Above: This photo of alpenglow, a pinkish or reddish glow appearing on Mount Herman, was taken two minutes before sunrise on Jan. 18. The photo was taken from the intersection of Red Rock Ranch Drive and Highway 105. Photo by Randy Phillips.
Geese at Sunset
Above: A flock of geese enhances another beautiful sunset on Jan. 12. The photo was taken from the Monument Whataburger parking lot. Photo by Randy Phillips.
Ice Fishing on Monument Lake
Above: Hardy local fishermen braved the cold temperatures to pitch their ice-fishing tents on Monument Lake in January. Ice fishing fans can walk to their spot and fish; they don’t have to take a boat, and proponents say that fish are usually schooled up better and that winter fish taste better due to no algae in the water. Photo by Janet Sellers.
Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic, Jan. 17
Above: After a week’s delay because the lake hadn’t frozen, the Fifth Annual Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic got off to a good start on Jan. 17 when the loudspeakers blared the news that the Broncos had beaten the Bills 33-30 in overtime. The crowd of about 1,200 had even more to cheer about when the Lewis-Palmer Rangers made it into the championship round by getting past Liberty High School of Colorado Springs 4-1. But the Rangers lost to Chaparral High School of Parker 4-2. The Chaparral Wolverines took home the Star Trophy that’s shaped like the Palmer Lake Star, which was lit for the tournament. The event raises money for the Lewis-Palmer hockey team. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.
Icicle on Mount Herman
This photo of an icicle was taken on Mount Herman’s summit at midafternoon, Jan. 10. Beauty can be found when one looks for it. Photo by Randy Phillips.
Rotary Club assembles Blessing Bags
Above: Members of the Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary Club heard authors Michael Weinfeld and John Howe talk about the history of Monument Cemetery at their Jan. 15 meeting. Weinfeld and Howe told the group about many of the people buried in the cemetery as well as other bits of information about how they gathered information for their book Shootouts, Killings, and War Heroes: The History Hidden in Monument Cemetery. After the talk, the group assembled Blessing Bags (in photo) for the local police department that will be distributed to people in need. The bags are filled with hats, gloves, socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste, granola bars, crackers, fruity snacks, and water bottles. Photo by Steve Eaton.
Hockey lessons on the lake
Above: On Saturday, Jan. 17, the surface of Palmer Lake was finally frozen enough for enthusiasts to play ice hockey at the Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic’s rescheduled events, which ranged from learning sessions to games over the course of the weekend. Photo by Janet Sellers.
TLWC Seeking Grant Applications
The Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) is looking for groups that qualify for grants. TLWC’s Grant Application Program for 2026 is available Jan. 15 through March 15 on the club’s website www.tlwc.net. The program focuses on smaller organizations that typically do not have the staffing or resources to pursue grants from major granting foundations. Grants are a maximum of $3,000. Organizations eligible to apply for a grant include nonprofits, public service groups, and public schools that serve the Tri-Lakes area. Since 1973, TLWC has provided more than $1 million in grants. An example is Palmer Ridge High School student Addie Seymour, who used a TLWC grant to revive an unused aquaponic greenhouse to grow fresh produce (in photo). Addie and her team donated about 269 bags of lettuce to Tri-Lakes Cares last year as part of her 4-H project. Photo by Lisa Seymour.
EcoSpa groundbreaking, Jan. 22
Above On Jan. 22, Lindsay Willan and Kat Tudor, EcoSpa owners and partners, broke ground for the ERock Experience project that hopes to open this year. Elephant Rock is the name of the 28-acre town-owned property in Palmer Lake that was deeded to the town after the Living Word Fellowship abandoned the site in 2021. The ERock Experience, by developers Lindsay and Richard Willan, is slated to be a full-service wellness and community destination. The project will renovate the abandoned concrete swimming pool and pool house to create the spa and will operate under a lease-to-own agreement. From left are Lindsay Willan and Tudor. Photo provided by Lindsay Willan.
HSEA groundbreaking, Jan. 28
Above: School District 38 parents, students, staff, and school board members gathered Jan. 29 near the district’s “Big Red” administration building for the groundbreaking of the new Home School Enrichment Academy (HSEA) facility. Communications Director Amy Matisek emceed the event, which included remarks from board Vice President Patti Shank, Principal Julie Jadomski, Superintendent Amber Whetstine, and fifth-grader Ellie Torres. Students, led by music teacher Michael Norris, sang before attendees donned hard hats and broke ground. Pictured: From left are Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway, board Treasurer Todd Brown, Whetstine, Shank, and Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds Melissa Andrews. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
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