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

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Snapshots of Our Community

October Issue Snapshot Correction: Mary Burnett (not Barrett) Brown is the author of The Book of Divine Love. OCN regrets the error.

TLWC help Creek Week, Sep. 30

Above: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club members participated in the 10th Annual Creek Week Cleanup on Sept. 30. Creek Week is the largest watershed-wide cleanup in the state, enlisting volunteers to pick up litter along creeks, trails, parks, and open spaces along the Fountain Creek Watershed. Armed with prongs to assist with trash pickup, the ladies were able to fill 15 bags of trash. Photo by Maureen Morgan.

Teacher wins$50,000 prize, Oct. 3

Above: A local teacher has won a $50,000 prize from Harbor Freight Tools. Andrew Vrieze teaches Industrial Design and Construction at Lewis-Palmer High School. He was given the Prize for Teaching Excellence on Oct. 3. The award is split between the school and Vrieze. He gets $15,000, the school gets $35,000. A total of $1.5 million was awarded to 25 public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs across the United States. Vrieze is one of only three winners from Colorado. Vrieze says, “Every student should have a chance to learn the trades.” He continued, “The classes I teach help these individuals feel connected, have a voice in the school, and strength to help them in the future.” Photo courtesy of Lewis-Palmer High School.

Empty Bowls raises over $10,000

Above: From left, Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway, Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine, and board Treasurer Ron Schwarz serve soup to the 2023 Empty Bowls and Silent Auction attendees in the Lewis-Palmer High School Cafeteria on Oct. 4. The annual event is organized and staffed by the Kiwanis Club of Monument Hill with all proceeds benefiting Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC). Donations from businesses and restaurants, ceramic bowl artisans, and students make this event possible every year. Hundreds of people attended, raising over $10,000 for TLC. TLC is a community-based, volunteer-supported resource center whose purpose is to improve people’s lives through emergency and self-sufficiency programs. It operates the only food pantry in Northern El Paso County and relies on donations to operate. For more information, visit www.tri-lakescares.org or 719-481-4864 and www.monumenthillkiwanis.org or 719-488-2327. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Station 4 Open House, Oct. 7

Above: From left, Sparky the Fire Dog and Violet, Andelyn, and Sawyer Hyatt visit the Cooking Safety information display during Monument Fire District’s Meet the Firefighters open house event at Station 4 on Oct. 7. Sparky says cooking safety starts with you! For more fire safety information, and fire safety fun for the whole family, visit www.sparkyschoolhouse.org and www.sparky.org. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Pumpkin give-away, Oct. 14

Above: From left at rear, Firefighter/Paramedic Jon Bauer, firefighter Andrew Robinson, Lt. Curt Leonhardt, Dianna Goodfellow, Engineer Keegan Black, Julie Black, Battalion Chief Janaka Branden, Lt. Jon Urban, Engineer Golden Rains, Paramedic John Hoeh, Lt. Steve Buckner, Battalion Chief Shannon Balvanz, Carolyn Leonhardt, Sparky the Dog, Isaac, Caleb and Riley Black at the Sixth Annual Monument Local 4319 Pumpkin Giveaway at Monument Marketplace on Oct. 14. Dianna Goodfellow of Mutual Security Mortgage Ltd., an Erie resident, organizes and sponsors the free event, traveling to Cooksey Farms in Roggen with a few firefighters and their families to hand cut and gather the donated pumpkins. The group delivered 777 pumpkins to the Monument Marketplace Clocktower, and with the help of other Local 4319 members, the pumpkins were positioned for the event. Attendees experienced a live performance from local country artist Colton Hittle and voted for their favorite carved/decorated pumpkin in the Third Annual Monument Fire District firefighter pumpkin decorating competition. About 888 pounds of canned food donations were collected for the Tri-Lakes Cares food pantry. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
Above: The volunteer group at Cooksey Farms, Roggen, is, from left, Firefighter Jaylon Koehn, Engineer Keegan Black, Julie Black, Firefighter/Paramedic Nathan Boyce, McKinley Thorpe, Dianna Goodfellow, rear from left, Caleb, Riley, and Isaac Black. Photo by Engineer Jody Thorpe.

PLAG small works show, Oct. 6

Above: Palmer Lake Art Group celebrated its annual small works show opening at Bella Art and Frame gallery on Oct. 6. Members of the club are shown near their paintings with first-place winner Mark Dixon at the far right. Artworks are up and for sale through November. Sold work will be replaced by the artists with new work, so the show will be full and renewed with artworks throughout the exhibition and sale. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Romance at the Chautauqua, Oct. 6

Above: Palmer Lake arts district presented playwright Richard Sebastian-Coleman at the premier of the play Romance at the Chautauqua on the weekend of Oct. 6 at Palmer Lake Town Hall. Centered on the town of Palmer Lake, the story moved forward in a creative way to include the town’s history and famous people, including Lucretia Vaile and Gen. William Jackson Palmer. True to the melodrama genre, the audience was encouraged to engage in making specific sounds for each actor such as boos, woos, and cheers. After the melodrama ended, the crowd was treated to a contemporary musical medley by the actors that included dancing, songs, and chorus, and the audience participated in these songs as well by singing, whistling along, and more. Up next will be The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales coming to Palmer Lake on Nov. 11. For tickets, see www.funkylittletheater.org. Photo by Janet Sellers.

AARP honors pastor, president

Black Forest Lutheran Church Pastor Ken Hohag and AARP Chapter 1100 President Candace Lehmann were honored Oct. 11 at the chapter meeting in Black Forest. Holhag was given the Colorado Outstanding Community Partner Award for 2023 and Lehmann got the Outstanding Volunteer Service Award. The honors were presented by Colorado AARP President Greg Glischinski and Jeremiah Mora, state and community engagement manager for AARP Colorado. During the business meeting that followed, plans were finalized for participating in the Oct. 21 Senior Life Expo in Colorado Springs.

Above: From left are Hohag, Mora, and Glischinski
Above: From left are Glischinsk, Lehmann, and Mora. Photos by Stan Beckner.

Trinity Community Park opens

Above: After 13 new pieces of state-of-the-art accessible playground equipment were installed, along with a shock-absorbing surface to make it easier for wheelchairs, strollers, and walkers to get around, Trinity Community Park opened to the public in Monument on Oct. 14. The new equipment also included a wheelchair trampoline and a wheelchair merry-go-round. More than 70 volunteers from Trinity Lutheran Church and the Monument and Colorado Springs communities helped. This is the largest and most advanced American Disabilities Act-compliant park within 40 miles. While much of the equipment is specifically designed for those with special needs, everyone is welcome regardless of ability. Next spring, a pavilion and additional signs and landscaping will be added. Most of the work will be paid for by corporate sponsors and grants. In the photo, Brad Gann and his special-needs daughter Siobhan explore the motion of the wheelchair trampoline. Photo by Sharon Gann

Awake the Lake 0.5K, Oct. 15

Above: About 900 humans and 60 dogs signed up for the ninth annual 0.5K “Race” at Palmer Lake on Oct. 15. As usual, donuts for humans and tennis balls and treats for dogs were provided at the halfway point and a beer or soft drink could be had after crossing the finish line. Prizes were awarded for the best costumes. Money raised at the event by Awake the Lake helps pay for park beautification, landscaping, fireworks on the Fourth of July, holiday lighting, and helping keep water in the lake. Photo by Steve Pate.

Burns receives award, Oct. 17

Above: St. Peter Catholic School Office Administrator and Director Carol Burns received the Hometown Hero award on Oct. 17. Burns received the award in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to the St. Peter and Monument communities. The award was presented by Modern Woodmen of America representative Luke Rawlings. From left are Superintendent of Catholic Education for the diocese of Colorado Springs Sheila Whalen, Rawlings, Burns, and school Principal Debbie Brook. Photo courtesy of Robin Sheehan.

Business Expo, Oct. 18

Above: The 2023 Community and Business Expo sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA was held Oct. 18 at the YMCA with nearly 45 businesses showcased. The free event drew more than 300 attendees. Businesses included services, products, and local nonprofits. For more information for events presented by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, visit www.trilakeschamber.com. Photo by Marlene Brown.

TLWC get CPR training, Oct. 18

Above: Nearly two dozen members of Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) took CPR training on Oct. 18. The training held at Monument Fire Department (MFD) Station 1 gave the women a chance to experience CPR but was not for certification. Trainers came from University of Colorado Health’s RN Cardiac Care Coordinators as well as EMS technicians and firefighters from the Monument Fire District. In the photo, Lt. John Bodinsky instructs TLWC member Gail Wittman on how to use a device connected to the CPR dummy that gives feedback on the correct speed and depth to treat a victim. Photo by Sue Leggiero.

Black Forest Trails Association board

Above: The Black Forest Trails Association (BRTA) held its annual membership meeting Oct. 16 at the Black Forest Community Center. Members voted for their new board. Pictured from left, standing, are Cimarron Hatch (secretary), Gordon Limb (board), Karen Popham (board), John Wallace (president), and Gary Sherwood (board). Seated from left are Cheryl Pixley (vice president) and Nancy Reinhardt (board). Board members not present are Alex Nguyen (treasurer) and Jack Yonce (board). BFTA is a nonprofit organization that works with El Paso County to connect Black Forest neighborhoods with the county Trail System for non-motorized use. BFTA’s next meeting will be Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Black Forest Community Hall. For more information, go to www.blackforesttrails,org. Caption by Marlene Brown. Photo by Judith von Ahlefeldt.

100+ Women Who Care, Oct. 18

Above: On Oct. 18, 100+ Women Who Care of Tri-Lakes gathered at the Woodmoor Barn to hear from three nominees for its bi-annual grant. The nominees include Tri-Lakes Cares, a community resource center; Trinity Community Park, an accessible park; and Hilltop Ranch, a residential community for adults with disabilities. Hilltop Ranch, in Palmer Lake, provides a living community for adults with disabilities as well as weekend respite care. More information can be found at www. hilltopranch.org. Monument Warriors provided refreshments and talked about supporting their Special Olympics athletes with the grant they received in April. Cathy Wilcox, pictured, addressed the members of 100+ Women Who Care Tri-Lakes, who each contribute $100 two times a year to local Tri-Lakes nonprofits. For information, contact https://www.100womenwhocaretrilakes.com/join-us/. Find more information about Tri-Lakes Cares at www.tri-lakescares.org;; and Trinity Community Park at www.trinitymonument.org/trinity-community-park. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Holz Hausen in Palmer Lake

Above and below: All Pat Duffy wanted to find was a faster method of drying firewood for his wood stove. He ended up with a work of art. Duffy’s research turned up the German method of stacking wood called Holz Hausen. The wood is stacked in a circular shape that supports itself on the outside, allowing him to fill the inside with more wood. This speeds the drying process. He got the wood by cutting down nearly 40 pine trees, each as high as 65 feet, in Douglas County. Building his Holz Hausen was a learning curve. The first one fell down. But he got the hang of it, and now he has four stacks in his yard in Palmer Lake. The largest stack is 9 feet tall and 10 feet wide and contains 6.5 cords of wood. Functional and, he says, “It looks really cool.” Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

Black Forest Backyard Market

Above: The Black Forest Backyard Market continued what is considered a very successful season on Oct. 21. The market, on the corner of Black Forest and Shoup Roads, featured local farmers, a kids’ corner, and young entrepreneurs. Products included jewelry, soaps, mushrooms, vegetables, and baked goods. Each booth’s offerings were locally produced and grown. Pictured are the managers of the market for the last four years. As the season ends on Oct. 28, they are ramping up for the winter market. For more information, go to www.thebackyardmarkets.com/holiday-markets. Photo by Marlene Brown.

WMMI Miners’ Pumpkin Patch

Above: The Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) held its annual Miners’ Pumpkin Patch on Saturdays throughout October. Attendees could choose from a multitude of activities. Gold panning, outdoor games, hayrides, riding a soap box derby car, watching the operation of a variety of museum equipment, indoor museum tours and, of course, picking out a special pumpkin or two for Halloween and catapulting one were among the activities. On Oct. 21, WMMI Executive Director Gant Dewey said, “It’s a perfect fall day, visitors are enjoying the pumpkin patch, and the running of the museum’s equipment really makes this a unique experience.” Over 4,000 visitors attended the Pumpkin Patch through the first three Saturdays. Photo by David Futey.

Snowy Halloween?

Above: I’m dreaming of a white … Halloween? People in the Tri-Lakes area woke up to several inches of snow on Oct. 29. The snow gave beards or hats to ghosts and goblins. Lucky for trick-or-treaters, the weather was forecast to be in the 40s on All Hallows Eve. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Colorado Kids Ranch Pumpkin Patch

Above: After working with the El Paso Board of County Commissioners to increase its parking, the Colorado Kids Ranch presented Colorado Pumpkin Patch again this year. Families from Denver to Colorado Springs came to enjoy an afternoon of fun for everyone on Oct. 21. The fun included tractor hayrides, huge bouncy pillows, tube swings, and pumpkins. The family farm operates a non-profit 501c3 Johnny Pumpkinseed that offers free admission and free pumpkins to families in-need and children of special needs. For more information on year-round events, go to https://coloradokidsranch.com/activities. Photo by Marlene Brown.

MA boys cross country wins title

Above: Monument Academy Middle School’s boys cross country team are the champs. They won the state title at the Colorado State Middle School Cross Country Meet at Fehringer Ranch Park in Denver on Oct. 21. They competed as a small 1a/2a school in the Blue Division against 4a/5a schools across the state. The boys team went undefeated this season and the full team of 49 kids won their league championship for both the boys and girls teams. From left are Preston Hall, Isaac Hawkins, Lukas Sturgeon, Ben Olds, Axel Mason, Tegegn Hall, and George Paulson. Photo by Patrick Hall.

Ascent Church Trunk or Treat

Above: At the Ascent Church parking lot, the trunk or treat event included a pirate ship complete with kids walking the plank to get their treats. Some celebrants shared candies and fun wearing ‘90s vintage attire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Trunk or treat is a fun and safe fall celebration. Many local churches and organizations offer it. Photo by Janet Sellers.

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