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

OCN > 2401 > Snapshots of Our Community

Snapshots of Our Community

Correction

In the December issue of OCN, it was stated that Jeanette Breton founded Bearbotics. “Coach” Breton is head coach of Bearbotics, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Head Coach, and founder of Monumental Impact for Technology, Engineering & Entrepreneurship (MITEE). See monumentalimpact.org/. OCN regrets the error.

TLWC Grant process opens Jan. 15

Above: In a photo taken Oct. 1, Monument Warriors Team Coordinator Lisa Glen displays the new track uniforms and sound system purchased with a Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) 2022 grant. Eligible groups can start applying for grants from the TLWC on Jan. 15. Groups eligible to apply for grants up to $2,000 include nonprofits, public service organizations, and public schools that serve the Tri-Lakes area. The TLWC grant program focuses on smaller organizations that typically don’t have the staffing or resources to pursue grants from major granting foundations. Photo by Sue Leggiero.

Monument Tree Lighting, Dec. 2

Above and below: The wail of a fire truck siren announced the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Claus (Jeff and Sarah MacLean) Dec. 2 at Limbach Park in Monument. They hopped off the truck and were immediately surrounded by children. Shortly after their arrival, the countdown to the tree lighting began. A cheer erupted when the lights turned on. Kids lined up to give their Christmas wishes to Santa while adults took advantage of the food, drink, and entertainment throughout the park. Earlier in the evening, the crowd was serenaded with several Christmas carols by the Lewis-Palmer D38 Middle and High School Choirs. Photos by Michael Weinfeld.
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Above: Crowd counts down the turning on of Christmas lights in Limbach Park. (17 sec)

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Above: A fire truck carrying Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrives at Limbach Park on Dec. 2 (19 sec)

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Above: Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the crowd upon arriving in Limbach Park on Dec. 2. (18 sec)

Small Town Christmas, Dec. 2

Above: Monument merchants took part in the annual Small Town Christmas event on Dec. 2 complete with music, goodies, snow, and Santa. Santa appeared around town and took time with Mrs. Claus to greet dozens of children who came to La Casa Fiesta. The Morris family, including Mom and Dad, Mary and Shawn, gathered around Santa (John Howe) and Mrs. Claus (Claudia Swenson) for a photo to put in their family album. Photo provided by the Morris family.
Above: All along the streets of Monument downtown, visitors enjoyed libations to buy and complimentary treats while buying gifts at the shops. Shown here, the Trails End Tap Room had an outdoor craft fair with the Trombone Christmas musicians. Photo by Janet Sellers.

High School Choirs, Dec. 6

Above: Choirs from Lewis-Palmer (LPHS) and Palmer Ridge (PRHS) High Schools presented a holiday concert at LPHS auditorium on Dec. 6. Madeline Smith, director, conducted choirs from both LPHS and PRHS in seasonal presentations that included Christmas, Hanukkah, and even a rendition of Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. LPHS choirs included Treble Voices and Mixed Choir, and PRHS choirs included Chamber Singers and Women’s Ensemble. Janice Kinsley, collaborative pianist, accompanied LPHS choirs and Nancy Jacobsen, collaborative pianist, accompanied PRHS choirs. Photo by Steve Pate.
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Above: The Lewis Palmer Middle and High School choirs entertain the crowd. (33 sec)

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Above: The Lewis Palmer Middle and High School choirs sing Christmas carols at Limbach Park. (28 sec)

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Above: The Lewis Palmer Middle and High School choirs entertain the crowd before the lights are turned on. (33 sec)

Arkenstone at TLCA, Dec. 9

Above: On Dec. 9, a capacity audience at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) ushered in the holiday season as they spent the evening listening to A Winter’s Eve with David Arkenstone & Friends. Arkenstone, a five-time Grammy nominee, was accompanied by virtuoso musicians Josh Gilgoff (percussion), Laurann Angel (violin), Emily Elkin (cello), and Kimberly Zaleski (flute), with candles lining the stage for a festive atmosphere. They performed songs from Arkenstone’s albums Christmas Lounge, Celtic Christmas, and his latest album Winterlude, applying genres including Celtic, new age, neo-classical, and world museum to the songs that emphasized the extent of their musical talents. The song list included I Saw Three Ships, Deck the Halls, Ice Palace—a song inspired by a story told by his grandmother—Tchaikovsky’s Arabian Dance from the Nutcracker ballet, and Warm Lights Flicker Across the Lake. Photo by David Futey.

Career and Technical Ed at LPMS

Above: On Dec. 11, Lewis-Palmer Middle School hosted a Career and Technical Education (CTE) showcase with projects, teachers, and students in its cafetorium. LPMS offers Gateway to Technology, Robotics, Web Design, CAD Design and 3D Printing, and Yearbook as well as Health Science (Medical Detective and Forensic Science). In the photo is Sean Sanger, 7th Gateway to Technology teacher in the CTE Department. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

For more information about D38’s CTE program, see lewispalmer.org/page/career-technical-education.

TL Dynamic Rotary distributes coats

Above: The Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary handed out more than 350 new winter coats to Tri-Lakes Cares clients as part of its second annual Warm Hugs new coat drive. Coats were distributed on Dec. 11 and 14. As one recipient said, “[There’s] something about having a new coat that can’t be duplicated.” The coats were collected at donation boxes at local businesses around Monument as well as at a coat and cash donation day Dec. 2. In photo are, from left, Rotary members Jeremiah Baty, Alisha Baty, Shannon Schurr, Soul Santa (Terrance Beasley), Rotary Community Service Director Laurie Beasley, Katie Lenger, Brenda Small, and Nicole Schoolsky at the coat distribution event at Tri-Lakes Cares. Photo by Julie Keim.

AARP elects officers, Dec. 13

Above: AARP Chapter 1100 Black Forest elected officers for 2024 at its meeting Dec.13. Roy Rozak was elected president, Stan Beckner, vice president, Jim Belk, treasurer, and Lin Rozak, secretary. A Board of Directors was also voted on. After the vote, members enjoyed a catered buffet dinner. Photo by Stan Beckner.

Friends of Fox Run Park, Dec. 17

Above: Friends of Fox Run Park, the volunteer organization that helps with tasks and education at Fox Run Regional Park, held its annual holiday “celebrating community” event on Dec. 17 at the warming hut near the twin ponds. Visitors and hikers at the park enjoyed hot cocoa, roasted marshmallows, and s’mores as well as making wooden ornaments from the park’s fallen pine branches. Representatives from the Native American Sacred Trees and Places were also on hand to share local history and knowledge of the special significance and historic cultural traditions unique to the park. The Friends of Fox Run Park is accepting volunteers of all ages for upcoming seasonal opportunities with park tasks and trails, which include forest education and conservation, and can be contacted at FriendsOfFoxRunPark@gmail.com. Photo by Janet Sellers.

TLMA holiday concert, Dec. 15-17

Above: On the weekend of Dec. 15-17, the Tri-Lakes Music Association offered its annual holiday music program at the Palmer Ridge High School auditorium. The evenings featured special performances from its orchestra, brass instruments, strings, piano works and vocals of solos, duets, and full choral works sharing holiday favorites and innovative pieces. Donations were accepted on behalf of Tri-Lakes Cares and the Music Association, both of which are nonprofit volunteer organizations for community benefit and enrichment. Photo by Janet Sellers.

100 million+ view gender reveal

Above: Monument residents Micah and Kya Jeub released a live video revealing the gender of their third child—during an ice bath. Pink paint shot through their bath to reveal a girl is on her way. Their video went viral on TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms, garnishing over 100 million views. Photo by Chris Jeub, Grandpa, who attended the reveal.

Holiday Season in Palmer Lake

Above: Palmer Lake welcomes you to “Believe” and brightens your holiday season with the Palmer Lake Star.
Photo by David Futey.

Other Snapshots of Our Community