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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

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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