Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Lisa Nicklanovich National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is held each year, the week before Thanksgiving. Participating groups in the annual event spend the week holding a series of educational, service, fundraising and advocacy events. Even in the world’s greatest food-producing nation, children and adults face poverty, hunger and experience homelessness in every county…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Nash Bochner When Nash Bochner inherited 15 plants from a friend who was moving out of state, he looked at them all and asked himself, “How do I keep these alive?” Bochner had never owned a plant before. Caring for these plants sparked an interest that led Bochner to…
Article and photos by Terri Wiebold Tia Baker and her husband, Bryce, grew up in Douglas County and recently moved back to Colorado after having spent 10 years in Washington. They moved into The Canyons development in the City of Castle Pines in August, just in time to reacclimate and prepare for the arrival of…
By Patte Smith, photo courtesy of USDA Get out of the house this year for fun freedom in the glorious Colorado mountains. Breathing in fresh air while tromping through the forest in search of the perfect holiday tree is exhilarating. Dress warm and be prepared for winter weather, or who knows, it might be warm…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett One of the things I love about food and cooking is that it’s a great way to bring very different things together and discover how to make a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Restaurant chefs do this all the time, combining flavors from different…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett ~ Assorted fruits in bite sized pieces: Strawberries Cantaloupe (reserve one piece of cantaloupe) Raspberries Bananas Seedless grapes Pineapple ~One pear (red or green), halved ~Cake décor candy eyes (available at craft and grocery stores) ~12-15 wooden skewers ~One whole cantaloupe Slice the bottom of the cantaloupe to create…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Sarah Tierney “Anchor Bar wings are the gold standard of wings,” exclaimed resident Sarah Tierney. Tierney grew up in Buffalo, New York, where Buffalo chicken wings began (but in Buffalo, they are known simply as “wings”). The name for the ubiquitous sauce and wings, therefore, has nothing to do…
By Lisa Nicklanovich Whether you are curious about what being a vegan means, are interested in moving toward being “veganish,” or if you’ll have a vegan at your Thanksgiving table, World Vegan Day on November 1, the start of World Vegan Month, is a great opportunity to understand this movement more. Veganism, by definition, is…
By Carin Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Hazel Bagley celebrated 103 years of life on October 25 at Legacy Village of Castle Pines. Hazel has the honor of being the oldest resident in the senior living community. Born in Josten, Missouri in 1917, Hazel was the middle sister of five girls. Her dad was an auctioneer and…
By Bryan Goodland; courtesy photo As the cold and flu season approaches, many Castle Pines community residents both young and old are considering seasonal vaccinations. This is especially true for those age 65 and older. While there may be concern about side effects from vaccinations, seniors are at a higher risk of complications from the…
By Chris Michlewicz; courtesy photos He’s a familiar face on TV and a familiar face in the neighborhood. Dave Fraser, the chief meteorologist for FOX31 and Channel 2 News, has called Castle Pines home ever since he landed in Colorado almost 20 years ago. “It was serendipitous. We looked at so many homes that for…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Sean O’Dea There’s more to Sean O’Dea than a first glance might suggest. Among his various titles are husband, father, police officer, veteran, educator and author. Currently, O’Dea is a social studies teacher at Regis Jesuit High School. He recently stepped down as the chair of the department to…
Veterans use long-distance walks to lift each other up –and bring attention to PTSD By Chris Michlewicz; photo courtesy of Josh Emer Play was stopped mid-game on a baseball diamond in Larkspur in August, and all of the players and spectators left the field. It wasn’t because of inclement weather; it was because a procession…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Kevin Leung Kevin Leung, 26-year resident of The Village at Castle Pines was one of this year’s three winners of the Colorado Association of School Board McGuffey Award. The award honors unique members who bring committed and passionate service to their board work. Leung came to this country with…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of VICC “YOU ARE Project reCYCLE” is a statement that the nonprofit Project reCYCLE (PR) organization firmly believes. Providing a bike to a child that has never had one or needs one is their absolute goal, and the people who donate bikes and volunteer their time are key to their…
By Celeste McNeil; photos by Terri Wiebold Phase I of the Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority (RHRA) master plan is close to completion. The first phase includes the Newlin’s Gold Trail, a hiking trail near the reservoir entry to an overlook. A stair incline is also part of phase one. The incline is north of Hess Road…
By Zach Lipfield, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of RCHS Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys golf finished fifth in the state at the 2020 Class 5A boys golf state championships held in Golden at The Club at Rolling Hills on October 5 and 6. The team went into the championship after finishing first at…
Article and photo by Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer Returning to school this fall has looked quite a bit different for Castle Pines students. With most middle and high schools offering either completely online learning or a hybrid schedule where students still spend a significant portion of the time learning at home, students are juggling…
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…