle said, “This has been the best one yet, the weather has cooperated, the bands are terrific, and we have added a street fair and more food trucks and sponsors” for concert-goers to enjoy. Guitarist and singer Billy Flynn of Mojo Filter said Monu-Palooza is “a beautiful event arranged by Charlie and a nice end to the summer season.” Photo by David Futey.

American Legion honors 9/11

Above: American Legion Post 9-11 held a solemn ceremony at Monument Fire Department’s Station 1 on the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Flags were raised then lowered to half-staff at the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center in New York. Palmer Ridge High School student Ruby Taylor sang the National Anthem and Post 9-11 Padre Jim Bergeron led the crowd in prayer. Members of the Monument Police and Fire departments and town officials attended the ceremony. From left are Police Chief Patrick Regan, American Legion Post 9-11 historian Ray Kinder, and Monument Fire Chief Andy Kovacs. Photo by Arleen Kinder.

Run4Hope, Sept. 16

Above: These children took off like lightning when the Run4Hope started. Run4Hope 5K for Schools is a competitive 5K run and 2-mile color-fun run/walk to celebrate hope and healing in our community. There were 500 pounds of colored chalk, games, music, vendors, and a pancake breakfast for the Sept. 16 run. The event, supported by the Ascent church and many sponsors, raises money to support the social and emotional wellness of our youth through various programs in local area schools focusing on suicide prevention—along with mental health awareness and suicide prevention training in El Paso County. As of 2022, the church had raised over $140,000 in support of these programs, including funding of the Sources of Strength program for D20 and D38 high schools. See https://run4hope5kforschools.com/ to donate or volunteer for next year. Photo by Janna Finn.

Business After Hours, Sept. 19

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce held its Business After Hours gathering on Sept. 19 at the Searle Ranch in Monument. This gathering is an opportunity for networking and getting to know more about businesses in our area. Texas Roadhouse provided food. Photo by Steve Pate.

Controlled burn, Sept. 25-27

Above: Large plumes of smoke were visible in Monument from the prescribed burns on Sept. 25-27. The U.S. Forest Service and the El Paso County Wildland Fire Group carried out the three-day controlled burns in Ensign Gulch near Rampart Range Road, and Forest Service Road 314. The burn covered almost 400 acres and is part of an ongoing effort to reduce forest fire fuel in the area. Caption by Natalie Barszcz. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Zettlemoyer earns Gold Award

Above: Colorado Springs Girl Scout Jillian Zettlemoyer, 18, (in photo) built a sandbox for the new Trinity Community Park in Monument. Zettlemoyer spent about eight months planning and building the project to earn the Scouts’ Gold Award. Fewer than 6 percent of Girl Scouts earn that award. She got help from her parents and some Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets. The playground is fully compliant with the American With Disabilities Act. It’s located behind Trinity Lutheran Church at 17750 Knollwood Drive. Photo by Tamara Schwarz.

Chapin honored

Above: Tri-Lakes Cares Executive Director Haley Chapin has been selected as one of four honorees for the Colorado Health Foundation’s Nonprofit Sabbatical Program. The program awards Colorado nonprofit executives with a three- to four-month sabbatical while offering charitable funding to help strengthen the organizations they lead. Chapin will take sabbatical various times next year. Director of Operations Julie Keim will take over for Chapin when she’s gone. Photo courtesy of Tri-Lakes Cares.

Teens learn preparedness

Above: The emergency preparedness club at Palmer Ridge High School tested solar oven cooking as an alternative energy source to use when there is no power, either after a blizzard or when going camping. In this demonstration, the club baked banana muffins in a commercial solar oven (successfully) and hard-cooked eggs in a solar oven made out of a reflective car window shade (which would have been successful with another hour of cooking). Lessons learned: You can’t rush it when doing solar cooking, and it only works when the sun is shining and it’s not too windy. Coming up this year, the club members will do hands-on learning about first aid, car emergencies, wildfires, and lots more, with the support of sponsor Eric Wall. Caption by Lisa Hatfield. Photo by Gayle Humm.

Presentation at the Senior Center

Above: Nearly 20 people attended a talk about Monument Cemetery at the Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center on Sept. 26. The presentation by Monument residents Michael Weinfeld and John Howe included almost 50 photos of the local cemetery as well as cemeteries in Denver and Silverton, Colo., Taos, N.M., and Bridgeport, Conn. The audience heard about the history of the cemeteries and how Weinfeld and Howe updated the cemetery files in Monument Town Hall. Howe worked on the project for 13 years and Weinfeld for five years. Photos by Tia M. Mayer.

Above: Michael Weinfeld reveals at Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center the cemetery’s oldest marked grave (19 sec)

Above: Michael Weinfeld tells Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center about murder victim buried at cemetery. (18 sec)

Above: John Howe at Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center says ground penetrating radar found some graves. (1 min 25 sec)

Above: John Howe at Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center says some graves were found by “poking around.” (1 min 37 sec)

Military retirees, spouses honored

Above: Chapter 1100 of AARP in Black Forest was one of 55 groups that took part in Military Retiree and Spouse Appreciation Day at Petersen Air Force Base on Sept. 23. This was the first time in five years the event was held because of restrictions during the pandemic. Perhaps because of that, this year’s attendance was bigger than usual. Those in attendance represented community service and military retirement groups from all branches of the Armed Forces as well as insurance, medical, banking, and other groups. A military brass quintet serenaded the large turnout. Photo by Stan Beckner.

Super Blue Moon

Above: A super blue moon rose above a high school soccer match at Don Breese Stadium on Aug. 30. A blue moon isn’t actually blue. It just refers to the fact that it was the second full moon in the same month. The phenomenon is so rare, it’s the source of the phrase “once in a blue moon.” The next super blue moon won’t rise until January 2037. The celestial event wasn’t a lucky one for Palmer Ridge High School. The Bears were shut out by Coronado 2-0. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Other Snapshots of Our Community

Our Community Notices

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. Friends of Fox Run Park will have some openings for student volunteers (and grownups, too) most of the year. Friends of Fox Run Park has openings for volunteers for various tasks. Besides tasks, the group offers information and skills demonstration for each 2-3 hour session, and celebrates volunteers at the park with the annual community holiday cheer/ ornament party in December. The Tri Lakes Cares on-site Garden in Monument needs volunteers in Fall, Spring and 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. Contact Janet Sellers at JanetSellers@ocn.me or Marlene Brown at MarleneBrown@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.

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.

Get Help in Larkspur

Larkspur Church has a Food Bank and Care Center that offer a good variety of non-perishable food items, as well as clothing for men, women, and children, some household items available too. We’re here to help. If you are in need, or know someone who is, please reach out to Jeff at gethelp@larkspur.church. If you would like to donate contact Jeff by the same email to arrange a pick up.

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 Notices of Our Community

Our Community Calendar

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 info number for that event. Please contact calendar@ocn.me with changes and additions.

GOVERNMENTAL BODIES

  • Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines Metropolitan District 1, 2 & 3 board meeting. Typically meets quarterly on the first Mon., 4 pm Meetings are held via teleconference. For virtual joining instructions and updates see www.forestlakesmetrodistrict.com.
  • Monument Town Council meeting, Mon., Oct. 2 & 16, 18, 6:30 pm, Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Normally meets first and third Mon. Info: 719-884-801, www.townofmonument.org/260/Board-of-Trustees for remote attendance links.
  • El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting, usually every Tue., 9 am. There is an additional regular meeting scheduled for Thu., Oct. 19, 9 am. BOCC land use meetings in Oct. are being held on Thu. Oct. 12 & 26, 1 pm. View agendas and meetings at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Meetings are held at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Info: 719-520-643.
  • El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, Thu., Oct. 5 & 19, 9 am Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colo. Springs. Meetings are live-streamed on the El Paso County News & Information Channel at https://www.elpasoco.com/news-information-channel. Normally meets first & third Thu. (as required). Info: 719-520-6300, https://planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/2023-meetings/
  • Woodmoor Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Mon., Oct. 9, 1 pm (one- time date change), 1845 Woodmoor Dr., Monument. Normally meets second Mon. Info: 719-488-2525, www.woodmoorwater.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Wastewater Facility Joint Use Committee meeting, Tue., Oct 10, 10 am 16510 Mitchell Ave. Meets second Tue. Info: See https://tlwastewater.com/index.html Bill Burks, 719-481-4053.
  • Palmer Lake Board of Adjustments, Tue., Oct. 10, 5 pm, 28 Valley Crescent St., Palmer Lake. Normally meets first Tues., as needed.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly DAAC), Tue., Oct. 10, Palmer Lake Elementary School, 115 Upper Glenway Palmer Lake. Meets six times a year. Usually meets monthly on second Tue., 6-8 pm, Monument. Contact info: tmckee@lewispalmer.org.
  • Palmer Lake Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 11, 9 am, call-in only: 650-479-3208, Access Code 76439078, 120 Middle Glenway. Meets second Wed. Info: 719-481-2732. www.plsd.org.
  • Monument Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Oct. 11, 6 pm Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Meets second Wed. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit www.townofmonument.org/263/Planning-Commission-Board-of-Adjustment. Info: 719-884-8028. www.townofmonument.org.
  • Monument Academy School Board, Thu., Oct. 12, 6:30 pm, East Campus gym, 4303 Pinehurst Circle. The MA board usually meets the second Thu. of the month. Info: 719-431-8001, www.monumentacademy.net/school-board
  • Palmer Lake Board of Trustees meeting, Thu., Oct. 12 & 26, 5 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent, Usually meets second and fourth Thu. Info: 719-481-2953. www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Monument Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 18, 9 am, 130 Second St. Zoom meeting. Find joining instructions on the website. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-4886, www.colorado.gov/msd.
  • Palmer Lake Town Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Oct. 18, 6 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-2953, www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Academy Water and Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 18, 6 pm. Usually meets third Wed. Public can join the Skype meeting: https://join.skype.com/PAcujKTn7Nrh. Check the website for a link: https://academywsd.colorado.gov/notices-and-alerts. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-0711, https://academywsd.colorado.gov.
  • Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District board meeting, in person or via Zoom, Wed., Oct. 18, 7 pm, Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Find updates and Zoom meeting joining instructions at www.bffire.org or contact Administrative Officer Rachel Dunn at 719-495-4300. Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday.
  • El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority meeting, Thu., Oct. 19, 9 am Monument Town Hall Boardroom, 645 Beacon Lite Rd. Meets third Thu. Info: 719-488-3603. www.loopwater.org.
  • Donala Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Thu., Oct. 19, 1:30 pm, 15850 Holbein Dr. In 2023, meets third Thu., Check the website for the access code for the electronic meeting. Info: 719-488-3603, www.donalawater.org.
  • Triview Metropolitan District board meeting, Thu., Oct. 19, 5:30 pm, 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302, Monument. Normally meets third Thu. Info: 719-488-6868, www.triviewmetro.com.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 board meeting, Mon., Oct. 23, 6-10 pm. Normally meets third Mon. The Board of Education meeting will be live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/LPSDCommunity, agenda, and supporting documents at https://go.boarddocs.com/co/lewispalmer/Board.nsf/vpublic. Contact Vicki Wood. Phone: 719.481.9546 Email: vwood@lewispalmer.org Website: https://www.lewispalmer.org.
  • Woodmoor Improvement Association Board Meeting, Wed., Oct. 25, 7 pm, Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. The WIA Board usually meets fourth Wed. Info: 719-488-2693, www.woodmoor.org.
  • Monument Fire District board meeting, in person or via Zoom, Wed., Oct. 25, 6:30 pm., Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, Monument. Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday. Find updates and Zoom meeting joining instructions at http://www.monumentfire.org, or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin, at 719-484-0911.
  • Donald Wescott Fire Protection District meeting, Meets every other month on the fourth Wed. The next meeting is Wed., Nov. 15, 4:30 pm, at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105 Monument. Find updates and Zoom meeting joining instructions at http://www.monumenfire.org or contact Jennifer Martin, at 719-484-0911.

WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS

  • AARP Local Senior Social, fourth Wed., 12455 Black Forest Rd. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weekly.com.
  • A.A. Big Book Study, every Thu., 7 pm, Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd. Call 425-436-6200, access code 575176#.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org,
  • Al-Anon for family and friends of alcoholics, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org
  • Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9-10 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309.
  • Al-anon Meeting: Monument, every Thu., 7-8 pm, Ascent Church (formerly the Tri-Lakes Chapel), 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. Info: MonumentSerenity@gmail.com.
  • Al-Anon meeting: Letting Go, every Thu., 9-10:15 am at Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. For additional information go to www.al-anon-co.org.
  • Amateur ham radio WØTLM (Tri-Lakes Monument ham radio Association), third Mon. All amateur ham radio operators or those interested in becoming one are welcome. Info: www.W0TLM.com.
  • Benet Hill Monastery, Let us pray with you, walk in the forest, come up and visit prayer sites, every Sun. worship is 10:15 am, 3190 Benet Lane, 80921. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Benet Hill Monastery, Half Day Prayer Group, first Sat., 9 am-12 pm. All vaccinated guests are welcome. Contact Sister Therese at (719) 355-1638 or (719) 355-1650 or stherese@benethillmonastery.org. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Benet Hill Monastery Centering Prayer Group, every Tue., 10-11 am. All vaccinated guests are welcome. Contact Sister Therese at (719) 355-1638 or (719) 355-1650 or stherese@benethillmonastery.org. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • AARP Black Forest #1100, second Wed., noon. All ages welcome. In-person, Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Rd.
  • Black Forest Community Church – Centering Prayer Group, first Sat., 8:30-10 am The Old Log Church. Centering prayer opens and closes the meetings with discussion and fellowship in between; open to all. Contact Rev. Roger Butts, at 719-433-3135, for information.
  • Children’s Literacy Center, every Mon. & Wed., 5:30-6:30 pm. Provides free one-on-one literacy tutoring to Tri-Lakes children in grades 1-6 who are reading below grade level. Tutoring is at Grace Best Education Center, 66 Jefferson St. Monument. For more information, to become a volunteer tutor, or to enroll your child, visit www.childrensliteracycenter.org or contact Rachel Morin, Tri-Lakes Senior Center Coordinator, CLC 610-246-1047 (cell).
  • Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild Listening Club, third Wed. Free virtual event. Maestro Wilson will conduct monthly hour-long programs. RSVP at www.cspguild.org.
  • Essentrics Fitness Program at Senior Center, every Tue., 9 am & Thu., 10 am, Grace Best Education Center, 66 Jefferson St, Monument, CO 80132. Registration & info: Sue Walker, 719-330-0241, www.trilakesseniors.org.
  • Fellowship of Christ Church, every Sun., 9 am. 4303 Pinehurst Circle. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Friends of Fox Run Park, fourth Thu. Zoom meeting, 7 pm, email friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com, they will email you the link the day of the meeting. Join the growing group to learn about volunteering and supporting the park for forest safety, trails, trees, education, special events, and more. Info: friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com.
  • Friends of Monument Preserve (FOMP) Trail Repair monthly Work Days, second Tue. Apr.-Oct. Next meeting: Tue., Oct. 10, 5 pm. Meet at Mt Herman Trailhead at the corner of Mt Herman Rd and Nursery Rd, bring gloves. 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. Tools will be provided.
  • Fuel Church Griefshare, every Thu., 5:30-7:30 pm, 643 State Highway 105, Palmer Lake. Email info@fuel.org. 643 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake.
  • Fuel Church Sunday Service, every Sun. Service times, 11:00 am Live service streaming at www.fuelchurch.org at 11:40 am on www.fuelchurch.org. Mountain Community Mennonite Church, 643 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. Nursery and kids’ service. Non-denominational, spirit-filled. Need prayer? Email us at info@fuel.org. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • German Conversation Group, every Mon., 1:30 pm, Monument Library, 1706 Woodmoor Drive. Public welcome with Intermediate to Advanced German speaking skills.
  • Gleneagle Sertoma, first and third Wed., 11:45 am to 1 pm at Beasts and Brews, 7 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs. The longest continuously serving civic service organization in northern El Paso County features a program speaker addressing local topics of interest. Info: Duane Gritzmaker, dwgritz@gmail.com or 719-649-9220.
  • Gleneagle Women’s Club, membership luncheon, third Fri., Sep.-June, various venues, 12 activity groups, i.e., hiking, bridge, etc. Guests welcome. For information contact Susan Owen, 719-886-7110.
  • GriefShare Support Group, last Tue. of the month, 10:30 am-noon. NEW LOCATION: Tri-Lakes Senior Center, 66 Jefferson St. in the Grace Best Elementary School building. The Tri-Lakes Silver Alliance has partnered with Colorado Palliative and Hospice Care to host a 13-session grief support group in Monument. RSVP, info: Sue Walker, 719-330-0241.
  • La Leche League breastfeeding support group, second Mon., 7 pm. Partners and helpers welcome (and babies and kids, too) so we can meet our breastfeeding goals together. Black Forest Community Center 12530 Black Forest Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908. For more information, contact RachelKLangley@gmail.com.
  • Lions Club Bingo, every Sat. (except the first Sat.), 8:30 am-1 pm and first Mon., 5:30-10 pm Tri-Lakes Lions Club’s portion of the proceeds benefit those in need in the Tri-Lakes community. Updated info and location: Jim Naylor, 719-481-8741 or www.trilakeslionsclub.org.
  • Monument Dementia Caregiver Support Group, second Sat., 9:45-11:15 am. Meets in Person, First National Bank Monument ( 581 Highway 105, Monument, CO 80132). Meets monthly, 2nd Sat. Contact: Registration is required, call 800-272-3900 or email khare@alz.org to register.
  • Monument Hill Kiwanis Club meeting, every Sat., 8 am. www.MHKiwanis.org, MonumentHillKiwanis@gmail.com for details, guests are welcome. Service leadership clubs, Key clubs, Builders Club, and K-kids at D38 schools. Memberships are open to the public. Info: RF Smith, 719-210-4987, www.MHKiwanis.org.
  • Monument Life Recovery Group, every Mon., 6:30-7:30 pm, The Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd. This faith-based support group is for those seeking freedom from all hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Daycare for children under age 11. Info: 303-946-2659, www.liferecoverygroups.com/meetings/life-recovery-group-3/.
  • Neighborhood Net Ham Radio, every Sat., 10 am Amateur ham radio operators practice for emergencies on weekly repeater nets so neighbors can help neighbors. Sign up at www.mereowx.org/neighborhood-net or contactus@mereowx.org.
  • Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) meeting, Sat., Nov. 11, 10 am–12 pm., Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. HOA legal topics. Members of local HOAs are welcome. Usually meets bi-monthly (Jan., Mar., May, July, Sep., Nov.) on the second Sat. of the month. www.nepco.org.
  • Old Fashioned Community Sing-along. First and third Mon. 5:30 to 6:30 pm Black Forest Community Church 6845 Shoup Rd. Come share the joy of singing old, familiar, catchy tunes just for fun. For details: kay@stricklan.net.
  • Palmer Divide Quiltmakers, first Thu., 6:30-8:30 pm at Monument Chamber of Commerce building, 166 2nd St, Monument, CO.
  • Palmer Lake Art Group, second Sat. A variety of art programs are offered after the social gathering and business meetings. Guests welcome. 300 Hwy 105, NE corner of I-25 and 105. 9:30 am. Info: 719-460-4179, www.palmerlakeartgroup.com.
  • Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., Oct. 19., 7 pm; (doors open at 6:30 pm), Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent St. Usually meets third Thu. Contact: Kokesdm@yahoo.com, https://palmerdividehistory.org.
  • Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meeting, Wed., Oct. 11, 7 pm, Cheri Daniels and the macabre side of genealogy. Normally meets monthly, second Wed. Members can log in and get the monthly meeting Zoom link. Guests are welcome to attend, please request an invitation from the PPGS president at www.PPGS.org.
  • Ridgeview Baptist Church, every Sun., 10:30 am, temporarily meeting at 9130 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, 80920. Info: 719-357-6515 or www.ridgeviewcolorado.org. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Senior Bingo, third Wed. Silver Alliance Senior Center, Space is limited to 16. participants. RSVP & info: Sue Walker, 719-464-6873, or email sue@monumentalfitness.com.
  • Senior Book Club, second Fri., 11 am-noon, Silver Alliance Senior Center, all are welcome. Coffee & snacks. RSVP & info: Sue, 719-330-0241.
  • Tri-Lakes Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, third Sat., 10 am-noon, Monument Community Presbyterian Church, 238 Third St., Monument. Info: Syble Krafft, 719-488-2669; Barry (group president), 719-351-9485. If you need any help, please call Syble or Barry.
  • Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, Worship every Sun., 9 am Contemporary; 10:30 am Traditional. A live stream is available at www.tlumc.org/live. Watch live or replay: www.facebook.com/tlumc, www.youtube.com/tlumc.org. Info: 719-488-1365, www.tlumc.org. 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Tri-Lakes Church of Christ Wednesday night fellowship classes, every Wed., 6-7:30 pm, 20450 Beacon Lite Road, Monument (corner of Beacon Lite & County Line Roads). Info: 719-488-9613, gregsmith@trilakeschurch.org, www.trilakeschurch.org.
  • Tri-Lakes Cruisers, first Wed., 7 pm. A nonprofit car club. Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, with numerous activities and events each month. Club membership applications are now being accepted and are available on the website: https://tl-cruisers.weebly.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Networking breakfast, first and third Thu., in person or via Zoom 166 2nd Street Monument 7:30-9 am free registration at www.TriLakeschamber.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) monthly meeting. Fri., Oct. 13, 11:30 a.m. Falcon Club, USAFA. Guest speaker Nancy Pokorny (TLWC Member and Past President) shares insights through pictures, video and stories gleaned from visiting 58 countries. Usually meets the third Fri. To become a member, or learn about the club, visit our website at www.tlwc.net Contact Info: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club membership@tlwc.net.
  • Women’s A. A. Step Study, every Mon., 6:30 pm, meeting remotely, check for details. Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 Baptist Rd. Park in the west lot. Info: 866-641-9190.Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9:00 – 10:00 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7829, third Wed., 7 pm, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, 166 2nd St., Monument. New members welcome. Info: Post Commander and POC Bruce Beyerly, Bruce.Beyerly@gmail.com.
  • VFW Auxiliary to Post 7829, third Wed., 7 pm, The Country Club at Woodmoor, 18945 Pebble Beach Way, Monument. Guests are welcome to join; contact carlsonmkc@aol.com for instructions on how to connect. If you are a relative of a veteran who served on foreign soil during war or other military action, you may be eligible. Info: Kathy Carlson, 719-488-1902, carlsonmkc@aol.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • VOLUNTEER TODAY! Our Community News mailing days, Thu., Oct. 5 & Nov. 2, approx. 9 am–2 pm. We are all volunteers at OCN and need YOUR help, even for an hour or two, getting the papers ready to mail. Contact AllenAlchian@ocn.me or (719) 488-3455.
  • Pikes Peak Brewing Company Pop-up Smokehouse, every Fri., & Sat. until it’s gone. 1756 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Monument. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Palmer Lake Arts Council presents Romance at the Chautauqua, an original play set in 1901 when the Palmer Lake Chautauqua was the place to be in Colorado. Choose from three performances: Fri., Oct. 6, 7 pm, Sun, Oct. 8, 2 pm, and 6 pm on the stage of the Palmer Lake Town Hall. Ticket information at www.PLartscouncil.org
  • Meet your firefighters event, Sat., Oct. 7, 11-2 pm, free food, goodies for kids, check out the fire engines; Station 4, Monument Fire, 15415 Gleneagle Dr.
  • Miner’s pumpkin patch, every Sat. in Oct. Western Museum of Mining and Industry. See ad on page < 9 >.
  • Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, Sat., Oct. 7, 9 am; trail riding etiquette handouts, riding clinics, giveaways.. This is a terrific way to get kids outside and develop their mountain biking skills. All ages tots to teens, just need a working bike and helmet to participate. Info: www.communityservices.elpasoco.com/take-kid-mountain-biking/
  • PTSD: What You See, Feel, Do About it, Sun., Oct. 8, 1-3 p.m. Do you know someone with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Does it impact family, friends, you? Speaker: Jim Cunningham, LPC, a 24-year Air Force veteran and professional counselor, will conduct this 2-hour session including a presentation and open discussion on PTSD which is open to our congregation and community. Family of Christ Lutheran Church Youth Center (West Entrance) 675 Baptist Rd. Hosted by FOC Stephen Ministry.
  • Monument Hill Farmers Market, every Sat., 8 am-2 pm until Oct. 14. 66 Jefferson Street Monument. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • MVEA Member appreciation day, Wed., Oct. 11. Lunch, pie, more: 11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. At the Falcon office 11140 East Woodman Road 80831.
  • Annual pumpkin giveaway! Sat., Oct. 14, 10 am-2 pm. FREE pumpkins, candy, live music, and a delicious food truck. Sponsored by Monument Professional Firefighters local 4319. Monument marketplace clock tower 15986 Jackson Creek Pkwy. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Tri Lakes Cares food drive!
  • Kiwanis Fundraiser adventure wine and dining for the Heart of Monument play park, Sun., Oct. 15. 1-4 pm. see ad on page < 3 >.
  • Lifting Spirits Going Out of Business Sale, Mon.-Thu., Oct. 16-26. See ad on page < 8 >.
  • The Love Shop – Restyle Your Fur Event, Mon.-Tue., Oct. 16-17. See ad on page < 8 >.
  • 100+ Women Who Care Bi-Annual Meeting, Wed. Oct. 18, 5 pm, We are 100+ Women committed to contributing $100 two times a year to local Tri-Lakes charities, which will positively impact our communities by allowing us to give up to $20,000 annually. Together we can make a difference that we can see! Big impact, without a big commitment. Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Drive. For more info: http://www.100womenwhocaretrilakes.com/.
  • D38 Dream Team versus Harlem Wizards, Wed., Oct. 18, 7-9 pm. See ad on page < 9 >.
  • Covered Treasures Bookstore, Sat., Oct. 21, 1-4 pm, author Bethany Turner will sign Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, 105 Second Street, Monument.
  • AARP Drivers Safety Class – AARP Drivers Safety class: Thu., Oct. 26, 12 – 4 pm Black Forest Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall 12455 Black Forest Road in Colorado Springs. $20 for AARP members, $25 for non-members. Cash or check; call 710.597.5683 to register.
  • St. Peter Catholic School Trunk or Treat, Fri., Oct. 27, food trucks 5-7 pm, trunk or treating 6-7 pm. 124 First St. Monument. Info: spcstrunkortreat@gmail.com.
  • Front Range Maker’s Market, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 28 – 29. Lewis Palmer High School, Sat. 9 am-4 pm, Sun. 10 am-3 pm. $5 at the door. See ad on page < 28 >.
  • YMCA 5K race series: Creepy crawl, Sat., Oct. 28; Turkey trot, Thu., Nov., 23; Jingle jog, Sat., Dec. 9. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Make It Work Clinic for PCs, FREE. Donations appreciated. We are gauging interest in helping community members with their PCs, please email us if interested. enable@monumentalimpact.org. 55 Adams St in Downtown Monument. Monumental Impact info/ register: https://monumentalimpact.org.
  • A Time to Dance: Dance classes for everyone. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Affordable Flooring Connection, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Cornerstone Cleaners, special offers through Oct. 31. 1030 W. Baptist Road, near King Soopers. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Eagle Wine & Spirits, special offers through Oct. 31. Baptist Road next to King Soopers. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Eric Ellison, the “Lightfoot of the Rockies”, Colorado music performances. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Fall Mountain Farm, Family fun for everyone: pumpkin patch, scavenger hunt, hayrides & more, see ad on page < 17 >.
  • Freedom School of Martial arts, confidence course, special offer, see ad on pages 4 and 15.
  • Gleneagle Candle Co., special offers through Oct. 31. 13796 Gleneagle Drive 80921. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Monument Cleaners, special offers through Oct. 31., 15932 Jackson Creek Pkwy., in Monument Marketplace. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Monumental Med Spa, Special offers through Oct. 31. 88 Hwy 105. See ad on page < 7 >.
  • Noel Relief Centers, new patient specials. 950 Baptist Rd #130, Monument. See ad on page < 7 >.
  • Peakview Windows, Siding, Stucco. Special offers through Oct. 31 .See ad on page < 28 >.
  • The Living Room Plants, special offers through Oct. 31, 12229 Voyager Pkwy, Suite 100. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Tri-Lakes Collision and Auto Service Center, special offers through Oct. 31. 2101 Wolf Court, Monument. www.trilakescollision.com. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • The Vanity Box, special offers, facial revivals, and more. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Community Technology & Engineering Networking Meeting, Sat., Nov. 18, 9 am-10 am. Join community members to network and connect. Hosted by Monumental Impact. Breakfast and refreshments available. 55 Adams St., Monument. Contact: enable@monumentalimpact.org.
  • The MITEE Gobble Squabble: A Technology & Engineering Exhibition presented by D38’s Bearbotics, Sat., Nov. 18, FREE entertainment of student-built robots, scrimmage matches, ant-weight combat bots (adults can compete too!), project shares and more. Grace Best in Monument. More information: https://monumentalimpact.org/events/mitee-gobblesquabble/
  • International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. Annual community and worldwide event Sat., Nov. 18. Speaker, kids panel, adults panel and discussion, refreshments, more. Woodman Valley Chapel. Details: www.woodmenvalley.org or contact Saucedo 719-488-8280
  • Book signing by Lisa Hatfield, Sat., Nov. 25. Covered Treasures bookstore. See ad on page < 5 >.

Our community calendar carries listings on a space-available basis for Tri-Lakes events that are sponsored by local governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. We include events that are open to the general public and are not religious or self-promotional in nature. If space is available, complimentary calendar listings are included, when requested, for events advertised in the current issue. To have your event listed at no charge in Our Community Calendar, please send the information to calendar@ocn.me or Our Community News, P.O. Box 1742, Monument, Colorado 80132.

Other Calendar articles

On the Trail (in Memory of Tim Watkins) – Investigation of Tim Watkins’ murder revitalized

By Steve Pate

Seven years after Tim Watkins was killed, the investigation into his murder has been reinvigorated. There’s a new detective on the case who’s been reinterviewing friends of Watkins in the past month.

As OCN has previously reported (see the October 2022 issue at https://ocn.me/v22n10.htm#photos), Watkins was murdered while riding in one of his favorite areas near Mount Herman and Limbaugh Canyon. He was shot and killed, his body moved off -trail and partially buried. He was found Sept. 17, 2017, by volunteers searching for him.

Often a community has information that might be of value to criminal investigators. If you have information about Watkins or his murder, please contact Jennifer Bucholtz, criminal investigator with El Paso County Sheriff ’s Office at 719-520-7227.

About 50 people participated in the dedication of a plaque at the Watkins memorial next to the Palmer Lake Library on Sept. 14. Vickey Meeker, who helped organize the event, said this will become an annual celebration of Watkins’s life, whether or not his killer is found. Meeker is one of those who’s been interviewed by the investigator recently. After presentations by Meeker and her son, Rob Meeker, who rode with Watkins, many of the group biked from the ceremony in Palmer Lake down the Santa Fe Trail to Trails End Tap Room and Eatery in Monument to continue sharing memories and good times with Watkins.

The Palmer Lake Star was lit on the evening of Sept. 14 to honor Watkins’s memory.

Above: Vickey Meeker remembering Tim Watkins. Photo by Steve Pate.
Above: The Palmer Lake Star was lit Sept. 14 in memory of Tim Watkins. Photo by Vickey Meeker.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

Other On the Trail articles

August Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

August was generally uneventful around the Palmer Divide, especially compared to the last few months where we had extremely active weather. Temperatures were slightly warmer than normal, and precipitation was slightly lower than normal.

The first half of the month saw the typical quiet morning, afternoon clouds, and scattered thunderstorms and rain shower pattern. This is the normal pattern, but something we hadn’t seen consistently so far this summer, because the typical North American Monsoon system has not been fully formed this year. This has been the result of various weather patterns across the United States that have been slow to change.

The pattern began to reflect more normal conditions later in July and into August. Of course, there was a major disruption early in the month with the remnants of Tropical Storm Hilary bringing record rainfall to many areas of Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada. Then right on its heels was Tropical Storm Harold, which moved into south Texas, up the Rio Grande basin and into the Four Corners. This added lots of moisture to the region and produced significant rainfall in western Colorado and the mountains. This was welcome in those areas, as they have been extremely dry all summer and desperately needed the rainfall.

During the first two weeks of the month, most of us received 1-2 inches of rainfall, but no single day had any severe weather, just brief rain showers. Drier conditions took hold for the second half of the month and along with that, warmer conditions. Highs were consistently in the 80s from the 15th through the 24th. Temperatures peaked in the upper 80s on the 18th and 19th.

The first cold front of the season dropped temperatures by 20 degrees on the 25th and, when combined with low clouds and rain showers, definitely brought a feel of fall to the area. Temperatures stayed cool the next day before jumping back to the low 80s on the 27th. The end of the month saw a seesaw in temperatures with a few scattered showers mixed in as high temperatures varied between the low 70s and the mid-80s.

A look ahead

September is a transition month for the region, with the last tastes of summer mixed in with our first morning freezes. Leaves begin to change by the end of the month as well and in some years a little snow can happen. The overall weather pattern is generally one of tranquility, with our chances for thunderstorms dwindling and blizzard conditions not quite ready for prime time. We are often greeted with sunny, pleasant afternoons, with highs from the mid-70s early in the month to the mid-60s later in the month. Our first sub-freezing low temperatures usually occur during the third week of the month, so prepare those tender plants.

August 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High 79.0° (-1.5); 100-year return frequency value max 83.9° min 72.9°

Average Low 51.7° (+1.3); 100-year return frequency value max 55.2° min 46.8°

Monthly Precipitation 1.30” (-1.60”, 56% below normal); 100-year return frequency value max 6.07” min 0.94”

Monthly Snowfall 0.0”

Highest Temperature 88° on the 16th, 18th, 19th

Lowest Temperature 46° on the 7th

Season to Date Snow: 0.0” (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip.: 21.51” (+3.45”, 20% above normal) (Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 47 (-15)

Cooling Degree Days 56 (+12)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather Wrap articles

Letters to Our Community – “Disgusted” by MA’s gender rules

After reading the article regarding Monument Academy’s gender issues, I must say I am disgusted and appalled at the way this issue is being handled.

In the very beginning the simple solution would have been to have a boy, girl, and a third for those identifying differently. MA appears to single these students out, making it much harder for them, and at the same time encouraging other students and staff to bully and discriminate.

Did anyone making these decisions stop to think that if a parent needs to be notified that it could devastating to the youth i.e.: being disowned or feeling unwanted or worse yet suicide, it happens every day. School should be a safe place, when sometimes home is not . I don’t see MA being that place.

Having a board member from another district spread conspiracy theories isn’t helpful; neither is legal counsel comparing himself to Moses or the Apostle Paul.

If MA wants to be totally non-secular, then perhaps it should become private and give up those federal dollars and property tax money.

For those of you that think being gay or transgender is a choice, I suggest you educate yourselves and your child for most definitely it is not!

Claudia Swenson
Mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – Preservation of historical Palmer Lake

Ever since the area that became the small town of Palmer Lake was discovered by pioneers in their westward expansion, Palmer Lake has been a part of Colorado history. The Chautauqua movement held a significant presence here for many years. The Salvation Army ran a summer camp here in Palmer Lake for many years, highlighted in both local and Denver newspapers. The property owners fell upon hard times. After multiple ownership changes, the land and the buildings were gifted to the Town of Palmer Lake to benefit the town and citizens. Now designated as the Elephant Rock Property comprising 28 acres of land with buildings, including cabins, the debate has been ongoing for several years regarding what are the most beneficial uses of this land.

After several rounds of discussions and developer presentations, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) have decided to award several acres and a couple of buildings to two developers, one to develop a wedding venue, the second for an eco-friendly spa.

Contrary to the advice from several historical and arts organizations, the PLBOT wants to demolish all of the remaining buildings and will not request grant monies from interested governmental departments to retain this historic legacy of Palmer Lake. The PLBOT will not reserve or allow the remaining buildings and cabins for use by future generations for artists-in-residence, local art programs, and as a community center. One of the developers even offered to do the preservation and restoration at no cost to the town.

Although a portion of the property will be used to provide several new hiking trails, most of the remaining land will be unused, and the future of the remaining land is uncertain. A master planning committee of interested citizens was set up by the PLBOT but was dissolved with no explanation by the PLBOT after one session. As a result, part of the history of Palmer Lake and experience will be lost forever. I urge everyone to petition the PLBOT to save this piece of Palmer Lake history for its citizens, both present and future.

Atis Jurka

Other Letters to Our Community

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore: What animals teach us

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”—A.A. Milne

Here’s a sampling of books that provide information on the pets we love as well as the animals that live around us and what we can learn from them.

September 2023. Book cover. Meow! The Truth About Cats

Meow! The Truth About Cats

By Annette Whipple (Reycraft Books) $17.95

Why do cats have whiskers? How do cats land on their paws? Do people need cats? These and other questions are answered, along with some extra information provided by the cats themselves. Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires a sense of wonder while exciting readers about science and history.

Do You Know Where the Animals Live?: Discovering the Incredible Creatures All Around Us

By Peter Wohlleben (Greystone Kids) $19.95

From the bestselling author of The Inner Life of Animals comes a book for kids about animals at home and around the world. Are worms afraid of the rain? Do fish use farts to communicate? Do animals dream? This visual, fun, and interactive book features at-home activities, facts, stories, and pictures.

The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved from the Savanna to Your Sofa

By Jonathan B. Losos (Viking) $28

Jonathan Losos, writing as both scientist and cat lover, explores how researchers today are unraveling the secrets of the cat using all the tools of modern technology, from GPS tracking and genomics to forensic archaeology. It gives us a cat’s-eye view of today’s habitats, including meeting wild cousins around the world whose habits your sweet house cat sometimes eerily parallel.

The Inner Life of Animals: Love, Grief, and Compassion—Surprising Observations of a Hidden World

By Peter Wohlleben (Greystone) $22.95

Readers will discover the latest scientific research into animals’ emotions, feelings, intelligence, and how they interact with the world. We learn: Horses feel shame, deer grieve, goats discipline their kids, ravens call their friends by name, rats regret bad choices, and butterflies choose the very best places for their children to grow up. Animals are different from us in ways that amaze us—and they are much closer to us than we ever would have thought.

The Fur Person

By May Sarton (W.W. Norton) $14.95

This enchanting story is drawn from the true adventures of Tom Jones, May Sarton’s cat. Before meeting Mary, Tom is a fiercely independent, nameless Cat About Town. Growing tired of his vagabond lifestyle, he concludes that there might be some appeal in giving up his freedom for a home. It is here that he becomes a genuine Fur Person. Sarton’s book is one of the most beloved stories about the joys and tribulations in sharing one’s life with a cat.

The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves

By Alexandra Horowitz (Viking) $28

Dog researcher Alexandra Horowitz charts her puppy Quid’s growth from birth to first birthday. She documents social and cognitive milestones so many of us miss when caught up in the housetraining and behavioral training. Horowitz keeps a lens on the puppy’s point of view—how they begin to see and smell the world, make meaning of it, and become an individual personality.

The Stallion and His Peculiar Boy

By M.J. Evans (Dancing Horse Press) $12.95

World War II is raging. Hitler is hiding away the world’s most beautiful purebred horses for use in experiments to create the perfect war horse. A peculiar boy, Teodor, becomes the groom for one of those special horses—Witez II, one of the most famous Arabian stallions of all time. Witez helps Teodor face his challenges and find his voice at a time when little is known about the condition now called autism. Inspired by a true story, this book blends the suspense of a World War II military rescue operation with the challenges of resettlement in a new land.

James Herriot’s Favorite Dog Stories

By James Herriot (St. Martins Press) $25

After being out of print many years, it is now again available, filled with original watercolors that illustrate Herriot’s charming and wholesome tales. This classic includes an introduction from Herriot himself—the last piece of writing the beloved author and veterinarian ever completed. Follow the master veterinarian as he cares for dogs with his characteristic gentleness and peace, profound observation, and deep, loving humor.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

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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.

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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..

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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.

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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

July Weather Wrap

July Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

It was back to normal in July after a couple months of record cold and wet conditions. Temperatures averaged right at normal for the month with a mix of below and above normal conditions. Precipitation was slightly below average, but we are well above normal for the year overall.

The first week of the month was a continuation of June, with below normal temperatures and wet conditions. Temperatures were below normal every day from the 1st through the 8th, with the coldest day occurring on the 5th when high temperatures didn’t reach 600F.

A warmer and relatively dry period then took hold for the next week, with highs getting back to normal from the 9th through the 16th. Highs reached the upper 70s to upper 80s each afternoon, with most days just seeing afternoon clouds build up. But a lack of moisture in the region meant thunderstorms were not common as storms produced rainfall only on the 10th and the 15th.

The pattern finally began to shift to more monsoon-like conditions during the third week of the month as high pressure built in over the region from the southwest. This meant both an active pattern with daily thunderstorms each afternoon and evening and warmer temperatures before the storms formed. Temperatures were consistently in the mid-80s to low 90s from the 16th through the end of the month. Our hottest period occurred from the 24th through the 26th, with highs topping out at 93 on the 25th. This is right on cue for the warmest temperature of the month, with the third week of July representing the time of the year when temperatures are warmest on average overall.

Rainfall from the daily rounds of thunderstorms was hit and miss, with some areas receiving nearly an inch in an hour while just a few miles away only a few tenths of inch accumulated. The month ended with a bang, as several rounds of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall developed during the evening of the 31st, producing 1-2 inches of rainfall for most locations.

A look ahead

August is the last true “summer” month for the region. We are often greeted with sunny, pleasant mornings that turn into afternoon and early evening thunderstorms. Highs during the month range from the mid-80s at the beginning of the month to mid-70s at the end. Temperatures at night get more comfortable as well, often dipping into the 40s.

July 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High 81.5° (-1.0°) 100-year return frequency value max 87.6° min 75.3°

Average Low 52.2° (+1.2°) 100-year return frequency value max 56.2° min 46.9°

Highest Temperature 93°F on the 25th

Lowest Temperature 42°F on the 1st

Monthly Precipitation 3.15” (-0.22” 6% below normal) 100-year return frequency value max 6.03” min 0.98”

Monthly Snowfall 0.0” Season to Date Snow 0.0” (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip 20.21”(+4.53” 40% above normal) (the precipitation now season is from Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 33 (+22)

Cooling Degree Days 91 (+1)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

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Letters to Our Community – Thank you, School District 38

On behalf of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club, I want to thank Lewis-Palmer School District 38 for the contribution of time and efforts to help make the Monument Hill Kiwanis 2023 Fourth of July Parade a huge success. Specifically, I would like to thank D38 Transportation Supervisor Julie Abeyta and district drivers David McDaniel, Tom Rainy, Guadalupe Leonard, David Schindel, Michael Schad, David Bane, Tom Bliss, Winston Brower, Michael Drew, Esther Aniesta, Eric Sullivan, and Hope Lowe for safely and patiently using school buses to shuttle parade-goers from the Lewis-Palmer High School (LPHS) parking lot to and from the parade. Ricky Vestal, Maintenance and Grounds supervisor, and his crew did an excellent job mowing and preparing the parade lineup areas for over 90 events.

Mary Anderson, custodian at Grace Best Elementary, graciously provided her time to open the school to access all the Monument Hill Kiwanis parade signs and equipment before and after the parade. The district also allowed use of the water tap at the bus barn, so the Renaissance Festival folks and animals had water both before and after the parade. Finally, Bridgette O’Connor, principal, and Nick Baker, athletic director, granted Kiwanis the use of the LPHS parking lot for parade-goers to park vehicles, to ride the shuttles to the parade, and to return to their cars on a shuttle back to the high school. It takes many community members to facilitate the success of this parade, and District 38 was certainly a big contributor. Thank you District 38.

Ted Bauman
Monument Hill Kiwanis Club
Parade Line-up Chair

Other Letters to Our Community

Letters to Our Community – Kudos to Monument board and management for Artsites 2023

Since 2003, the not-for-profit group Tri-Lakes Views has brought the arts to Monument. With the cooperation of the town and the Lewis-Palmer School District board, that became an annual rotating display of sculpture along with a permanent collection of public art. That relationship is again being exhibited on the multiple pedestals throughout our community. I encourage you to take the time to enjoy the pieces along with our wonderful installations at the entrances on Baptist Road (Aspen Grove) and Second Street (Ice Harvest).

Dr. Elizabeth Konarski

Other Letters to Our Community

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – All-time great children’s reads

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.”—Walt Disney

These award-winning books are full of treasure, have stood the test of time, and are still some of the best to foster the love of reading in a child.

The Phantom Tollbooth

By Norton Juster (Yearling) $8.99

For Milo, everything’s a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he’s got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason. Along the way, Milo realizes life is far from dull. In fact, it’s exciting beyond his wildest dreams!

Julie of the Wolves

By Joan Craighead George (HarperCollins) $7.99

To her village, she is known as Miyax; to her friend in San Francisco, she is Julie. When her life in the village becomes dangerous, Miyax runs away only to find herself lost in the Alaskan wilderness. Miyax survives by copying the ways of a pack of wolves and soon grows to love her new wolf family. The first in a trilogy, this edition features original illustrations, an introduction by the author’s children, her Newbery acceptance speech, selections from her field notebooks, discussion guide, and further reading guide.

Old Yeller

By Fred Gipson (HarperCollins) $9.99

When his father sets out on a cattle drive, 14-year-old Travis is left to take care of his family and their farm. Living in frontier Texas Hill Country during the 1860s, Travis comes to face new and often perilous responsibilities. A particular nuisance is a stray yellow dog that shows up and steals food from the family. But the big canine who Travis calls “Old Yeller” proves his worth by defending the family from danger. And Travis ultimately finds help and comfort in the courage and unwavering love of the dog who comes to be his very best friend.

Rascal

By Sterling North (Puffin) $8.99

Nothing’s surprising in the North household, not even Sterling’s new pet raccoon. Rascal is a baby when Sterling brings him home, but soon the two are best friends, doing everything together—until the spring day when everything suddenly changes. This special anniversary edition includes classic illustrations restored to their original splendor, a letter from the author’s daughter, and material from the illustrator’s personal collection.

Anne of Green Gables

By L.M. Montgomery (Puffin) $8.99

The Cuthberts are in for a shock. They are expecting an orphan boy to help with the work at Green Gables, but a skinny red-haired girl turns up instead. Highly spirited Anne Shirley charms her way into the Cuthberts’ affection with her vivid imagination and constant chatter, and soon it’s impossible to imagine life without her.

In the Heart of the Rockies

By G.A. Henty (Dover) $11.95

Determined to improve his struggling family’s financial situation, 16-year-old Tom Wade leaves England in 1860 and sets out for the untamed wilderness of the American West. Arriving in the small western outpost of Denver to mine for gold, he soon encounters Native American warriors, takes part in big-game hunts, and learns how to survive a mountain winter with nothing but resourcefulness and perseverance. Young readers get valuable, exciting lessons in history from the “Prince of Storytellers,” George Henty, in a grand adventure classic that weaves together the story of a teenage fictional hero and real-life episodes of exploration.

The Castle in the Attic

By Elizabeth Winthrop (Yearling), $7.99

William is devastated to learn that his favorite caretaker, Mrs. Phillips, is leaving. But then she gives him her parting gift—a mysterious model castle that has been in her family for years. The castle is perfect in every way, with a drawbridge, a moat, and a finger-high knight to guard the gates. It’s almost too real. Sure enough, when William picks up the tiny silver knight, Sir Simon comes alive in his hand and tells William a mighty story of wild sorcery, wizards, and a kingdom in need of saving. William embarks on a fantastic quest to another land and another time.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

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August Library Events – Summer Adventure ends, All Pikes Peak Reads announced

By Harriet Halbig

The library district’s Summer Adventure program ended on July 31 with a tremendous number of participants. Thank you for joining us.

The Monument Library will sponsor three family-friendly concerts in Limbach Park on Aug. 11, 18, and 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The park is located at 151 Front St. in Monument. Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket! For information on the performers, please see the district website, ppld.org, and look under programs by location.

The title for this year’s All Pikes Peak Reads program has been announced. It is The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line: Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of WWII by Maj. Gen. Mari Eder. The author will visit Library 21c at 3 p.m. on Oct. 7 when she will give a presentation, answer questions, and offer copies of her book for sale.

Please note that all Pikes Peak Library District facilities will be closed on Monday, Sept. 4 in observation of Labor Day.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

Other Pikes Peak Library District articles

Palmer Lake Historical Society – Take a walk through history

By Marlene Brown

In lieu of the regular meeting in July, the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) took a walk through historical Monument. Led by Jim Sawatzki, past president of PLHS and filmmaker and owner of Palmer Divide Productions. His research is rich, showing that Monument is still standing strong. Many of the little houses you see in town were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Pioneers began settling in the Monument area, and there were business owners, cowboys, and ranchers living in and near the town. There were two hotels near the Rio Grande Railroad train station.

Incorporated in 1879, the town was first called Henry’s Station, after Henry “Dutch” Limbach, Monument’s first town mayor. The train station and hotels were near where Limbach Park is today. The town’s name was later changed to Monument, after the rock formation to the west located in Monument Preserve, near Mount Herman.

Monument Lake was one of the first “ice harvest” towns, because it was on the railroad line. They sent ice blocks by train to the East that were used for cold storage of the meat from the cattle that had been raised in the West. The lake is now stocked with fish yearly and used for recreational fishing and boating.

Jim Sawatzki, past president of Palmer Lake Historical Society, leads a historical walk through Monument on a sunny Sunday morning. Photo by Steve Pate.

Members of PLHS walked along the streets of Monument looking at the homes that were built by the pioneers. The Higby General Store was located where Covered Treasures Bookstore is now at Washington and Second Streets. “Big Red,” a Lewis-Palmer School District 38 building, was built in the 1920s. It had all 12 grades in the same building attended by children from the town to the outlying ranchlands.

Walking with Sawatzki around Monument, you learn that many other buildings you see every day are originals, such as The Bistro on Second Street, which was the original post office. Though there have been additions to the building, the original structure is still under the walls of the restaurant.

Take the time someday to walk around the streets and imagine the life of the pioneers who lived there.

**********

The historical walk on July 15 in Greenland Open Space was called off due to weather conditions. The August meeting has been canceled. Board members will be volunteering and conducting tours at the Reynolds Ranch Homestead House at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry Aug. 12 from 10 a.m.-3 pm for Family Day (wwmi.org) and will be open to the public. PLHS normally meets the third Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Lake Town Hall.

The mission of the PLHS is to preserve, protect, promote, and provide access to historical data, artifacts, and other items of significance relating to the Palmer Divide area and make resources available to the public primarily through the Lucretia Vaile Museum and annual programming. For more information about membership and volunteer opportunities, go to palmerdividehistory.org

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

Other Palmer Lake Historical Society articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Will Vogl: father, firefighter, and farmer

By Janet Sellers

“The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself.”— Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S. president 1933-45) in a letter to state governors in 1937.

I recently visited Will Vogl’s Black Forest farm where he shared his “living soil” restoration projects: hugelkultur (moist mound culture farming) and pastureland reclamation using age-old farming methods. The rich, moisture-filled soil thrives with or without rain or irrigation.

Vogl explained, “It depends on the source, but a 1% increase in soil organic matter (SOM) in the top 12 inches of soil will increase the soil’s natural water storage capacity by 20 to 30,000 gallons per acre. Here on our land, we have increased our SOM by around 2% in places of our pasture we have treated with compost, essentially allowing our land to hold an additional 50,000 gallons of water per acre over what it could before.

Vogl shared some of his information resources with me such as the USDA Forest Service as well as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service information at this link: www.nrcs.usda.gov/.

We know from history that our own country had famine and other disasters when we didn’t steward our land as nature intended. As far back as 1937, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote a letter urging state governors to implement soil conservation laws in reference to the horrific drought that caused the dust bowl and famine. There are ways to tend the land using natural nutrients and moisture abilities for what the soil—our Earth’s skin—needs to be resilient.

In his writings on the imperative for regenerative agriculture, Dr. Christopher J. Rhodes at Resilience.org explains how we got these erroneous notions. Throughout history, civilizations have thrived or declined based on the quality of their soils—a crucial factor for us to feed ourselves and our animals.

Above: Bill Vogl gave a walk-and-talk on his land to citizens interested in his family’s land conservation efforts in July. Upcoming fall farm walks and volunteer days are in the works, too. Here, Vogl shows the age-old hugelkultur system creating a thriving food and pollinator/flower garden above ground, made by stacking cast-off fire mitigation tree trunks, branches, compost, and soil and covering with pine mulch that he says “holds in moisture like a giant sponge.” Hugelkultur can also be used for flat landscapes or garden areas by using a pit for the materials and covering that with soil and mulch, maintaining needed moisture and nutrients for plants to thrive.
Above: Vogl’s sheep pasture is in the distance, where he practices soil conservation with pasture rotational methods. Grazing animals play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem by stimulating plant growth. This triggers biological activity and nutrient exchanges and mimics the migration of the tens of thousands of elk, deer, and bison that had always kept the prairie ecosystem in balance. Photos by Janet Sellers.

Manmade ecological disaster

The English gentleman farmer Jethro Tull (1674-1741) conceived and promoted his erroneous belief that land must be heavily plowed to control weeds. Extended use of such aggressive and poor farming strategies overtaxed unprotected U.S. farmlands and weakened the soil. This, and a decade of drought, created massive dust storms in places like the prairie region in the 1930s. “Suitcase farmers” of the 1910s and 1920s land boom had torn up the region’s native sod for quick profits, then abandoned it. Thousands of years of native grass evolution were destroyed, and the ground was naked and exposed.

President Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps of 1933-42 enrolled more than 3 million men and planted 3 billion trees to protect 21 million acres from soil erosion, aiding in the establishment of eight hundred state parks.

Even the ancient Greeks believed plants got all their nutrients from the soil. Many centuries later, erroneous beliefs based on mere logic and not on land experience have caused civilizations to destroy themselves via their soil practices.

**********

Janet Sellers is an avid “lazy gardener,” letting Mother Nature lead the way for pleasant natural landscapes. Reach her at JanetSellers@ocn.me

Other Hight Altitude Nature and Gardening articles

Art Matters – Fine art and the making of worlds

By Janet Sellers

“Science discovers, design invents. Where science works to uncover an objective world, design brings forth multiple worlds simultaneously …”— Andrea Mignolo, The Design of Things.

I recently attended an artists’ roundtable discussion with the brilliant James Bradburne, general director of Milan, Italy’s Pinacoteca di Brera. He brought up many points about art, saying he believes “museums are a verb and not a destination.” He enthusiastically encouraged us artists to “keep on making art. Our world needs you now more than ever.” He emphasized that courageous, creative thinkers are needed now to invent, speak out, and bring to others important, creative thinking by manifesting ideas into reality.

When we discover how handmade fine art ignites the fires of imagination within ourselves, it’s a profound and transformative experience. Engaging with art can unlock a wellspring of creative potential, leading us to express ourselves in unique and inventive ways. Besides such important cultural support for us to thrive in our communities, our business world depends on innovation to flourish.

Handmade fine art is especially evocative because it shows a human touch, allowing people to connect with their innermost feelings. This emotional resonance can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and others, fostering empathy and compassion. Studies show that when art is available in hospitals, care centers, therapeutic practices and public places, it supports healing, improves memory, and stimulates interest in hope for improvement. It’s fun to look and ponder for oneself the meaning we personally find as well as what the artist might have had in mind. This sense of wonder can extend beyond art and permeate various aspects of our lives.

Taking in our local fine art can inspire our sense of wonder and awe. Reminding us to appreciate creative beauty right where we live, Tri-Lakes has self-guided sculpture tour maps and a monthly Art Hop to get us out into our community generating pleasant connections. These affirm our sense of place. Upcoming, our art-filled local Hummingbird Festival is Aug. 4 and 5 at Happy Landing Ranch (Rollercoaster Road just north of Hodgen). Our next Art Hop is Aug. 17 in downtown Monument—see you there!

**********

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

Right: July Art Hop in Monument. On July 20, Jefferson Studios showcased Abbey Hutcheon (top photo – back to the camera) and Daryl Muncey (middle photo – center of frame). At El Santo Vaquero (bottom photo), Christian Kurz chats with guests after the Spiritual Archetypes class, one of their many free classes and events for the community. Photos by Janet Sellers.

Other Art Matters articles

Snapshots of Our Community

WMMI Family Days, July 15 and Aug. 12

Neighborhood Watch, Jun. 29

Above: Brent Ambuehl, coordinator of Crime Prevention for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, presented an informal report to about 45 people on how to protect against various types of criminal activity at a Neighborhood Watch event on June 29 at Wesley Owens Coffee & Café. Actions by residents can reduce risk of home and vehicle break-ins, including signage indicating your home is protected with a security system and/or cameras, exterior lighting, locking all doors including the entrance from your attached garage to the house, not leaving garage door openers on the visor of your vehicle parked outdoors, etc. We’ve all heard the admonition to lock your vehicle and don’t leave valuables visible from outside your vehicle. Ambuehl once conducted a test at a local trailhead and found 14 cars unlocked. For useful information, see www.EPCSheriffsOffice.com, including how to file non-emergency crime reports online. Photo by Steve Pate.

Stallsmith’s 100th, July 1

Above About three dozen friends and relatives helped Palmer Lake resident Joseph Stallsmith celebrate his 100th birthday on July 1. Stallsmith told Our Community News, “There’s not too many around here” who have reached that milestone, “so, I guess it’s a big deal. I never thought when I was going to school that I’d make 100.” Stallsmith says he feels “all right.” Asked if he had any advice on how to live to 100, Stallsmith said, “Stay out of trouble.” Did he follow his own advice? “Not always,” he admitted, smiling. This has been a big year for Stallsmith. In addition to turning 100, the Palmer Lake Sanitation District dedicated its building to him in March. Stallsmith created the district 45 years ago. He also helped set up the sanitation system at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

July 4th Festivities

Photos by David Futey

Palmer Lake Fun Run

Above: The 41st Palmer Lake Fun Run started off the Fourth of July festivities in the Tri-Lakes area. Race Director Kelsey Belsher said over 800 in-person and virtual runners from across the country participated in this year’s race. Belsher said the race is “100% volunteer led and organized” and she “thanks the community for having the race as an integral part of the Fourth events.” Belsher added, “All of the proceeds go to the Palmer Lake Elementary School (PLES) PTO who uses the funds to enrich the PLES student environment in the classroom, through field trips and teacher grants.” Andrew Bel (20:32) and Aubrey Surage (23:42), both from Colorado Springs, were the top male and female finishers. Pictured: Colorado Springs resident Susan Cassell, left, and Cinnamon Lepore of Monument.

Pancake Breakfast

Above: Knights of Columbus Council 11514 of St. Peter Church hosted its annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast. Grand Knight Alan Feldkamp coordinated the event with volunteer assistance from council members, Boy Scout Troop 17, students from St. Peter, and Monument Hill Kiwanis members. Feldkamp said, “We really enjoy doing this every year. We started serving at 6:30 a.m. to first responders and others and expect over 1,500 to take part including finishers of the Fun Run.” The breakfast choices were pancakes, eggs, two types of sausage, coffee, and orange juice. This is the Knights’ largest fundraiser of the year. Feldkamp said the Knights “donate to over 60 organizations including Eagle Scout Colin Sager’s P-51 monument project.”

Parade

Grayson Merriam, left, and Cameron Stathan have their bikes adorned with festive Fourth of July decorations as they await the start of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Children’s Parade.
Mitch LaKind, Monument mayor.
Glant Havenar, Palmer Lake mayor.
WWII Navy veteran Jim Swanson
WWII Army veteran Ed Beck
OCN volunteer and Colorado Front Range Unicyclist Audrey Burkart jumps rope while unicycling.
Greg Bielanski, Kiwanis president.
Makena Norton of Monument, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Girl of the West.
Excited parade spectators yelling, “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!”
WWII Army Air Force Veteran, Jim Akin
Monument Fire Department
Palmer Ridge High School football team
Lewis Palmer High School football team

Tri-Lakes Chamber Street Fair

The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Street Fair in Monument was filled with post-parade spectators after the Monument Hill Kiwanis Main Parade on the Fourth of July. The spectators enjoyed a variety of food options and visited vendor booths.
John Howe and Karrie Pittman staffed the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce booth Photos by David Futey.

Pier ribbon cutting, July 24

Above: Members of Monument’s Parks, Water, and Streets Departments, along with the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, watched Mayor Mitch LaKind cut the ribbon for the new pier at Monument Lake on July 24. It took three weeks to build the 375-foot pier. The project cost nearly $239,000. A Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission grant covered more than $171,000 of the price. The pier in the northeast corner of the lake has been very popular since opening on June 14. It gives anglers and pedestrians access to a part of the shoreline that previously had been inaccessible. This pier is in addition to the old, shorter pier at the southeast corner of the lake. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Patillo at TLCA, July 7

Above: Singer, songwriter, evangelist, and philanthropist Leon Patillo brought his uplifting one-man show to the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) on July 7. Patillo’s music career started in the 1960s performing with the funk group Creation and with Funkadelic and Martha and the Vandellas. In the mid-1970s, he joined Santana and performed on two of their albums, Borboletta and Festival. After two years with Santana, he turned to a solo career of contemporary Christian music. On this evening Patillo performed Proud to be an American along with his own songs, including Flesh of my Flesh, which is often played at weddings, and J.E.S.U.S. Between songs, Patillo shared life stories and philosophies such as “life is built on relationships” and his efforts toward helping children through his SING Foundation and Rise Above Bullying. Photo by David Futey.

Water tank nears completion

Above: On July 25, workers were wire wrapping and shooting layers of specialized concrete body coating on the Town of Monument water storage tank project. Wire wrap reinforces the installed concrete tank dome and side wall panels yet allows flexibility for fluctuating water levels inside the 2-million-gallon capacity tank once it is in service. Dismantlement of framing and decking, as well as piping, cleaning, and disinfecting of the interior will follow. Exterior painting will be the last step to complete the tank structure. Excavation began in spring 2022 in Forest View Estates west of Monument. A Colorado Supreme Court opinion says the town’s declaration of eminent domain, overriding the established Forest View Estates residential-only restricted covenants, does not require the town to compensate adjacent property owners for lowered property values based on the tank site appropriation. Photo by Sharon Williams.

Sunrise at Palmer Lake

Above: A fisherman casts his line and enjoys the serenity and sunrise at Palmer Lake on the Fourth of July. Photo by David Futey.

Eagle Scout seeks support

Above: Troop 17 Eagle Scout Colin Saber had a booth set up at the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast to bring awareness to his Eagle Scout project. The project is to honor WWII Col. Earl Depner, a Monument resident who passed away in January 2022. He flew a P-51 Mustang. Saber said he really wants to honor all WWII U.S. pilots and fallen heroes for their sacrifice. The project is to move and install a 2,000 pound, 11-by-7 by 6-foot P-51 Mustang sculpture from Fort Collins to the Monument Town Hall. Saber needs to raise $55,000 for the project and is seeking support from the community. Information on how to support his project is at p51monument.com. Photo by David Futey.

Cruisers holds fundraiser, July 22

Above: The Tri-Lakes Cruisers Hotrod Club sponsored a fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association at Jackson Creek Senior Living on July 22. Vintage hotrods and muscle cars were on display, including a ‘32 “deuce coupe,” a souped-up ‘55 Chevy, Andy Houck’s restored ’55 Chevy “first series” pickup shown above, and many others. Jackson Creek Senior Living provided hot dogs, soft drinks, and cookies. Photo by Steve Pate.

TLWC visits Bear Creek Robotics

Above: Members of Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) got to see the results of one of their grants on June 14. From left, Grant Chairperson Julie Shook and co-President Shelley Pruett watched students use the robotics building kits that were bought with the grant. Shook and Pruett were guests of Bear Creek Elementary School at its Summer Robotics Camp. The camp, open to all second- to sixth-grade District 38 students, focuses on robotics and engineering. Last fall, the school started a formal robotics program through the First Lego League Challenge, a research and robotics tournament for 9- to 16-year-olds. To participate in the program, the school needs to buy model robot kits over the next few years, and that is where the TLWC grant came in. Photo by Anne Campbell.

Cherry Creek Chipping Day, July 15

Above: On July 15, residents of Cherry Creek Crossing held their First Annual Chipping Day with the Monument Fire Department. They hope to do this again. From left are firefighters Greg Lovato and Morgan Cudney and residents Dave Lewis and Jeff Childers. Photo by Mike Pipkins.

Monument Farmers Market

Above and below: Where is everybody? They were at the Farmers Market in Monument on Saturday morning. The Farmers Market was in full bloom and brimming with vegetables, fruit, baked goods, soap, and other items in the parking lot at Big Red, 66 Jefferson St. The Farmers Market will be open every Saturday until October, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos by Marlene Brown.

MSD celebrates 50th

Above and below: A band, balloons, and hot dogs marked the 50th anniversary celebration of Monument Sanitation District (MSD) on July 29. Members celebrated the board working out of the MSD office on Second Street since 1973. Mark Parker, district manager, was there making sure that all who attended had everything they needed to enjoy their lunch. MSD collects wastewater from the residents and businesses west of I-25 in and out of the town limits of Monument. See https://monumentsd.colorado.gov. Photos by Marlene Brown.

Other Snapshots of Our Community articles

June Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

June was the second month in a row of well-below normal temperatures and well-above normal rainfall. This was especially the record cold and wet period that was most active during the first three weeks of the month and included several days of severe weather. For the month, temperatures averaged about 4 degrees below normal and precipitation was more than three times the normal amount.

Numerous records were set as well along the Front Range and eastern plains. This included the second wettest period from May 1 through June 17 at the official Denver observational site where records extend back to 1872 and the coldest June 1-17 at that same site since 1872. Daily record rainfall occurred on several days during the month.

All this moisture and daily cloudiness kept temperatures very cool, with our first 80-degree temperatures not occurring until June 18. The last time we hit the 80s in the region was way back on the last day of summer, Sept. 20, 2022. The end of June also marks the end of the snow season. After a slow start we managed to make up a lot of ground from December through April and ended the season quickly with just a small amount of snow recorded in May and none in June.

Overall, we were slightly below normal for the season, just barely breaking above the 100-inch mark. Of course, the abundant moisture in May and June means we are far above normal for the seasonal precipitation having almost reached our yearly total in the first six months.

A cumulonimbus cloud looms large over Black Forest, reflecting the sun as it begins to set in the west at around 8 p.m. on June 21. The Gleneagle community is pictured below the cloud that occurred between two heavy rain storms with large damaging hail on the summer solstice. By 8:30 p.m., the cloud had been replaced with gray skies and electrical activity as the second storm moved in. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

The first week of the month was wet and cool, with 1-2 inches of rain accumulating. The heaviest rainfall during the period was on the 3rd, when we had cloudy and cold conditions all day. High temperatures only managed to reach the low 50s that afternoon, making our weather feel more like Seattle in the winter than Colorado in the summer.

After a couple days of relatively dry but cool conditions, another week of wet weather moved in. This period included daily thunderstorm activity, with a few days producing hail and flash flooding. The heaviest rain fell on the 7th and the 11th through the 12th. Runoff was exacerbated by the saturated soils as the ground has had no time to dry out.

Extreme shifts in weather are something Coloradans are used to, but the weather changes from June 15 to 16 were even more wild. Early evening on June 15, a double rainbow appeared over the Lake of the Rockies community after a warm shower. The next day, seconds after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued by the National Weather Service in Pueblo, the skies opened up and dumped 2 inches of pea-size hail on the ground, knocking leaves off trees and damaging plants. In one Monument yard, a downspout shaped like a dragon looked like it was vomiting hail. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

The 14th saw a brief respite from the rainfall, but we were greeted by hazy skies this day as smoke from Canadian wildfires moved into the region. This smoke was quickly cleared out, however, with another round of heavy rainfall and areas of hail on the 15th and 16th.

Our first truly summer-like weather finally arrived on the 18th, with sunny skies and temperatures touching 80 degrees. The next afternoon was even warmer, hitting 84 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. After another mild and mostly sunny day on the 21st, more moisture moved back in. This time there was a high amount of instability to combine with the very moist air mass. This combination results in strong to severe thunderstorms on the 22nd and 23rd. Several tornadoes were reported in the region, with the strongest, an EF3 occurring south of Grenada and another near Highlands Ranch. Hail, sometimes large enough to cause damage, occurred both days. On the 22nd the most dramatic aspect was the hail that injured several spectators at Red Rocks Amphitheater. On the 23rd, parts of the Palmer Divide were hit with hail up to 2 inches in diameter, enough to cause dents in cars and damage to roofs.

Finally, a long stretch of relatively dry and quiet weather moved in to end the month. Mainly dry conditions, with sunny skies were the rule from the 24th through the 30th. This allowed the region to begin to dry out a little, just in time for the start of the North American Monsoon season. One benefit of all the moisture is all the plants are happy and everything is green. Now let’s hope our two wettest months of the year (July and August) are well-behaved.

A look ahead

July can be an active weather month around the region, as the Southwest Monsoon season gets going. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are a common occurrence, and when they tap into higher levels of moisture, flash flooding can result. Hot, stagnant weather can also take hold for a few days at time, with highs hitting the 90s on the warmest days.

June 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High 70.6° (-6.8°); 100-year return frequency value; max 82.5° min 66.3°

Average Low 44.7° (+0.4°); 100-year return frequency value; max 50.7° min 40.2°

Highest Temperature 84°F on the 19th

Lowest Temperature 37°F on the 2nd

Monthly Precipitation 6.58″; (+4.63” 330% above normal); 100-year return frequency value; max 6.94” min 0.15”

Monthly Snowfall: 0.0”; (-0.1” 100% below normal)

Season to Date Snow 105.4”; (-17.1” 14% below normal); (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip 16.96”; (+5.94” 45% above normal); (the precip season is from Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 230 (+135)

Cooling Degree Days 9 (-19)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather articles

Letters to Our Community – Another hidden cost of excessive development

To make way for development natural land is stripped of its topsoil, then paved over with parking lots, roads, and driveways. This makes the ground impervious to surface water which normally makes its way through layers of earth, sand, and gravel where it is naturally filtered and naturally makes its way to be stored in natural aquifers. This surface water is commonly known to be non-potable, highly contaminated with various pollutants, both organic and inorganic.

The Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) solution mentioned in OCN June 3, 2023, page 18 proposes to collect this excess surface water (i.e., runoff created by excessive development) and inject it directly into the heretofore pristine aquifer through an existing well(s).

I ask you: What could possibly go wrong?

(My apologies for the excessive use of the words natural and naturally.)

Brian Clifford

Other Letters to Our Community

July Library Events – Summer reading, special programs to enjoy

By Harriet Halbig

The Summer Adventure reading and activity program continues until July 31 at the Monument Library.

Nine hundred fifty-four patrons up to age 18 have registered to participate to date. It isn’t too late to join and win prizes! Upon registration, children receive a free book. For each day when 30 minutes or more are spent reading, imagining, or engaging in physical activity, mark off a section on your game card (available online or at the library). After 30 days, those up to four years old receive a free colorful bath toy. Those ages 5 to 11 receive a reading medal, and those 12 to 18 receive a free book or journal of your choice.

Special programs in July include Rhythm Fun for Everyone at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 18. Play drums (provided), sing, and move to the rhythm that you create.

On Tuesday, July 25 at 7 p.m., enjoy a Life-Size Game Night: Intergenerational Edition. Family members of all ages are invited to play life-size games of Candy Land, Battleship, and Clue from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

On Friday, Aug. 4 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. there will be a family concert featuring Steve Weeks in Limbach Park, 151 Front St. in Monument. Come prepared to sing and dance to the music and don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Please note that all Pikes Peak Library facilities will be closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Monument Library staff will participate in the parade and street fair in Monument. Stop by to say hello!

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

Other Pikes Peak Library District articles

Palmer Lake Historical Society, June 18 – Father’s Day Ice Cream Social

By Marlene Brown

June’s monthly meeting of the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) was moved to Father’s Day. The PLHS held its traditional Father’s Day Ice Cream Social on June 18 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall in the Village Green. The weather was warm, and the rain took a break during the afternoon. New fathers and old fathers came with their families to enjoy the sunshine and listen to the guitar music of Craig Walter.

Young and old enjoy ice cream and pie on the Village Green at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on June 18 for the Palmer Lake Historical Society’s Father’s Day Ice Cream Social.
Photo by Esther Martinez.

Free cream and pie were served from inside the Town Hall by members of the PLHS. Pie fillings included apple, cherry, and rhubarb. Rhubarb was a favorite of the pioneers, and the plant was grown in many yards of the settlers. The event was sponsored by John Spidell of The Spidell Foundation of Monument.

Music was provided at the Palmer Lake Historical Society ice cream social by Craig Walter of the Craig Walter Band. Walter is a local singer and songwriter and has performed over much of the United States.

The Lucretia Vaile Museum was open for viewing of historical collections of the area. Volunteer members of the PLHS offered special tours in the afternoon. The museum is operated by the museum director, staff, and docents, all who are volunteers. It is open Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The mission of the museum is to house photos, articles, and artifacts of the historical Palmer Lake, Monument, and Palmer Divide areas. It is located at 66 Lower Glenway Street (below the Palmer Lake Library). For more information, see palmerdividehistory.org/about-the-museum.

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Next month will be the members-only Walking Tours with past President and award-winning director Jim Sawatzki, who has produced many historical videos of the area. It will be held at 10 a.m. July 9 at Historic “Old Ranch Town” of Monument and is an easy one-mile walk. Learn about Monument’s history, including train station and hotels. On July 15, there will be a 2.5-mile walk through Greenland Open Space to visit the Historic Old Cemetery of Palmer Lake. For more information, see palmerdividehistory.org/local-history-on-tour-led-by-jim-sawatski/.

The PLHS normally meets (open to the public) on the third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 42 Valley Crescent St. For information about becoming a member of the PLHS and other events provided by the PLHS, go to palmerdividehistory.org.

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

Other Palmer Lake Historical Society articles

On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Mount Herman Road closure update

By Steve Pate

We mentioned in the June issue of OCN that Mount Herman Road (MHR) had been closed by the U.S. Forest Service. Someone opened the gate and drove up toward the FS 716 trailhead and into a washed-out section of the road. The car has been removed and the Forest Service was scheduled to begin repairing the road June 21.

A masticator begins wildfire mitigation off Mount Herman Road, June 20.
Photo by Steve Pate

During a walk up MHR toward FS 716 on June 20, I was able to talk to the superintendent of the wildfire mitigation crew just starting work to reduce the fire risk on the west and north side of MHR. They will be reducing the fuel load by taking out Gambel oak and other “ladder” vegetation.

Rockslide on Mount Herman Road 2¼ miles from gate. Photo by Steve Pate

I had heard that a rockslide closed the road and came upon it about 2¼ miles up MHR from the closed gate. The storm-caused washout is about 2¾ miles from the gate, just below FS 716 trailhead.

Washout on Mount Herman Road 2¾ miles from gate, just below FS 716 trailhead.
Photo by Steve Pate

A natural gas line was also damaged during recent storms, and I talked with a gas company employee en route to work on repairs. The crew was unable to access the damaged lines due to the rockslide, which occurred in mid-June.

Several mountain bikers and hikers were using MHR on June 20. Sections of MHR may close temporarily while wildfire mitigation is underway and when road repairs begin.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

Other On the Trail articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Pretty, edible plants that deter mosquitoes and deer

By Janet Sellers

With so much rain in June, we likely will have more mosquitoes than usual. Several plants grow well in our area that help make outdoors fun again. Pots of these aromatic herbs around where you’ll be outdoors will also repel garden pests.

Basil is great for cooking. Its eugenol oil compounds confuse and irritate mosquitoes—they’ll leave for another food source. Gently touch the leaves to release the scent.

Catnip, a great pollinator plant, contains nepetalactone, a compound that is up to 10 times better than DEET at repelling mosquitoes, according to the National Library of Medicine. Traditional medicine says to vigorously rub the leaves between your hands and apply them to the skin to last at least 30 minutes. It’s safe around cats and dogs.

Lemon balm, aka bee balm, is a plant in the mint family that deters pests. Made into a hot or cold tea, people use it for its calming effects and other conditions.

The flowers and leaves of marigolds deter bugs. It contains pyrethrum, a natural insecticide. Plant them near doors, windows, and seating areas.

Mint—its menthol keeps pests away. Grows just about anywhere, even in partial shade.

Flower teepees

We’re going to try flower teepee towers this summer. Made with poles (aspen shoots or bamboo, etc.), it can be a teepee big enough for kids to sit in, or just for climbing plants. I’m going to make them for zesty salad nasturtiums (annuals) and climbing roses (perennials). Both are pretty and deer resistant. The deer leave my nasturtiums and a friend’s prickly climber roses alone. Nasturtiums may drop their seeds for next year, the roses will need annual pruning to keep them in check and in shape.

Pine needle myth

A common myth is that pine needles make the soil acidic. They do not. For proof, just test your soil. Weeds and plants don’t grow in pine needle mulched areas because the weed seeds don’t get into the soil to germinate. Plants and seeds unnatural to the forest clime landscape that don’t grow well may need soil amendments because Mother Nature optimizes forest soil for forest life. That keeps the natural pine forests safe from weeds and helps nurture the pine forest microbiome.

Student volunteers work on the Monument Community Garden. For many years we’ve used pine straw at various local community and home gardens (yes, a safe 2-inch depth) to mulch over food crops after seeding to keep out weeds and lock in the moisture. Pine needles are renewable, knit themselves together, stay put after rain or snow even on slopes, and break down more slowly than other organic mulches. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Annual Colorado Hummingbird Festival

The Annual Colorado Hummingbird Festival will be on Aug. 4-5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a celebration of our four Colorado hummingbirds just before the fall migration. Everybody can enjoy hummingbird talks and stories with hummingbird garden-themed arts and crafts, baby alpacas, giant bubbles, a farmer’s market, and more. It is held at the historic Happy Landings Ranch, 17435 Rollercoaster Road at Hodgen Road.

Janet Sellers is an avid “lazy gardener” letting Mother Nature lead the way for simple yet successful gardening. Please send garden tips to: JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other High Altitude Nature and Gardening articles

Art Matters – Art Hop: an indoor-outdoor art fair with booths

By Janet Sellers

The unique aspect of our local Art Hop as an art fair is the chance to meet and interact with the artists themselves. Artists attend the events with their work to meet and interact with people and share their work. A personal connection adds a special dimension to the artwork and creates a memorable experience.

We have an engaging, festive atmosphere at the Art Hop in Monument. The air is filled with energy, creativity, and a sense of celebration. We can enjoy browsing through art displays, listening to live music, trying cuisine at food trucks, and engaging in conversation with fellow enthusiasts. It’s an immersive experience that can be both entertaining and inspiring. And the best part is you get to take the art and the memories of the day home with you.

At Bella Art and Frame, I took some photos of some of the artists and talked to them about their work:

Lynn Roth

Lynn Roth was on hand to share his art images of colorful scenes in Cuba and the stories that go with them. Roth is a founding mentor for the new Palmer Lake Arts Council and has been active in the Tri-Lakes local arts scene with the Palmer Lake Art Group and many arts and civic events. He exhibits his art widely in Colorado and the West.

Steve Weed

Steve Weed, the featured Bella Art and Frame exhibitor for June, talked to visitors about his portrait paintings. Weed’s exhibit had many paintings of characters of the West. He is the creator and instigator of the “Ashes to Art” project. He says the project was “created to ultimately show gratitude and help my neighborhood in Colorado Springs. The artwork incorporated charcoal and ash found in our yard and neighborhood, initially for my own emotional therapy. Then, they became a way that I could use my skills to thank the firefighters and police officers and also to help my neighbors who lost everything.”

John McClusky

John McClusky shared his natural landscape and night skies fine art photography at his booth. Ranging from the night skies of the West to bucolic and forest landscapes, his artwork shows nature’s beauty in the sky, land, and waterscapes. His photos are readily available locally, and as a lifelong science educator and college provost, he enjoys sharing his knowledge of nature and photography with others in pictures and in the field.

Tom Ulmer

Photos by Janet Sellers.

Tom Ulmer showed his nature photography at his booth. He named his photo studio Rock 36 Photography. An Air Force Academy graduate with a career in the Air Force, he said he fell in love with the Alaskan wilds while developing his photography avocation. His work is viewed locally and in Broomfield. He has many photos of his favorite natural places and the animals that live there.

Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, and lecturer. Contact her at janetsellers@ocn.me.

Other Art Matters articles

Snapshots of Our Community

Thunderbirds rehearsed May 31 for the USAFA Graduation

Above and Below: The Thunderbirds rehearsed their airshow on May 31, a day before performing at the Air Force Academy’s graduation ceremony in Colorado Springs. A crowd watched the rehearsal from the parking lot at Bass Pro Shop in Northgate. The rehearsal was in two parts. In the morning, four planes conducted a survey flight. Then, in the afternoon, six planes practiced the airshow they would perform at the graduation. President Joe Biden spoke at the ceremony. He thanked the graduates for choosing “service over self.” Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

Fire district youth camp, June 1

Students engage in fire rescue drills at Station 1, Monument Fire District, during the first annual Youth Camp on June 1. Thirteen high school students attended the three-day camp on June 1-3 to discover more about the type of work firefighters and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers carry out. Students were taught about the history of the fire service, personnel protective equipment, hose and ladders, forcible entry, vehicle extrication, a host of EMS topics, and how to compete for a firefighter career position successfully. The camp is expected to expand next year to accommodate more students and continue annually for high school students with an interest in fire and EMS careers. Photo courtesy of Monument Fire District.

PLAG honors Maddox, June 2

Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) member John DeFrancesco, left, and PLAG President Vicki Mynhier, right, present Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) Executive Director Michael Maddox with a portrait of Maddox painted by DeFrancesco. The presentation took place at PLAG’s opening reception for its 2023 Color Splash Art Show at the TLCA on June 2. DeFrancesco said it was in recognition of Maddox’s “many years of supporting PLAG, the arts, and keeping the arts meaningful in the Tri-Lakes community.” DeFrancesco said he got the concept for the portrait composition from a photograph of Maddox on the TLCA stage as the lighting illuminated Maddox’s face. Photo by David Futey.

Hazel Miller at TLCA, June 3

On June 3, Colorado Music Hall of Fame 2023 inductee Hazel Miller, with Coco Brown and backup band The Collective, performed a Tribute to Aretha Franklin along with covers of other artists for a sold out and raucous Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) audience. Miller, Brown, and Collective guitarist Cody Carbone shared lead vocals and provided complementary background vocals throughout the evening while backed by exceptional Collective musicians Rich Lamb (bass), Dana Marsh (keyboards), and Brian Mikulich (drums). The Franklin songs performed included Baby, I Love You, Chain of Fools, Dr. Feelgood, Freeway of Love, and Respect. Interspersed among the Franklin songs, the group performed other covers including Stevie Wonder’s Superstition, Carlos Santana’s Smooth and culminated the evening with a tribute to Tina Turner with Proud Mary. Information on upcoming TLCA events is at www.trilakesarts.org. Photo by David Futey.

Cotton wins art scholarship, June 2

Lewis-Palmer District-38 High School art student Isabelle Cotton received the 2023 Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) Scholarship during PLAG’s opening reception at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts on June 2. Cotton also had several of her works on display for the month-long PLAG gallery show. For 60 years, PLAG has offered the scholarship to a graduating D38 student who will be continuing their art education, awarding over $86,000 to date. Cotton said it is “an honor to receive the scholarship and have my artwork featured in this show.” Cotton will continue her artistic pursuits at Temple University in Japan. Photo by David Futey.

Zettler’s woodcarving wins 1st place

The Palmer Lake Art Group (PLAG) held its opening reception on June 2 for its 2023 Color Splash Art Show in the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) main gallery. The show was scheduled from June 1-28 and dedicated to the memory of longtime PLAG member Claudette Bedingfield. A total of 42 PLAG members had their works displayed at the show. Two paintings that were jointly painted by a variety of PLAG members, were auctioned off with proceeds going toward the PLAG scholarship fund. The show was judged by Tim Deibler, who selected Bob Zettler’s woodcarving (shown above) titled The Rock House for first place. An interesting display was 18 cloud and sky paintings by PLAG painters. The adjacent gallery contained Inside- and Outside- the Lines by Sandy Goddard (paintings) and John Goddard (photography). This show goes through July 25. Information about PLAG is at www.palmerlakeartgroup.com. Photo by David Futey.

Shiloh Pines chipping day, June 3

The residents of Shiloh Pines Homeowners Association west of Monument Lake worked through the rain on June 3, with the help of the Monument Fire District chipper and two firefighters, to reduce the load of “ladder fuels” in their neighborhood. By removing flammable material close to homes, it’s less likely the home will ignite during a wildfire. And by thinning pines growing too close together to thrive and reducing the amount of Gambel oak, when a ground fire comes through, there’s less of a chance it will become a crown fire. See https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/. Photo courtesy of Shiloh Pines HOA.

Tri-Lakes Lions hold annual Palmer Lake Fishing Derby, June 3

The Tri-Lakes Lions Club held its annual Fishing Derby for kids at Palmer Lake on a cold, rainy June 3. About 160 young people ages 4 to 14 competed for prizes for the biggest fish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife provided fishing rods for those who did not bring their own, and bait was also provided. According to Jim Hazuka, co-chair of the derby, Bass Pro Shop provided prizes including tackle boxes and fishing rods. Other sponsors included Farmers Insurance, Rosie’s Diner, and Colorado Friends and Family Fishing. Parents or other adults helped the young people rig their fishing gear and cast if needed. Palmer Lake’s water level had been too low to accommodate the derby until recent torrential rains replenished the Palmer Lake reservoirs and the lake. Parks and Wildlife again stocked the lake with rainbow trout before the derby.
Photo by Steve Pate.
Kaison (center) with a friend, and his dad Landon Blatter, caught an 11¾-inch trout. Photo by Steve Pate.

PLAC offers summer art classes

Camilla Borroel and Hunter Aho enjoy the first summer art class inaugurated by the Palmer Lake Arts Council (PLAC), which will offer children’s art experiences throughout the summer. These classes are sponsored by PLAC and Facinelli Motors. So far, classes were held at The Shop in Palmer Lake. Photo courtesy of Palmer Lake Arts Council.

Church buries time capsule

The Church at Woodmoor is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In honor of the occasion, a time capsule was buried in front of the church on June 11. It contains a cross used by Pastor Bob Browning in Vietnam during battlefield communion, a replica of the three crosses in front of the church, a church directory, a book of photos, a copy of The Messenger, a church bulletin, a history of the church, and photos of the church grounds. Next to the spot where the time capsule was buried, a commemorative sculpture of the church’s logo was installed.
Left photo by Robyn Martinez. Right photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Volunteer gardeners honored

Tia M. Mayer and John Howe were honored by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce on June 7 for their work in reviving the garden next to the Chamber’s meeting house on Highway 105. The garden is called Ms. T’s after Mayer, who’s in charge of buying and installing new plants. Mayer says she’s always wanted a public garden to take care of and it’s an “incredible honor” to have the freedom to plant what she wants. Chamber President and CEO Terri Hayes (right) says the garden used to be in “horrendous” shape before Mayer and Howe took over. Mayer and Howe received a certificate of appreciation, a gift card, and a note that says, “The entire community benefits from your efforts.” The building was originally a schoolhouse in the 19th century settlement of Gwillimville before moving to Monument Presbyterian Church, where it was used as a Sunday school. It was then donated to the Chamber and moved to its current site about 20 years ago. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Free shredding in Black Forest

For the first time since 2019 when COVID-19 shut down everything, Chapter 1100 of AARP in conjunction with AARP ElderWatch Colorado held a free shredding event in Black Forest on June 10. People from 21 areas of central Colorado dropped off their personal documents for shredding, yielding about 7,000 pounds of paper, which will be recycled. They also donated 370 pounds of non-perishable food and $255 to the Black Forest Care and Share Food Bank. Shredding unneeded personal documents is recommended to make sure no one can find personal information in trash bins or storage areas. In the photo, volunteers unload personal documents to waiting trucks for on-site professional shredding. Photo by Stan Beckner.

Awake the Lake holds “fun”-raiser

On Saturday, June 10, the “fun-raiser” sub-committee of Awake Palmer Lake held a Red Wine & Blue BBQ, a fundraising event at Palmer Lake Town Hall. The sold-out event raised money for the fireworks display at the upcoming Festival on the Fourth in Palmer Lake on July 4. Attendees enjoyed a barbecue dinner, lawn games, music, and line-dancing lessons. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Mass casualty drill, June 14

First responders and volunteer casualties participate in an area-wide mass casualty incident drill at Lewis-Palmer High School on June 14. Monument Fire District, in partnership with Monument Police Department, hosted the drill on June 12, 14, and 16. The purpose of the drill was to allow local first responders to practice their roles in a mass casualty event, should one occur in the area. The following organizations also participated in the drills: District 38 Security, Palmer Lake Police and Fire Department, Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Colorado Springs Fire Department, Falcon Fire Protection District, Security Fire Department, American Medical Response, and Asteri Ambulance. About 35 volunteers from Emergency Incident Support provided food and refreshments, and they were actors during the drill. Photo courtesy of Monument Fire District.

New pier on Monument Lake

There’s a new pier at Monument Lake. It took eight days to build the 370-foot structure on the northeast corner of the lake. The project was completed on June 14. Anglers and pedestrians will now be able to cross the lake and get to a part of the shoreline that had been inaccessible. The pier was constructed in sections with members of the Public Works Department maneuvering each section through the water with long poles. The sections are weighed down with 55-gallon drums filled with concrete each weighing 1,000 pounds. The project cost about $224,000. About three-quarters of the cost was picked up by a $171,000 Fishing is Fun Grant from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

BOCC hearing on redistricting

On Monday, June 12, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held a public meeting of the redistricting committee at Lewis-Palmer High School, greeted by demonstrators. The BOCC, which is required to redraw the county commissioner districts at least once in the second odd year after the decennial census, appointed itself to the redistricting committee at its April 18 meeting and must hold public meetings in each commissioner district and complete the process by Sept. 30. After opening remarks, a presentation on possible maps based on previous commission direction, and a demonstration of the geographical information tool they used and that the public could use to propose its own maps, the board heard public comments from local district residents, residents outside the local district, and residents from outside the county. Comments included concerns about the previous redistricting splitting the town of Monument into two separate districts and dividing the southeastern quarter of the county into three districts. These actions were described as diluting the votes of Manitou Springs after a close election and splitting the vote of the primarily Black and Latino community in southeastern Colorado Springs. Information about the redistricting process, including videos of past meetings and the schedule for upcoming meetings, can be found at https://www.elpasoco.com/redistricting/. The next redistricting meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6 in Commission District 4 at Mesa Ridge High School. From left are the clerk to the board, Commissioners Holly Williams D-1, Cami Bremer, D-5, Carrie Geitner D-2, Stan VanderWerf D-3, and County Attorney Kenneth Hodges. Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez Jr. D-4 attended by phone. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Avian hangout, June 13

Who says only birds of a feather flock together? The morning of June 13, I spotted a heron, a mother goose and her two goslings and seven cormorants hanging out together by the dam at Monument Lake. Once they dispersed, the heron flew to the new pier and landed on the railing where it stayed until workers arrived to complete construction of the pier. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Monument water tank update

Erection of scaffolding on June 23 is keeping construction on schedule for the 2-million-gallon Town of Monument concrete water storage tank in residential Forest View Estates IV (FVE IV). The erected scaffolding will support on-site, pre-poured concrete wall panels which were scheduled to be set during the week of June 26 through first part of July. These panels will be placed by a 500-ton crane with a longest boom reach of 156 feet with lift and carry of 28,000 pounds. Once the wall panels are placed, formation rebar and reinforcement preparation will be done for pouring of the concrete dome later in July. Residential property in FVE IV is restricted by recorded covenants limited for residential use. The Town of Monument purchased the property from a private citizen, declared eminent domain over the property, then eliminated the restrictive covenant. The expansive water tank project will provide for Monument water needs with pipeline access currently being laid through adjacent residential areas of Forest View Estates, Red Rock Ranch, Highway 105, and downtown Monument. Photo by Sharon Williams.

PLAC hosts Shakespere in the Park

Above and below: On June 24, the Palmer Lake Arts Council (PLAC) hosted the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs TheatreWorks troupe. They entertained a happy crowd at the Palmer Lake Village Green with their lively, innovative version of Shakespeare’s Pericles, a romantic play of adventure and intrigue, including pirates, heroes, royalty, and villains. TheaterWorks offers free theater events to many local communities and will perform The Taming of the Shrew at Ent Center for the Arts in July. The PLAC will offer other various events over the summer. In October, PLAC will offer a play about Palmer Lake, written by a local playwright. Photos by Janet Sellers.

Other Snapshots of Our Community

May Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

Near record monthly precipitation occurred during May with total precipitation exceeding 5 inches for all of us and some areas receiving nearly 10 inches. This was the wettest May since 2015. Unlike that year, almost everything fell as rainfall this month, with just a little snow on the Palmer Divide. This was a different story up in the mountains and shows how important just a few hundred feet of elevation difference can be this time of the year between snow and rain.

All the moisture and clouds kept high temperatures relatively cool. Conversely, the excess moisture kept overnight low temperatures relatively mild. This meant overall temperatures were normal for the month. Another interesting aspect of the weather during May was that several days had a good amount of smoke in the air. This wasn’t from any fires in Colorado, but instead was drawn into the region from the numerous fires burning well to our north in Alberta, Canada. This was the result of a very unusual pattern where a strong ridge of high pressure was present in the Pacific Northwest, with a strong low pressure over the Rockies and upper Midwest and another high pressure over the eastern U.S. This blocked the flow and allowed the smoke to get pulled in low over the Rockies and brought into the Front Range of Colorado.

Weather was quiet and relatively dry during two periods, the first week of the month and the last week of the month. Between these two periods most days received rainfall, sometimes heavy. Most days saw the typical late spring weather pattern with quiet weather in the morning, then building into cumulus clouds by late morning and early afternoon. These would then continue to build into thunderstorms that moved generally west to east and produce an hour or so of rainfall. This type of storm pattern results in variable rainfall accumulation amounts depending on whether a given storm moved over your neighborhood or not.

The strongest storm of the month moved through the region from the 9th through the 12th. This storm moved on the West Coast then into our region and strengthened significantly, producing widespread heavy rain and heavy snow in the higher elevations. Ahead of this storm, southwesterly winds produced our warmest temperatures of the month, with upper 70s on the afternoon of the 9th. The next morning, we woke up to low clouds and a very moist air mass. Then the initial thunderstorms associated with this system formed early in the afternoon. This included severe storms and a few tornadoes just to our north and east. The next round of thunderstorms developed around 4 p.m. that afternoon and produced heavy rain and hail.

As this storm continued to intensify, it stalled out to our south and transitioned from a convective event to produce clouds and steady rainfall. Cooler air also moved in, dropping snow levels. Heavy rainfall continued that evening and into the 11th. Temperatures dropped just enough on the morning of the 11th to produce some measurable snow between 8-10 a.m. over the higher elevations of the Palmer Divide. Snow levels then rose just enough to keep us in rain the rest of the day while at the same time producing heavy snow along the Rampart Range and into Teller County.

The storm continued to produce rainfall and cool temperatures through the next morning. By the time the storm was done, we had received 4-8 inches of rainfall, which produced some flooding in low-lying areas and along I-25. The other unusual aspect of this storm was the nearly continuous rainfall for almost the entire period.

A look ahead

By June we can usually say goodbye to our chance of snowfall but hello to frequent afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Most of the time we can expect warm, sunny days with afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

May 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High: 65.0° (-0.7°)

100-year return frequency value max 75.7° min 57.9°

Average Low: 39.4° (+0.5°)

100-year return frequency value max 43.2° min 32.5°

Highest Temperature: 77°F on the 9th

Lowest Temperature: 31°F on the 1st, 6th

Monthly Precipitation: 5.91” (+3.27” 200% above normal)

100-year return frequency value max 6.94” min 0.15”

Monthly Snowfall: 0.5” (-5.2” 91% below normal)

Season to Date Snow: 71.6” (-50.8” 42% below normal) (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip: 10.38” (+1.54” 15% above normal) (the precip season is from July 1 to June 30)

Heating Degree Days: 398 (+80)

Cooling Degree Days: 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather articles

Letters to Our Community – No Mafia in Monument

Through an open-record request to the Town of Monument, it was discovered that the town illegally engaged in electioneering with taxpayer dollars to promote passing the Town Charter. Fearing if voters found out about this illegal activity, they might potentially lose, the town manager and most on the Charter commission hid the illegal activity from the voters until after the election. Some engaged in this illegal activity are now, as of January 2023, your Monument Council.

The outgoing trustees called for a legitimate investigation into how and why taxpayer dollars were used illegally, but these newly elected corrupt politicians didn’t want you to know the results. They went to great lengths to try sabotaging the investigation, and the reporting of its findings. The town attorney wrote a laughable “report” to try to justify what was discovered. Thinking you can simply vote to bury a report and its evidence of corruption in order to “go away” is something the Mafia does.

On top of illegal electioneering, and only under pressure of an open records request, you, the taxpayers, are going to pick up the tab for the mayor’s personal attorney fees over $21,000. The personal attorney was hired to protect the mayor during the electioneering investigation, which uncovered, among other things, an inappropriate sexual comment made by the mayor toward another trustee.

The taxpayers should never be paying for an elected official’s legal counsel for inappropriate behavior. Shouldn’t our tax dollars be put toward better use, such as fixing the numerous potholes between LPHS and YMCA that would benefit our citizens? Lack of transparency and excusing bad behavior by this Town Council is not in the best interest of Monument citizens. Not now, not ever.

Amy Stephens

Other Letters to Our Community

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Explore nature and the outdoors Explore nature and the outdoors

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”—Albert Einstein

This is a glorious time to get outside in Colorado. Here’s a sampling of books to learn more about plants, wildlife, and getting outside.

Colorado Off the Beaten Path: Discover Your Fun

By Christine Loomis (Globe Pequot Press) $17.95

This new, updated 13th edition by local author Christine Loomis is an essential source of information about the sights and sites travelers and locals want to see and experience. From the best in local dining to quirky cultural tidbits to hidden attractions, unique finds, and unusual locales, this guide takes the reader down the road less traveled.

How to Read the Wilderness: An Illustrated Guide to the Natural Wonders of North America

By Nature Study Guild (Chronicle) $35

From the mountains to the ocean shores, from the wetlands to the deserts, North America teems with flora and fauna. With this book in hand, you will understand the language of nature and see those wild places with new eyes. For more than 60 years, these Guild guidebooks have helped hikers, campers, foragers, and explorers navigate the great outdoors. Now, the best of the guides’ informative text and iconic illustrations are gathered in one book, the perfect reference for today’s ramblers.

Wildlife Anatomy: The Curious Lives & Features of Wild Animals Around the World

By Julia Rothman (Storey Publishing) $18.99

Bestselling author/illustrator Julia Rothman shares a delightfully illustrated guide to all the beasts of the wild, from lions, tigers, and bears to elephants, giraffes, foxes, owls, and much more. This guide covers all the key features, right down to the anatomy of a lion’s claw and a wild horse’s hoof. All the illustrations are accompanied by labels, intriguing facts, and identifying details, such as: When is a Panther not a panther?

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

By Tristan Gooley (Experiment) $17.95

Learn to “see” the forecast in the hidden weather signs all around you in this eye-opening trove of outdoor clues. Acclaimed natural navigator Tristan Gooley shows us how, by reading nature as he does, you’ll not only detect what the weather is doing (and predict what’s coming), you’ll enter a secret wonderland of sights and sounds you’ve never noticed before. Discover the ways that weather can reveal a hidden world with every step you take—through the woods or down a city street.

Sounds Wild and Broken: Sonic Marvels, Evolution’s Creativity, and the Crisis of Sensory Extinction

By David George Haskell (Penguin) $18

We live on a planet alive with song, music, and speech. David Haskell explores how these wonders came to be. Starting with the origins of animal song and traversing the whole arc of Earth history, Haskell illuminates and celebrates the emergence of the varied sounds of our world. This book is an invitation to listen, wonder, belong, and act.

100 Plants to Feed the Monarch: Create a Healthy Habitat to Sustain North America’s Most Beloved Butterfly

By The Xerces Society (Storey Publishing) $16.95

The plight of the monarch butterfly has captured public attention and sparked widespread interest in helping save their dwindling populations. In this in-depth portrait of the monarch butterfly, detailed instructions on how to design and create monarch-friendly landscapes are enriched by guidance on butterfly behavior and habits. You will find profiles of plant species that provide nourishment, including those that bloom in late season and sustain monarchs on their great migration. Gorgeous photographs of monarchs and plants, plus illustrations, maps, and garden plans, make this a visually engaging guide.

437 Edible Wild Plants of the Rocky Mountain West: Berries, Roots, Nuts, Greens, Flowers, and Seeds

By Caleb Warnock (Familius) $27.99

This thorough field guide documents 437 edible wild plants for Colorado, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. Self-sufficiency expert Caleb Warnock brings the ultimate guidebook to living off the land, including a section on poisonous plants to avoid. Packed with over 1,450 photographs and invaluable information on plant identification, flavor, seasonality, history, common synonyms, eating and preparation instructions, and more, you can have accurate information. Be aware: Much false information on wild edibles has been widely distributed on the internet.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

Other Book Review articles

June Library Events – Join us for a Summer Adventure

By Harriet Halbig

It’s time again for the Summer Adventure summer learning program. Summer Adventure is open to those up to age 18 and runs from June 1 to July 31 this year.

Come to the library to register on June 1 or later, or register online via the website ppld.org.

Upon registration, each participant receives a free book (those ages 12 to 18 may choose a journal instead). There is a wide selection of titles to choose from.

Download and print a game card from the website and fill in a space for each day spent reading, moving, or doing such imaginative projects as art, crafts, or music.

After 30 days of participation, those up to age 3 will receive a colorful bath toy, those ages 4 to 11 will receive a reading medal, and those ages 12 to 18 can choose a second book or journal.

Please see the website for a schedule of fun programs for all ages throughout the district. These include science programs, music, and art programs. In Monument, the programs will be on Tuesdays at the same time as regular story times.

Adult programs such as book clubs and Socrates Café will continue at their regular schedule during the summer months.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

Other Pikes Peak Library District articles

Palmer Lake Historical Society, May 18 – Authors show ways to find history on hikes

By Marlene Brown

At the May 18 meeting of the Palmer Lake Historical Society, authors Rocky Shockley and T. Duren Jones presented a lively PowerPoint on the book Easy Hikes to the Hidden Past. Their book describes many hikes in the Pikes Peak Region, including along the Palmer Divide, the Monument Preserve, and Palmer Lake area. With pictures of relics (junk of the past), there are many interesting points along the way.

Mount Herman, also known as Monument Preserve, has remnants of a Bureau of Forests Planting Station Tree Nursery. Millions of seeds were collected from pinecones and planted in beds. Rows of seedlings were established and shipped all over the Pikes Peak Region. The nursery was abandoned during World War II and rows of young pine trees were left to grow on their own (page 155, Easy Hikes of the Hidden Past).

Palmer Lake sports many historical hikes, including Palmer Lake Trail, New Santa Fe Regional Trail, and Santa Fe Open Space. Santa Fe Open space, recently opened by El Paso County, has many ranch relics along the trail, a 2-mile loop at the base of Ben Lomand Mountain and Elephant Rock ((www.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-parks-open-santa-fe-open-space).

Continuing on the trail and looking for relics or “junk” on the sides of many worn roads and you will find the past. If you look hard enough, you can imagine the settlers that came and carved out history in stone or metal. You can find old car bodies from the 20s, 30s, 40s and so on. You can find stairs to nowhere and fire chimneys with no house attached. There is whole world out there when you take Easy Hikes to Hidden Past. The book is available at Covered Treasures in Monument and other booksellers online.

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Next month, the Palmer Lake Historical Society meeting will be the annual Father’s Day Ice Cream Social held at the Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent St., on June 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. Rain or shine, the event is free and open to the public. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy free pie and ice cream with music by Craig Walter. The event is sponsored by John Spidell of The Spidell Foundation.

For more information regarding the society’s monthly historical talks and field trips, go to its website http://palmerdividehistory.org.

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

Above: The Palmer Lake Historical Society meeting May 18 featured the book Easy Hikes to the Hidden Past. Pictured are authors Rocky Shockley, left, and T. Duren Jones. Photo by Marlene Brown.

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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Storms damage trails and roads, fill reservoirs

By Steve Pate

With the recent torrential rains, many local trails have been damaged. After being closed briefly for storm damage repairs, the Palmer Lake reservoir road was reopened and is passable for hikers and mountain bikers. Both Palmer Lake reservoirs are full.

On a hike around the Ice Cave Creek Trail (ICCT) loop on May 26, I found the ICCT in great shape. Ice Cave Creek is running strong, and one might get their feet wet hiking the two crossings on ICCT and Swank trails. Rains have caused erosion on Swank trail, especially just south of Ice Cave Creek with water running down the eroded center of the trail.

Above: Ice Cave Creek crossing Swank Trail.
Above: Upper Palmer Lake reservoir.

Road damage has restricted access to Mount Herman via Mount Herman Road. According to reliable reports, most of the trails around Mount Herman, Raspberry, and Limbaugh Canyon are passable for hikers and bikers, but please do not attempt to drive up Mount Herman Road to the trailhead, FS 716. The U.S Forest Service closed the road to vehicles. Those who hike regularly in the area know that someone opened the gate and drove their 4 Runner up Mount Herman Road into a washed-out ditch.

Photos by Steve Pate taken May 26

Above: Mount Herman Road closure.
Above: Lower Palmer Lake reservoir.

With spring rains, the area’s trails are beautiful and greening up. Even the “devastated” wildfire mitigation areas are showing signs of renewal.

Steve Pate can be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

Other On the Trail articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Very good plants, harmful invaders

By Janet Sellers

Is June too late to plant summer flowers and crops in our area? With moisture from heavy May rains and hot dry summers, we can still plant some greens easily in pots or in the ground, planning waterings to protect against moisture loss.

We started kale, lettuces, and sunflowers at the Tri-Lakes Cares food garden in late May, and they sprouted in four days! If bought for transplanting, fruiting plants (peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, etc.) that should’ve been in the ground by now will provide summer and fall harvests. Choose fast-growing seeds of beans, beets, and squash for late summer crops—even everbearing strawberries could offer fruit this year.

Flowers that grow well in our area include cosmos, bachelor buttons, marigolds, sunflowers, and zinnias, and they will all sprout and grow easily from June planting. Some of the issues in the last few years for our local victory gardens include late snows/frosts and invaders: gophers, voles, moles, and deer. We live in a clime perfect for wildlife, and they are here. Gardens are nice for us, but easy pickings for the varmints, too. What to do?

Castor oil mixed with plain clay cat litter and broadcasted protects lawns. Also successful in keeping critters away is scattering this for a 2-foot border outside the flower or food beds. We know that pet cats and feral “community” cats are effective to keep critters out of the garden. Many farmers and homesteaders add diatomaceous earth to farm animal and cat food to protect them from possible parasites.

Protect your pets and kids

The rain helped a lot of plants get started, including weeds. We have some noxious weeds to look out for and remove, usually just pulling them with gloved hands is enough. We see the harmful, invasive spotted knapweed (a bushy plant of tiny, scraggly, pink or white thistlelike flowers); spurge (greenish-yellow flowerlike bracts of seeds), and the butter-n-eggs (which look a little bit like tiny snapdragons) are about a foot tall in June on roadsides, landscape edges, etc. The spurge latex sap seriously irritates the skin of people and animals and can cause human blindness upon eye contact.

Janet Sellers is an avid “lazy” gardener, letting Mother Nature’s wisdom lead the way to gardening in the high desert Rocky Mountain clime. Contact her at JanetSellers@ocn.me

Above Avoid local spurge plants that are emerging now, often found at or near roadsides, in our landscapes, and in common areas. The plant’s white, latex sap causes serious irritation symptoms, including severe skin and eye itching. The National Capital Poison Control Center (www.poison.org) reports that leafy spurge contains the alkaloid euphorbia, which is toxic to humans and animals and is a known co-carcinogen. These plants are most effectively removed by hand, but wear gloves (and wash them afterward!), long sleeves, pants, and boots. These should be pulled out all the way to the creeping roots and disposed of properly. We are all required by law to remove noxious weeds from any place on or even near our property. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Other High Altitude Nature and Gardening articles

Art Matters – Art spaces for our creative spirit

By Janet Sellers

A new creative venue is in the historic 1880 building, the original Monument post office. Located at the corner of Second and Washington Streets, El Santo Vaquero is an art gallery with decor, handicrafts, and apparel imbued with Southern and Mexican influences and local Colorado artists and artisans’ works from around the world.

The grand opening will be on June 3, starting at 10 a.m., with new one-of-a-kind items. Artist signings, demos, maker meet and greets, food trucks, and more will be present to introduce the “unique faith-based space honoring the creative spirit in all of us.”

Above: Christian Kurz of El Santo Vaquero has created a sacred space to “gather, shop, and experience the beauty of faith through the creative Spirit.” The new space will offer creative spirit-inspired events, artworks, handicrafts, decor, adornments, and space for Kurz’s classes and workshops at 213 Washington St., Monument. Photo by Janet Sellers.

The venue is surrounded by gardens and water features. Christian Kurz, of Italian and Mexican heritage, said she looks to fill the patio and garden with bright flowers reminiscent of Mexico. She has hired an ethnic artisan to create huge wooden wing wall sculptures for the outside of the building near the west wall entrance. It will be fun to take “angel photos” there. Artisans will be creating artwork in the courtyard, and Kurz is looking to have musicians play, too. All the artworks, pottery, decor, and events will be in keeping with unique, joyful, and faith-based themes.

Recently in May for Mother’s Day, Kurz offered complimentary desserts and giveaways, inviting people to bring their mother or “a mother you love” to enjoy and share with everyone “what makes your mother or mother nominee” one of a kind.

At the June Art Hop, founder Kurz will be celebrating the release and author signing of her book The Spiritual Archetypes. The book was initially created as a quiz titled What is your spiritual archetype? She offered correlating guidebooks, and it captivated audiences and has been downloaded over 1 million times worldwide since it was released. Kurtz designed all the artwork for this newest aesthetic creation. The book release and signing on July 20 at 7 p.m. coincides with the July Art Hop at the shop.

Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, and speaker with artworks exhibited in galleries and museums in the Rocky Mountains and on the East and West Coasts. Contact her at: JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Art Matters articles

Snapshots of Our Community

Tri-Lakes honors Memorial Day

Above: It was warm and sunny on May 29 when about 200 people attended a Memorial Day ceremony in Monument Cemetery. The red, white, and blue American flag and the black POW/MIA flag were raised, then lowered to half-staff as an honor guard made up of members of St. Peter Church Knights of Columbus Assembly #2594, Knights of Columbus Assembly #11514, American Legion Post 9-11, and VFW Post 7829 saluted and some raised their swords while the crowd sang the national anthem. The ceremony included speeches by local and state politicians and the traditional reading of the names of veterans interred in the cemetery while a bell was rung for each name. The program ended with taps played by Michael Carlson, a graduate of Palmer Ridge High School. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

New girl scout troop

Above: Gleneagle Sertoma created a new scout troop for girls on April 19 that will be linked to Boy Scout Troop 194. Members of Troop 194 Girls will be able to earn merit badges and take on challenges similar to the boys’ troop. District executive David Durkee says, “The value of including all siblings and family members in the wonderful world of scouting is tremendous for our community,” Eight girls who are sisters of current scouts were the first to enroll. To learn more about Boy Scouts Troop 194 and 194 Girls, visit their website at csscouts.org or on Facebook at Troop 194 Gleneagle. In the photo, Troop 194 Girls are shown learning knot tying. Photo by Christine Pollard.

Merrick honored for sculpture

Above: On May 1, Jerry Merrick, seated, was honored with a plaque for his iconic elephant rock sculpture in Palmer Lake. A local stone mason by trade, he created the artwork for the historic Camp Elephant Rock site in Palmer Lake in 1972. A group of local Palmer Lake Arts District members and friends joined in the celebration, and he is shown here with his family members. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Local goalie’s team wins big

Above: Bailey Unruh, a 13-year-old goalie from Lewis-Palmer Middle School, helped her team win the World Selects Invite (WSI) youth hockey world championship on April 29. Bailey is the only Coloradan on the North American Prospects, who defeated Sweden 3-2 in the final contest. The Prospects beat 11 other teams from nine countries to take home the gold. Bailey allowed only one goal in the entire tournament. The WSI is an invitation-only event that provides the top players in the world the opportunity to compete in a world-class hockey competition and cultural experience. Photo by Eric Unruh.

Monument Glamping ribbon-cutting

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting at Monument Glamping on May 1. Glamping is glamorous camping. Co-owners Chris and Wendy Jeub were surrounded by several members of their family in red hats and red checkered shirts as the business was officially dedicated. Chris, who’s also a volunteer for Our Community News, said they got the idea for the business five years ago when he and his wife stayed in a tent in their yard while their house was being renovated. They now have five tents as well as four container homes, a treehouse, and a tiny house available for booking. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Arbor Day at Monument Lake

Above: Arbor Day was celebrated a month late at Monument Lake on May 5. The original event was postponed from April 28 because of snow. About 20 people attended. They watched as Parks/Facility Superintendent James Schubauer (with rake) demonstrated proper planting techniques for two 7-foot Honey Crisp Apple trees which replaced the 100-year-old apple tree lost during sewer construction. A tiny shoot remains from the original tree. Parks and Trails Planner and Program Manager Cassie Olgren provided additional education about trees and sent the attendees home with free plants. Five Montmorency Cherry trees, another Honey Crisp, and a Haralred Apple were planted earlier after construction was completed. Photo by Tia M. Mayer.

Flooding in Monument, May 12

Above: Heavy rain turned Monument Creek into a raging river, caused Monument Lake to overflow its banks, and flooded parts of Jackson Creek Parkway and Old Denver Road last month. The National Weather Service estimates that nearly 6 inches of rain fell in Monument from May 10-12. The town warned residents online and with LED road signs to drive carefully if they came upon standing water. Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

Battalion Chief Keough retires

Above: From left, Lt. Chris Keough, retired Battalion Chief Mike Keough, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Lt. Franz Hankins, and Monument Fire District (MFD) staff at Station 1 on Highway 105, on May 13. Mike Keough received a full retirement ceremony with the district honor guard and an El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center duty sign-off. With shift staff, family, and friends, the ceremony celebrated Keough’s retirement after 19 years of service with the district. Keough reminisced about how the department had undergone many changes from the beginning of his service as a Fire Explorer in the late 1990s when MFD had one station and a storage barn with a paid fire chief, an administrative assistant, a paramedic, 15 volunteer firefighters, and 16 Fire Explorers. Keough said he was incredibly proud to have served and developed the district, and the department had come a long way in 25 years, first combining with Woodmoor Fire Department to become Tri-Lakes Fire Protection District, and more recently with Donald Wescott Fire Protection District to become MFD with a joint staff of almost 100. For more information on Fire and EMS Career Exploring, visit www.exploring.org. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Black Forest AARP at Expo

Above: On May 6, 11 members of Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 took turns staffing a booth at the Senior Life Expo that was attended by over 500 people. The previous day, the Board of Directors met to prepare for a summer of serving the community. Joining board members were chapter officers and several committee and chapter members. They discussed plans for the annual free shredding event on June 10 and the Black Forest Festival on Aug. 12, among other things. The shredding event will be held from 9 to noon at 12455 Black Forest Road in Black Forest. No reservation is needed. Photo by Stan Beckner.

LPHS final 2023 concert, May 9

Above: The Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony performed their final concert for 2023 on May 9 at Lewis-Palmer High School. Seniors won awards for excellence: The John Philip Sousa Award was won by Nikolai Skorick (trumpet and composer), the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award was won by Breanna Atnip (oboe and English horn) and Alex Weeks (trombone), The Director’s Award for Band was won by Ezra Bloomfield (clarinet and Eb clarinet) and Riley Smith (bass trombone), the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was won by Jackson Strahan (baritone saxophone), the Woody Herman Jazz Award was won by Ashley Meggett (flutes and bass), and the Donald L. Bresse Award for Leadership was won by Isabella D’Ambra (trumpet and piano) and Cameron Gearhart (percussion). This was the final concert directed by Tom Chapman, who is leaving LPHS after this school year. Photo by Steve Pate.

FofFRP hold trail cleanup, May 13

Above: The Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony performed their final concert for 2023 on May 9 at Lewis-Palmer High School. Seniors won awards for excellence: The John Philip Sousa Award was won by Nikolai Skorick (trumpet and composer), the Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award was won by Breanna Atnip (oboe and English horn) and Alex Weeks (trombone), The Director’s Award for Band was won by Ezra Bloomfield (clarinet and Eb clarinet) and Riley Smith (bass trombone), the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award was won by Jackson Strahan (baritone saxophone), the Woody Herman Jazz Award was won by Ashley Meggett (flutes and bass), and the Donald L. Bresse Award for Leadership was won by Isabella D’Ambra (trumpet and piano) and Cameron Gearhart (percussion). This was the final concert directed by Tom Chapman, who is leaving LPHS after this school year. Photo by Steve Pate.

Flying Horse Medical Center

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, of which OCN is a member, held its monthly Business After Hours meeting at the Flying Horse Medical Center in Monument on May 16. The medical center is a full-service medical facility that offers concierge family medicine. Shown are Haley Chapin, director of Tri-Lakes Cares in Monument, with John Howe, OCN volunteer and community leader. Photo by Steve Pate.

Planned Fox Run Nature Center

Above: Several people from El Paso County Parks and Community Services, TDG Architecture firm, Studio Tectonic, and interested members of the community met May 17 at Antelope Trails Elementary to discuss the design and vision of the new Fox Run Nature Center. Projected to open in summer 2024, the project has been included in the county Master Plan since 2013. The Nature Center will provide indoor interpretations of the natural setting of the forest and an understanding of the ecosystem beyond. A media room will be available to the public for gatherings of all kinds, such as lectures, meetings, and parties ((www.tdg-fnc.com/project-info). For more information regarding Fox Run Nature Center, contact Jason Meyer, Park Planning Division manager at jasonmeyer@elpaso.com. Building rendition photo courtesy of TDG Architecture. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires

Above: Several people from El Paso County Parks and Community Services, TDG Architecture firm, Studio Tectonic, and interested members of the community met May 17 at Antelope Trails Elementary to discuss the design and vision of the new Fox Run Nature Center. Projected to open in summer 2024, the project has been included in the county Master Plan since 2013. The Nature Center will provide indoor interpretations of the natural setting of the forest and an understanding of the ecosystem beyond. A media room will be available to the public for gatherings of all kinds, such as lectures, meetings, and parties ((www.tdg-fnc.com/project-info). For more information regarding Fox Run Nature Center, contact Jason Meyer, Park Planning Division manager at jasonmeyer@elpaso.com. Building rendition photo courtesy of TDG Architecture. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Monument storage tank update

Above: On May 24, the final grade to level the base of the excavation site for the 2-million-gallon Monument water storage tank was in process to completion for pouring the concrete floor during the first week of June. This expansive storage tank project site began early in 2022. The project is closely bordered by established residential properties of Forest View Estates, adjacent to the Red Rock Ranch area. On-site pouring and casting of the concrete panels for the storage tank have already been started. Erection of the tank panels will begin later in June. Trenching for the water pipeline has already been done through the Forest View Estates and Red Rock Ranch residential roads. Continuation of laying the pipeline is progressing along Highway 105 into downtown Monument. Caption by Sharon Williams. Photo courtesy of Adams Brien.

Arthop, May 18

Above: After an afternoon downpour, sunshine burst through the clouds just in time for visitors to enjoy the Monument Art Hop. Here, artist and gallerist Daryl Muncey (far right) engaged with visitors at his gallery on May 18. Muncey has renovated the building and grounds over the last few years to be his art studio and decided to open it as a friendly, enjoyable art gallery as well. Muncey specializes in faith-based and abstract artworks. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Claude Bourbon at TLCA, May 19

Above: Claude Bourbon and his exemplary guitar style returned to the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) stage on May 19. Along with his unique and dynamic singing, Bourbon captivated the TLCA audience by seamlessly changing musical genres such as classical, folk, blues, Spanish, between and within songs. Bourbon’s sets included Cold River, the title track from his 2018 album release, Did Somebody Make a Fool out of You, Last Train to Arkansas, a cover of Tony Joe White’s The Guitar Don’t Lie and Frederic Chopin’s Prelude No. 4. Information on upcoming events at the TLCA is at www.trilakesarts.org. Photo by David Futey.

TLC STABLe graduation, May 23

Above: Tri-Lakes Cares strives to promote stability for its clients with an eight-week workshop called Secrets to a Better Life (STABLe). The program focuses on financial stability, time management, and social skills, encouraging participants to examine their past, learn about resources, and build public speaking and negotiation skills. The graduation celebration on May 23 included friends, family, and supporters as well as El Paso County commissioners and representatives from the Monument Town Council. After speeches by guests and a former graduate, current graduates received their certificates and shared what they learned and their goals for the future. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

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April Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

April was a “back to normal” month around the region, with temperatures just a little cooler than normal overall and precipitation, including snowfall, right about where we would expect. But as always during this time of the year, the transition from winter to spring never goes smoothly. This meant the path to normal was anything but normal, with swings from winter to spring and back to winter happening every few days. This was a nice change from last April when we had a record dry April. And given that moisture in April is very important for us to kick off the growing season, the moisture we received was extremely beneficial.

The first week of the month was a good example of most of the month. Temperatures started off in the low to mid-60s over the first three days with dry conditions. But a cold front moved through just after midnight on the 4th, bringing a swing to cold conditions and snowfall. Temperatures were in the 30s and 40s from the 4th through the 6th with 4-8 inches of snow accumulating. In addition, clearing skies and fresh snowfall allowed temperatures to fall quickly on the morning of the 5th. The low dipped down to the single digits above and below zero, which are near-record levels for this time of the year.

Quiet and mild conditions quickly returned over the next week, with our warmest temperatures of the month occurring from the 10th through the 12th. Temperatures warmed through the 50s on the 7th, to the 60s on the 8th and 9th to near daily record levels in the mid- to upper 70s on the 11th and 12th. Of course, this stretch of mild weather was interrupted by another cold front and quick shot of wet snow on the 14th and 15th. This round of snow and cold started off with some good old rain showers and graupel during the late morning and early afternoon, then quickly switched to heavy snowfall. There was even some thunder mixed in during the afternoon. Snow continued that evening and through the next morning, with another 4-8 inches accumulating in the area.

The weather pattern again swung to the mild side over the next few days, with 50s and 60s returning from the 16th through the 19th. However, another round of cool and unsettled weather moved in starting on the 20th and continuing through the 28th. During this unsettled period, several rounds of snow and wind affected the area with 5-12 inches accumulated during the week. However, we actually got “lucky” as there was significantly more snowfall in regions to our south and to our northeast.

The last few days of the month saw a return to mild conditions, with lots of sunshine and 60s for highs.

A couple of interesting things to note during this time of the year. First, the snow that does fall melts very quickly, even when the temperatures are cold. This is because the sun angle is much higher, similar to August. Second, elevation plays a critical role in snowfall amounts as we head into spring. The 7,000-foot level is often a dividing line between snow and rain and even a few hundred feet of elevation can make a big difference. Just going from I-25 in Monument to the top of the Palmer Divide around Hodgen and Highway 83 can be the difference between 6 inches of snow and no snow accumulations. Just more of the fun things we get to enjoy around the Tri-Lakes region.

A look ahead

May often brings a wide variety of weather conditions to the region, from warm, sunny days to severe thunderstorms and hail, and even some snowfall. We can see very wet weather, sometimes heavy snow and other times our first 90-degree temperatures of the year. So be prepared for just about anything.

April 2023 Weather Statistics

Average High: 56.3° (-0.2°)

Average Low: 25.5° (-2.1°)

Highest Temperature: 77° on the 11th, 12th

Lowest Temperature: 1° on the 5th

Monthly Precipitation: 2.34” (-0.62”, 20% below normal)

Monthly Snowfall: 24.4” (-2.3”, 96% below normal)

Season to Date Snow: 71.1” (-46.5”, 9% below normal) (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip.: 4.47” (-1.73”, 28% below normal) (the precip season is from January 1 to December 31)

Heating Degree Days: 724 (+35)

Cooling Degree Days: 0

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

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Letters to Our Community – Monument Town Council opposes bill

As duly elected representatives of the citizens of the Town of Monument, Colo., we want to fervently declare our opposition to Senate Bill 23-213, regarding land use authority. When it comes to matters that should be of local concern—specifically related to land use authority, SB23-213 has been characterized as an attempt to provide affordable housing while, in fact, it is a sweeping attack on local decision-making authority. This is both an attack on home rule authority and an unfunded mandate as it requires the town to expend what will be an inordinate amount of funds for studies that will not actually solve the problem that the bill purports to address. Our community will be directly impacted by the components of this staggering legislation by:

  • Eliminating our ability to zone multi-family housing to locations where the infrastructure is in place to provide the necessary services.
  • Removing our discretion to place certain criteria on multi-family housing, such as parking requirements, along with other infrastructure improvements necessary for the high-density development envisioned by the bill.
  • Allowing the character of neighborhoods to be destroyed by forcing incompatible land uses directly adjacent to single-family homes.
  • Mandating expensive studies relative to housing and water resources, much of which is already duplicated in existing local planning documents.
  • Shifting the burden and responsibility of what have traditionally been local decisions up to a state agency, thus removing local accountability to voters.

The entire bill reflects the state’s belief that it knows far more about what’s best for the quality of life in our communities than our own citizens do. It removes decision-making from the people who are impacted by those decisions and shifts it to a bureaucratic entity that has no vested interest in the Town of Monument, our families, or our character. For those reasons, we strongly ask our legislators to reject this state government power grab.

Mitch LaKind, Mayor, Steve King, Mayor Pro Tem
Sana Abbott, Ken Kimple, Jim Romanello, Marco Fiorito, and Laura Kronick, Town Council Members

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Letters to Our Community – Animals and humans in danger from wildfires

Letters to Our Community – Animals and humans in danger from wildfires

Animals and humans in danger from wildfires

The wildfire burning in Park County, near Florissant, is a reminder that it is not just humans’ lives and homes that are threatened by wildfires. Deer, bears, birds, fish, reptiles, and other animals are killed or displaced, too.

The impacts are also immediate, debilitating and often life-threatening: Thick smoke disorients them, irritates their eyes and makes breathing difficult. Larger animals may try to outrun the flames, while small animals may try to shelter under rocks and in burrows. Those with babies or who are trapped by fences or other structures may not escape.

We can help protect animals and their habitats by eliminating our role in igniting wildfires: Report unattended fires, extinguish campfires and fire pits, keep vehicles off dry grass, don’t throw lit or smoldering cigarettes from your car or truck, and check the weather conditions before burning trash or leaves.

While most naturally occurring wildfires are sparked by lightning, thousands are triggered every year by fireworks. The precaution we can take cannot be clearer.

Craig Shapiro, PETA Foundation

Other Letters to Our Community

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Reading the West

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“Courage is being scared to death … and standling up anyway.”—John Wayne

Westerns are part of our history and center on courage, strength, and justice. Here’s a sampling of outstanding fiction and nonfiction Western reads:

Where Coyotes Howl

By Sandra Dallas (St. Martin’s Press) $27.99

It’s 1916. The two-street town of Wallace, Wyo., is not what Ellen Webster had in mind when she accepted a teaching position, but within a year she’s fallen in love with the High Plains and with a cowboy. Life is hard, but Ellen and Charlie face it all together, growing stronger with each shared success, and each deeply felt tragedy. Ellen finds purpose as a rancher’s wife and in her bonds with other women. Bestselling Colorado author Sandra Dallas’ meticulous research and detail is an ode to western history.

White Sands Gold

By Mike Torreano (Wild Rose Press) $18.99

New Mexico Territory, 1890. In a hidden cavern, a treasure trove of gold sits alongside an ancient relic. To find her treasure-hunting brother, Lottie Durham enlists the help of an easygoing lawman. When a mysterious woman asks her to join the relic’s guardians, Lottie’s world spins. Should she take on this solemn obligation? Will a looming raid by a band of determined killers be the end of the guardians, the gold, and the relic? Local author Mike Torreano provides twists, turns, and adventure in this historically accurate Western.

The Son

By Philipp Meyer (Harper) $16.99

This critically acclaimed, bestselling epic, a saga of land, blood, and power follows the rise of one unforgettable Texas family from the Comanche raids of the 1800s to the oil booms of the 20th Century. This gripping novel maps the legacy of the American west with rare emotional acuity, even as it presents an intimate portrait of one family across two centuries.

Old Cowboys Never Die

By William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone (Kensington) $16.95

After 30 years chasing stampedes into storms and pushing herds of cows across the plains, longtime buddies and cattle drivers Casey Tubbs and Eli Doolin are ready to hang up their spurs. But when they get to Abilene with their final cow delivery, the company lawyer has skipped town with their crew’s wages. That means one last job for Eli and Casey—steal it back. After pulling off the perfect crime, Casey and Eli start thinking this could be the start of a new career as outlaws. This is the first in a new series.

A Tale of Two Expectations

By James Mariner (Dorrance) $19

It is 1884 and Caleb O’Rourke leaves his home in Connecticut. Arriving in Montana, he is discovered by Matthew Rangely and becomes the cowboy of his visions. Five years later, willful, well-to-do, city-bred Marie Devereaux boards the new westbound Northern Pacific train and encounters Rangely, who convinces her to find her place in his little town. When Marie meets Caleb, her skill as a teacher and his willingness to learn result in changing expectations for both.

Blood and Thunder: The Epic Story of Kit Carson and the Conquest of the American West

By Hampton Sides (Anchor) $20

The Army of the West marched through Santa Fe in 1846, en route to invade and occupy the Western territories claimed by Mexico. Fueled by the new Manifest Destiny, this land grab would lead to a decades-long battle between the United States and the Navajos. At the center of this sweeping tale is Kit Carson, the trapper, scout, and soldier whose adventures made him a legend. Rich in detail and spanning more than three decades, this is an essential addition to our understanding of how the West was really won.

New Women in the Old West: From Settlers to Suffragists, an Untold American Story

By Winifred Gallagher (Penguin) $18

Hundreds of thousands of men and women traveled deep into the American West between 1840 and 1910. The traditional model of womanhood shifted. By 1914 western women became the first American women to vote; a right denied to women in every eastern state. Drawing on an extraordinary collection of research, Winifred Gallagher weaves together the legacy of persistent individuals who not only created homes on prairies but also played vital roles in forever redefining the American woman.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

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May Library Events – Preparations for summer reading underway

By Harriet Halbig

The library’s Summer Adventure summer reading program will begin on June 1.

Would you like to be involved? The library is seeking teen volunteers to help with the program, registering participants, awarding prizes, and helping with special programs and with the activities that keep the library running during this busy time.

To apply as a volunteer, go to the library website, ppld.org. Click on About Us and Volunteer to find the application.

We hope you will join us!

Please note that all Pikes Peak Library District facilities will be closed on May 29 in observance of Memorial Day.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me

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