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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

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.

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