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December 10, 2014 VOLU M E 49 | I S S UE 47 | 7 5 ¢
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Life Academy co-founder returned from his sixth mission trip Palmisano ran a marathon to help benefit Life Academy co-founder Lexie Forbes By Danny Summers
dsummers @coloradocommunitymedia.com In 2004, Paul Palmisano and Lexie Forbes created an independent, diploma-granting high school from scratch in a wooded area of Monument. Located north of Baptist Road, Life Academy has undergone several changes over the years, but the one constant has been Palmisano’s devotion to helping those people in need – even 2,000 miles away – for the greater purpose of shining light onto God. “‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Palmisano quoted from Romans 10:15. Palmisano recently returned from his sixth mission trip to his former home in New York City, where he ran a benefit marathon and delivered information on Gospelbearing safe-houses to the sex-trafficked and homeless populations on the streets of the Boroughs. The marathon was to benefit Forbes. Two years ago she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and eventually had her thyroid removed.
LEFT: Paul Palmisano stands on the deck of the Monument Academy schoolhouse for a time of reflection. Palmisano co-founded the school with Lexie Forbes in 2004. ABOVE: Paul Palmisano is the principal and co-founder of Life Academy in Monument. Palmisano recently returned from a mission trip to New York City, where he also ran a marathon. Photos by Danny Summers Health care expenses mounted and she was eventually forced to take disability retirement. Palmisano had hoped to run in the New York City Marathon, but the race was already capped with entrants, so he did the next best thing by creating his own 26.2-mile course and running through the streets and parks of the Big Apple. His route took him through the pouring rain in Forest Park among other landmarks.
Palmisano trained hard leading up to the marathon, working out on an almost daily basis at the TriLakes YMCA. But running 26 miles for a man in his early 50’s is not an easy thing to do, so Palmisano called upon several friends to help him in his adventure. He named them “Lexie’s Midnight Runners.” “Thank God for His sustaining grace,” Palmisano said. “I thank God also for the support of Robert Smith, George Hines, Patty Schaefer, Ber-
nadette Delaney, and Shari Lewis for helping me cover the mileage.” Forbes, who moved to the state of Washington in October to care for her elderly mother, was overwhelmed with Palmisano’s generous act of kindness. “That’s Paul,” Forbes said. “He will do whatever it takes to get things done. “He reached out to supporters and asked if they would support our efforts and the response was great.”
For now, Forbes has won her battle with thyroid cancer. She underwent radiation treatment to kill cancer cells in March. “There are still days when my stamina is reduced quite a bit,” she said. “My mental capacity is impacted more than anything. I sometimes forget words in the middle of sentences.” White at Life Academy, Forbes provided administrative support, Mission continues on Page 9
Local motives Calling attention to products produced here POSTAL ADDRESS
By Rob Carrigan
rcarrigan @coloradocommunitymedia.com As your local weekly newspaper, we are all about calling attention to local products and achievements. Every week we try to focus on
OFFICE: 325 Second Street, Suite R Monument, CO 80132 PHONE: 719-687-3006 A legal newspaper of general circulation in El Paso County, Colorado, the Tri-Lakes Tribune is published weekly on Wednesday by Colorado Community Media, 1200 E. Highway 24, Woodland Park, CO 80863. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONUMENT, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
tainable production, processing, distribution, and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a particular place. If you have ideas or suggestions, let us know by emailing Rob Carrigan at rcarrigan@coloradocommunitymedia.com.
Made In Monument
TRI-LAKES TRIBUNE (USPS 418-960)
what makes the Tri-Lakes a special place. To highlight some of those local manifestations of creativity and initiative, this week we begin an occasional series examining standouts produced right here in our own backyard. Buying locally and the local food movement is a collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant economies in which sus-
Sweetness around the country, 1492 and the Discovery of Chocolate By Dave Smith
Contributing writer There is no denying the power of chocolate. In its many manifestations the sweet, rich confection seems to take a powerful hold upon humans, both body and mind. Chocolate causes people to go out in the waning hours of night to purchase a small bar of the stuff. Chocolate makes folks knowingly, willingly consume tremendous quantities and not care one bit. It can even cause people to wax eloquent, as the following quotes testify. “Your hand and your mouth agreed many years ago that, as far as chocolate is concerned, there is no need to involve your brain.” – Dave Berry, Columnist “Anything is good if it’s made of chocolate” – Jo Brand, English stand-up comedienne “The superiority of chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain.” – Thomas Jefferson “Chocolate is so temperamental, and I love a challenge.” – Courtney Lundin, Founder and Chocolate continues on Page 5
Owner and Pastry Chef Courtney Lundin outside of her gourmet chocolate shop in downtown Monument. Photos by Dave Smith