OCN

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

OCN > 2501 > Snapshots of Our Community

Snapshots of Our Community

Student signing day, Nov. 13

More than two dozen student athletes from School District 38 signed national letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level on Nov. 13. Above: From left are Lewis-Palmer High School students Drew Boyarko (baseball, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs), Hunter Morgan (baseball, Dodge City Community College), Maddie Sanderson (volleyball, University of Montana), Abigail Perry (swimming, Ohio State University), Kate Kleinsmith (soccer, Seton Hall University), and Gwen McAllister (soccer, University of South Carolina Upstate).
Above: From left are Palmer Ridge High School students Myra Newman (volleyball, University of Mary), Lauren Clawson (volleyball, Fort Hays State University), Amara Langstaff (girls lacrosse, Slippery Rock University), Mia Hansen (volleyball, Southern Methodist University), Ryan Eells (lacrosse, University of Delaware), Channing Howarth (field hockey, Belmont Abbey College), Danielle Wilke (volleyball, Missouri Science and Tech), Haley Inscoe (soccer, Drury University), and Sydney Fisher (soccer, University of Nebraska at Kearney). Photos courtesy of D38.

Skoog honored by Sertoma, Nov. 20

Above: Daryl Skoog received the Service to Mankind award from the Gleneagle Sertoma Club on Nov. 20. Sertoman Donna O’Bryant says Skoog was honored for his “tremendous work ethic and dependability” as a transportation volunteer for Silver Key for the past four years. She says he put in more than 2,000 volunteer service hours giving more than 2,000 rides to more than 2,500 seniors. Skoog has also acquired vehicles for homeless families as a member of the group Family Promise. In addition, Skoog volunteers to help the prison ministry population. From left are Skoog, Jayme Holligan of Silver Key, and Sertoman Harvey LeCato. Photo by Dr. Vicki Wynn.

Kiwanis North Pole Craft Fair, Dec. 7

Above:The Monument Hill Kiwanis Club’s annual North Pole Arts & Crafts Fair was held in the Grace Best Education Center Auditorium on Dec. 7 with over 2,000 people attending. Booths included baked goods made by local churches and food and handmade crafts made by vendors. Live holiday music and free pictures with Santa were featured. The fair is a fundraiser for Tri-Lakes Cares and 4KidzSports. For more information, contact monumenthillkiwanis@gmail.com. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Classic Monument Mercantile Santa

Above: Among the many Santas around Monument before Christmas, the tallest Santa greeted people at Monument Mercantile. Painted by Bing Flanery, the grandfather of Brody Love and father of Michael Love, co-owners of the Mercantile, around 1990 in Grand Prairie, Texas, this wooden Santa welcomed people into the Mercantile store. Shown with Santa on Dec. 12, from left, are Brenda Spiker, Brody Love (co-owner with Michael Love), Lynda Pate, and Chuck Spiker. Photo by Steve Pate.

Santa at annual tree lighting, Dec. 7

Above: Santa and Mrs. Claus might’ve been sweating in their red suits the night of the Monument tree lighting. It was unusually warm for a Dec. 7 with highs in the 50s. The lights on the trees and the bandshell seemed more elaborate this year. The annual event featured the Lewis-Palmer Middle and High School choirs, games, and food trucks. As usual, the event ended with Santa hearing suggestions from kids on what they wanted for Christmas. In photo, 3-year-old Noah Gaspar meets Santa and Mrs. Claus. Photo by Pam Braverman.

Arkenstone at TLCA, Dec. 7

Above: On Dec. 7, the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) and a capacity audience welcomed A Winter’s Eve with David Arkenstone and Friends. Arkenstone, with five Grammy nominations, 20 billboard hits, and over 800 compositions, played keyboard and guitar and was accompanied by Josh Gilgoff (percussion), Laurann Angel (violin), Cecilia Caughman (cello), and Kimberly Zaleski (flute) this evening. The festive song selection included I Saw Three Ships, Carol of the Bells, Deck the Halls, The Ice Palace, a song inspired by a story told by his grandmother, Tchaikovsky’s Arabian Dance from the Nutcracker ballet, and The Jumper, a Norwegian folk song. The second set song selection was performed entirely with acoustic instruments and in an intimate stage setting. It began with a Christmas song medley that included O Little Town of Bethlehem and The First Noel. Information on the TLCA is www.trilakesarts.org. Photo by David Futey.

Energy at Sacred Sites book signing

Above: Author Heidi Wigand-Nicely signed her newest book, Energy at Sacred Sites at Covered Treasures bookstore on Dec. 15. In the book, she shares stories of her hikes and travels, interviews and explorations with interested persons that include Native American Elders and scientists of both Western and indigenous native sciences. She offers special exploration hikes several times each year. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Other Snapshots articles