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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

Lions assist eyeglass project

Above: Members of the Tri-Lakes Lions Club and Knights of Sight gathered Jan. 14 to process over 60 pounds of recyclable eyeglasses donated by area residents. The glasses were sent to the Colorado Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Denver for further processing. Lions International vision centers will provide the glasses for free to underprivileged people around the world. Walmart Vision, America’s Best, Monument Vision, and Premier Vision helped with the project. Photo by Gordon Reichal.

Waters is Young Marine of the Year

Above: A Palmer Ridge High School junior was named Division 4 Young Marine of the Year for the second consecutive year on Dec. 28. Jackson Waters, 17, will now compete with five other division winners for the title of National Young Marine of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the Young Marines nationally. The competition will be held March 23 in Woodbridge, Va., near the Young Marines National Headquarters. Since joining the Young Marines in 2016, Jackson has logged 850 hours of community service. Photo courtesy of the Young Marines.

TLWC CPR Training, Feb. 21

Above: Members of the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) and their spouses got CPR training at the Woodmoor Barn on Feb. 21. The training was conducted by the Monument Fire Department and UC Health cardiac care nurses. According to the American Heart Association, 74% of cardiac arrests that occur outside of a hospital happen at home, and nearly half of those victims survive when someone performs CPR. In the photo, TLWC member Margie Klaus watches as Roger Meurer, spouse of TLWC member Laura Meurer (not pictured), practices CPR technique. Checking the monitor that gives feedback on proper CPR technique are TLWC member and organizer of the event Carol Costakis and her husband Greg. Photo by Sue Leggiero.

D38 Chess Tournament, Feb. 24

Above: There were chess boards as far as the eye could see in the gym at Bear Creek Elementary on Feb. 24 as the school hosted the 17th annual D38 chess tournament. About 130 students took part. Robert Collier was the best among high school students, and Colton Kandrak topped the middle school division. Among elementary school students, Abraham Burruel won the first-grade category, Anze Caulkins was tops among second-graders. Henry Johnson won the third-grade division. Max Lindeman came in first among fourth-graders. The fifth-grade category was won by Walter Hefter. Kyle Fieber was tops among sixth-graders and Sam Knauf won the kindergarten category. In the photo, Palmer Lake Elementary School student Tucker VanderJagt makes a move toward victory in his third-round competition. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Ice Cream for Breakfast, Feb. 24

Above: About 40 people lined up early to be among the first to eat ice cream for breakfast at Lolley’s Ice Cream in Monument on Feb. 24. Monument residents Ryan Maguire and his family were first in line at 8:40 a.m., 20 minutes before the shop opened. Maguire says they were first in line last year, too. The national event was originally scheduled for Feb. 3, but had to be postponed in Monument because of a snowstorm. Maguire says if it hadn’t been postponed, they would’ve stood in line in the snow. Customers had their choice of having their ice cream on top of waffles or mini-doughnuts. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Stars of Tomorrow auditions, Feb. 24

There was singing, gymnastics, piano and guitar playing, even clogging at the auditions for the second annual Stars of Tomorrow talent show. The auditions were held Feb. 21, 24, and 25 at “Big Red,” the D38 administration building in Monument. The Kiwanis Club of Monument Hill puts on the show that’ll take place March 17 at Palmer Ridge High School. Winners will be announced that night. The elementary school winner will earn $500, and the top middle school student will take home $750. Two scholarships worth $1,000 and $2,000 will be given to the high school winners. Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

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Above: Korina Mirenda performs a gymnastics routine. (58 sec)

Korina Mirenda performed gymnastics.
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Above: Evie LaBouliere and Caroline Marsh perform a gymnastics routine. (1 min 9 sec)

Evie LaBouliere and Caroline Marsh performed gymnastics.
Alyson Horne sang.
Adalae LaBouliere and Truvie Marsh performed gymnastics.
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Above: Rowan Vaughn performs a song. (1 min 19 sec)

Rowan Vaughn sang.
June Vella sang and played guitar.
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Above: Ashlyn Boomer sings “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” (1 min 8 sec)

Ashlyn Boomer sang.
Henry Calvert sang.
Brianne Miller sang.
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Above: William Woo plays the piano. (26 sec)

William Woo played the piano.
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Above: Benton Miles sings “Cold.” (28 sec)

Benton Miles played trumpet and sang.
Blaise Klinedinst sang.
Roman Rodriguez performed a Michael Jackson dance routine.

USAFA wildfire, Feb. 25

Above: Large plumes of smoke were visible from the Tri-Lakes area on the afternoon of Feb. 25. The smoke was generated by a brush fire on steep terrain north west of West Monument Creek Road on the south side of the Air Force Academy. The fire began around 1 p.m. Wind was gusting from the west at 30-40 miles per hour throughout the day. By evening, the fire had grown to about 150 acres. Due to the fire, the base was closed to the public, pre-evacuation notices were issued for Douglass and Pine Valley housing, Douglass Valley Elementary School was closed, and Air Academy High School students switched to remote learning. A Red Flag Warning had been in effect when the fire began with higher-than-normal temperatures and wind gusts in the forecast. As of Tuesday morning, Feb. 27, at 4:30 a.m., the fire was 168 acres and 50% contained. Caption by Natalie Barszcz. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

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