This is a fan letter.
I read the most recent edition of the Pikes Peak Bulletin cover to cover. Even at this darkest time of year, the Bulletin is working to deliver the light of community. In an age when local newspapers are disappearing at a rapid pace, the Bulletin has re-invented itself and is proving that it is possible to sell good news.
In this season of gratitude, I am particularly grateful to see my friends and neighbors writing and producing the stories that bind us all together. I know it’s work and that there are deadlines and stress, but our local newspaper now celebrates the Westside, Manitou Springs and Ute Pass.
Great job! There is nothing wrong with a refreshing celebration of community.
The incomparable Rhonda Van Pelt wrote about Miramont Castle and shared information about the Community Congregational Church and Manitou Springs Real Estate, all engaged in efforts to help those in need.
Encouraging us to take a breath in this busy season, she added a piece about favorite holiday movies. Her photos and those of others throughout the paper enlivened the story-telling.
The indefatigable Ralph Routon celebrated the wonderful work of the Creative Alliance, highlighting new public art and community events and projects and looking forward to exciting happenings in the new year.
We can all be proud, and a little amazed, that their work and partnerships with the city and Chamber of Commerce resulted in Manitou Springs again being recognized as one of the very best small-town art scenes in America.
Laura Ettinger-Harwell produced a nice reminder about the importance of civic engagement and offered essential suggestions for supporting this newspaper. In his own irreplaceable way, John Hazelhurst added an upbeat piece about ways to find contentment, and a great historical article about Pikes Peak region photographers.
My thanks to William Dagendesh for his efforts to cover City Council and the city’s operations. Their work is sometimes tedious and often thankless, but informing the public of their actions is so necessary for the smooth functioning of our local democracy.
During the Bulletin’s transition earlier in 2023, we were losing an essential piece of what makes us a community without thoughtful reporting on our city government.
Last week’s Bulletin included holiday, arts and music events throughout the Westside, and reports of grants awarded for Intemann Trail repairs and for new vehicle chargers.
Annie Schmitt contributed an uplifting story of a local volunteer firefighter helping the homeless. Jeanne Davant reported on an interesting new business in town. I also learned of the Smokebrush Foundation’s plans to honor local treasure Sophie Cowman.
In an age when some other school boards are garnering headlines for all the wrong reasons, our School District 14 board and staff continue to focus on excellent education for all the children attending our schools.
There is a great photo of the high school theater ensemble. And the ubiquitous Daniel Mohrmann continues to provide an encouraging take on Mustang athletic teams, complete with Anthony Graham’s photos.
All this work in 24 packed pages! It occurs to me as I write this that the Bulletin staff has left last week’s news behind and is already busy working on this week’s issue and planning for next week.
Thank you all for helping lift our spirits and keep us informed.
We have all heard reports that the next generation doesn’t read newspapers, but the Bulletin has plenty to inform them, too.
I’ll deliver a check to you for three new subscriptions for my grown children. Just don’t tell them; it’s a Christmas surprise.