Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Julie Matuszewski, photos courtesy of Scott Godinez, Help & Hope Center In celebration of the swearing in ceremony for the Castle Pines City Council, friends and supporters of newly-elected District I representative Chris Eubanks joined the Eubanks family in volunteering at Help & Hope Center food pantry. “As I was preparing to be sworn…
By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of Candy Tillack Grass does not grow under Candy Tillack’s feet. Recently her feet – and her husband Blake’s – have made their way to Castle Pines. Wanting to be closer to their sons’ families, especially the grandchildren, the Tillacks moved from Phoenix to Castle Pines in early 2020. “We…
By Mindy Stone; courtesy photos Louis Llanes has lived in Castle Pines for almost six years with his wife, Jane, their 15-year-old twins, Elisa and L.J., who are freshmen in high school, and their two dogs, Lexi and Libby. The Llanes family lived in Highlands Ranch for many years before moving to Castle Pines. They…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Fred Lautenbach A group from Foundry Church in Castle Pines headed north in late January and spent the day at the Marshall Fire burn area. Fred Lautenbach, Missions Coordinator at Foundry, coordinated the event through Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian humanitarian relief organization. After safety training, the volunteers were dispersed…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Michelle McClarran Michelle McClarran knew she wanted to be a middle school math teacher since she was a high school student. With a love of mathematics and a joy of working with children, it seemed like a dream job. Many students have a fear of math, and McClarran made…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Kira Zizzo. Enthusiasm, camaraderie, happiness and unification overwhelmed the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) gym as the RCHS Unified basketball team took to the court Thursday, February 17. The high school gym was energized as the entire student body was up and roaring while the band played and the…
By Lisa Nicklanovich ; Pictures by sleepfoundation.org Many people don’t get the deep, restorative sleep needed on a regular basis. This is evidenced by the dramatic rise in the use of sleep aids, from herbal remedies to supplements and prescription drugs. In his book Keep Sharp, Sanjay Gupta, M.D. points out that, “Studies have convincingly…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos An 18-game winning streak, numerous come-from-behind wins, Cale Makar’s amazing game winning goal in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks … the colossal Colorado Avalanche season has Castle Pines Avs fans enjoying every unbelievably exciting moment happening on the ice at Ball Arena.
Information provided by Village Idiots Cycling Club The Village Idiots Cycling Club is growing and welcoming new members. The annual membership meeting will be on Tuesday, March 15 at Crowfoot Valley Coffee, 734 Wilcox #102 in downtown Castle Rock. Meet and greet at 6:30 p.m. (multiple tap beers available), meeting at 7:00 p.m. Members of…
Congratulations to all the 80108 student-athletes who have committed to playing their sport at the next level. These students have worked hard, both athletically and academically, to attend colleges and universities all over the country. Douglas County High School Ainsley Medina Volleyball Linfield University, OR Coach Jessica Aase said, “Ainsley is a gifted volleyball player…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Brycie Strother DCS Montessori After school programs are an essential resource for school-aged youth because they support social, emotional, cognitive and academic development. These programs provide a safe, supportive and fun environment for students. The DCS Montessori (DCSM) After School Programs (ASP) benefits both staff and students. ASP gives…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy A calling is a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action, especially when accompanied by a conviction of divine influence. Martin Luther King Jr. made a call for equality and freedom for all mankind with his “I Have a Dream” speech that he delivered on…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Tim Ryckman Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) recently returned to a grade level performance tradition that’s been on hold since 2020 – the Third Grade Show. All third grade students participated. The students worked closely with art, music and physical education teachers for several weeks to prepare. They learned songs…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Leana Kerr, DCS Montessori Mabuhay, or Welcome in Filipino, was one word among the cultural lessons the lower elementary classroom of DCS Montessori (DCSM) learned during their Asia Continent studies. Utilizing Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines media center, students immersed themselves in a global lesson. Students practiced counting…
Information and photo provided by CORE CORE Electric Cooperative (CORE) invites artists in grades 1 through 5 to submit artwork as part of CORE’s Electrical Safety Poster Contest. One winning poster from each grade will earn its creator $100, plus $500 for books and supplies for their classroom. Winning artwork will also be used to…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos On a bus trip from Legacy Village in Castle Pines to Hudson Gardens last summer, Ruth Moran spotted an empty seat next to a gentleman she thought looked “pretty neat.” Ruth had noticed him at breakfast a couple of times, and it turns out, he had noticed her too. The…
Information provided by the United States Post Office Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are available for order and shipment through the United States Postal Service. Each order will contain four (4) tests. There is a limit of one (1) order per residential address. Additional tests cannot be ordered regardless of the size of the household.…
Information provided by Douglas County While there is no mask mandate in Douglas County, free KN95 and surgical grade masks are available through the state’s distribution program at eight locations in Douglas County. Six Douglas County Libraries locations during regular business hours in Castle Rock, Castle Pines, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Lone Tree and Roxborough. Masks…
Approvals pave the way for new homes, schools and parks By Chris Michlewicz; graphic courtesy of the City of Castle Pines Motorists who use Castle Pines Parkway/Hess Road east of I-25 have surely noticed significant development activity in The Canyons neighborhood over the last two years, and City approvals late last year have cleared the…
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…