Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Tracy Engerman When she’s not helping make decisions to improve the lives of residents in the City of Castle Pines, the new mayor is making the most of life in Colorado. Growing up in a small town in the middle of Kansas, Tracy Engerman knew she eventually wanted to…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Tony Spurlock Tony Spurlock has lived and worked in and around Douglas County for over 50 years. More than 40 of those years, he has been employed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). He’s proudly served our community at the top county law enforcement position since 2014, commanding…
Information provided by Douglas County; Pictures By Douglas County Website Property tax bills or tax notifications for 2022 arrived in Douglas County property owners’ mailboxes the final weeks of January. While property owners pay taxes to the County Treasurer’s Office, the County Treasurer is tasked with distributing the funds to the various taxing authorities associated…
New Ownership, New Energy By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos Classy Nails in the City of Castle Pines has a new owner. Holly Shirmenzagas acquired the day spa in November 2021 and is excited for her latest endeavor. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business, so this was the perfect opportunity,” said Shirmenzagas. Born in Mongolia,…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation Colorado’s license plate reissue program, implemented by the state in January 2022, aims to improve safety for first responders and motorists by ensuring drivers have reflective and legible license plates. Under the new program, the process for transferring license plates has changed. License plates for class C…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County received nearly $237,000 from the State of Colorado to ensure residents working through a mental or behavioral health issue have a seamless and supportive safety net. The monies will be used for a dedicated case manager and peer recovery coach to support individuals served through the Douglas County…
By Celeste McNeil; photos by Lynn Zahorik Colorado Springs has long been dubbed Olympic City, USA. Now there is a museum to prove it. Opened in mid-2020, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) boasts 60,000 square feet of innovative and interactive displays and simulations. The USOPM’s mission is “to honor the Olympic and…
By The Castle Pines Connection Random Acts of Kindness Day (RAK Day) is February 17 and is a reminder to try and make the world a kinder place, no matter how small the act. A kind gesture can mean more to the receiver than the giver knows. A wonderful example of a generous act of…
By Chris Michlewicz; graphic courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue The fires that spread in Boulder County in late December are a sobering reminder that wildfire season in Colorado never really ends, and residents must always be prepared for the worst. The dry conditions in Colorado are about as bad as they’ve ever been. The…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy Bonnie Thompson The Native American Indian Dog (NAID) is a breed which, at a quick glance, one may mistake for a wolf based on its size; long, fluffy ears; bushy tail; pointed muzzle and powerful stare. However, the NAID is usually a combination of German shepherd and husky mix, selectively…
By Elean Gersack; images courtesy of DCSD Sources of Strength is an internationally recognized youth suicide prevention program that has been implemented in many middle and high schools across the Douglas County School District (DCSD), including Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School. According to Kimberly Moore, DCSD health, prevention and social emotional…
Dear Readers, “I used to sneak out of my house to go to parties, now I sneak out of parties to go to my house.” Let’s have a little chat about the etiquette of the party exit. I recently hosted a gathering, a fun, casual and raucous affair when I noticed a guest leaving without…
Photo by Amy Murphy Cutest Pet in the Pines winner, Jet obediently waited for permission to tear into his prize bag of goodies, but once he did, there was no turning back! Special thanks again to our sponsors: The Pet Stuff Place, Animal Care Center of Castle Pines, Camp Bow Wow – Castle Rock, Lone…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Precisely 150 years ago, ranchers on West Plum Creek acted on a need for their own church home in Bear Canon. Newton S. Grout, a former Union Army drummer, was chosen to lead the 1872 construction effort. He began by demolishing a primitive log schoolhouse on the site. Originally…
There’s no place like home – By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Kendra McCright Raised in the Pines is a new segment where we will celebrate kids who grew up in our community and are now grown and off living life. Story ideas are welcome. Email us at editor@castlepinesconnection.com. Years ago, a bookmobile visited Castle…
By Hollen Wheeler An online word game launched in October 2021 has gone viral and, in the last month, become a worldwide sensation. Moreover, the game’s backstory is a love story. “Wordle” challenges a player to guess a five-letter word in six tries. What makes this game unique is that Wordle is only available once…
By Mindy Stone; courtesy photo Overnight camp gives children an opportunity to try new activities, make friends, and build self-confidence and independence. For children suffering with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare genetic skin disorder, they get a unique opportunity to attend a special camp in Granby at the YMCA of the Rockies/Snow Mountain Ranch with…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos Thirty-six miles from downtown Denver is a lesser-known recreational resort in Idaho Springs, Echo Mountain Park. At an elevation of just above 10,000 feet, Echo is the closest ski area to the greater metro area. Its small size and price point are exceptional, especially for the beginner-to-intermediate skier and snowboarder.…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County The Douglas County Art Encounters public art program is seeking sculptors who are interested in seeing their artwork on public display. Art Encounters was created by citizen advocates for the arts to promote interest in public art, develop community pride, and draw visitors to the retail and civic…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Planetware Having only touched down twice on the Reykjavik Airport tarmac does not qualify me to write on this most unusual destination, but I have had those close to me sing its praises. After reading my first Ragnar Jonasson novel, Winterkill the author has cemented my fascination with this…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich What is on the horizon this year for the foods, drinks and snacks people will be consuming? According to Whole Foods Market, there are some exciting new flavors coming our way, as well as ones that are familiar but reinvented. Whole Foods Market does an annual trends prediction that…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett There was a time, a long time ago, when Valentine’s Day meant I would be getting dressed up and heading out to eat something delicious, possibly after being gifted a dozen roses or a box of chocolate truffles. Of course, said dinner would have been consumed after a long…
Starting the next chapter By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Kathy Hudgen In 2002, Kathy Hudgen and her husband Ron, packed their belongings, her mom, three kids, and several pets and relocated from Scottsdale, Arizona to Castle Pines. Neighbors in the HOA2 subdivision quickly turned up to say hello, deliver baked goods, and even offer…
Article and photo by Patte Smith Coffee Chat Tuesday, a new program offered at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines that encourages all adults, both men and women to drop in for coffee, conversation and games is off and running. The library staff is excited to welcome participants every Tuesday morning from 8:30 a.m. to…
By Mindy Stone; photo courtesy of Kristen Narlinger Castle Pines residents Todd and Kristen Narlinger have lived in the City of Castle Pines Forest Park subdivision for 20 years with their two daughters, Alexa (20), a sophomore at Penn State, Emma (18), a senior at Rock Canyon High School, and their 8-year-old golden retriever named…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Jessica Bird Jessica Bird never knew she wanted to be a teacher. In fact, when she enrolled at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, her plans were to get a degree in physical therapy and play point guard for the Lady Zags basketball team. Her academic plans changed with the…
Complete the Camino de Santiago trail By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Felicity Thompson “I liked digging deep and finding that piece of me that could do something hard which I kind of knew but hadn’t proved it in a while,” said Forest Park resident Felicity Thompson of walking the Camino de Santiago (Camino), a…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Elderberry products have been in high demand recently. For a time, they were impossible to find, whether one was looking for elderberry syrup, gummies or juice. More than any other berry, elderberries have the highest concentrations of antioxidants as well as the vitamins C, E, and A, which give a…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys varsity basketball team is having a great season. At time of printing, the team was ranked fourth in the state for 5A schools, with a season record of 11-4 (including pre-season games). Additionally, head coach Kent Grams and assistant coach Nick Mahan hit…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Lexi Rufenacht When Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) sophomore Lexi Rufenacht was 5 years old, her grandmother passed away due to ovarian cancer. A few years later, Rufenacht’s maternal grandfather battled stage-four colon cancer. When Rufenacht entered middle school, her mother was diagnosed with melanoma, and…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Alison Derbenwick Miller Blake Miller started dancing ballet in 2019. This holiday season he landed one of the lead roles in Denver Ballet Theatre Academy’s (DBTA) production of The Nutcracker. After encouragement from a cousin who is a ballet dancer, Miller took a ballet class. “I liked the ‘tryout’…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of RHMS NJHS Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has a strong National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) this year, with 37 students inducted and participating. Recently, students voted on a community service project – a drive to collect pet supplies for the Denver Dumb Friends League. “Our goal for the Denver…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of BRE Fifth grade students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) recently participated in a beloved tradition, the Young Ameritowne field trip. Young Ameritowne is an opportunity for the kids to run a town for a day. Students are shopkeepers, bankers, law enforcement officials, and other critical roles in communities, including…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Rock Canyon The Rock Canyon Community Alliance (RCCA), Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) parent organization, granted physics teacher Jack Van Natta $2,770 through the organization’s grant committee. The funds will be used to build air filtration systems for classrooms within the school. Van Natta said that by his…
A getaway with great food By Chris Michlewicz Gone are the days when couples have to go to downtown Denver or the mountains for a romantic Valentine’s Day overnight. Parker just might be the place to spend February 14. The Ascent on Main, formerly The Laszlo Hotel, is a four-story, red-brick hotel northwest of Mainstreet…
The student council at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) wanted to give back this holiday season. They organized a sock collection at their school for the “One Book, One District Sock Drive,” a contest put on by the Douglas County School District. The school that collected the most pairs of new socks would win a…
Gives, and gives and gives By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Douglas County Community Foundation Douglas County is often ranked among the healthiest and wealthiest counties in Colorado, and with the annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy through online giving, it also proved to be one of the most generous. Thank you, Douglas…
Bridge to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists By the end of 2022, pedestrians and cyclists will be able to utilize a 36-mile C-470 trail that connects users north to Golden and south to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail, all without having to cross the busy intersection of Yosemite Street and C-470 in Lone Tree.…
By Chris Michlewicz The inclusion of the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) water and wastewater facilities into Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD) – which nearly 96% of voters in the CPNMD cast ballots in favor of last May – has been indefinitely put on hold due to the emergence of legal and financial…
Information provided by DCSO The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) allows people to go on ride alongs with deputies in the field and gives individuals and groups the opportunity to tour the office. The program was initiated to foster greater community understanding and awareness of the mission and activities of the DCSO. The tours and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photo The days of taking a number and waiting for a turn at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew expiring license plates are limited. Throughout the state, self-service DMV kiosks are located in frequented locations like libraries and grocery stores. Douglas County residents can stop at six different…
A family business built on heart Local business owner Roz Schroeder is a wife, mother, grandmother, outdoor enthusiast and a proud resident of The Village at Castle Pines since 1999. She is director of Cielo at Castle Pines, an event venue located on Happy Canyon Road that specializes and caters to the customer’s desire. “From…
By Shaun Kernahan; photo courtesy of Denise Danzo A youth dance studio is coming to the City of Castle Pines. Infinite Dance Inc. will open its doors at 363 Village Square Lane, Suite 125 next to Duke’s Steakhouse on January 3. Denise Danzo, a Colorado native, has been dancing since she was 6 years old,…
By Terri Wiebold A vibrant sense of community is one characteristic that sets Castle Pines – the 80108 ZIP code more specifically – apart from other Colorado communities. Neighbors know each other, they spend time together and they support each other. If you are a new resident, you have likely already experienced this firsthand. The…
By Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines Connection is all about “a little good news” and celebrating the inspiring stories and the amazing people and businesses in the community. We’ve been told that it’s our superpower. As publisher, I believe wholeheartedly that it is the reason we continue to be successful after 13 years of business.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Legacy Village of Castle Pines The Castle Pines Connection was thrilled to donate the winning Bingo Bonanza basket to Legacy Village in support of their fundraising efforts for the Alzheimer’s Association Colorado Chapter. The event raised nearly $500 to help support Coloradans living with dementia and their families…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich The community welcomes Prime IV Hydration and Wellness (Prime IV), the newest addition to The Village at Castle Pines shops. Intravenous (IV) therapy is a wellness treatment that administers nutrients and hydration directly into the bloodstream for immediate absorption (see related story page 41). Prime IV originated in Colorado…
Medicine in the making By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland will welcome one of Castle Pines’ own come June. Austin Kimsey is headed to the distinguished school’s premed post-baccalaureate program. Kimsey has called Castle Pines home since he was a toddler. He attended Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), American Academy (AA)…
Dear Readers, It’s a New Year and a time to add new strength and energy to the way we behave toward one another. The Golden Rule of doing to others as you would have them do to you is a great place to start. The gold in the rule asks that we treat people in…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Congratulations Jet, a black Labrador who just had his first birthday last month and is the winner of the Cutest Pet in the Pines for 2021. Jet lives with his human family – Kellyann and Tyler Foe and their three children Laila (11), Dylan (9) and Trey (8) in…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Terri Wiebold HomeAid Colorado (HAC) is a local affiliate of HomeAid, a leading nonprofit developer of housing and programmatic facilities for those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. HomeAid operates within a network of 19 affiliates in 13 states. Through a collaborative approach with home builders…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Judi Holst and Alana Myers When Alana Rainosek and Ethan Myers planned their wedding, they had definite ideas about qualities in their officiant. They wanted “someone who knew both of us, was a great storyteller, had great stage presence, and who we trusted to guide us through one of…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photo Strolling westward on Main Street with a mountain view on the horizon, take in downtown Littleton, a 10-block enclave with panache. One of Denver’s oldest suburbs, and set in three counties (Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson), Littleton has history worth noting. There are wonderful restaurants, antique and gift stores, and plenty…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos For more than three decades, a graffiti artist has been on the loose, and his art collection is coming to Denver in April. He’s maintained his anonymity and become an underground sensation for street artists, political activists and conspiracy theorists around the world. “Banksy,” as he is known, most likely…
By Stacie Chadwick In life, I’m a minimalist. Any time my husband brings something into the house, I’m on my way through a different door hauling something else out. I’m all about clean lines, order, and lists – lots and lots of lists. Giving away things I categorically label “unnecessary” makes me feel good, and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos by Terri Wiebold The inaugural Castle Pines Winter Wonderland was a huge success with hundreds of residents enjoying the multitude of holiday-inspired events brought to the community by the City of Castle Pines and the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. The holiday extravaganza kicked off with the lighting of the…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Linda Johnson Third, fourth and fifth grade students from Timber Trail Elementary worked together to spread community holiday cheer as part of the Winter Wonderland festivities in the City. Students created paper snowflakes that hung from the trees along the Trail of Lights at The Ridge for holiday revelers…
Information provided by Legacy Village There may not have been much snow in Castle Pines over the holidays, but residents at Legacy Village had a little help getting festive with the extensive Christmas village on display. Maintenance Director Matt Agnew has been collecting pieces for more than 30 years, and he sets the village and…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Community schools, businesses and volunteers collaborated over the holiday season to empower parents and guardians to be the true heroes of Christmas through an affordable and memorable shopping experience. The Journey Church Christmas store serves the local community every holiday season with a pop-up holiday shop for families who…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo “There is family. There are friends. Then, there are friends that become family!” said Rina Castanon, pictured center, who hosted her 12th annual ornament exchange luncheon on December 10. Guests included friends from Castanon’s Forest Park neighborhood; some have attended since the first luncheon in 2010. Each year, neighbors who…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner My first trip to Hawaii was for rest and relaxation from Vietnam in 1970, and I returned last month. Early on, there was some internal debate about the best island in the chain. Of course in paradise, there are no losers, but we continue to favor the Big Island.…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the files of Sedalia History Museum and Gardens; courtesy photo Victor Marquis started his life off restlessly, a challenge from birth on. Born in 1839, in Avesnes, France, no one could really control him. Seeing the town as a hopeless place, at only 9 years of age, he stowed…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Laura Rosenberg Busy days deserve great food. Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) implemented a new spin on the familiar school fundraising restaurant nights. Partnering with Modern Plate, a locally-owned business, BRE families and friends were able to buy a variety of family-style, chef-created meals delivered directly to their doorsteps by…
Grain salad for lunch or dinner Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I’m starting the new year with a dramatic change in my life. My nest, which has been happily filled with children for the last two decades, is now partially empty. One of my chicks left for college in the fall, and another one…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Resident Melissa Rufenacht-Sanchez was in her second year on a breast cancer support fundraising committee at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital (CRAH) when she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Melissa said she had a committee meeting two days after she was diagnosed and had to keep it together until the end…
By Bryan Goodland Scammers often take advantage of more vulnerable populations, and according to a recent FBI report, those older than 60 were targeted more than any other age group. The FBI’s 2020 Elder Fraud Report found that 105,301 adults age 60 and older were victims of fraud, losing close to $1 billion. In 2020,…
By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Richard Farrell Richard Farrell has been through a lot – even flatlining three times during a series of medical episodes – and yet he stands strong in the face of adversity with a little help from a community of supporters. It began when his liver failed at the age…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Being born and raised in communist East Germany certainly influenced many of Ricarda Dietsch’s life choices. Dietsch was a 14-year-old kayak racer at an Olympic boarding school when the wall came down. Her life then took turns she hadn’t expected, bringing her to the United States, and ultimately to The…