Read the stories from the latest issue:
Summer is full of fairs and festivals right down the street as well as around the state. Many are keeping the western tradition strong; most include rodeos, barrel racing, concerts, carnivals, exhibits and more. Check websites for unique events such as bacon-, watermelon- and Jell-O-eating contests, a 2,000-year-old corn exhibit, dancing horse performances and ballet…
Above the Clouds VW/Porsche car show rolled into Castle Pines on a spectacular Saturday morning in June. The first-time event showcased 22 vintage cars in an array of colors. Event organizer and Castle Pines resident Abe Aragon produced the show with the assistance of Berg Haus owner Bruce Ringgenberg and the generous support of many…
Who doesn’t love spending summer nights outdoors listening to live entertainment after hot summer days? The Summer Concert Series is back in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch and Parker after a two-year absence. The free music events give people of all ages a chance to jam to a variety of tunes and enjoy dinner in the park…
The Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) is coordinating a Castle Pines community cleanup on Saturday, July 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Bring your family and a few neighbors and help pitch in to make Castle Pines a more beautiful and clean place. Meet at the Coyote Ridge Park Pavilions, and the CPNMD…
Dear Readers, How are we supposed to plan anything when guests no-show or when clients don’t honor their contracts? Social etiquette and business etiquette dictate that we actually do what we say we are going to do. You build trust that way. And when we fall short, and we all do, we offer a genuine…
Born in Red Lodge, Montana in 1909 to mining industry magnate W. G. Duncan, William G. II (Bill) came to Sedalia in 1918 when his dad bought the old Beeman homestead. W.G. treasured the rural beauty and appeal of his new landscape and worked with Bill to preserve it for posterity. Though Bill’s father was…
Ryan Parker remembers fondly the vibrance of the night sky while growing up on a farm outside of Golden. These days, he’s encouraging neighbors, and anyone else who will listen, to turn off, dim, change out or shield their lights to help reduce the potential for light pollution. The increase in population over the last…
When last in Norway, I enjoyed Oslo and the surrounding sights. Modern, chic, and progressive: Scandinavia on steroids. On another visit, I participated in Bergen’s Rain Festival, which, could have been celebrated on any of 240 days of the year. Norway will stun you with breathtaking scenery: high mountains, deep fjords, verdant valleys, massive forests,…
The Country Club at Castle Pines membership recently completed a $21 million transformation of the Clubhouse and the addition of a cliffside, infinity edge pool, fitness center and racket sports. Members gathered last month for an official ribbon cutting and an evening of live music, good friends and tasty food. Were you there? To see…
Looking to eat somewhere new and trendy before or after a Rockies game? Don’t have baseball tickets but want to watch the game on an outdoor, giant screen? Want to have a picnic in downtown Denver or enjoy a staycation? Newly-developed McGregor Square in LoDo (lower downtown) is the latest and greatest urban experience, just…
Picture yourself and your friends serving your community by volunteering at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo this summer. Now is your chance to serve your community, celebrate the County’s history, and have fun all at the same time. A 104-year-old Douglas County community tradition, the event will be held July 29-August 7 in Castle…
The Village at Castle Pines parks and recreation committee hosted the annual Summer Solstice Pig Roast to kick off the summer on Saturday, June 11 at the Canyon Club Pavilion. Neighbors and friends joined in for some old-fashioned fun featuring live music, delicious smoked and pulled pork, smoked chicken, and all the fixings. There was…
Picture this: long, rustic farm tables draped with crisp linens, the smell of freshly cut flowers mingling with the aroma of sizzling bacon, fresh-baked bread, and just-picked Colorado fruit. The soothing sounds of a live bluegrass band begin as your family takes their seats for an exciting culinary experience that you’ll only find at the…
I, like most humans, love a taco. There’s something deeply satisfying about the near-perfection contained in the simple ingredients that comprise a taco. Eight years ago, The Lego Movie – which features a plot line that hinges on “Taco Tuesday” – became firmly embedded in our family culture (my kids were big fans). As a…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and the City of Castle Pines kicked off summer with the 10th annual Food Truck Frenzy at Coyote Ridge Park on June 11. More than 2,000 people attended to enjoy the many different types of food options from 10 food trucks while also getting the opportunity to get together…
I’ve done a lot of living and don’t want the party to end. But it will. When it does, what do my loved ones do with the residue? Let’s start with the will. Better have one, or the courts will decide what to do with your stuff. A trust arrangement is also a step up,…
Julie Godfrey, a resident in The Canyons neighborhood, discovered a whole new side of herself in her mid-50s. After celebrating her 32nd wedding anniversary with her husband, Brett, and raising their two daughters, Godfrey is now an instructor at the Centennial Gun Club (CGC) and has started her own business as a pistol instructor, specifically…
Resident Ilana Bove recently retired after 17 years as a teacher and school librarian. Bove was raised in an environment that honored the profession of teaching and valued education. Both of Bove’s parents obtained their doctorates and became professors. Her father was the head of the Electro Media Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette,…
Krysta Parr feels that it was fate that brought her together with her three goldfish and coincidentally (or not), Parr is a Pisces. Adopting the three fish from a moving neighbor last June, Parr has since expanded her marine family. Although fish may not be the most interactive of pets, there are benefits to their…
The simple act of meeting for lunch twice a year to celebrate each other’s birthdays has kept two sorority sisters connected since their days at Indiana University. In the past two years, that friendship has turned into a partnership as the two have created a nonprofit serving communities in need. Castle Pines resident Kim Sasko…
There are several natural swimming spots just a short trip away from Castle Pines that offer an outdoor oasis to take a dip and cool off. Other watering holes may be a few hours away, but they could easily be worked into a trip en route to other destinations in Colorado and are worth the…
Longtime Castle Pines residents Jon Loomer and Loyd Saenger have each been playing golf for more than 50 years, and the two regularly play together at The Ridge at Castle Pines. In the past month, the friends each scored individual aces during separate outings and had the opportunity to celebrate each others’ successes. Loomer said…
Several running clubs, including the Castle Pines Running Club, met last month at a “trailgating” event to meet, to run and for fellowship. Wayne Pallas, a lifelong runner, hosts these events in various locales around Denver and the latest one was at Grigs Road Pavilion. The group ran the East/West Regional Trail followed by a…
Douglas County School District (DCSD) will move into a centralized location to provide more offices for staff, learning opportunities for students seeking industry certificates and a space for larger school meetings and events. The new campus, known as the DCSD Legacy Campus, is a 175,000-square-foot space previously occupied by The Wildlife Experience and CU South…
Douglas County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Erin Kane is getting out into the community in her first few months on the job. At the beginning of June, Kane presented a community forum at The Exchange Coffee House in Castle Pines. Kane discussed DCSD’s history, challenges and needs for the future. Kane hit the ground running…
At the end of the school year, budding artists at American Academy (AA) showcased their work at the annual open house art show. First-year art teacher Melissa Lopez was excited to host the art display and a small awards ceremony to recognize the natural talent in her students. African animals came to life in lower…
DCS Montessori (DCSM) students kicked off the summer with five days of epic adventure with DCSM Colorado Epic Adventure camp. Students left their phones behind to socialize face-to-face with peers and test their skills together rock climbing, paddling at Rueter-Hess Reservoir, dodging lasers with outdoor laser tag, and conquering the Epic Sky Trek at Miller…
In September 2021, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) student Joshua Ruegge was notified that the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) had recognized him as a National Merit Semifinalist based on the score he had received on the PSAT qualifier test from the previous year. Since then, Ruegge made it his goal to become a National…
transports customers back to the 1950s Almost every day, a new customer stumbles upon a certain Parker eatery with a quintessential 1950s diner vibe. Rory’s Diner is a bit of a time capsule, transporting patrons 70 years back via vintage decor, vibrant booths and tables, made-from-scratch American favorites, and even a traditional white-and-black-checkered floor. It…
Hats are a rite of spring – Easter, Kentucky Derby and Women with “Hattitude.” After a two-year hiatus, Hattitude – a stand-out favorite of the Denver performing arts scene – returned to the stunning Seawell Ballroom in downtown Denver in April. This year marked the 15th anniversary of the annual luncheon benefiting Women’s Voices Fund (WVF) at…
On May 2, residents in Castle Rock and surrounding areas celebrated as officials broke ground on the new, two-story 62,000-square-foot library planned for completion in fall 2023. More than 150 people attended the community event where Douglas County Libraries (DCL) Head Archivist Alyssa Carver gave a brief history of the library. Attending children participated in…
Einar Jensen, risk reduction specialist for South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR), is one of five on his team, but he is probably the most familiar to Castle Pines residents because he covers Battalion 1, which serves the City of Castle Pines and The Village at Castle Pines. A mountain boy at heart, Jensen grew up…
A drone display of patriotic lights will be the Independence Day show for residents of the City of Castle Pines this summer. Due to concerns about possible wildfires from a traditional fireworks show, and in light of the spread of fires in Boulder last year, the City decided to hire a Colorado-based company, Hire UAV…
Existing users of public transit and those from the 80108 ZIP code who are considering trying it could have the chance to do so for free this summer. A bill currently moving through the legislature could use mostly grant money to allow public transit agencies, namely the Regional Transportation District (RTD), to take riders on…
Last month, 11 Scouts from local Boy Scout Troop 316 paid respect to Old Glory by retiring 204 American flags with a traditional flag retirement ceremony at the South Metro Fire Rescue training facility in Parker. The project supported the Scouts’ community service goals while also honorably retiring flags that meant so much to so…
More than 100 people lined up outside the 9,600-square-foot Trader Joe’s store in Parker – the chain’s eighth Colorado location – prior to its grand opening. The store’s interior features artwork highlighting local mountain views, the town’s railroad history, iconic buildings of downtown Parker, and the landmark 17 Mile House Farm. Through the company’s long…
Next generation of chefs There’s a new generation of chefs at local favorite Trestles Coastal Cuisine in The Village at Castle Pines Shops. Owners Mimi and Jose Espinoza are proud to announce the new head chef, Verity Warriner, and their son, Patrick Espinoza, as sous chef, second in command. Warriner has been at Trestles for…
A recent conversation with a business partner prompted me to revisit the discussion about the value of print media and why it matters. As the publisher of a monthly community newspaper, the question whether print advertising is effective or not is one I get a lot. Thankfully, the answer is a resounding “YES!,” and here’s…
This month, we feature Cole Ansay, one of the happiest and most helpful young men around. Cole will celebrate his 25th birthday next month. He has lived 21 of those years in The Village at Castle Pines, together with his parents, Kari and Matt, and four siblings. Born with Fragile X Syndrome (a genetic mutation…
Catherine Martinez has lived in Castle Pines for 15 years and realized she only knew a few ladies in her neighborhood. She stated that she would bump into women at King Soopers and Starbucks and later think they would be good to get to know better. “I belong to many social groups in surrounding towns…
Kids, it is time to head to the library for the “Unlock the Magic of Summer Reading” program that kicks off on Saturday, June 4, with outdoor parties at all Douglas County Library (DCL) locations. Registration is required. This popular event is an annual reading extravaganza to encourage summer reading and to have a little…
About 25 minutes southeast of Castle Pines is the rural but ever-growing town of Elizabeth. The residents have an appreciation for the small-town feel and close-knit friends and family, but it is the local events that put Elizabeth on the map. A few to get on the calendar: Car geeks unite. Rambler Ranch, a car…
Elizabeth, Colorado, the largest town in Elbert County, has an interesting history. Originally a sawmill camp called Russellville, the settlement was established in 1855 near the banks of Running Creek. Gold was discovered near the creek in 1858 and a rush ensued, but it never came to a boom. When Running Creek flooded the campsite,…
For a day trip that offers a taste of another time, a visit to the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur is just the thing! 2022 marks the festival’s 46th anniversary season. The festival began as a tear-down show in Morrison and now boasts more than 200 structures on 42 acres offering visitors a thematic re-creation…
The days are getting longer and warmer, which means it is time to go outside and enjoy some Colorado sunshine. There is no better way to do that than to cruise around on popular and trending electric scooters. In major metropolitan areas, many opt to rent the e-scooter for a ride to the ballgame or…
An April The Wall Street Journal article touted a three-day sample of Switzerland’s charms using a special rail pass. It also inferred that things run like clockwork in that Alpine country. Having personally sampled Swiss efficiencies and maintained a bank account there, I would concur. Switzerland is landlocked, walled in by some of Europe’s highest…
The High Line Canal (HLC) Trail was voted #9 in USA TODAY’s “Reader’s Choice Best Recreational Trail” in 2022. This trail in our backyard has a surprising history and vast scope. At more than 70 miles long, it runs through the most populous part of Colorado, from Waterton Canyon in Douglas County, then east nearly…
A mom’s mission to educate about marijuana It’s been two and a half years since Johnny died; he was just 19 years old. The pain and grief are still raw and palpable for his mom, Laura Stack. Stack’s son was a typical kid growing up in Highlands Ranch. He ran cross country and track, played…
According to the United States Geological Survey, there are 81 waterfalls in Colorado that have names, along with numerous unnamed others throughout the state. Many of the falls are fed by high mountain snow melt, so spring and early summer are the best time to witness these gems. A few are highlighted below: Agnes Vaille…
Julia and Ben Dale share their love of music with their students at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS). Julia is the director of vocal music and her husband, Ben, is the orchestra director. “We share some students, and they are constantly surprised that we are married based on how completely opposite our teaching styles are,”…
One sees something of a mess on the southwest corner of State Highways 105 and 67 in Sedalia. Bad news. Abandoned property, right? Where are the bulldozers? Only old-timers know that the parcel embodies epic stories of two families, their fabric deeply woven into Sedalia’s rich history. Born in Canandaigua, New York, in 1833, restless…
– so nice you will eat it twice It’s June. In Colorado, that designation is almost meaningless – more than once I’ve bundled up in a winter gear to head out to a last day of school party or outdoor graduation ceremony. Still, this time of year, I get a hankering for the lighter flavors…
No one wants to hang out at the airport, but sometimes because of layovers, missed flights, or just long security lines, a few hours in the terminal is in the cards. Luckily, at Denver International Airport (DIA), staying around a while might not be too taxing. In fact, your taste buds just might thank you…
There are many things I don’t know about life, but there’s one I absolutely do. It’s full of change in both ways we really want and others we undoubtedly don’t. One of the biggest unwelcome changes everyone must face is when a loved one passes away. The sudden absence of someone truly meaningful shifts the…
Roxy is a 3-year-old, 16-pound miniature sheepadoodle that is full of pounce and fluff. A cross between a miniature poodle and an Old English sheepdog, Roxy is very smart, playful and loving. On average, full-grown mini sheepadoodles weigh between 24 and 44 pounds, and Roxy’s unusually small size makes her the perfect portable dog for…
Sedalia resident Katie D’Arcangelo has seen the transformative power of art in her work in prisons and in working with families and children who are healing from abuse and neglect. She has also experienced it personally as an artist herself. “I’ve seen the magic that happens when people make art,” D’Arcangelo said. “It’s the simplest,…
Education is Erika Tinker’s heritage. Growing up in a family with parents, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother who were teachers – and today, her brother, mother-in-law and sister-in-law are also teachers, there is no doubt Tinker embodies the spirit of education. As a young child, Tinker had an incredible life-changing experience when she lived in…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Nancy Knudson Resident Nancy Knudson has gone through a health journey that began with chronic illnesses and depression. Through much research, learning and experimenting, Knudson is now healthy and on a mission to educate and help others with the message that being healthy can be affordable and attainable. Knudson…
Colorado is one of the sunniest states, so practicing sun safety is important all year, especially heading into the summer months. Basal cell skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed, and is on the rise. Diane Shepard, a licensed esthetician at Castle Pines Skincare said, “I personally practice preventative measures such as avoiding sun…
Governor Jared Polis signed a new law in April giving cyclists more leeway at intersections. The “Colorado Safety Stop” allows bikers to yield at a stop sign or red light and then turn right (or left on a one-way street) without coming to a full stop. The law also applies to electric scooters, e-bikes and…
Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bike to Work Day is scheduled for Wednesday, June 22. Set a reminder to get some exercise by starting the workday early and riding your bike to work. If your job is too far away, consider loading a bike on your car and park some distance from work, then jump on…
To learn about Rotary Club of Castle Pines, visit https://www.rotaryclubofcastlepines.org. Photos by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of Blair Gifford
On May 11, Castle Pines Golf Club announced it will host the 2024 BMW Championship, a tournament featuring the top 70 PGA Tour players vying to earn one of 30 final spots in the season-ending championship and the chance to be crowned FedExCup Champion. It has been almost a decade since the BMW Championship was…
Dating back 35 years, the sunrise to sunset Elephant Rock (ER) bike ride drew thousands of recreational and competitive cyclists over the years and is one of Colorado’s oldest cycling events. This year is the final year for the ride, the last year for cyclists to wind down country roads with breathtaking views, as the…
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls soccer team finished another stellar regular season this year with a win over Arvada West High School in the final game, a record of 14-1 and the Continental League championship. Going into state playoffs, RCHS girls are ranked 7th. The Lady Jags varsity team went on to lose…
In April, Rock Canyon High School had its junior/senior prom at Infinity Park in Denver, followed by the traditional “After-Prom” party, which was a resounding success. The event was held at the high school, and 1,000 students attended the safe, late-night fun with entertainment that included poker tables, raffles, a bouncy castle, a slide on…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students pushed their physical limits when PE teacher Kelli Weinrich, better known as “Coach W.,” brought Ninja Nation to the school. She saw the enthusiasm students showed when she set up a smaller version in the gym last year and knew they would love something larger. Ninja Nation Centennial rents a…
American Academy (AA) – Castle Pines eighth grade students joined AA – Parker campuses for a week in Olympic National Park, located in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest’s majestic Olympic Mountains. Students studied environmental science through a variety of firsthand learning experiences in a new setting. They examined the diverse environment of the Park’s…
It was another successful field day at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE). Students showed their Timberwolves class pride through active outdoor field activities, including obstacle courses and a student favorite, the Timber Trail run. Parents, grandparents and volunteers enjoyed watching the kids celebrate the school year with outdoor fun. By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Linda…