Love moves mountains

I have the privilege of being on the team which is organizing this year’s Pride Above the Clouds (PATC) event at Memorial Park on June 7, from 10-3. This will be my second year as a volunteer for PATC and we are creating a fabulously fun day with live music, lawn games, a children’s art table, puppet show, face painting, chalk art, and lots of fun vendor booths to visit!

It is very important to me that all people feel welcome and accepted in our community. We want the natural beauty of our surroundings to also be reflected in the way we treat each other. Pride Above the Clouds is a family-friendly event full of art, music, fun, and joy, inspiring this year’s logo: Love Moves Mountains. I’m also a vendor – Beth’s Mosaics. Come by and say hello! Hope to see you there!

Beth Meyerson Sterkel, Woodland Park

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Pine needle collection

THANK YOU, Fire Chief Tyler Lambert – NETCO Fire Department, for his leadership on organizing another Pine Needle Collection at the NETCO Fire Department and at other Teller County sites.

A special Thank you to Teller County, the City of Woodland Park, and Park State Bank for their generous financial support to pay for the majority of the roll off bins. There were 19 bins for Woodland Park this year.

A special recognition to Apex Waste Solutions for being such a great community partner in this effort. Their team regularly emptied the bins and their willingness to make this cost effective for our community is greatly appreciated. If you are in the market for waste services, seriously consider them.

A “Thank You” to all the residents that brought their pine needles and for their donations to “The Boot.” Those who took time to share, were thankful for this service for the community and that it is greatly needed, especially in this extremely dry year. Having this local service saved them significant time, expense and fuel costs from having to drive their pine needles to Colorado Springs.

Victor Lebario, Woodland Park

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Power of community

When my family and I decided to move to this small mountain town, we were searching for what many people hope to find when making such a life-changing leap: a close-knit school district where teachers feel like family, a slower pace of life, and the beauty of nature surrounding us every day. We wanted a place where community truly mattered.

Community has always been important to me, and we arrived in Woodland Park during a particularly difficult time. Driven by a desire to “be the adult you needed when you were a child,” I became active in supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Growing up feeling “different” is never easy. Living authentically takes courage — and can sometimes be frightening — but one of its greatest gifts is the opportunity to meet some of the best people you’ll ever know.

I have seen firsthand the incredible power of community, and one beautiful example of that is Pride Above the Clouds. What began as a small picnic hosted by supportive neighbors has grown into a vibrant celebration featuring vendors, food trucks, entertainers, and activities for kids. Watching it bloom has been nothing short of inspiring. It stands as a reminder that love, acceptance, and equality rise above all else.

If you are looking for a welcoming and inclusive event, please join us at Memorial Park on June 7, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. for Pride Above the Clouds. Love moves mountains!

Allison Avery-Wollenhaupt, Woodland Park