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OCN

OCN

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

OCN > 2508 > Snapshots of Our Community

Snapshots of Our Community

July 31, 2025

  • July 4th Fireworks
  • Local landmark christened
  • Routes Outfitter ribbon-cutting
  • Sertoma places flags for July 4th
  • Pancake Breakfast, July 4
  • Palmer Lake Fun Run, July 4
  • Monument Hill Kiwanis 4th of July Children’s Parade
  • Monument Hill Kiwanis 4th of July Main Parade
  • Monument Street Fair
  • Bookstore celebrates 32 years
  • Ewerts and Ishko hold booksignings
  • Music at Limbach Park
  • Car Show at JCSL, July 12
  • Art Hop, July 25

July 4th Fireworks

Local landmark christened

Above: Palmer Lake residents gathered June 28 to celebrate the return of a beloved local landmark—a red British telephone box—at a tea party hosted by Richard and Lindsay Willan. The Willans originally salvaged the booth from an antique warehouse and installed it outside their Tudor-style home, where it became a quirky navigation point for locals. A year ago, a neighbor lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the 2,000-pound cast-iron booth, destroying it. The neighbor, Larry Bobo, survived. The Willans’ nephew in England sourced a replacement and shipped it stateside where it was unveiled to neighbors and community members including the Palmer Lake Fire Department. Guests enjoyed a traditional British tea potluck accompanied by the jazz stylings of Johnny Long ((www.johnlongblues.com). From left are the Willans family members with Richard in the center in a tux and tails, flanked from the right with celebrity chef Gene Kalesti, Lindsay, and Mai Kalesti in yellow. Bobo is represented as a cardboard Superman inside the phone booth. Photo by Krista Bobo.

Routes Outfitter ribbon-cutting

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 1 for Routes Outfitter. Routes continues to have beer and whisky on tap for visitors, just as the previously-named Trails End Taproom provided, but the space is now mostly dedicated to outdoor gear and rentals and bike repair. In photo, Routes Outfitter owners Kristin and Jason Mezey. Photo by Chris Jeub.

Sertoma places flags for July 4th

Above: On July 2, the Gleneagle Sertoma performed its annual placement of flags for the Fourth of July along both sides of Gleneagle Drive and around the roundabout at Struthers Road. Sertoma members typically place over 300 flags to put drivers and walkers in the Fourth of July spirit. Photo by David Futey.

Pancake Breakfast, July 4

Above: On a sunny Fourth of July morning, Knights of Columbus (KofC) Council 11514 hosted its annual Fourth of July pancake breakfast fundraiser on the St. Peter Church walkway. Bob Lynn, Grand Knight for Council 11514 and coordinator of this year’s breakfast, said over 1,400 people were expected to attend. For $10, attendees ate scrambled eggs, pancakes, two types of sausages and beverages. Volunteers for the event included KofC members and their families, Monument Boy Scout Troop 17, Veterans of Foreign Wars members and the Monument Hill Kiwanis. Lynn said, “This is a terrific event that Monument puts on every year, and we look forward to doing the breakfast. It’s our biggest fundraiser.” Proceeds support Tri Lakes Cares, Mater Filius at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, Bakhita Mountain Home in Colorado Springs, and parish events. Photo by David Futey.

Palmer Lake Fun Run, July 4

The 43rd Annual Palmer Lake Fun Run kicked off Tri-Lakes area Fourth of July events. Race director Jenny Davey said a little ove 800 runners were expected. The fundraiser supports teachers at Palmer Lake Elementary School (PLES). Davey said, “the race proceeds go to grants for all teachers at the beginning of the year for classroom supplies and items like smart boards.” The race was supported by a number of area sponsors. The platinum sponsors were The Palmer Lake House, Tri-Lakes Paint Company, Bluestaq LLC., Freedom Express Car Wash and Black Hills Energy. Each sponsored a segment of the race. Davey was very appreciative of race volunteers from the Tri-Lakes YMCA, teachers and students from PLES and other community members. The top male finisher was Aiden Le Roux who ran the course in 19 minutes, 27 and 69 100th seconds. The top female finisher was Elin Latta of San Antonio, TX whose time was 23 minutes, six and 54 100th seconds.

Above: Members of the Tri-Lakes Runners, led by club owner Marc Johnson (left), were excited to race in the Palmer Lake Fun Run,

Above: Runners make their way around Palmer Lake just after the start of the Palmer Lake Fun Run. Photos by David Futey.

Monument Hill Kiwanis 4th of July Children’s Parade

Above: The beginning of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Children’s Parade. Photo by David Futey

Above: Gloria Beasley and Joy Beasley used balloons for a festive bike decoration as they readied to join in the Monument Hill Kiwanis Children’s Parade. Photo by David Futey

Above: Bike riders in the Monument Hill Kiwanis Children’s Parade. Photo by David Futey.

Monument Hill Kiwanis 4th of July Main Parade

Photos by David Futey

Beginning of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade
Monument Cub Scout Pack 117
Girl Scout Troop 45230

Monument Boy Scout Troop 17
Girl Scout Troop 41354
Bill Kaelin, President, Monument Hill Kiwanis
Rich Hicks, Monument Hill Kiwanian of the Year
Lewis Palmer School District 38
Tri-Lakes Women’s Club
Palmer Ridge High School Cheerleaders
Palmer Ridge High School Football Team
Lewis-Palmer High School Poms
Lewis-Palmer High School Football Team
PRHS Bearbotics
Madison Finlay-Wagner, El Paso County Fair Queen
Air Force Academy Cheerleaders
Monument Fire Department

Monument Street Fair

Above: Before and after the parade, people enjoyed the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Street Fair on the Fourth of July. Local businesses, non-profit organizations, food vendors and a variety of arts and crafts booths were available for browsing. Photo by David Futey.

Bookstore celebrates 32 years

Above: Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument celebrated its 32nd birthday on July 17 and to mark the occasion, owner Tommie Plank committed 32% of her sales that day to the Heart of Monument Play Park. The playground for all ages and abilities is a project of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club in partnership with the Town of Monument and Monument Community Presbyterian Church. The promotion raised more than $800 for the park and Plank rounded the donation up to an even $1,000. Photo and caption bv Susan Davies.

Ewerts and Ishko hold booksignings

Above: Covered Treasures Bookstore on Second Street in Monument hosted two authors for book signings on July 25. Both authors have written series for children. Nick Ishko, who lives in Monument, has written a series about Little John, The Little John Chronicles, that follows the character before he became part of Robin Hood’s band of merry men in Sherwood Forest. Gabriele Ewerts is also a children’s book author whose series of four books involve Sophie on her “portal” journeys. She also writes poetry and music. These children’s series are available at Covered Treasures. Photo by Steve Pate

Music at Limbach Park

Above: At the conclusion of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade, spectators made their way to Limbach Park for a family-friendly beer garden and live music. The opening band was the El Paso County Outlaw Band. Photo by David Futey.

Car Show at JCSL, July 12

Above: Jackson Creek Senior Living (JCSL) sponsored a “Diners, Desserts & Drives” event on July 12 with the Tri-Lakes Cruisers local car club. Vintage hotrods and restored cars were displayed for residents of JCSL or anyone else who stopped by. Right: A 1967 Dodge Charger restored by Larry Sutton, a member of Tri-Lakes Cruisers. Photos by Steve Pate

Art Hop, July 25

Above: At Art Hop on July 25, at Jefferson Studios, artist Kristin Colvin shared her art in many media and talked with visitors about art and art making. Daryl Muncey, artist and Jefferson Studios gallery owner, introduced his newest mural. Muncy has created a village-like mini art campus with several areas to exhibit art. Photos by Janet Sellers.

Other Snapshots of Our Community articles

  • Snapshots of Our Community (7/2/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (6/7/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (5/3/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (4/5/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (3/1/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (2/1/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (1/4/2025)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (12/5/2024)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (11/2/2024)
  • Snapshots of Our Community (10/5/2024)
<- Art Matters – We Can’t Unchop a Tree
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