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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

Schwarz honored for playground

Above: Tamara Schwarz has been honored for all she’s done as executive director of Trinity Community Park in Monument. She’s been named a Daily Point of Light by the Points of Light global non-profit. Daily Point of Light Awards honor individuals and groups who create meaningful change to meet community needs. In Schwarz’s case, she was instrumental in creating the playground that’s described as “the most state-of-the-art inclusive park in the region.” She often volunteers more than 50 hours a week at the park, overseeing other volunteers, and working on expanding the playground. Photo by Kim Marlin.

Eagle Scout project statue dedicated

Above: It took three years, but Colin Saber finally got to dedicate the statue of a P-51 Mustang aircraft that helped earn him his Eagle Scout badge. Nearly 100 people attended the ceremony in front of the Monument Town Hall on a blustery day June 8. Saber raised $55,000 to move the statue from a site in Fort Collins to the front of the Town Hall. His goal was to honor Monument resident Col. Earl Depner, who flew 100 missions in the plane as an Army Air Corps pilot during WWII, as well as sculptor Robert Henderson who created the statue. Depner died in 2022, and Henderson died a year later. Veteran Matthew Giles told the crowd that Col. Depner was “likely smiling down from the stratosphere.” Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

D38 communications wins awards

Above: The School District 38 Communications Team won 11 awards at the Colorado School Public Relations Association (COSPRA) Conference June 4–6 in Breckenridge. Amy Matisek, communications director for Lewis-Palmer School District 38 is on the left. The team’s Social Media Specialist and Photographer Stephanie Gonzalez (right) was named Communications Rookie of the Year. The team’s other awards were for writing, design, photography, and video. The honors were chosen by school public relations professionals from across the country. Photo by Tyler Dumas.

Palmer Lake Fishing Derby, June 7

Above: A record number of young anglers turned out for the Tri-Lakes Lions Club Kids Fishing Derby at Palmer Lake on June 7. Lions Club volunteer Jim Hazuka says 352 children, ages 4 to 14, cast their lines into Palmer Lake. The winner in the 4-to-7-year-old category was Leo Kobeisi (below left photo), who caught a 13.5-inch fish. Among kids 8 to 11, the winner was Noomi Reiss (below middle photo). The top three finishers in that category all caught fish measuring 13.5 inches. A ticket was picked out of a hat to break the tie and name Noomi the winner. In the 12-to-14-year-old category, the winner was McKenzie Fribbs (below right photo), whose winning catch measured 12 7/8 inches. All the victors received a fishing rod, tackle box, hat and a gift card. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Jim Maguire Celebration of Life, June 13

Above: More than 400 people attended a celebration of life for longtime Monument resident Jim Maguire, “the Mayor of Maguireville,” also known to friends as “Jumpin’ Jimmy” and “Brushfire Maguire.” Maguire died May 3 at the age of 96. The ceremony was held outside at his home on a warm and sunny day (in photo). Maguire’s son Kevin remembered his dad as a “collector of friends and stuff.” A lot of stuff. Maguire collected thousands of pieces of memorabilia and stored them in his two barns that he named Maguireville. Kevin also had this to say about his father: “He was a hard worker. He was a good husband. He had a fun-loving spirit, and he truly did hate to miss a party. He had a great sense of humor. He was an easy man to like. He loved people. He was a thoughtful, caring, faithful friend to many. He was always interested in other people’s lives. He was a good father, a supportive husband. He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye.” Maguire’s grandson Tyler Powell also spoke, thanking his “grampy” for being an “inspiration to all of us.” Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: The ceremony ended with a riderless horse accompanied by members of the Pikes Peak Ranger Rider Pivots. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Hayward and McGrath booksigning

Above: On Saturday, June 14 at Covered Treasures Bookstore, George Hayward, left, author of Party Dolls: The True Tragic Story of Two Americans Attempted Escape from a 1969 Hanoi POW Camp, and Mike McGrath, author of Prisoner of War: Six Years in Hanoi, signed their respective books for patrons, chatted and exchanged many stories of their time in military service. McGrath, at the time a young Navy pilot who was captured in 1967 after being shot down over Vietnam, vividly presents a straightforward and compelling tale of survival, of years of suffering, and of the human will to endure. At the book signing, McGrath told of his time of six years in the POW camp known as the Hanoi Hilton, and of the dire circumstances and powerful comradery of those interned. His book is filled with stories of the courage to live, and his original drawings from that time, including how they saved bread to sculpt needed items albeit contraband to have, wrote notes on toilet paper, and even used a bone from soup to sculpt a religious cross. Hayward wrote stories of the men of The Party Dolls that tells the true, tragic story of an escape code-named the “Party.” The book was awarded the 2021 Best Indie Book Award winner for Nonfiction Military History. Also shown in the picture chatting with the authors on the right are Madeline VanDenHoek and her husband Eric. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Wildfire risk reduction, June 14

Above: Monument Fire Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley led a June 14 presentation at The Barn in Woodmoor on wildfire risk in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI)—the zone where development meets or mingles with undeveloped vegetation. Introduced by Woodmoor Improvement Association Director of Forestry Jason Hann, Bradley discussed vegetation management, forest health, evacuation planning, and the role of community participation in wildfire protection. He cited recent regional fires, including the Berry, Waldo Canyon, Black Forest and West Monument Creek fires, and addressed rising insurance costs tied to wildfire threats. Attendees received handouts, including a personal wildfire action plan and a residential safety checklist (bit.ly/wildland-rsg). Bradley also promoted Monument Community Connect (bit.ly/connect-moco), a tool for residents to share information that can help first responders during emergencies. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

WMMI getting new entrance

Above: In mid-June, the North Gate Boulevard improvement project continued at the intersection of Struthers Road. According to the EngageCOS, the City Projects website ((https://parks.coloradosprings.gov/projects), the project “will improve the roadway at the Struthers intersection, installing enhanced infrastructure (convey stormwater into the city’s stormwater system, curbs, water quality vaults, pipes, and swales) and providing fewer lane changes for motorists.” It will “increase roadway safety and remove conflict points for motorists and pedestrians.” An August 2023 demolition and utility plan of the project shows a relocation of the Western Museum of Mining & Industry’s (WMMI) entrance to the signal at North Gate and Struthers through a re-route of the museum’s present driveway and a roundabout on the museum property. WMMI Executive Director Grant Dewey said the museum “is so thankful and excited to receive a new entry as part of the City of Colorado Springs upgrading of North Gate Boulevard. This will provide an easier and safer entry to our cultural campus after 55 years of using our authentic ranch dirt driveway.” Dewey extended appreciation to the Colorado Springs Public Works Department and contractors such as Wildcat Construction for their coordination with the museum. The project is estimated to be completed in September. Photo by David Futey

County Commissioners, June 21

Above: On June 21, El Paso County commissioners Holly Williams, District 1, and Bill Wysong, District 3, held an informal meeting with constituents at Wesley Owens coffee shop in Monument. The commissioners represent Woodmoor, Gleneagle, Black Forest, Palmer Lake, and Monument. About 40 residents, including local board members, councilors, and trustees attended. Williams said the county’s budget is limited due to TABOR and must be shared with local municipalities. Public Works Director Jack Ladley noted it costs about $1 million to pave one mile of road. His budget is around $23 million annually and the county has 2,410 lane miles to maintain. He said inflation drives up costs and warned that conflict in the Middle East could raise oil and asphalt prices. The discussion also addressed how development affects quality of life, with residents saying developers often override community concerns. Attendees questioned aquifer depletion, limited water supply, and the lack of county residents input in town planning decisions. They also raised concerns about wildfire mitigation, evacuation routes, and the need to balance growth with public safety. The group explored solutions such as increased citizen engagement and alternative funding, and requested future meetings be held in a larger venue. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Legacy at Jackson Landing, June 19

Above: The Legacy at Jackson Landing developer and planners held a community meeting June 19 at the Tri-Lakes Chamber Meeting House. Community members spoke with professional engineers Carl Barton, left, and Noah Brehmer, as well as the developer, Chris Hake (not shown). Issues discussed included the color schemes (earth tones), safety for public walkways and parking, green areas, traffic considerations, and site plans and elevations that showed the general look and feel of initial schematic design and design developments. Legacy at Jackson Landing is a 30-acre commercial development which includes a 129,000-square-foot “major” retailer, a potential hotel, restaurants, and additional retail space. It is located next to I-25 just north of Baptist Road. For more information on the project, see wp.ocn.me/v25n6monpc/. Photo by Janet Sellers.

WMMI History Day, June 21

Above: On June 21, the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) celebrated its annual History Day. WMMI visitors speak with a military re-enactor who provided information on the history of military rifles. The event was filled with a mix of activities and information from the museum and other organizations. Visitors could take hayrides around the property, ride in a soap box derby car provided by the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby organization, review military equipment, watch a military re-enactment, speak with re-enactors from the Colorado Military Historical Group Inc. and U.S. Army 250, and learn about other museums such as the Black American West Museum & Heritage Center in Denver and McAllister House Museum located in Colorado Springs. The WMMI operated some of its outdoor equipment including the Yellow Jacket Stamp Mill and the Osgood Steam Shovel. Information on upcoming events at the museum is at www.wmmi.org. Photo by David Futey.

Art Hop, June 27

Above: Being an artist, Daryl Muncey, came up with a creative idea when a tree fell on his fence last year; he built a replica of a one-room schoolhouse where he could hang more of his paintings. The bright blue building even comes equipped with a school bell in front that he rang for people who visited during Art Hop on June 27. The building is part of his Jefferson Studios complex at 215 Chapala Plaza in an alley off Second Street. Photo by Michael Weinfeld

Above: There’s also an artist gazebo where Our Community News volunteer and artist Janet Sellers displayed her brightly colored mural. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: Fellow artist, Dan Rich, showed off his art. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Cops and boppers, June 29

Above and below: Members of the Monument Police Department (MPD) mingled with young anglers at Monument Lake in an event called Cops and Bobbers on June 29. The event has been held elsewhere in Colorado and other states, but this was Monument’s first shot at it. The hope is that it’ll become an annual event. The aim is to give kids a chance to mingle and get to know members of their local police force while fishing. The children also got to choose from various swag including a junior police officer pin with a flashing red light and an MPD slap bracelet. By the way, for those who aren’t familiar with fishing terms, a bobber is the float that suspends the bait in the water. Above: Community Resource Officer Kelly Reifle and Scheel’s Marketing Director Jacey Sharping stand behind the table filled with MPD swag. Below: One of the kids taking part in the event casts his line. Photos by Michael Weinfeld.

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