The photos are arranged in the order they appeared in our November 1, 2025 issue. Click or tap on a thumbnail to view a larger version.
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Above: On Oct. 17, a group of witches mounted paddle boards and, with brooms and paddles, launched off the northern pier
at Palmer Lake to enjoy the fi ne fall weather. Although some mysterious spell made it impossible to discern individual identities,
the event seemed to be a gathering of residents and echoed other “witch paddle” events across the state and country. The
event was followed by a Spooky bash at the Annex at the Elephant Rock property that is part of the EcoSpa project underway
by Richard and Lindsay Willan. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: At the Woodmoor Barn, Sean Sawyer, of Tri-Lakes Preservation Inc., updates attendees regarding efforts to oppose the Buc-ee’s travel center and to recall Palmer Lake Trustee Tim Caves. Photo by James Howald.
Above: At its Oct. 20 board meeting the D38 board recognized its principals for Principals Month. The district surveyed each school to pull out key words describing its principal and created a plaque with a word cloud for each leader. D38 said that principals are among the hardest working, yet often least recognized individuals in education. Principals set the academic tone for their schools, and it is their vision, dedication, and determination that provide the mobilizing force for achieving student success. From left in front are LPHS Principal Davonne Johnson, D38 Board President Tiffiney Upchurch, LPES Principal Kim Briding, D38 board member and secretary Patti Shank, Principal Greg Saunders, Monument Academy East Principal Angela Duca, Superintendent Amber Whetstine, and MA board member Jilinda Dygert. From left in back are board members VP Kris Norris and Todd Brown, BCES Principal Donnel Potter, LPMS Principal Courtney Harrel, and LPHS Principal Jeffrey Zick, D38 board member and treasurer Ron Schwarz. Photo provided by D38.
Above: At the Oct. 20 board meeting, D38 Director of Communications Amy Matisek congratulated the staff who contributed to receiving the Summit award from the Colorado Association of School Board Officials (CASBO) last month. Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway said it was exciting to win an award for something that made a lasting impact on students. The award came with a $1,000 donation to a school or foundation that Ridgway handed to D38 Foundation trustee Holly Rollins. Rollins said the foundation would turn around and give this back to the teachers. The D38 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that funds continuing education and student innovation projects across the district. From left are Superintendent Amber Whettine, Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski, Director of Facilities, Planning, and Grounds Melissa Andrews, Ridgway, Hollins, D38 Foundation Trustee David Merritt, and board President Tiffiney Upchurch. Photo provided by D38.
Above: At the Oct. 20 D38 board meeting, board President Tiffiney Upchurch introduced Dwight “Ted” Bauman, highlighting his career with the Lewis-Palmer School District as well as noting his continued involvement with the school district and the greater Tri-Lakes community. Bauman served the district for over 17 years as a principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and interim superintendent when called. He continues to serve in the Kiwanis and as a volunteer on district committees, including the Arts Education Task Force. He has been an influential mentor and a constant and enthusiastic supporter of D38. Bauman gave a heartfelt speech, praising the district and thanking his family and his own former mentors whose names adorn many facilities. Board member Patti Shank read a resolution recognizing Bauman and naming the district Learning Center in the administration building after him. From left in front are Superintendent Amber Whetstine, board member Patti Shank, Bauman, and Upchurch. From left in back are current board members Todd Brown, Ron Schwarz, Kris Norris, and former board members Matt Clawson, Mark Pfoff, and Theresa Phillips. Photo provided by D38.
Above: At its Oct 15 meeting, board President Ryan Graham recognized Finance Director for her significant achievement in becoming a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations from the Association of School Business Officials International organization. From left are board members Craig Carle, Jilinda Dygert, Vice President Lindsay Clinton, Polen, Graham, and board member Matt Ross. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: At the Oct. 6 meeting of the Monument Town Council retiring Facilities Supervisor Ron Rathburn receives a standing ovation for his 39 years of service to the town. Screenshot from video posted by the Town of Monument.
Above: Guest speaker author Toni Hamill, People of the Garden, Garden of the Gods.
Left: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) members recently stepped up to further their support of local nonprofit Sue’s Gift by running, walking, and volunteering at the 17th annual Be Ovary Aware Walk/Run on Sept. 21 at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. A team of 21 TLWC members ran and walked together to show their support of those affected by gynecological cancer, including the group’s immediate past Co-President Anne Campbell. Nine of the club’s members also arrived before dawn to assist with registration. The group also raised more than $1,500 to help provide comfort, resources, and hope to individuals dealing with a gynecologic cancer diagnosis. Earlier this year, TLWC supported Sue’s Gift with a grant that was used in their financial assistance program. It provided funds for six patients currently in treatment. Photo by Maureen Morgan.
Above: More than 60 people heard the three candidates for two seats on the D38 school board answer questions ranging from teacher salaries to gender inclusion at a forum held at Big Red on Sept. 29. Jackie Burhans and Ginger Schaaf are the candidates from District 3. Tim Bennett is the candidate from District 1. On the question about gender inclusion, Burhans said every parent wants their child to feel welcome in school. She pointed out that the board has already ensured that “all student athletes feel safe and have a safe environment.” Schaaf said, “You should go into the bathroom and the locker room based on the gender that you were assigned at birth.” She added that she believes “boys shouldn’t compete in girls’ athletics.” Bennett agreed that boys and girls sports should remain separate, and he suggested the bathroom issue could be solved by having single-user restrooms. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.
Above: Monument Hill Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Oct. 1 at Lewis-Palmer High School, drawing hundreds of attendees and raising thousands of dollars for Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC). Guests began the evening by selecting handcrafted bowls from local artists, then enjoyed a meal served by Lewis-Palmer School District 38 staff and board members. Volunteers staffed the event, which featured live music, a silent auction, and—for the first time—a cake auction that encouraged guests to take home entire cakes after dinner. Monument Hill Kiwanis aims to make a positive impact on youth and the broader community. Learn more at www.monumenthillkiwanis.org or call 719-488-2327. TLC operates as a community-based, volunteer-supported resource center that helps neighbors with housing, utilities, transportation, and medical expenses. TLC also runs the only food pantry in northern El Paso County and depends on donations and volunteers. Visit www.tri-lakescares.org or call 719-481-4864 for more information. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: The Palmer Lake Police Department Honor Guard presented the colors at the annual Legacy Race supporting Breast Cancer Awareness on Oct. 4 at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. From left are members of the Palmer Lake Police Department Honor Guard, Officer Stafon Stevens, Officer James Bentley, and Officer Bobby Perry. Photo by Erica Burt.
Right: On Oct. 15, 100+ Women Who Care Tri-Lakes gathered at The Woodmoor Barn to select a local nonprofit for its semiannual donation. Members, who each contribute $100 twice a year, listened to three-minute presentations from the D38 Foundation, Monument Warriors, and the Pikes Peak Library District. The group chose the D38 Foundation as its October 2025 recipient. The foundation supports continuing education for educators and funds innovative student learning initiatives. Learn more at www.d38foundation.org. Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC), the April 2025 recipient, provided refreshments and shared how its funding helped stock a donated five-door freezer. The freezer allows TLC to purchase bulk food at lower costs and store donated holiday turkeys and hams. Visit www.tri-lakescares.org for details. The next voting meeting will take place April 15, 2026. For more information, visit 100womenwhocaretrilakes.com. From left: D38 Superintendent Amber Whetstine; D38 Foundation leaders Holly Rollins and Kelly Bane; art teacher Dianna Harris; reading interventionist Hannah Dykes; D38 Board President Tiffiney Upchurch; and D38 Foundation Executive Director Stephanie Palzkill. Photo courtesy of 100+ Women Who Care Tri-Lakes.
Above: The trunks were decked out in eerie decorations, and the air was filled with the rustle of leaves and whispered laughter on Oct. 24. Little ghosts and goblins wandered from car to car at St. Peter Catholic Church’s Annual Trunk or Treat, collecting treats in their bags as shadows danced under the moonlight. With more than 75 kids and adults in attendance, all collecting treats, it was a night full of spooky surprises and sweet memories that lingered long after the last candy was claimed. Photo by Erica Burt.
Left: Local 4319 firefighters with Dianna Goodfellow (second from right) and family members gather after setting up the Eighth Annual Monument Local 4319 Pumpkin Giveaway at the Monument Market Place Clocktower, on Oct. 25. Goodfellow of Mutual Security Mortgage Ltd., an Erie resident, organizes and purchases the pumpkins for the free annual event, with financial assistance for the transportation, entertainment, bounce house, and candy provided by the Local 4319. A few firefighters and their families make a 200-mile round trip to Cooksey Family Farms in Roggen to gather and deliver 800 pumpkins to the Clocktower steps. With the help of about 30 Local 4319 members, the pumpkins were positioned for attendees to begin selecting a free pumpkin and vote for their favorite carved/decorated pumpkin in the Fifth Annual Monument Fire District firefighter pumpkin decorating competition. The event was complete with a L4319 Bounce Fire House, free candy, and fire truck tours. Music was provided by country singer Colton James, and DonutNV treats were available to purchase. About 679 pounds in food donations were collected for the Tri-Lakes Cares food pantry. Caption by Natalie Barszcz. Photo provided by Dianna Goodfellow.
Above: A memorial bench has been installed near the pond in the Monument Preserve in memory of Lt. Col. Anne Campbell. Campbell graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983, earned a master’s degree from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After retiring from the Air Force, she began a career as a tutor for students with dyslexia and other reading disabilities. She was also an avid hiker and outdoorsperson. The photo, taken on Oct. 21, shows Mount Herman to the west and the Gambel oak colors. Photo by Steve Pate.
Above: On Oct. 25 and every Saturday in October, there were family-oriented activities at the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) Miners’ Pumpkin Patch. Visitors could take a tractor-pulled hayride, with the option of an ATV-pulled barrel ride for younger visitors. Besides the rides, visitors played a variety of lawn games including corn hole, attended a magic show presented by the Rocky Mountain Magic Academy, tried their hand at gold panning provided by the Gold Prospectors of Colorado, had the option to drive a soap box derby car provided by the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby, and a choice of options from food vendors. Visitors could pick out their own pumpkin from the patch. WMMI Executive Director Grant Dewey said, “Great weather and terrific support by the community make this a tremendous event.” Pictured: Harrison Roberts of Colorado Springs picked out three pumpkins from the WMMI Miners’ Pumpkin Patch. Photo by David Futey.
Above: The Palmer Lake Restoration Committee, also known as Awake Palmer Lake, is kicking off a Feed the Troll campaign. Jodie Bliss, local metalwork artist, is working on the Palmer Lake Troll sculpture. The troll will live under the pedestrian bridge on the east side of the railroad tracks in Palmer Lake. Awake Palmer Lake received an art grant, but also seeks to raise matching funds to build the first stop in the Palmer Lake Art Walk. Make a tax-deductible donation at www.AwakePalmerLake.org by clicking the donate button and choosing Troll, or mail a check to PO Box 397, Palmer Lake, CO 80133. Bliss is also offering a blacksmithing workshop, where you can see what her artistry entails and gain hands-on experience creating a patch that will be permanently mounted on the Palmer Lake Troll, as well as one to take home. The workshop will be held Nov. 3 and 8, 10 a.m.-noon, and costs $500 for the workshop and the two patches. Each participant must be 18 years or older. To sign up, contact Cathy Wilcox at Catherinefishwilcox@gmail.com. Photo provided by Awake Palmer Lake.
Recent photo collections
- Vol. 25 No. 10 – October 4, 2025 – Photos (10/2/2025)
- Vol. 25 No. 9 – September 6, 2025 – Photos (9/5/2025)
- Vol. 25 No. 8 – August 2, 2025 – Photos (8/23/2025)
- Vol. 25 No. 7 – July 5, 2025 – Photos (8/23/2025)
- Vol. 25 No. 6 – June 7, 2025 – Photos (8/23/2025)
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