The Castle Pines Connection

Contributed by Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Elaine Love “Quack, quack, quack,” said the duck as he swam as fast as he could down Plum Creek. “Get out of my ‘quack’ way! I can win a one million dollar annuity if I’m one of the three lucky ducks who floats across the finish line first!”…

The International Youth Ballet presents two productions of Cinderella on Saturday, June 4, at the Newman Center Gates Concert Hall, at The University of Denver. Children’s show – Saturday, June 4, at 2:30 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite Cinderella character, receive a goodie bag, and meet the ballerinas for an autograph session after the…

Sedalia Historic Museum and Gardens’ publicist Carole Williams stands next to the restored fireplace/mantel and watercolors by a local artist. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West If you are looking for a charming Mother’s Day weekend outing, consider visiting Sedalia. Located less than five miles north of Castle Pines Village on the corner of…

McLennan hitting the slalom course during a recent competition. Article by Amy Shanahan with photo courtesy of SkiPix.com, LLC/Wendy Scipione Castle Pines resident and Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) sixth grader, RJ McLennan, is passionate about skiing. In fact, McLennan is a ski racer who has been skiing since the age of three, and skiing…

Information and photo provided by Amy Shanahan The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) Jazz Band performed at the 2011 Jazz Celebration at Metro State on April 8. The band performed and received number one overall Superior Ratings from the five judges and clinicians. The Jazz Celebration at Metro State is in its tenth year and…

Submitted by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office On Wednesday, May 4, starting at 8 a.m., deputies, police officers, and many others within Douglas County will carry the Flame of Hope, in support of a group of very special athletes associated with Special Olympics Colorado. Deputies, police officers, security guards, civilian personnel, county employees, and members…

Submitted by Robert Rotruck American Legion Post 1187 The Harry C. Miller Post 1187 of Castle Rock has selected Castle Pines resident Russell Maranto to participate in the 2011 Colorado Boys State event June 5 – 11, which will be held on the CSU Pueblo Campus. Russell, an eagle scout and a junior at Rock…

by Elizabeth Wood West Castle Pines Village residents will soon be able to enjoy more peace and quiet and less unwanted train horn noise. Through the efforts of Village resident Don Somsky, Castle Pines Homes Association (CPHA), Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD), and Douglas County, a partial railroad quiet zone is now being planned for…

Submitted by Brooke S. Fox, president/CEOof Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Lowell Ranch on Plum Creek with the Colorado Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) on Saturday, May 7. This year, CALF continues its tradition of launching the season of planting and renewal with its annual May Day Festival. From 10…

Douglas County Library patron service technician Jill Swanstrom and Castle Pines resident Christine Merritt Submitted by Nancy Marr, Douglas County library community relations specialist Castle Pines Library has added three public computers and public black and white printing, and upgraded one computer that has been in the library since its opening. All Douglas County Libraries…

American Pop Forever! Fifth graders at Buffalo Ridge Elementary helped cap off their elementary school career with a celebration of pop culture during ‘American Pop Forever’ on Thursday, April 14. This group of fifth grade girls took time for a photo before performing in the musically inspired dancing and singing show lead by BRE music…

by Patte Smith, photos by Carla Kenny Chairs were flying, men running and screaming, and out came the tasers as a “prisoner” went berserk at the Douglas County jail. “I had the living daylights scared right out of me!” said a wide-eyed Carla Kenny. “Even though this was a reenactment of what it’s like when…

by Kathy Dunker Steve and Karen Miller will host the 3rd annual “Wines in the Pines” event to raise support for Western Douglas County YoungLife at their home in Castle Pines Village on Saturday, May 7, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The yearly event is an effort to provide not only a memorable night…

Submitted by Doug Hutchins, Castle Pines Real Estate Specialist, Broker Associate – The Kentwood Company The performance of the Castle Pines real estate market continues to vary depending on the price point of the home. Sales of homes priced under $500,000 continue to stay stable while sales of homes priced above $1,000,000 continue to be…

by Patte Smith After twenty five years of selling real estate in the Denver-metro area, Fuller Sotheby’s International Broker Associate Linda Houston retired last month. “It’s bittersweet retiring from a wonderful company and from the real estate profession,” smiles Houston. “I’ve made many friends throughout the industry and across the state during my years as…

Allie Johnston     by The Rock writer Erin Snyder, reprinted courtesy of Rock Canyon High School She took second place in the Girl’s Golf 4A State Championships last year; she’s ranked 52nd out of every single Junior in the country; she’s placed first at two qualifying tournaments for the AGJA; she’s already been told by…

Kids … get ready to swim, bike and run your way to the finish line during Tri the Rock at Butterfield Crossing Park and Pool in Castle Rock on Sunday, May 22. This kids’ mini marathon event helps promote wellness and supports physical education programs at participating schools. Children ages 5 to 14 are encouraged…

The majority of petrified logs in the area are of the laurel family. Occasionally you can find a conifer, like this one which retains its cell & bark structure and the seasonal growth rings. by Patte Smith with contributions and photos by a Castle Pines resident Ken Turnbull Our community and county are full of…

Doctors Jeff and Stephanie Scheich of Castle Pines Family Dentistry with Joy Demmler (center) after her Mom Makeover. By Elizabeth Wood West “I was just overwhelmed – I actually burst out crying!” said 72-year old “Mom Makeover” recipient Joy Demmler. The Mom Makeover is a full dental makeover provided by Castle Pines Family Dentistry’s doctors…

AA’s fourth grade DI team celebrating with their third place medals (pictured from left to right) Audrey Baker, Gabby Cox, Morgan Hamler, Avery, and Laryssa Myers. by Trish Cummings The fourth grade American Academy (AA) Destination ImagiNation (DI) team, The Yadda Yadda Yaa-Hoos, have put AA on the Destination map this year. The team, comprised…

DCSM students showing off their handiwork. Information and photos provided by DCS Montessori After the massive tsunami destroyed many coastal towns of northern Japan on March 11, many nations and organizations came together. Locally, at DCS Montessori (DCSM), students showed their cougar school spirit and started to help rebuild Japan. By learning the legend of…

It was a fun-filled day for neighborhood girls and their American Girl dolls at the Castle Pines Library on Sunday, April 17. This group of friends came together and enjoyed making several crafts for their dolls, including sandals, scarves, cork boards and yoga mats. Pictured above: Back row: Lucy, Ellery, Emersen, Cailin and Savannah. Front…

Freshly geled toenails will last two to three weeks without chipping. by Kathy Dunker It’s that time of year again when the weather is warming up and clothes are getting lighter. Flip flops are coming out of storage which means, you guessed it, pedicure time. So what is all the hub bub about with the…

By Lisa Crockett Frozen yogurt “bars” — places like Yogurt Land, Yogurt Guru, Peachwave and B.T.O. — seem to be popping up everywhere, and Castle Pines is no exception. Now, thirty flavors and a multitude of toppings are available right here in town at Daz Bog Coffee. The yogurt is self serve. Simply select the…

American Academy’s PTO would like to thank the following businesses for their generous donations. Their commitment to supporting our school, especially in light of recent budget cuts, is sincerely appreciated. Thanks to our donors, our 2011 Spring Gala was the most successful to date! Each year the AAPTO continues to advance the school’s mission of…

Glynis Albright Castle Pines Village resident Article by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Wendy Grega Glynis Albright, resident of Castle Pines Village, has officially entered into the running to be 2011 Woman of the Year by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). LLS holds its annual Man & Woman of the Year campaign, which…

Submitted by Sharon Kollmar, chamber president The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is constantly working to develop new programs and events that will continue to inspire, educate and involve its business members. With that goal in mind, the chamber will begin its third referral group this spring. “We have had such success with our two…

Pictured above: Maddie Scicchitano (swimming in third lane from the bottom) swims the 50 Breaststroke for 10 and younger girls at the State meet in Fort Collins on March 4. By Elean Gersack with photo provided by the Scicchitano family Local 10 year-old swimmer, Maddie Scicchitano, qualified for four events at the Silver State swim…

Arapahoe Community College Castle Rock’s new campus will be located at 4700 Castleton Way in Castle Rock. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Arapahoe Community College (ACC) will be opening its third campus this August, in time for fall 2011 enrollment. ACC Castle Rock’s new 7,800 square-foot facility will be located at 4700 Castleton…

Wish Kid, Taylor, speaking to RCHS at the opening assembly. by Kathy Dunker with photos courtesy of Kate Hartline Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Kids for Wish Kids Program and adopted Taylor’s Wish. Taylor is a nine-year-old boy who wished to go to the Great Barrier Reef. He is an…

Submitted by Sgt. Ron Hanavan Public Information Officer Douglas County Sheriff’s Office In celebration of the 150th anniversary of Douglas County’s founding, Sheriff David A. Weaver has commissioned a commemorative badge that deputies will be authorized to wear from April 1st to December 31st.  The badge symbolizes the faith and trust bestowed upon the office…

Tanzanite is an extraordinary gemstone that has rapidly become one of the most coveted gemstones in the world. It is named after the African state of Tanzania, the only place in the world where it has been found. Upon its discovery in 1967, Tanzanite was enthusiastically celebrated by the specialists as the gemstone of the…

Article and photo by Thomas, Ridgeline staff reporter The Waggoner household was seen late Wednesday night moaning and groaning about a vile sort of stomach bug. “It was a horrible experience, I threw up twice!” groaned a still recovering Thomas. “I didn’t like the stomach bug because my brother couldn’t play with me like he…

By Elizabeth Wood West, photos courtesy of Cielo Cielo at Castle Pines owner Roz Schroeder recently received Colorado Meetings & Events magazine’s “2011 Best of Colorado Award for Best Meeting & Event Venue [for a Hotel or Resort that holds less than 500 guests, outside Denver Metro area].” Winners of this prestigious industry award were…

Information provided by Douglas County with photo stills taken from Comcast Newsmakers Veteran broadcast journalist Beverly Weaver (pictured above right) recently interviewed Douglas County Commissioner Jill Repella in a Comcast Newsmakers segment that aired on CNN Headline News. Repella discussed the role of the county in fostering a strong economy; the value of a healthy…

Sky Ridge Medical Center will host the 9Health Fair on Saturday, April 16, from 7a.m. to 12p.m., to promote health awareness with free and low-cost health and educational screenings . Take time to get checked-out. I n addition to having t he opportunity to speak with a medical professional , a variety of screenings are…

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, nearly 200 citizens of Castle Pines joined with members of the city council and city staff for a pancake breakfast to celebrate the city’s third anniversary. As the event unfolded, it was evident how far the city has come in three short years. Thanks to the perseverance and the commitment…

By Joe Gschwendtner Depending upon whom you ask, a house can be either an asset or a liability. In recent years, the real estate market and mortgage meltdown has left many homeowners answering the latter. Since home is where the heart is, pride ensues, and financial difficulties are all too often not addressed until it…

Deputy Gerritt Kaufman with K-9 crime fighter “Boris.” The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 team is in great need of donations to replace two of the four police dogs that will be retiring this year. Sheriff Weaver recently approved the acquisition of one new dog and says he is hopeful to secure a second. The…

Kids of all ages joined Sarah Byrne (pictured center) at the HOA2 playground in Castle Pines to celebrate a generational reunion of sorts. Byrne has provided pre-kindergarten and kindergarten enrichment programs in the community for more thirteen years, and she is a beloved teacher and friend to many. Article and photos by Elean Gersack Three…

Article by Elean Gersack with photo and logo provided by Cherry Creek Sneak Denver’s traditional leap into spring event, The Cherry Creek Sneak, will take place on Sunday, May 1, beginning at 8 a.m. at the intersection of Steele and Ellsworth. This year’s trek around Cherry Creek will support The Kempe Foundation and its mission…

Let’s consider impacts to the Castle Pines community from federal and state budget cuts. There is no question America has been living beyond its means. There are budget measures being considered in Washington D.C. to reduce deficit spending by the federal government. At the same time, Colorado faces a billion dollar budget gap. Will these…

South Metro Fire Rescue Authority Chief Dan Qualman (right) proudly accepts the CFAI accreditation award with Mike Langello, the planning and analysiscoordinator for the fire authority who oversaw the accreditation process. Information and photo provided by SMFR The South Metro Fire Rescue Authority (SMFRA) was awarded accreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International at…

RHMS sixth grader, Brooklyn Murphy, performing her rendition of “Life of the Party!” Article and photo submitted by Amy Shanahan RHMS sixth grader Brooklyn Murphy recently competed in the Star Systems 2011 Regional Dance Competition and won first place in the musical theater category, with her rendition of “Life of the Party!” She also won…

Information provided by Elean Gersack The Douglas County Cotillion is currently offerring social education classes for boys and girls in the fourth through eighth grades at The Wildlife Experience in Parker. Club Cotillio n for fourth and fifth graders is designed to reinforce social skills and build character essential for developing positive relationships. In addition,…

  State qualifier Ben Butler Submitted by Sharon Majetich Congratulations are in order for Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) seventh grader, Ben Butler, who qualified to represent RHMS at the state of Colorado National Geographic Bee. Thousands of students from the state competed in the Bee, but only 100 students passed the qualifying test to…

Cailin and Libby, second graders in Mrs. Shepherd’s class, get set to see the Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, on February 11, at The Arvada Center. (photo provided by Cari Ogg) Article by Elean Gersack Flat Stanley, the famous flattened boy from the book series by Jeff Brown, has traveled around the world in recent…

By Elizabeth Wood WestRWA) will be holding its biennial meeting on May 7 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Phillip S. Miller Library west meeting room, 100 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock. The purpose of the meeting is to hold elections for several director positions and provide updates on the RWA’s ongoing projects,…

By Elizabeth Wood West The Castle Rock area will soon have three new senior care facilities for Douglas County’s aging population: Bonaventure Senior Living, Metzler Memory Care Assisted Living Residences, and Solterra Senior Living Castle Rock. All three of the facilities will offer a variety of services and flexible living accommodations for individual needs and…

By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Castle Rock Senior Center Forty years ago, a small group of Douglas County residents formed a club for senior citizens that has since evolved into a non-profit organization with nearly 1,000 members. The Castle Rock Senior Center (CRSC) is a community gathering place that promotes friendship, organizes many…

By Lisa Crockett The Rotary Club of Castle Pines is hosting the Resurrection Dance Theater of Haiti in a performance presented by the Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF) to raise money toward the rebuilding of the St. Joseph facilities for homeless and disabled children, destroyed by the January 2010 Haiti earthquake. The event will be held…

Fourth Graders at BRE research stocks and discuss their team plan for the Stock Market Game on March 15, 2011. Article by Elean Gersack Fourth graders at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) are taking part in the worldwide Stock Market Game ™ (SMG), a learning program geared for fourth through twelfth grade students. The SMG was…

By Kathy Dunker with photos by Tim Gamble Be sure to mark your calendar for the 21st Annual Castle Pines North Master Association community-wide garage sale. The sale will run Friday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are expected to be hundreds…

Master Association’s first Community Inspiration Award presented to 13-year resident Linda Nuzum To a packed house at Duke’s Restaurant on March 10, Castle Pines North Master Association President Steve Labossiere presented the association’s first Community Inspiration Award to 13-year resident Linda Nuzum. “Linda exemplifies the essence of this award,” said Labossiere, “and I cannot think…

Logan Draper recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. by Lisa Crockett, photos courtesy of the Draper family Working with homeless people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol doesn’t seem a likely place to find 13-year-old Logan Draper. A student at Rocky Heights Middle School, Logan likes to ski and hang out with friends.…

Article by Glenn Albert Do plants dance? Is a banana peel more slippery than grease? Does stress or exercise raise your blood pressure the most? These and many other questions were investigated by 111 fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students who presented their science fair projects to fellow students and parents during the 7th Annual…

by Lisa Crockett Rock Canyon High School senior Callan McGary is heading to Colorado State University in the fall to major in business finance. Before he gets there, he intends to gain some entrepreneurial experience and give himself and a few friends a summer job. “Some friends of mine and I from the football team…

George and Slim share a cup o’joe during a break from the action Front Range Theatre’s Production of Of Mice and Men. By Patte Smith, photos provided by the Front Range Theatre Company To be or not to be…that isn’t the question. It is to go or not to … wait … yes, go check…

American Academy Science Fair participants Natalie Hunt, Kelcey Beckman and Kristina Stilson display their winning boards. All three will be representing AA at the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair in Fort Collins this month. (Photo by Trish Cummings) Submitted by Trish Cummings, American Academy American Academy (AA) seventh and eighth grade students took top honors…

RHMS sixth grader, Shyanne Curtis, loaded up on some good reading and viewing materials at the Castle Pines Book and DVD Swap.Residents came in droves, perusing the wide selection of hard and soft covers. The Master Association and the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce collected more than 3,000 books to share with the community. By…

A collaborative, county-wide Economic Development Plan is the ultimate goal of the Douglas County Economic Development Forum, hosted by the Douglas County Commissioners on Tuesday, April 5, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at The Wildlife Experience in Parker. The central focus of the forum will be the facilitation of dialog and information exchange among…

By Liane Marette Davis; contributions by Terri Wiebold Have you heard the joke that, “Old car salesman never die, they just go out of commission?” Well, such is not the case for one Castle Pines Village resident and former car salesman – turned automobile banking executive – turned entrepreneur. Wade Middleton has found a new…

Back Row: Christian Frye, Lea McCaffrey, Anna Case, Robin Dowling, Jackson Naylor, Ava Tehrani. Third Row: Katie Carlson, Emily Trindle, Juliette Lord, Cody Hyman, and Quinn Rennell (Mrs. Pinke). Second Row: Braxton Jones, Hannah Bennett, Liesl Brauch, Emma Kate Lamb, Rachel Ansay, and Avery Gibson. Front Row: Skylar Schoepke, Cody Jaramillo, Justin Laity, and Hillary…

Before After Projected “before” and “after” coverage for period ending five years after deal closes. Sandy Goldberg, a representative of Fleishman-Hillard for AT&T Corporate Communications, had this to say about the company’s recent announcement that AT&T will acquire T-Mobile USA and the impact the acquisition will have on Douglas County: “AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile is…

By Kathy Dunker with photos by Tim Gamble No, not your ordinary toast to celebrate the anniversary of something great, but rather a breakfast to commemorate the many citizen volunteers who founded The City of Castle Pines [North] three years ago and who continue to contribute to its growth and success today. The Ridge at…