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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

Caption Correction

In the Aug. 2 issue of Our Community News, we reported that Tommie Plank donated 32% of her sales at Covered Treasures Bookstore to mark the 32nd anniversary of the store. Plank actually donated 32% of her net sales. OCN regrets the error.

Buc-ee’s opponents’ meeting, July 27

Above: On July 27, nearly 100 residents gathered at the Woodmoor Community Center (the Barn) to discuss next steps following the Town of Palmer Lake’s July 25 release of a draft annexation agreement for the proposed Buc-ee’s Travel Center. Speakers emphasized key upcoming dates: the Planning Commission meeting on Aug. 20, which was continued to Sept. 3; the Board of Trustees annexation vote postponed from Aug. 28 to Oct. 2; and a pivotal special election on Sept. 9 to recall and replace Trustees Kevin Dreher and Shana Ball with two of three candidates—Beth Harris, John Marble, and Roger Mosely. It also features a citizen-led ballot initiative that, if passed, would require all future annexations—including Buc-ee’s—to go to a public vote. The annexation proposal has drawn statewide attention. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet recently voiced opposition, calling the plan a “flagpole annexation” that threatens open space, water resources, and Colorado’s conservation legacy. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Kiwanis peach sales raise $10.4K

Above: Monument Hill Kiwanis Club raised $10,439 for community projects last month. The money came from sales of Colorado Palisades peaches. Every year, the club sells peaches to raise money. This year, they delivered 976 boxes full of them on Aug. 2. From left, Ed Tomlinson, Bob Eskridge, Greg Bielinski, Jack Fry, Assistant Project Manager Liam Wynne, and Kathy Strom (back to camera) appear to be enjoying the experience. Photo by Warren Gerig.

MFD receives accreditation, Aug. 5

Above: From left, Vice President John Hildebrandt, Treasurer Tom Kelly, Bookkeeper Jenny Bilbrey, Secretary Duane Garrett, Director of Administration Jennifer Martin, Lt. Curt Leonhardt, Battalion Chiefs Shannon Balvanz, Kris Mola, and Scott Ridings, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley, Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner, Executive Battalion Chief Janaka Branden, Engineer Christian Schmidt, President Mark Gunderman, Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremy Furman, and Mike Barakay, lead member of the peer assessment team that referred Monument Fire District (MFD) for accreditation, at the Westin Hotel, Denver International Airport on Aug. 5. The group gathered for a hearing before receiving the accreditation award from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and accreditation program. MFD is one of only 300 agencies to achieve International Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence Inc. (CPSE). CFAI is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies worldwide in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation, providing continuous quality improvement, and enhancing service delivery to their communities. Kovacs stated that the agency’s achievement of Accredited Agency status “demonstrates the commitment of the agency to provide the highest quality of service to our community.” Kovacs also said, “We have also been able to use the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s process as a proactive mechanism to plan for the future of this agency and locate areas where we can improve on the quality of the services we provide.” Kovacs confirmed the accreditation process took about three years to complete and cost $21,787. Photo courtesy of MFD.

Chautauqua in Palmer Lake

Above: The annual Chautauqua at Palmer Lake, held July through Aug. 3, offered myriad of cultural events including presentations, daily yoga practice, live music, cultural workshops, theater, and more. Here, poets and enthusiasts shared original poetry and classical Shakespeare sonnets at the Palmer Lake Village Green. Artists enjoyed a plein air workshop at the lake after the plein air painting competition. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Above: An acoustic version of Ashtōnz with Charlie Searle, Kerrie Paige, and Nathan Gillis provided music to wrap up the Chautauqua festival in Palmer Lake Park. The event, which might become an annual festival in Palmer Lake, provided vendors and entertainment. The afternoon had been rainy and chilly, but the Ashtōnz were enjoyed by those who attended. Photo by Patt Kupka.

MFD “push-in” event, Aug. 8

Above: Firefighter Connor Parker is positioned behind the wheel of the district’s latest ambulance as Monument Fire District firefighters assist with the time-honored tradition of “pushing-in” the engine, at the Station 4 bay, on Aug. 8. The district ambulances get the most wear and tear responding to incidents and local area hospitals, and the apparatus is one of two ambulances scheduled to replace the older ambulances this year. The ceremony is a symbolic gesture to the time when firefighters pushed in horse-drawn steamer engines. After fighting the fire, crews would ready the horses in the stable for the next call, but because horses will not walk backward when they are under load, crews would push the apparatus back into the narrow station bay. The time-honored tradition continues nationwide whenever a department is lucky to receive new apparatus. Several board directors and a few residents also attended the event. Photo By Natalie Barszcz.

National Neighborhood Night Out

Above: From left, Lt. Keith Barker of Monument Fire District’s Station 4 “C” Shift, residents Connor Johnston and Lucian Fiorito, and firefighter Connor Parker participate in the annual National Neighborhood Night Out event at the Little Train Park in Promontory Pointe on Aug. 9. The Promontory Pointe Homeowners Association board members hosted the annual picnic for about 80 guests, to thank local first responders from Monument Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and Monument Fire Department for providing a safe neighborhood. Participants were served food from Arlene’s Beans and Lolley’s Ice Cream of Monument. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Annual GCA Picnic, Aug. 16

Above: On Aug. 16, the Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) held its annual picnic at the Pauma Valley pavilion. GCA board members, from left, are Glenn Leimbach, Steve Kouri, Jeff McLemore (in rear), Jimmy Owenby, and Mark Connell hosted the event with over 200 community members attending throughout the afternoon. Attendees enjoyed a variety of barbecue meats and potluck dishes, along with music, bounce houses for the children, a raffle, and community fellowship. Connell expressed great appreciation to all the businesses that provided generous support for the raffle. Over 50 businesses contributed items, including a barbecue grill, various merchandise, and a variety of meal gift cards from area restaurants. Photo by David Futey.

New Activity Center Opens, Aug. 20

Above: Monument Community Presbyterian Church might not be the permanent location for the senior center that just had its ribbon-cutting on Aug. 20. President and CEO of Silver Key Senior Services Jason DeaBueno told the huge crowd that Classic Homes has pledged to donate about 2 acres of land on Jackson Creek Parkway between the YMCA and Whataburger for an all-ages community center. He says the donation is contingent on $13 million-$17 million being raised for construction. The first clue that the center, which moved from Grace Best Education Center, might not eventually be just for seniors came with the new name, Silver Key Tri-Lakes Activity Center. Marketing and Communications Manager Angela McGuire says more than 40 volunteers helped make the move from Grace Best, where the center had been for about three years. Caption by Michael Weinfeld. Photo by Steve Pate.

Kiwanis awards scholarships

Above: Monument Hill Foundation, the funding arm of the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club, awarded five scholarships totaling $10,000 this year. The scholarships went to Jay Olgren, Eden Ortega, Hayden Fields, Tasniem Ben Saud, and David Schultz. Olgren will study zoology, Ortega will study construction management, and Fields is enrolled in a Certified Nurse’s Assistant Program. Ben Saud will be studying psychology, and Shultz will major in law enforcement. Field’s sister Kaylie is a past recipient. She used her scholarship to earn her associate’s degree in criminology and is now pursuing her B.A. From left are Olgren, Ortega, Kaylie Fields and her sister Hayden. Kiwanian Ted Bauman is in the rear. Photo by Warren Gerig.

Zettlemoyer earns Gold Award

Above: Girl Scout Julia Zettlemoyer has earned a Gold Award for building a dog park at Trinity Community Park (TCP) in Monument. Fewer than 6% of Girl Scouts nationwide qualify for the Gold Award. Julia spent eight months planning and building the project. Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 44179 helped her build the park and clean up after earning a Bronze Award for their efforts. The dog park will be formally celebrated on Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In photo, TCP Executive Director Tamara Schwarz is with Zettlemoyer and Chocolate the dog. Photo by Mayra Zettlemoyer.

Station 2 ribbon-cutting, Aug. 9

Above: From left, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Andrea Van Note, President Mark Gunderman, Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner (cutting the ribbon), Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, and Chamber Ambassador Sandy Shook are pictured at the Monument Fire District Station 2 remodel ribbon-cutting on Aug. 9. Pictured rear from left: Director Tim De Leon, Battalion Chief Kris Mola, Monument Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek, and Treasurer Tom Kelly. The station remodel project, costing $1.719 million, was designed by OZ Architecture, with Flintco Inc. completing the remodel and John Sattler of NV5 Inc. providing the owner’s representative services for the district. Photo courtesy of MFD.

PLES gets new preschool program

Above: Palmer Lake Elementary celebrated its new preschool program on Aug. 12 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opening of a new playground. Funding for the playground was provided by School District 38. The Monument Hill Kiwanis Club has paid for additional playground equipment. Information provided by Tyler Dumas. Photo by D38 Social Media Specialist Stephanie Gonzalez.

TL Cruisers 22nd Annual Car Show

Above: On Aug. 17, Tri-Lakes Cruisers hosted its 22nd annual benefit car show, lining Second Street in historic downtown Monument with vehicles including vintage classics and hot rods. Visitors enjoyed music, vendors, and prizes in the Betty Konarski Sculpture Park near the D38 administration building known as “Big Red.” Proceeds support Tri-Lakes Cares, which provides food, financial, medical, and transportation assistance to neighbors in need. Tri-Lakes Cruisers welcomes members from across the region with all types of vehicles—foreign or domestic, restored or daily drivers. Learn more at www.trilakescruisers.com and www.tri-lakescares.org. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Hummingbird Festival, Aug. 22-23

Above: On Aug. 22-23, visitors to the Hummingbird Festival at the historic Jackson Ranch observed the friendly alpacas, vendors, hummingbird talks and viewed the hummingbirds at the feeders and in pine trees overhead. Many visitors wanted tips and information about hummingbirds and how to attract them to their gardens. Some attendees reported they had hundreds of birds this year, while others reported a decline in bird visits. One visitor shared videos of the hundreds of birds that visit his garden, drinking over 2 gallons of prepared nectar a day. The Tri-Lakes region is home to the broad-tailed hummingbird all season and is an extended stopover site for the orange rufous hummingbird. Infrequent to our area of the four Colorado hummingbirds are calliope hummingbirds, preferring higher elevations at 8,500 feet, and the black-chinned preferring elevations below 6,000 feet. Photo by Janet Sellers.

PPLD Concert, Aug. 29

Above: On Aug. 29, the Pikes Peak Library District launched its free summer concert series at the Palmer Lake Village Green & Gazebo, next to the Palmer Lake Library. The featured performers, Peak Big Band, brought big band classics and rock favorites—including Duke Ellington and Guns N’ Roses—but moved indoors to Palmer Lake’s historic Town Hall due to rain. Among the musicians were two former D38 talents: former Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) band director Butch Eversole and a 2024 PRHS graduate. Despite the weather, attendees made the most of the evening—some sat inside, others on the porch or under trees, enjoying the music and dancing in the rain. Two more concerts are scheduled for Sept. 5 and 12, from 6-7 p.m., free to all. Details available at https://ppld.org/palmer-lake-library-concert-series-2025. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Bonus Video – Surprise Load at the Second Street Train Crossing

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