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By Nancy Koontz; courtesy photos The residents of The Village at Castle Pines Starbuck community held the annual Dash to Dine Memorial Celebration honoring those who have served our country in the military. Attendees gathered together, bringing brunch items to share and their walking shoes to participate in the Dash. Many thanks to the Starbuck…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Sloane Marshall Like all rooms in a home, bathrooms get outdated. For those living in houses built in the early 2000s, many bathrooms included features such as large, frameless mirrors, dark marble or an all-white color scheme, bold motifs on bathroom tiles, jetted corner tubs, carpet, shiny brass fixtures…
Article and photo by Hollen Wheeler The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl went hand in glove, and these tragic years are still considered one of America’s most arduous periods. After the Wall Street Crash of 1929, financial hardship fell across the nation and then nature turned on the agricultural and prairie states. Drought and…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner In late March, to retain our sanity in a COVID-obsessed world, my wife and I lit out for the Florida Panhandle. We flew to New Orleans, drove four hours through Mississippi and Alabama, and entered the western edge of the state in Pensacola. Our only disappointment was our inability…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of the DCL archives and Local History Section Unlike both his father and brother, Mort Penley was not a man of the cloth. The beauty of the English Cotswolds could also not hold him. In 1878, his 20th year, he sought new horizons. Crossing the Atlantic on the steam vessel…
Article and photos by Hollen Wheeler In the heart of downtown Denver, with a Capitol view from the terrace, sits a beautifully restored Victorian mansion, “The Molly Brown House Museum.” It’s the former residence of a trailblazer and Titanic survivor known posthumously as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.” Renovated and maintained by Historic Denver for 50…
Foundation honors boys’ legacy, love of baseball By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Gameday Baseball More than 20 years after a tragic accident took the lives of two young brothers from Parker, a foundation that honors their memory and love for baseball is still going strong. The Double Angel Foundation was named for Logan and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce held its 9th annual Food Truck Frenzy at Coyote Ridge Park in the City of Castle Pines. More than 2,000 people descended on the park, with cars lined up all the way back to Monarch Boulevard. Community members with kids and dogs in…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Brats on the grill are practically synonymous with summer, particularly the celebrations that take place in July. A quick trip to Tony’s for whatever is fresh and tasty from the butcher and the deli, some drinks in the cooler, a few pints of ice cream and cones, and you’re…
Reprinted from July 2016 issue As you go outside this summer for a hike, bike ride or even a stroll in your yard, be aware that rattlesnakes may be in the vicinity. The western rattlesnake (pictured above) and massasauga rattlesnake are the only two venomous snakes among the 25 species of snakes in Colorado. The…
Information provided by the Douglas County Assessor’s Office; courtesy photo Douglas County qualifying seniors have until July 15 to apply for the Senior Property Tax Exemption. Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1 and surviving spouses of seniors who previously qualified, who have owned and occupied a property as their primary residence for…
Information provided by the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center The Castle Rock Senior Activity Center (CRSAC) is ramping up in-person activities and the center needs volunteers. There are opportunities in transportation, Meals on Wheels and Volunteers of America (VOA) hot meal program. Transportation volunteers will drive seniors to various medical facilities and businesses within Castle…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Renee Newfield Parlor games like bunco, bridge, canasta, euchre, pinochle and mahjong have all been catalysts, with waning and waxing popularity through the years, to get a neighborhood social group together. Neighbors gather, of course to play the game, but perhaps more importantly, to meet people, indulge in…
Art inspiring change Article and photo by Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Annie Wardle “Thread Through Time” was a solo art show held at the Daniels Gate Clubhouse featuring the brilliant works of local artist Amanda May Foltz. Guests traveled the world through Foltz’s unique special fiber art installations that represented many of her favorite…
By Nancy Koontz; courtesy photos Making it look easy, devoted parents and physicians Michael and Laura Rosenberg are balancing life in 2021 with a can-do confident attitude. With their busy schedules, the Rosenbergs find following their very full calendar a must. Their daughter, Reese, just finished Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and will attend Rocky Heights…
Article and photos by Chris Michlewicz Mike Gentile’s lifelong entrepreneurial spirit has brought him to the place he loves the most – the great outdoors with his family. Gentile, a Castle Pines resident since 2014 and owner of an adventure gear outfitter called The Spirit of 1876, started his first business washing cars when he…
help our children grow into respectful individuals Dear Readers, Summer is officially upon us and what a great time to work on manners with the kids. Parents today face a new frontier in etiquette, everything from table manners to what is social media appropriate. Manners do begin at home, and learning the rules of engagement…
Article and photo by Hollen Wheeler; photo courtesy of Kelly Duman The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) baseball program has stellar new facilities, outstanding teams (the varsity finished sixteenth in the state this season) and a coach who is hitting home runs. When varsity Coach Allan Dyer was hired in 2019, he saw potential for…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Catherine Bess Photography Castle Pines Athletics NFL Flag Football program brought enthusiastic athletes to the field for the spring session. Mild temperatures kept the games alive all season allowing for one weekly practice and game. The spring season included seven games with the older division Browns (ages 9 to…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Before a Broncos game, the players always have assisted stretching sessions with trainers. Assisted stretching is crucial for professional athletes because it can increase range of motion and flexibility, improve fitness performance and posture, and prevent injury. For those who are not professional athletes, assisted stretching can help provide more…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich Demand for clean beauty products is on the rise. Since skin absorbs up to 60% of what is applied to the surface, concerned consumers are reading labels and paying more attention to what is in the skin products purchased and if they are safe. Skincare users are also looking…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo After a long wait, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls soccer teams were finally able to start their season. As a part of Colorado High School Activities Association’s (CHSAA) Season D, the final high school sports season of the 2020-2021 school year, tryouts took place in late…
By Celeste McNeil In late 2018, Douglas County residents voted to pass 5B which directly led to the Douglas County School District (DCSD) selling $250 million in general obligation bonds. The monies generated by these bonds are integral to the DCSD Master Capital Plan, created in 2019 and projected to be finished in 2024. The…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Andy Abner and DCSD Andy Abner recently announced he is leaving the principal post at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) for a deputy superintendent position in the Douglas County School District (DCSD). Abner has been with DCSD for 19 years and looks forward to many more. Abner recognized his…
Information and graphic provided by Douglas County For Colorado property owners, 2021 is a reappraisal year. A Notice of Valuation (NOV) is designed to explain the assessment of a property in detail, and Douglas County mailed NOVs to property owners, reflecting residential and commercial property values as of June 30, 2020. Colorado law requires assessors…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Since 1963, the United States Small Business Administration has taken the first week of May to recognize the contributions of entrepreneurs and small businesses. The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce celebrated the week with daily events and by honoring members who have…
A father and son endeavor By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Derek Blaha Father and son Joe and Derek Blaha have been involved in various aspects of the laundry and dry cleaning industry for more than 30 years in Colorado. Joe is still employed by the original company that built and managed Castle Pines GreenEarth…
Article and photos by Hollen Wheeler About 30 minutes from the Castle Pines community is Denver’s hot new “innovation district,” the Dairy Block. Located in the heart of lower downtown (LoDo, as it’s commonly known) and walking distance from Union Station and Coors Field, the Dairy Block has something for everyone. Nestled between Wazee and…
Dads celebrated for year-round contributions By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Dads of Castle Rock A grassroots group of philanthropic Castle Rock dads is being celebrated on more than just Father’s Day for its well-earned reputation for making a difference in the community. The Dads of Castle Rock (DoCR), a community outreach organization with a…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Nate Winegar When Nate Winegar moved to the east side of Castle Pines last summer, he found exactly what he was hoping for – peace and quiet and a star-filled night sky. He also found a collection of friendly neighbors who he invites to hang out in his furnished…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Chad Creamer Oliver is not a common name for a cat, but is the perfect name for a most uncommon cat. Oliver, aka Ollie, is an 8-month-old Flame Point Himalayan Persian. Originally from Canon City, Ollie is now a permanent resident of the Castle Pines community. Although Ollie has…
By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photos This tale of two towns begins with Junietta Patience Freelove Peckham and Orello E. Frink (O.E.), who were married in DeRuyter, New York in 1877. Both driven and bold, they went west with their three children, making Denver home. O.E. succeeded early in meat retailing and milk processing. In 1893,…
By Chris Michlewicz; photo by Bob Wiebold One of the final residential pieces of The Village at Castle Pines is taking shape. Perched at an elevated position that will give future residents breathtaking views of rolling hills, mountain peaks of all sizes and bright blue Colorado skies, The Summit comprises 60 semi-custom detached homes on…
By Chris Michlewicz Now that voters have overwhelmingly approved the inclusion of the Castle Pines North Metro District’s (CPNMD) water and wastewater utilities with those of the Parker Water & Sanitation District (PWSD), elected leaders are setting their sights on next steps. CPNMD Board President David McEntire said he was pleasantly surprised by the strong…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs recently received a $10,000 state grant providing emergency assistance to veterans struggling with housing (mortgage and rent payments), transportation, employment, healthcare and other immediate needs. “Our goal with these grant dollars is to help our veterans bridge the gap during an emergency,…
By Patte Smith The outdoors beckons to everyone, especially this year. Open-air events are at the top of the list, so gather the clan, friends, picnic basket, lawn chairs, blankets and be sure to have gas in the car; it’s time to get out and enjoy all that Colorado’s great outdoors has to offer. Close…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark,” so said Marcellus in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. He was definitely wrong. The fact is, Denmark is so sublime, it may indeed be the happiest place on the planet. Actually, Denmark was rated as one of the top three happiest places…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos From a pool of more than 100 qualified candidates, the City of Castle Pines hired Hannah Button as the City’s new communications and engagement manager. With a background in communications and marketing for municipalities, Button is ready to dive into community engagement strategies, working to improve communication efforts for…
Dear Readers, As we come out of the lockdown, we emerge different. Etiquette involves remembering there are other people in the world. Etiquette columnist Catherine Newman says the definition of etiquette is derived from French culture and means “little ethics” which is exactly why the practice is more significant than ever. Newman states, “Etiquette is…
Information and photo provided by the South Metro Safety Foundation Driving on icy Colorado roads can pose a real to challenge to drivers, and the South Metro Safety Foundation (SMSF) is offering a unique driving experience for teens and adults who would like to enhance their abilities behind the wheel in any driving condition. SMSF…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; renderings provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines will be completing the first phase of a full-depth, half-mile reconstruction of Castle Pines Parkway from Yorkshire Drive to Monarch Boulevard starting in early June. The project, in partnership with the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD), is…
By Hollen Wheeler In the chase to look younger, some are opting out of traditional plastic surgery procedures and pursuing less invasive ones. A revived and trending approach is the facial thread lift, a treatment that gives a subtle facelift via a fairly simple and quick process with pleasing but temporary results. With this procedure,…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Float a kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard at Rueter-Hess Reservoir this summer. Paddle Days will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday through September 6. Reservations are required for each person entering the reservoir, regardless of the activity. Reservations for June Paddle Days are currently being taken. Registration for…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue The beautiful natural landscape is a big reason why most residents in the Castle Pines community decided to settle here. It’s also a big reason to take extra precautions to mitigate wildfire risk. South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) has some of its primary wildland firefighting…
By Lisa Nicklanovich Love coffee but looking to ditch the caffeine? For some, a daily dose of coffee can cause insomnia, anxiety, stomach upset, increased heart and breathing rate or a host of other negative side effects. Sometimes caffeine can worsen certain menopause symptoms, and it can raise blood pressure levels. Even without experiencing negative…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett National Doughnut Day is June 4, so doughnut shops and bakeries far and wide will be offering their best, tastiest treats in celebration. Doughnut Day is oddly nostalgic for me – when my children were small, June often meant that our preschool or playgroup hosted a “Doughnuts with Dad”…
The City of Castle Pines is hosting Food Truck Thursdays, a new event beginning May 27 and running through August 5. Each Thursday this summer from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., two food trucks (one savory and one sweet) will park in the Elk Ridge Park parking lot for community members to come and enjoy.…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Tom Melton City of Castle Pines residents likely know Tom and Jill Melton as darn good neighbors. Married and best friends for 47 years, they and their three children, Brandon, Nicholas and Ashley, have made a life together in Castle Pines high country for 25 years. Tom, founder of…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski I consider myself someone who is up for any type of adventure, but I do not think I ever really imagined I would end up on a battlefield running for cover from 12-year-old boys. There are many paintball fields in and around the Denver area, all offering players a…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Mamie Black The Village at Castle Pines resident Mamie Black spent 20 years as an airline purser, working exclusively on international flights. These days, she shuttles her children around town instead of supervising flight attendants over the ocean. Black and her husband, Brent, have seven children ranging from age…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Donny McCleery Youth sports teams are more than just kids running around a field trying to figure out the dynamics of a sport. A sports team creates fond memories and provides experiences that bring groups of kids together. Add in the support of parents and volunteer coaches, and it…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Michael Conner Decades after reading his Boy Scout Handbook, Michael Conner still remembers – and follows to the letter – the rules for flying the flag. Conner, a Castle Pines resident for 14 years, still has the handbook that imparted those lessons when he was earning his Boy Scout…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Lindsay Crosby Lindsay and Chris Crosby have always been drawn to the feel of a smaller community –one where kids can ride their bikes to school and run down to the neighborhood park. A community where friends and neighbors gather to meet at the local coffee shop and one…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos by Lynn Zahorik Fatigue, dizziness, and imbalance were words that soon became physical disabilities for Carol Gransee. Disabilities that she thought would keep her from her passion of bike riding. Carol has been on a bike since she was a child and has never stopped riding. Diagnosed with progressive Multiple Sclerosis…
Frankie says “Hi!”. Email editor@castlepinesconnection.com for a free gift card.
By Claire Bauer, R CHS intern writer; courtesy photo Although Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) 2020-2021 school year has finished and summer break is in session, it’s no vacation for students playing sports that fall under the school’s final “D” season, which was pushed back due to COVID-19. The D season includes sports such as…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Castle View High School Coach Handke said, “Johnny truly represented what a CV athlete should be about. He was a team player and the one player that everyone looked up to on our offense and our team. He led with poise and grace and made those around him better; the…
By Julie Matuszewski: photo courtesy of American Academy American Academy – Castle Pines has celebrated graduating eighth graders with a formal cap and gown ceremony since its inception. Although this year’s traditional ceremony may have been a bit more casual, celebrating the classes successes, school memories and one another was a tradition that could not…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Students dressed to the nines and gathered with friends for a formal evening complete with a catered dinner from Cranelli’s, live music, photos, and dancing. Last month, Journey Church transformed its walls of worship into a dancing haven and rite of passage for many Douglas County high school-aged students.…
Information provided by Douglas County Students looking to earn community service hours over the summer have an opportunity to help make a 100-year-old Douglas County community tradition a success and volunteer at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo. The event will be held July 31 through August 8 in Castle Rock. Event organizers are looking…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Ethan Griffin Ethan Griffin, an 18-year-old high school senior, is the captain of the Mullen High School Speech and Debate team, as well as first place winner at the online state championship for speech and debate in March. Resident of Castle Pines, Griffin started speech as an after-school activity…
Through the love of learning, the goal of Recipes Around the World is to prepare students to be global citizens. In the combined lower elementary classroom of DCS Montessori (DCSM), teacher Leana Kerr and educational assistant Emily Montague Mendoca’s main objective is to provide multicultural experiences taught with a Montessori approach. Their students had the…
Information and photos provided by Douglas County School District Rock Canyon High School senior Isabella Rosabal was recently recognized on the national stage for her artwork. Isabella’s Doodle was selected as the state of Colorado winner from thousands of entries received in the 13th annual Doodle for Google competition, a contest open to K-12 students…
Last issue when we featured the list of 80108 graduates, we printed the previous year’s list for Valor Christian High School in error. Here’s the correct group of grads for 2021: VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Emma Bedrick Sophia Bossio Alek Brown Devin Brown Lauren Champine Bradley Coleman Lauren Downing Reese Dragovich Tyler Egan Piper Geraghty…
What better way to usher in spring than with hatching baby chicks? Two third grade classrooms at Timber Trail Elementary were chosen to participate in the 4-H Embryology Program through the Colorado State University Extension Douglas County office. Teachers Kimberly Jester and Michelle McCluskey each received fertilized eggs for their classrooms, and from the beginning…
Article and photo by Kathy Fallert Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) graduating seniors return to their respective elementary schools for one last tour before turning the page to the next chapter in their lives. The tradition of walking the halls in cap and gown began in 2019 and has become a favorite activity for the…