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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

Snapshot Caption Corrections

In the May issue of OCN, in the Snapshots of Our Community,

• it was stated that Emily Osborn won the third place PLAG scholarship. Actually Ella Davis won that scholarship.

• The caption on the Earth Day Tree Planting April 21 should have identified the people pictured (L to R) as Tamara Schwarz, Aida Richardson, Don Richardson, 101-year-old WWII vet Marie West, Patsy Janeba and John Janeba. It should also have noted that the photo was taken by Tamara Schwarz.

• The photo of the Tim Watkins Memorial Trail sign was taken by Brian Mullin. Mullin also reinstalled the sign after safeguarding it during wildfire mitigation last year.

OCN regrets the errors.

Wildfire Preparedness Day, Apr. 27

Above: Palmer Ridge High School’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hosted the annual Wildfire Preparedness Day on April 27. Four speakers talked about home mitigation, fire evacuation, planning, and regional analysis. Civilian and governmental agencies including the Red Cross, Monument Fire Department, and Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management also provided information. Photo by Ella Blakely.

LPHS band concert, May 7

Above: The Lewis-Palmer High School (LPHS) band performed its final concert of this school year, a Pops concert featuring seniors in the Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony on May 7 at the LPHS auditorium. Directed by Sam Anderson, each band featured solos by senior musicians, and seniors were honored for their contributions during their tenure at LPHS. Awards received by these talented musicians were also announced. Photo by Steve Pate.

Little Log Church celebrates 100th

Above: The Little Log Church in Palmer Lake celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 11. Those attending got to tour the log chapel that was built in 1924. Some wore 1920s-era clothes, including members of the 100th anniversary planning committee (in photo). A scavenger hunt was also part of the festivities. Standing from left are Donna Ewers, Anne Jones, Chairman Kristi Olsen, and Betty Thomas. Seated is Pastor Bill Story. Photo by Pete Olsen.

Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares, May 15

Above: The Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares 40th anniversary event was held on May 15 at the Spruce Mountain Events Center. Participating restaurants competed in a “Chopped” style event by crafting tasty samples from a basket of items from the Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC) food pantry. The judges’ favorite was UVA Wine Bar & Restaurant, while the crowd’s favorite was Bethesda Gardens Monument Assisted Living and Memory Care. The sold-out event with 400 attendees was supported by numerous sponsors, celebrity judges, staff, and volunteers. It was TLC’s most successful Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares event ever. Executive Director Haley Chapin, left, looks on as TLC board President Rich Schur of Schur Success Group thanks event organizer and TLC Development Specialist Christine Bucher. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Pelicans on Lake Woodmoor

Above: It was cold, gray, and foggy on April 20 when Misty Reed of Woodmoor spotted something unusual on Lake Woodmoor. A squadron of pelicans were huddled together in an inlet. Certainly not something you see every day. Photo by Misty Reed.

Monument wind storm, May 6

Above: It was so windy on May 6 there were waves with white caps on Monument Lake. A tree was knocked down at St. Peter Catholic School (in photo). Flags were flying straight up. A high wind warning was issued by the National Weather Service. A gust of 60 mph was recorded on Monument Hill. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: Flags outside Jackson Creek Senior Living show how windy it was. (12 sec)

Above: The wind created white-capped waves on Monument Creek. (23 sec)

Monument hydrant flushing, May 9

Above: The Monument Water Department finished its annual hydrant flushing last month. About 300 hydrants were cleaned of sediment buildup over nine days. Up to 1,400 gallons a minute spewed from this hydrant off Monument Lake Road on May 9. From left, water techs Jon Rigaud, Ryan Sieber, Da’John Lee, Danny Kuchinsky, and Clint Gavigan. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: Monument water techs flush a hydrant. (9 sec)

LPES 50th anniversary, May 13

Above: On May 13, Lewis-Palmer Elementary School celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house and ribbon cutting. Current and former administrators, teachers, parents, students, school board, and community members were greeted with balloons, popcorn, and snacks, and displays of yearbooks. The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center provided the ribbon and the very large scissors for the ribbon cutting. Staff members held the ribbon for current and former D38 staff and board, from left, former Principal Jenny Day, Ted Bauman, Dr. Jerry Parsons, Principal Davonne Johnson, board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Acting Superintendent Amber Whetstine, board member Todd Brown, former board member Tommie Plank, and Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Silver Key Senior Summit, May 16

Above: Sue Walker, director of the Silver Key Senior Center in Monument, organized activities at the Silver Key Senior Summit at the Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado Springs on May 16. The Monument senior center events included tai chi demonstrations, chair yoga, and line dancing (pictured). Our local Silver Key Senior Center, located at 66 Jefferson St. in the Grace Best Elementary School building, offers many services for seniors which can be seen at https://www.silverkey.org. For more information, call 719-884-2300. Staff and volunteers are pictured at Tri-Lakes Silver Key, Monument. From left are Sandi Watson-Staggs, Mary Frances Quattlebaum, Sue Walker, and Mary Lou Figley. Photo by Steve Pate.

Art Hop, May 24

Above: May 24 brought back Monument’s monthly Art Hop for spring and summer. Here, artist Dawn Healy of Black Forest shared her intricate and distinctive gourd art. Healy was the featured artist at Bella Art and Frame Gallery for May. The gallery will showcase different artist exhibitions each month along with the gallery’s signature artists. Amid the festive atmosphere of music, conviviality, and refreshments for the art lovers—and art buyers of course—locals and visitors alike enjoyed the small-town fun of visiting with each other in Downtown Monument as they celebrated the arts with community spirit. This year, the Art Hop has been moved from the third Thursday of the month to the fourth Friday.

Above: The musical group Flashback played in front of the Love Shop in the Front Street Square. Flashback entertained passersby with popular rock tunes. Photos by Janet Sellers.

Mid-June Prescribed Burn

Above: During this past week, preparations have been underway for a prescribed burn in Pike National Forest, west of Monument near Mt. Herman. Federal and Town employees and community volunteers are removing ground fuel from the forest along Mt. Herman Road to ensure a slow controlled burn. In this photo, Rick Binder and Val Burt from Team Rubicon work alongside a chipper crew from the Monument Fire Department. Over three days of effort, more than 60 volunteers mitigated 13 acres of Pike National Forest. The prescribed burn is scheduled for mid-June. If/when you see smoke, please do not call 911 unless you see a fire (not smoke) that is unattended. The prescribed burns are weather-dependent and are expected to take place over three days at Memorial Grove, Monument Rock, and the Mount Herman trailhead. Once the prescribed fires begin, smoke may be seen for several days. Photo by Marianne LaRivee.

First MA East HS Graduation

Above: Monument Academy East Campus held its first high school graduation on May 18. The campus opened in fall 2019. There were 21 students in the senior class of 2024, including Valedictorian Scott Kohlhase (below). Kohlhase is among 144 seniors in Colorado who received the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship. More than 200 relatives, staff, and community members attended the ceremony at the front of the campus. Photo by Evan Clay/ClayVisuals. Monument Academy East Campus held its first high school graduation on May 18. The campus opened in fall 2019. There were 21 students in the senior class of 2024, including Valedictorian Scott Kohlhase. Kohlhase is among 144 seniors in Colorado who received the prestigious Daniels Fund Scholarship. More than 200 relatives, staff, and community members attended the ceremony at the front of the campus. Photo by Evan Clay/ClayVisuals.

Monument Presbyterian Church

Above: Monument Presbyterian Church celebrated its 150th anniversary on May 19. Attended by church members and the community, the Founders Day celebration and dedication of Sheldon Jackson Chapel at the church was held at the Sunday worship. A reception in the chapel and on the west lawn featured vintage 1880s desserts. Photos courtesy of Daniel Krucoff.

Vets march for suicide awareness

Above: You might’ve seen three men, one waving an American flag, marching down the side of the road in Monument or Palmer Lake on May 24. They are veterans hoping to raise awareness about veteran suicide. They hiked from Denver to Colorado Springs and then to Castle Rock in 3 1/2 days. The veterans belong to the Castle Rock group ConnorsK9 P.A.W.S. President and founder Michael Connors, a disabled retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, was joined by veterans Joshua Henkels and a man known simply as Nova. Statistics show 22 veterans die by suicide each day, but Connors suspects it’s closer to 40. When he tried to take his own life, a service dog stopped him. Now, he’s helping others who might be in a similar situation. His 501c3 nonprofit provides professional service dogs to veterans. He hopes his march will result in an increase in donations that would pay for service dog training equipment. To donate, go to connorsk9paws.org and click on How to Support. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Three veterans walked during the Memorial Day weekend to raise awareness of veteran suicide. (12 sec)

Michael Connors, a disabled Army veteran, says more veterans commit suicide every day than you think. (20 sec)

Water tank completed, May 23

Above: During the last weeks of May, contractors established sustainable erosion control measures and landscaping at the site of the newly constructed, controversial Monument water tank. Located in the residential Forest View Heights HOA west of Monument, the 2-million-gallon tank serves as water storage for the Town of Monument. Nearby residents have complained about the height of the tank. Rocked drainage sites and ground cover include seeding mat, planting of 55 trees, 35 shrubs and various deep-rooting, drought-resistant grasses. As of May 23, all the vegetation had been planted. Surface irrigation provides water to establish start-up growth and will be removed after two years. Excavation for the tank began two years ago, with landscaping of the surrounding area as the final stage to completion. Photo by Sharon Williams.

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