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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

TLWC helps Christmas Giveaway

Above: On Dec. 14, 40 members of the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) gathered at the Colorado Springs Event Center located at Academy Blvd and Palmer Park and rotated throughout the afternoon helping our community neighbors’ select gifts as part of the Bob Telmosse Christmas Giveaway. There were thousands of people, many of whom spent a long time lining up during the overnight hours to enter when the doors opened at 9 am. The event started in 1983 as a result of a prank. Someone ran an ad in the Gazette Telegraph saying Bob Telmosse’s business was giving away free food. When people come to his business, Bob explained the mistake and had them come back the next day and provided them with food from his own resources. It has continued every year and now is sponsored by the the Bob Telmossé Foundation (santa-bob.org). There is more information on the TLWC at https://tlwc.net.

New WMMI exhibit, Dec. 21

Above: The Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) has a new exhibit. A Moment in Time: The Nevada Northern Railway chronicles the photographic journey of Charles W. Case who used a Hasselblad 500C/M camera and Zeiss lenses to capture the railroad’s stark beauty. Jaime Gorrell, WMMI museum curator, opened the exhibit on Dec. 21. Museum volunteers Gary Steffens (in photo) and Steve Berry spoke to the pre-opening attendees about their experiences with railroading. Berry drove steam locomotive No. 40 on a recent trip to the railway museum in Ely, Nev. The exhibit runs through April 15. Photo by Allison Robenstein.

Monument tree light removal, Jan. 2

Above: With the holidays in the rearview mirror, it was time to take down the lights at Limbach Park in Monument on Jan. 2. Workers from Savatree of Colorado Springs used poles that could extend 24 feet as well as cherry pickers to take down the lights that had been on since Dec. 7. The lights surrounding the park’s bandshell were still lit as of Jan. 2. Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

Kiwanis bellringing check presented to the Salvation Army, Jan. 11

Above: Monument Hill Kiwanis Club (MHKC) presented a check for $32,212.50 to the Colorado Springs Salvation Army (CSSA) on Jan. 11. The money was raised by Kiwanis bellringers during the holiday season. Members rang the bell for a total of 392 hours. Rob Knoth led all volunteers with 47 hours of bellringing. Heide Baker was second with 21 hours and Mark Anderson was third with 19. MHKC thanked residents of the Tri-Lakes community, the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC), and Lewis-Palmer District 38 middle and high school Service Leadership programs for their help in reaching this goal. From left are Maureen Morgan and Kathy Sera-Budney of TLWC, Rich Couch of the Colorado Springs Kiwanis, Maj. Steve Ball of the CSSA, Mark Zieger from MHKC, Jeane Turner of the CSSA, Anderson and Knoth (MHKC), and Kiwanis President Bill Kaelin. Photo by Warren Gerig.

Geese at Big Red, Jan. 19

Above: On a frigid Jan. 19 afternoon, over 50 geese found a bit of warm sunshine on lawn at the D38 administration building (Big Red). Photo by David Futey.

TLWC receives Kiwanis award

Above: Monument Hill Kiwanis Club (MHKC) gave Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) a Community Service Award on Jan. 11. TLWC member Maureen Morgan, left, and co-President Kathy Sera-Budney accepted the award. MHKC honored TLWC for its continued long-term support of Kiwanis’ bellringing. Photo by Warren Gerig.

Monument Employees of the Year

Above: James Schubauer and Joe Castellano are Monument’s Employees of the Year for 2024. Schubauer, far right, is the parks superintendent and Castellano, middle, is the streets foreman. Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek, left, says the two were recognized by both their co-workers and the town’s leadership team for their “dedication, contribution and commitment to our community.” They were recognized at the Jan. 21 Monument Town Council meeting. Photo by Tina Erickson.

TLWC accepting grant applications

Above: On Jan. 15, Tri-Lakes Women’s Club’s (TLWC) started accepting grant applications for 2025. Organizations eligible to apply include nonprofits, public service organizations, and public schools that serve the Tri-Lakes area. This year’s grants are worth up to $3,000, $1,000 more than before. The application package includes instructions as well as other important qualifying information. Applications must be submitted by Mar. 15. The TLWC program focuses on smaller organizations that typically do not have the staffing or resources to pursue grants from major granting foundations. Since 1973, TLWC has provided over $1 million in grants to local organizations including Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS), which bought an Automated External Defibrillator with the money. In the photo is Annie Vandenbussche, a school nurse consultant at PRHS. Photo by Amy Matisek.

Foggy fishing, Jan. 26

Above: The fog rolled in the morning of Jan. 26 making a mysterious scene on Monument Lake. The frozen lake was covered with ice fishing huts, and the trees were frosted white, making for a beautiful, though, cold morning. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic, Jan. 21

Above: Fireworks ended the Fourth Annual Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic. More than a thousand people saw Pine Creek High School beat the Lewis-Palmer Rangers for the second straight year in an overtime shootout. The score was 3-2. The Eagles took home the Star trophy, shaped like the Palmer Lake Star that was lit for the tournament. The event raises money for the Lewis-Palmer hockey team. Photo by Michael Weinfeld. See also the photo on page < 1 >.

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