OCN

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

OCN > 2411 > Snapshots of Our Community

Snapshots of Our Community

Paint Drop-Off, Sep. 12

Above: Area residents got rid of thousands of gallons of old paint at the free PaintCare drop-off in Monument on Sept. 12. An estimated 19,200 pounds of latex paint and an estimated 1,600 pounds of oil-based paint were collected. Twenty-two gallons of latex and oil-based paint in good condition were given away. Photo courtesy of PaintCare.

Cemetery history, Oct. 3

Above: The Monument Homemakers hosted a talk on the history of Monument Cemetery at their monthly meeting Oct. 3. Among the topics covered by Michael Weinfeld, right, and John Howe were stories behind the deceased, some unusual causes of death, and the connection between the cemetery and the country’s most infamous prisons. The topics are included in Weinfeld and Howe’s upcoming book, Shootouts, Killings, and War Heroes, the History Hidden in Monument Cemetery. It wll be released on Nov. 30, the same day Howe and Weinfeld will be signing copies at Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument from 1-3 p.m. The Monument Homemakers is in its 114th year, making it the oldest group still in existence in the Tri-Lakes area. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce building in Monument. Photo by Tia M. Mayer.

Above: Michael Weinfeld and John Howe speak to the Monument Homemakers about Monument Cemetery

Chamber wins awards, Oct. 4

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce earned three awards at the Colorado Chamber Alliance Signature Annual Conference on Oct. 4. The chamber came in second place for Highest Increase in Membership Dues Revenue. It got third place awards for both Highest Increase in Membership and Highest Membership Retention at the ceremony in Colorado Springs. The Tri-Lakes Chamber competed against more than 80 chambers from around the state. From left are Nathan Wessells, Tri-Lakes Chamber director of Membership, Terri Hayes, president and CEO, and Abigail Léger, event planner. Photo courtesy of Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser, Oct. 3

Above: On Oct. 3, the Monument Hills Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Empty Bowls event at Lewis-Palmer High School. Hundreds of people attended, raising thousands of dollars for Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC). The event starts with the selection of a local artist’s bowl, then a silent auction and food served by D38 staff and board members and is accompanied by local musicians and staffed by volunteers. (Inset: Bear Creek Elementary Principal Donnell Potter and Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Bridget O’Connor) The Kiwanis’ mission is to make a positive difference for youth and our community. For more information, visit www.monumenthillkiwanis.org or call719-488-2327. TLC is a community-based, volunteer-supported resource center whose mission is to empower families and individual neighbors to reach toward a better tomorrow. TLC helps with utilities, housing, transportation, and medical costs and runs the only food pantry in Northern El Paso County. It relies on donations and volunteers to operate. For more information, visit www.tri-lakescares.org or call 719-481-4864. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Amphitheater update, Oct. 5

Above: On Oct. 5, organizers of the Ford Amphitheater (VENU) in Colorado Springs hosted a presentation at the venue for about 100 neighbors, providing a season recap and detailing sound mitigation plans. Despite third-party verification of sound compliance, the team acknowledged concerns and outlined efforts to expand sound barriers, adjust speaker configurations, and refine show hours to address community feedback.
Above: Outside the Oct. 5 presentation, 12 protesters gathered to express opposition to the development of the Ford Amphitheater (VENU). In response to ongoing community concerns, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a public letter on Oct. 25 affirming the city’s commitment to addressing noise issues. Mobolade praised VENU’s mitigation efforts and announced plans for an independent noise study, pledging to hold a neighborhood meeting before year’s end to ensure residents’ voices continue to be heard. Photos by Chris Jeub.

Northern Lights, Oct. 10

Above: A storm 93 million miles away lit up the sky in our area on Oct. 10. The strong geomagnetic storm on the sun caused the sky to glow purple, green and blue, the sort of aurora borealis you can usually see only in places like Iceland, Greenland, or Alaska. Most people in our area couldn’t see it just by looking up. It could only be captured with a camera or cellphone set with a slow shutter speed. The type of gas in the atmosphere determined what colors you saw. Nitrogen caused the blue and purple glow; oxygen created the greens and reds. This photo was taken with an iPhone14 Pro, shutter speed of 3, looking west at a grove of cottonwoods and ponderosa pines with the foothills in the background. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

MFD Station 4 remodel, Oct. 12

Above: From left, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Leanne Hemenway, El Paso County Commissioner Holly Williams, Battalion Chief Kris Mola, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner (cutting the ribbon), Director Mark Gunderman, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley, Vice President John Hildebrandt, Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind are pictured at the Monument Fire District Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting on Oct. 12. Kovacs said the property built in 1997 was in need of an upgrade and he thanked Bumgarner, Logistics Officer Lt. Curt Leonhardt, and Fire Technician Joe Valdez, the district’s remodel design team, Kevin Schaffer of OZ Architecture, the Flintco Inc. construction team, and John Sattler of NV5 Inc., the owner’s representative services responsible for liaison and management of the project. Kovacs also thanked the Board of Directors, Williams, LaKind, several council members, and Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek for their continued support and the residents for approving the mill levy that improves the quality of life for the firefighters. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Pumpkin Giveaway, Oct. 19

Above: From left are Luke Brown, Sparky the Dog, and Connor Brown at the Seventh Annual Monument Local 4319 Pumpkin Giveaway at the Monument Market Place Clocktower on Oct. 19. 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 600 pumpkins to the Clocktower steps, and with the help of other Local 4319 members, the pumpkins were positioned for the event. Attendees voted for their favorite carved/decorated pumpkin in the Fourth Annual Monument Fire District firefighter pumpkin decorating competition. Food donations were collected for the Tri-Lakes Cares food pantry. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Monument Lake Snake

Above: Even those with ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) can enjoy the Monument Lake snake. It was created last year with a few painted rocks and has now grown to more than 60. One rock in memory of someone’s pet Leyla has a collar wrapped around it. A black rock honors Air Force Special Warfare. There’s also a rock painted with a dinosaur and snake warming themselves by a fire. The rocks can be found in the northeast corner of Monument Lake across from the new pier. There’s an official-looking sign next to it that says “Monument Lake Snake, Est 2023.” Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: A snake made of painted rocks in in the northeast corner of Monument Lake

Limbach Park playground, Oct. 12

Above: Limbach Park was filled with the sounds of happy children Oct. 12 when a new playground was officially opened. The new playground replaces the old metal equipment with safer, plastic equipment colored bright blue and green. There is now a climbing structure with ropes, spinners, a merry-go-round, swings, (in photo) and a place for kids to create music. The floor is cushy and soft unlike the previous playground’s hard surface. Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek told the crowd she’d been dreaming of rebuilding the town’s parks since she was first hired 11 years ago. She thanked residents for shopping in Monument because the tax dollars helped pay for the playground that cost about $400,000. The old merry-go-round, rocking animals, and framing equipment were auctioned off by the Schur Success Group. A couple from Colorado Springs bought them for $522. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: Kids climb at new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids have fun on the merry-go-round at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids play with a spinner at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids enjoy the swings at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: The ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the new Limbach Park playground

Above: Kids enjoy the slide at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids create music at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids play music at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind says the playground is a big improvement.

Above: Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek says the playground was paid for by the parks budget.

Girls on the Ridge, Oct. 16

Above: Girls on the Ridge Athletics earned the 100+ Women Who Care’s bi-annual donation on Oct. 16. Girls on the Ridge supports the young women who compete in Palmer Ridge High School sports. 100+ Women Who Care members each commit to contributing $100 to Tri-Lakes charities every April and October. The group picked Girls on the Ridge because it says it believes “sports have the power to teach important life skills, build confidence, and create a sense of community.” Tri-Lakes Cares and the Lewis-Palmer D38 Education Foundation were also in the running for the donation. From left are Girls on the Ridge representatives Kevin Dreher, Heidi Dreher, Holly Dreher, Zoya Scholsser, and Jennica Mabe. Photo by Cathy Wilcox.

WMMI Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 19

Above: Jordan and Mia Baez of Colorado Springs were among the over 4,000 attendees of the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) Miners’ Pumpkin Patch. The patch was open every Saturday during October. On Oct. 19, many of the attendees selected a pumpkin or two to take home for their Halloween festivities just like the Baez sisters. Attendees also enjoyed a magician act, a ride in a barrel train, a variety of oversize games like Connect-4 and Jenga, and other outdoor activities. Information on upcoming events at the museum is at www.wmmi.org. Photo by David Futey.

Other Snapshots of Our Community