Read the stories from the latest issue:
Article and photo by Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer Students at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) recently finished their first official quarter of hybrid learning – part of the week at home online, and part in-person at school. While this was a big change for all students, this year’s freshman class of 2024, have arguably…
Notice is hereby given that a proposed budget has been submitted to the Castle Pines Metropolitan District (CPMD) for the ensuing year of 2021. A copy of such proposed budget has been filed in the office of the District, 5880 Country Club Drive, in Castle Rock, Colorado, where same is open for public inspection. Such…
Article and photo by Julie Matuszewski; photos by Lynn Zahorik Nestled in the middle of Colorado is the town of Salida. Known as the “Heart of the Rockies,” this small mountain town attracts visitors with its charm and year-round outdoor life. Its appeal comes without all of the hustle and bustle of a popular mountain…
By Chris Michlewicz A road-widening project on U.S. 85 between Sedalia and Louviers is expected to impact Castle Pines motorists through spring 2022. The $23.7 million project – a joint effort between Douglas County and the Colorado Department of Transportation – aims to accommodate an increase in traffic resulting from population growth. The widening will…
By Chris Michlewicz; photos courtesy of CDOT A four-year-long construction project designed to improve safety and traffic flow along a heavily-used stretch of I-25 south of Castle Rock has reached the halfway point. The I-25 South Gap project is creating new express lanes, widening the highway from two to three lanes in each direction between…
By Carin Kirkegaard; graphic by Tim Gamble Last month, construction and infrastructure work began on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road. Since the City’s incorporation in 2008, the roughly 10-acre parcel of land has remained vacant. It was recently purchased and subdivided into six parcels (and one tract), two of which…
By Patte Smith Families, individuals and seniors who need heating assistance for the winter months in Colorado may qualify for the Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Discover Goodwill of Southern & Western Colorado administers the Douglas County LEAP program for the Colorado Department of Human Services. The federally funded program assists with heating costs,…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; information provided by Douglas County Douglas County will mail ballots to registered voters beginning the week of October 12 for the November 3 election. The general election, which will include a vote in the presidential race as well as other local and national issues, will be an all-mail ballot election. To…
By Kathy Fallert If you want to know what is on your ballot for the upcoming November election, here are a few great resources available to answer your questions. The Douglas County website features election information (https://www.douglas.co.us/elections/), including the 2020 General Election Composite Sample Ballot for residents living in Douglas County. The sample ballot presents…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is joining forces with the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and local law enforcement agencies statewide to help prevent impaired drivers from threatening the safety of others on Colorado roadways. Law enforcement will be on high alert during the Fall Festivals DUI…
By Patte Smith The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has a traffic unit that addresses the ongoing problem of speeding in residential neighborhoods. It encourages citizens to call the traffic safety hotline at 303-660-7539 and report speeding vehicles. Report the license plate number, description of the vehicle and the time of day the speeding occurred.…
Information provided by Douglas County One of Douglas County’s most historic ranches is now protected with a conservation easement made possible by County taxpayers, County Commissioners, The Conservation Fund, Douglas Land Conservancy (DLC) and the owner of Ditmars Ranch. The 1,500-acre property was identified 25 years ago as a conservation priority in the south I-25…
Adventures in life and in the kitchen By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Jo Brinkerhoff Mark Brinkerhoff’s passion for hospitality runs deep, with roots in Douglas County that have brought him full circle – back home to Castle Pines. A Colorado native, Mark grew up in Sedalia, the second of four children in a very…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Chris Michlewicz The Castle Pines Connection is thrilled to welcome Chris Michlewicz to our team as a writer and photo journalist. Michlewicz is originally from Royal Oak, Michigan, and moved to Douglas County in 1996. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communications from the University of…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Ron Di Donato Whether you are new to working remotely or you have been teleworking for years, the need for in-person social interaction remains important. The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce has partnered with RFPrepared owner Kirsten Sandlin to host a monthly coworking event for all current and prospective…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard On September 10, the Articles of Dissolution for the Castle Pines North Association, Inc. (Master Association) were filed with the Colorado Secretary of State, dissolving the more than 35-year-old community-wide homeowners association (HOA). The remaining funds at the time of dissolution totaled $259,833 and were disbursed to the sub-HOAs that participated…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Village at Castle Pines business district saw several changes last month, a musical chairs of sorts. In September, Sterling Custom Homes moved its operations into the former Guaranty Bank building, creating a nearly 12,000-square foot design center. “With a building this big, we get the opportunity to showcase…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photo The fourth annual 9/11 Eat for a Cause community fundraiser looked a little different this year. Traditionally held at Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar (Pino’s), this year Castle Pines newest eating establishment, Berg Haus joined in to honor and celebrate first responders, military and frontline workers and to “Never…
A creative solution to slowing traffic By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Ron Di Donato While in self-quarantine, some have been busy doing home renovation and organization projects, gardening or binge-watching shows on Netflix. Others have taken on new hobbies, like papier-mâché. The Castle Pines Connection received a phone call from Ron Di Donato, a…
Discussing ALL THINGS literature By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Sudden Fiction Books For those who don’t consume content on Netflix, cable TV or the internet, books are essential in times like these. The U.S. has seen an uptick in book sales since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. According to NPD BookScan, the print book market…
Neighborly chat leads to $50,000 grant By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of the Marilyn Lichtman Foundation A conversation between neighbors in Glen Oaks set in motion a chain of events that could positively impact job opportunities for the visually impaired for years to come. It was in May that Elaine Hussey and Michael Scott were…
Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik Tucked between the towns of Buena Vista and Salida in Chalk Creek Canyon lies the picturesque resort of Mount Princeton Hot Springs (MPHS). Surrounded by majestic 14,000-foot peaks, this historical but modern retreat in Nathrop is an idyllic place to vacation. The geothermal mineral pools which bubble out of…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of “Our Heritage: People of Douglas County” Our early Douglas County pioneers knew well the meaning of the “Wild, Wild West.” They lived its hardships, pain and unpredictability. Whether from Europe or the East Coast, the life left behind was more urbane. Quiet. Civilized. So was it for Samuel (Sam)…
By Celeste McNeil; aerial photo by Bob Wiebold; photos courtesy of HistoriCorps Devils Head, the familiar craggy outcropping that sits on the horizon just to the south and west of the Castle Pines community, is home to one of the last seven original Front Range fire lookout towers still in service. A mountain summit in…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of SimplyEuro Automotive Repair Winter driving in Colorado means being ready for anything. October is a good month to do an overall winter-ready car check so you are prepared for whatever Mother Nature serves up. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), dead batteries and accidents resulting from worn tread…
What is baking? By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos As a teenager growing up in the ‘80s, there was one giant taboo when it came to applying makeup: no “cake” face. This phenomenon occurs when too much foundation or concealer is applied and not blended properly, resulting in a chalky, mask-like pancake appearance. It’s ironic that…
By Stacie Chadwick When I was growing up, my mom never focused on how I looked or what happened to me, because those things were out of my control. Instead, her concern was centered on what I could do to positively impact others. For her, the word “achievement” manifested itself in a myriad of ways:…
By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Croatia is a huge surprise for the North American. Not completely “discovered” even by discriminating Europeans, there is so very much to be swilled – no matter one’s perspective. From medieval to avant-garde, there is a great bouquet in this misshapen land. With first-class autobahns as spines, one might race…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo While “Dry January” may be more popular, the sobriety challenge “Sober October” is a movement that is catching on. Some people commit to cutting out alcohol consumption for the month of October as a way to donate to a charity; some make it about their health and wellness as they…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard The hot summer days have made the change to chilly crisp fall nights in the Castle Pines community. As the calendar flips to October, neighbors will soon be hearing knocks at the door. When they go to greet their caller, all they will find is a bag on their doorstep and…
By Celeste McNeil AllHealth Network is a nonprofit organization founded in 1955 as a community mental health center. Today they have 11 locations in Arapahoe and Douglas counties. AllHealth Network provides mental health and substance use treatment for people of all ages, as well as behavioral health and crisis services. Colorado consistently ranks in the…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s a transitional time of year. Shorter days and changing colors signal the end of one season and the beginning of another, and with this change in the weather, I find myself shifting gears in the kitchen. Grilled meats are replaced by hearty stews and warming soups. Baked goods…
By Lisa Nicklanovich When we give our pets treats, table scraps, and hearty helpings of food, we do it out of love. Too much of a good thing, though, can be bad for our fur babies. That’s why October 14 is designated as National Pet Obesity Awareness Day to remind pet owners to keep their…
By Bryan Goodland Whether working from an office or out of your home, cybersecurity is important. Cybersecurity, usually a corporate term, is used when discussing how to protect computer systems and networks, but it is just as important for the individual user to protect technology from digital hacks. The first thing to know is which…
Dear Mrs. Abramovitz, Should I pull over for a funeral procession? – LB Part of the funeral often includes solemnly carrying the loved one from memorial site to burial site and certain customs are invoked. “Always” is a word that is usually used as an illustrative purpose and “usually” understood to be hyperbole and not…
By Patte Smith The 2021 Open Enrollment period for Medicare runs from Thursday, October 15 to Monday, December 7. During this time, individuals who qualify for Medicare can enroll in health and drug plans for 2021. For individuals already enrolled in Medicare, it is very important to review current coverage. Individuals who qualify in 2021,…
By Bryan Goodland; photo courtesy of the Macklin family Holidays are all about family traditions, and with Halloween just around the corner, it is time to gear up for the onset of the holiday season that will be upon us until the New Year bells of 2021 ring. Engaging in the tradition of pumpkin carving…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Lynda Hernandez Castle Pines resident Lynda Hernandez knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was in second grade. As a little girl, Hernandez would transport herself into a school classroom, playing the lead role of the class teacher. For days on end, she would play school with…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard and Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Dave Liniger has had a storied life; a proclaimed adventurer in many respects, he has lived many lives. He works hard, he plays hard and he gives immeasurably. All this is done hand-in-hand with his wife, Gail, his partner in both business and life. The couple…
By Patte Smith The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce annual Trick or Treat Street in Castle Pines spells fun, candy and prizes for ghosts and goblins. Kids come in costumes and bring a bag for all the loot. Participating businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and The Village Shops at Happy Canyon and Santa Fe will…
By Lynn Zahorik, photos courtesy of Natalie Jackson While most stages across the country remained dark, the lights shone brightly at The Valor Center this summer. For three and a half weeks, 60 Valor Christian High School (VCHS) performing arts students joined together to rehearse for six performances of their summer production, “Bright Star.” Set…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Jon Landis Jon Landis, although he was born back east, moved to Colorado at age 11 and has been hunting his whole life. One of his oldest memories is walking in the woods back in Pittsburgh, hunting squirrels and rabbits with his grandfather, father and older brother by…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Kevin Rants In 2013, “The Hunger Games” movie and young adult novels by Susan Collins were all the rage – many young girls envisioned themselves as Katniss Everdeen, hair done in braids and a bow and arrow slung over her shoulder. Kinsley Rants, 16 years old at the…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; information provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife For tens of thousands of people in Colorado, hunting season is one of the best in the state. In addition to providing food for the table and an outdoor recreational experience, hunting is an important wildlife management tool. “Wildlife management covers a wide range…
By Patte Smith The 2020-21 ski season is a go, and while it will be somewhat different this year, skiers and snowboarders can happily hit the slopes. Planning a ski trip will require research beforehand to be aware of specific information and requirements for each ski area before the season begins. Be sure to visit…
Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich If information is power, the Oura ring gives you superpowers. A titanium smart ring on your finger, the Oura ring has infrared LED sensors, temperature sensors, an accelerometer and a gyroscope that monitors and captures your body’s pulse, movement and temperature. Personalized insights are delivered straight from the most…
By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Louise Melbye The Ladies Nine in the Pines 9-Hole Golf League held another successful golf tournament benefiting the “Mammogram Connection” program at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. The tournament was held at The Country Club at Castle Pines and raised a historic $45,000, all of which is used to benefit…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of RHMS You may have noticed the huge white tents outside at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) and Rock Canyon High School and wondered why they are there. Deanna Thaler, choir director at RHMS has the answer, “We are using a tent this year to help combat potential spread of…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Higher Education To inspire more Coloradans to continue their education, all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado, as well as several private institutions, will allow students to apply for free on October 13 as part of the third Colorado Free Application Day. Colorado Free Application Day caps…
Information and photo provided by DCS Montessori At DCS Montessori (DCSM) peace education is a major component of the Montessori classroom, teaching children compassion, acceptance, kindness and understanding. Dr. Maria Montessori’s words are fitting in a world of many changes for our young. “An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking; it involves…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Kelli Weinreich Kelli Weinreich – Coach W. to her students – joined the Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) family this fall as the school’s new PE teacher. Weinreich is excited to share her enthusiasm for an active and healthy lifestyle with BRE students, despite hybrid school limitations. “My goals at…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the McCarthy family Colorado’s Bike to Work Day was postponed this year from May until September, but no matter the month or the destination, neighbor Brian McCarthy chooses his two wheels to get him where he needs to go. Brian works the night shift as an emergency room…
Information provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation In August, the Colorado Department of Transportation started collecting tolls for drivers using the C-470 Express Lanes between Wadsworth Boulevard and I-25. Tolls range from 65 cents to $3.60 per toll point with an ExpressToll pass, depending on the time of day. Drivers will have the choice…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard September marks the final month that residents can be counted in the 2020 Census. In August, the Census Bureau began following up with households across the nation that have not responded to the questionnaire. The Bureau estimates it will need to visit about 56 million addresses to collect responses in person.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Julie Lamb September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Suicide rates are disproportionately high among veterans. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, veterans comprise nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in the U.S. To help raise awareness, a local chapter of Semper Fi & America’s…
By Patte Smith The annual Bike to Work Day was rescheduled to Tuesday, September 22. Organized by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Denver Regional Council of Governments Way to Go program, Bike to Work Day encourages residents to not only ditch their cars and hop on a bike – whether going to…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard Over the past several weeks, families have loaded up trucks and moved children to college campuses. For many students, the upcoming election on November 3 will be their first opportunity to cast a vote. A new address for the student can bring questions about how to vote in college, where to…
Stage 2 fire restrictions continue to prohibit open burning of any kind in Douglas County, as well as the sale and personal use of all fireworks. In addition, Stage 2 also prohibits the use of fires in chimineas and other portable fireplaces or patio fire pits, as well as campfires at developed campgrounds or picnic…
Nontraditional works for them By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Julie Snook Dr. Randy Snook, a 24-year resident of Glen Oaks and his wife of 18 years, Julie Snook, are the owners of Advanced Integrative Medicine (AIM) in Lone Tree. Randy, originally from Alamosa, Colorado, always knew he wanted to be a doctor and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos September arguably heralds in some of Colorado’s best days to get outside, especially in the high country. With warm sunny days cooling to crisp evenings, hiking, biking or even driving over mountain passes provides an opportunity to witness the state changing colors and showing off the vibrantly-hued fall foliage.…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Rated the safest country in Southeast Asia, Thailand is magnificent holiday country with 1,000 miles of coastline. Few know that its standard of living is high, ranking 61st in the world, above Peru, Hong Kong, China and Brazil. Buddhism is practiced by 85% of its citizens, a…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. Colorado is unfortunately no stranger to mass gun violence, and from 2016 to 2019, the state had the highest increase (58%) in teen suicides. With greater emotional and mental strain due to the current pandemic, programs helping youth deal with mental…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Steve Janedis Steve Janedis loves nothing more than sharing his passion for produce with the world. In his quest to educate people about how to pick produce, Janedis admitted he could talk for an hour just about how to choose a pineapple or a watermelon. Janedis’ early days in…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert This summer, my family joined the many people taking road trips across the country. This was a long road trip to Washington state to visit my sister. Along the way, we hit a couple of national parks. In the car were my husband, Mitch, my son Kyle, our grandson…
By Patte Smith; information provided by Colorado State University Extension Now is the time of year to give a little tender loving care for gardens, lawns, trees and shrubs to ensure next year’s landscape is in good shape. GARDEN: Keep weeding the garden, deadheading flowers, and if annuals are spent, dig them up. Be sure…
By Steve Whitlock Authors write for various reasons. Those might include entertainment, journaling, therapy, or just to create. Many authors also write to be heard, understood, and to influence others. After all, writing is communication. Being read and received can be deeply rewarding. Yet, some authors find the publishing process to be daunting, even intimidating.…
By Stacie Chadwick When I was a child my nickname was Mouse. I was quiet and reserved, always assessing before speaking and sometimes not talking at all. I often held back in conversation, politely waiting my turn. Once I hit 13 and started to become more confident, I took baby steps off my observant perch.…
By Terri Wiebold Whether you are the parent of a teenager or you have watched any news coverage in the past many weeks, you have likely heard of TikTok. So, what exactly is it? TikTok is a free social media platform like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter that allows the user to watch, create or…