By Larry Sparks
On June 5, the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce held its monthly breakfast meeting at Grace Community Church in Falcon.
The breakfast sponsor was Connie Crippen of Adams Bank & Trust. She also brought her sons, Wyatt and Marshall Crippen. Connie spoke about commercial banking and the services offered by Adams Bank. Our chamber has been blessed to have such an experienced banker in our membership. Her boys spoke about the El Paso County Fair and the animals they are raising for the auction. Wyatt and Marshall invited us to enjoy the fair, to participate in the auction and appreciate the animals that have been locally raised. The fair will run July 13-20. the fair’s website: https://www.elpasocountyfair.com/p/fair-information
Our main presentation came from the American Legion. This vital organization has been around since 1919. Throughout its history, the American Legion has focused on supporting veterans, promoting patriotism and educating the youth of our great nation. Local Post 2008 brought the presentation. The speaker was the newly installed commander, Ryan Fitzgerald Jr., who spoke about his own experience as an Air Force veteran. Through the speech contest, scholarship opportunities and leadership camps, the American Legion is committed to developing young leaders and promoting patriotism among American youth. Ryan is ready to apply his youth and experience in leading this post to greater achievement.
On July 20, the Post will hold its 15th annual Golf Tournament at Antler Creek in Falcon. You are encouraged to sign up or to donate to the great work done by the American Legion: https://www.legionpost2008.com/american-legion-golf-fundraiser.
Through its members, like Adams Bank & Trust and American Legion Post 2008, the Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce strives to build a vibrant business community that offers education and engagement to enrich our community.
The chamber will meet July 3 at Grace Community Church. May everyone enjoy a fun and safe Fourth of July!
Flying Horse King Soopers galloping on
King Soopers is building a 118,000-square-foot store, with a $36.4 million price tag.
The store is located at Highway 83 and North Gate Boulevard, and is part of the Flying Horse development.
The Flying Horse store will be larger — what they call a marketplace store — about twice the size of King Soopers’ regular grocery stores. Marketplace stores sell clothing, dinnerware, household goods, small appliances and more, along with a full line of groceries. A Starbucks, a Murray’s cheese shop, a fuel station and a pharmacy with a drive-thru are all planned as part of the commercial development.
The new store will serve Flying Horse but also draw people from Northgate, The Farm and Black Forest.
“We continue to make steady progress on this project,” said Jessica Trowbridge, from King Soopers corporate affairs. “Currently, three-quarters of the walls are up and the building steel is starting to be erected. We look forward to serving the community and anticipate that the store will open early in 2025.”
Caption for graphic: The King Soopers new marketplace store at Highway 83 and North Gate Boulevard is anticipated to open in early 2025.
MVEA elects board president
Kevin Paddock, District 5 representative, has been elected president of the Mountain View Electric Association Board of Directors.
Paddock, previously serving as secretary/treasurer, has been a MVEA board member since 2018. He retired in June 2021 from a 31-year career with Colorado Springs Utilities Water Treatment, his latter17 years as operations supervisor.