Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
By Celeste McNeil The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) Unified Sports team, like other mainstream sports, was disrupted this year. Nonetheless, all students involved had a great time in the few games they did get to play. Unified Sports is a team sport sponsored by Special Olympics. Its mission is to foster inclusion, friendship and…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) worked hard to show their appreciation for Principal Jen Murdock-Jacoway and Assistant Principal Dr. Rob Thelen, commemorating the annual Principal Appreciation Day in May. Students filled both offices with streamers, confetti, balloons, banners, posters and miscellaneous party decorations while administrators were away. Upon…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photos After a three-year hiatus, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway is reopening this month. Known for its majestic views as passengers ascend 8.9 miles to the summit of Pikes Peak, the train cars, track, depot and visitor center have received $100 million worth of modern renovations and an updated name: The…
By Chris Michlewicz; courtesy graphic State legislators have introduced a bipartisan bill that would create a new transportation district for a passenger rail line along the Front Range. Thirteen counties, including Douglas, could be affected by the proposed Front Range Passenger Rail District, an entity that would plan, design, develop, finance, construct and maintain the…
By Chris Michlewicz; rendering courtesy of City of Lone Tree The first in a series of construction projects that will nearly double the existing size and population of Lone Tree is now underway. In recent weeks, earthmoving equipment could be seen reshaping the rolling landscape on the southeast quadrant of I-25 and Lincoln Avenue to…
By Chris Michlewicz; graphic courtesy of CDOT Motorists using the I-25/Castle Pines Parkway interchange are seeing signs of a statewide effort to improve accessibility for pedestrians with disabilities. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has been installing new curb ramps on Castle Pines Parkway over the interstate in the past weeks, causing lane closures. CDOT…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Douglas County residents no longer need to wait in long lines as part of communitywide electronic recycling events to purge closets, basements and garages of unwanted electronics taking up valuable space. Last month, Douglas County Commissioners approved a contract with Techno Rescue to provide free, year-round electronics recycling…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education selected Corey Wise for superintendent of schools to lead the District’s 63,000 students and 8,300 employees. Wise was selected from a group of more than 100 potential candidates. Wise is currently serving as the DCSD interim superintendent.…
The Douglas County slash-mulch site is open Saturdays only from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. through the end of October. In case of inclement weather, call 303-663-6274 to ensure that the site will be open as scheduled. Due to the limited size of the slash-mulch site, please adhere to current Colorado COVID-19 precautions during your…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County Libraries; photo courtesy of Hutch Tibbetts The archives and local history department at Douglas County Libraries (DCL) is excited to launch HistoryGeo, an interactive database for mapping land patent recipients, Douglas County historic sites, and other resources that can aid genealogical and local history research. HistoryGeo is conveniently…
Adventure-seeking enthusiasts By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Charlotte Mattox Not long after Charlotte and Jim Mattox moved to Colorado from Florida 14 years ago, they became involved in community causes. As many transplants do, the owners of Castle Rock EyeWear fell in love with Colorado while here on vacation. They opened their business in…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos “I wanted to be a wedding planner ever since I was little,” said Brittany Tolibas co-owner with Briana Hanson of Privé Events, located in The Village at Castle Pines shops. The talent, energy and creativity of this team has expanded from wedding and event planning to trendy florals, customized gifts,…
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 Hollen Wheeler Summer is coming and that means lemonade stands, trips to the pool and community garage sales. Looking to declutter closets, purge attics and basements and make a few extra bucks? A garage sale may be the answer. Garage sales attract several types of buyers: collectors looking for that unique purchase, those looking…
By Lynn Zahorik, courtesy photos As you travel the streets of Castle Pines, it is remarkable to observe the revitalization that is happening throughout the neighborhoods. Striking changes are being made to the exteriors of traditional homes constructed over the past three decades. Inspired by an abundance of home improvement shows, homeowners are taking pride…
By Patte Smith; photo by Lynn Zahorik Memorial Day is Monday, May 31. This is the day observed in remembrance of the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. In 2020, the U.S. added The National Moment of Remembrance, asking all fellow citizens to pause at 3 p.m. local time for…
Dear Reader, A few words as we prepare to celebrate Memorial Day, a federal holiday formally observed on the last Monday of May. Often considered the official start of summer, we must never forget that it is a holiday for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died in the performance of their duties…
By Bryan Goodland; courtesy photo The happiest place on earth reopened its gates on April 30, but don’t pack the Mickey bags just yet. While this is exciting news for those in the Castle Pines community with pent-up longings for a quintessential Disney family vacation, this initial opening is only for Californians, and proof of…
By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos On one of the (few) beautiful sunny days in April, neighborhoods throughout the Castle Pines community hosted egg hunts. To view a slideshow of photos from the events, visit www.castlepinesconnection.com and click on “Photo Album.”
By Patte Smith Ready to break out and enjoy hot summer days jumping in a pool or lounging beside it reading a good book? Good news – pools are opening for the summer and there are many great public pool options to check out. Butterfield Crossing Pool has been renovated and has numerous amenities. Located…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Western History Section, DPL Outliers make for legends. Bengt August (“Gus”) Nelson was one of them. Born in Falkenberg, Sweden in 1863, it was Gus’ destiny to become a great one. Great granddaughter Jo Nelson Bradford called him “a tough old bird.” At 18, Gus took passage on a…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Nicole McGarvey Meet Nara McGarvey, a 6-year-old rescued mixed-breed canine. Nara was fortunate to find her fur-ever home on October 11, 2014 through Every Creature Counts, an animal rescue organization. Nara’s owners, Nicole and Noel McGarvey do not know Nara’s exact breed, but what they do know is that…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Ron DeFore Since its opening in 1955, Disneyland has been a destination vacation for many families across the globe. There are entire books, blogs, social media pages and travel agencies that have pointers on which hotels to stay in, which restaurants to secure a reservation at and where…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Lauren Childress Lauren Childress is the public information officer (PIO) for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO). In that role, her main priority is media relations and informing the citizens in the community of the law enforcement related incidents that may impact them. During most of her law enforcement…
Family raises awareness about the disorder By Chris Michlewicz A Surrey Ridge couple’s quest for information and help for their son’s complex medical condition has been aided by a small army of people with progress on their minds and kindness in their hearts. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), an umbrella term for a range of…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have a sweet tooth the size of Texas and I make no apologies for that. I love all kinds of delicious foods, but in the end, if I have to make a choice, the dessert course is what really has my heart. I’m also a bit of a…
By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Parker Farmers Market The arrival of spring also means the much-anticipated arrival of farmers market season. There are few better weekend traditions than stepping into a busy farmers market on a warm, sunny day and perusing homemade wares, local art, vibrant flowers and baskets full of freshly-picked fruits and…
Castle Rock Farmers Market Outlets at Castle Rock 5050 Factory Shops Boulevard Saturdays: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. June 19 – October 30 http://originalcastlerockfarmersmarket.com/ Centennial Farmers Market University Towne Center 7424 South University Boulevard Wednesdays: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. May 5 – October 27 www.elephantrockfarm.com Cherry Creek Farmers Market Cherry Creek Shopping Center 1st…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Hilda Trigoso Hilda Trigoso has had her cast iron pans for more than 20 years. “My mother-in-law back in Brazil was the influence for me to get one,” Trigoso shared. “She always cooked for us in her big cast iron pan and always praised how much better everything cooked…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Sally Wagner, courtesy photo There are those who may think composting is dirty, gross, confusing and time consuming, but here is another look. Tossing kitchen and yard scraps in a bin and then getting free fertilizer for the lawn and garden is all there is to it. Well, okay,…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos On one of their annual trips to Hawaii, Ann Palmieri and her daughter, Michele, were on a sunset dinner cruise in Oahu watching the fire dancers with a group of tourists. Like a celebrity, Ann was surrounded by groups of people who all wanted to take a photo with her.…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Tracey Ray Tracey Ray is a wife, mother, daughter and business owner. She spent most of her life in Green River, Wyoming before moving to Denver in 2000. That was a big year for her. Tracey moved, met and married “the love of her life,” Scott, and became an…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of David DeFore David DeFore moved to The Village at Castle Pines in 2015 with his wife Kathy, after retiring from a successful 42-year career as a commercial real estate broker in Southern California. David has structured his life pursuing professional and social interests – making choices along the…
By Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photo Neighbors Ashley and Jay Byars moved from Atlanta to Colorado almost 18 years ago. First living in Highlands Ranch, they settled in Castle Pines in 2011. Their son Alex (13) attends American Academy – Castle Pines and enjoys football, basketball, skiing and skateboarding. The family spoils Hunter, their 2-year-old Maltipoo…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of Marti Jones When Castle Rock Adventist Hospital was being built in 2010 and 2011, something told Marti Jones that she would one day have a role at the medical center. Marti, a Village at Castle Pines resident for 18 years, says the notion came out of the blue, especially…
By Steve Whitlock; courtesy photos Making a noticeable difference in the world is something people talk about. In March, Lynnette Baylor of Castle Pines and Andrea Corrales of Highlands Ranch were part of a team that did just that in Colonias de Juarez, Mexico. The trip included a number of components like home building,…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Molly Mazat Terry Mazat and her daughter Molly, remember a time when there was just a single gas station and no schools in Castle Pines. Starbucks was not even a “thing” and at 10 p.m. every evening the elk would roam by to say hello. Both love the beauty…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Tiffany Ball “Flowers are in my blood and have always been a part of my life,” said Tiffany Ball. Tiffany’s great-grandmother was well known throughout her community for her flower gardens and her beautiful arrangements for the local weddings. She passed on her knowledge to Tiffany’s grandmother, who passed…
Article and photo by Hollen Wheeler; courtesy photo There is an Olympic hopeful in our midst. Figure skater Autumn Hall (12) is a sixth grader at Rocky Heights Middle School and already a champion. She practices at least five days a week and recently qualified for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the annual competition where…
By Shaun Kernahan; courtesy photos A Memorial Day weekend staple in the state of Colorado since 1979, BolderBoulder began with around 2,700 participants. By 2004, it had become the world’s largest timed 10K with more than 47,450 participants – and has grown ever since. This year, as a result of the ongoing pandemic, the event…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Christina Leone Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) poms dance team recently won the 5A State Championship, bringing the first poms state title to RCHS since 2009. It is the first schoolwide state title since 2016. Poms, a school spirit squad focused on dance, serves an important role within the…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Like the popularity of charcuterie boards and sourdough bread, tinned fish is having its moment. For pescatarians or anyone who enjoys seafood, tinned fish is a satisfying pantry staple and provides variety from fresh or frozen seafood. While some may have grown up enjoying sardines and oysters from a can,…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Paul Brannberg and Lisa Hutchinson By nature, human beings are social. Relationships with others help individuals survive and thrive. Staying socially connected can increase longevity, improve immune function and cardiac health. While physical distancing is still important during COVID-19, maintaining social connections is just as important. Grateful for their…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos Creative problem solving has become the new normal. The Douglas County School District (DCSD) art show committee applied creativity to the annual art show to safely display the best artwork from all the district schools, kindergarten through 12th grade. Traditionally, the district art show has been on display for a…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Ilana Bove The Help & Hope Center provides a warm, calm place for families in crisis to shop for food and necessities. With the help of community donations and volunteer support, the Help & Hope Center provides three meals a day plus a snack for each family member that…
CASTLE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL Jens Anderson Kianna Aviles Oliver Bolduc Tanner Bradley Olivia Briggs Yarely Chavez Castro John Colombi Dylan Cone Marissa Coney Evann Delgado Michael Edelmann Jazelle Edwards Ashlynn Farrell Madelynn Fougere Mariana Fraire Gutierrez Dayde Frankenfield Morgan Frieling Grace Gassmann Keyla Gholipoursani Brian Gonzalez Grace Hancock Valentina Hernandez Dylan Hettinger Zaydee Hyman Antoneo…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Leana Kerr Hungary, a landlocked country in central Europe, is known for its big flavor cuisine. Kinderpunsch or “children’s punch” is an aromatic concoction of herbal tea, fruit juices and bold spices. During the Christmas holiday, this warm beverage serves just the right punch of flavor, making it a…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Ilana Bove Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) kicked off its annual bookmark competition celebrating Read Across America. All TTE students were invited to create and submit one finished bookmark. The bookmarks were rated on original design and were required to include the word “read.” Top bookmarks from each grade included…
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photos Every year, Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) partners with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to raise money in support of critically ill children and grant their “wishes” – things like going on trips, visiting Disney World, or even getting a pet. This year, the school chose to grant the…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos Last month’s snowstorm officially took over the fourth place position in the record books; Colorado started keeping track of snow accumulation in 1881. Official snow totals are recorded at DIA, where this storm dumped 27.1 inches. Blizzard conditions with winds up to 35 miles per hour during much of the…
Information and graphic provided by Douglas County Douglas County residents behind in rent or utility payments due to COVID-19 financial impacts may be eligible for assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Douglas County will distribute $8.4 million in direct assistance using funds received from the U.S. Treasury Department through the Coronavirus Response and Relief…