Read the stories from the latest issue:
Information provided by the DCSO Do you use private video surveillance at your home or business that records video? If so, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) would like to partner with you to help solve crimes. Video surveillance is one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in…
By Terri Wiebold What would have been the 30th annual Castle Pines community garage sale will not happen this year – at least not in the way it has in years past. Historically, the Castle Pines North Master Association (MA) sponsored and coordinated a community garage sale in May and again in September. For the…
Information provided by Douglas County Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for Douglas County. Prohibited activities include open burning of any kind and use and sale of fireworks. Allowable activities include: 1) fires within liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within buildings, charcoal grill fires within developed residential or commercial areas, and fires within wood…
Council approves property subdivision; future City Hall site By Terri Wiebold; graphic provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 20-12, subdividing the Lagae Family Trust property located at the southwest corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway. The vote came following City staff’s recommendation and public…
Welcome to the community Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan Bruce Ringgenberg, majority owner and manager of Berg Haus, Castle Pines newest bar and grill is no stranger to opening and running a successful restaurant. In 2009, he was living in Minnesota when he sold his successful financial services company and jumped on the street…
The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce has kept its mission at the forefront these past several months, as we have worked to support local businesses in our community. Reopening and recovery are a welcome opportunity to begin a “new normal” in our personal and professional lives, while following thoughtful guidelines put in place to keep…
By Steve Whitlock; courtesy photos Have you been outside recently and noticed painted rocks along your walk? This simple act of kindness is making an impact on communities across the country. Some have taken it upon themselves to simply brighten the day of neighbors with inspirational messages, while others are involved in more organized rock…
By Stacie Chadwick Having spent more time on this Earth than I’d like to admit, I’ve learned a few notable lessons. One of the most important is that, despite the most carefully laid plans and just when you least expect it, life changes. When a bump in the road interrupts a fully-flushed endeavor, a natural…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Jim Taylor There are nearly 100 distilleries located across the state making handcrafted liquor, including some of Colorado’s own whiskey. Resident Jim Taylor has been touring some of the local venues, sampling from their tasting rooms and refining his taste for a top-shelf, handcrafted whiskey. Taylor admits that…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Craig Miller, CPNMD Parks & Open Space manager Communities throughout Douglas and Elbert counties, as well as other areas of Colorado are worried about the brown trees, evergreens and shrubs that look like they are dying. Readers take heart and do not dig up or cut down your trees…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner We parted in Warsaw last month. No history of Poland is complete without knowing it once was the center of a Nazi killing field. The pre-war Jewish population was huge, as Poland was the most religiously tolerant country in Europe. The Holocaust began when Nazis rounded up the Jewish…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos The cocktail hour was an institution after Prohibition when alcohol became legal again. We can all picture men in the 1950s coming home from a long day at work to a waiting Manhattan or a martini to signify the transition from work to home. In recent years, 5 p.m. seems…
By Carin Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the Kasal family New neighborhoods continue to grow and develop in the Castle Pines community. The lure of contemporary floor plans and new construction has many longtime homeowners in the original Castle Pines neighborhoods curious and questioning whether to purchase a lot and start a new home construction, or…
By Terri Wiebold “Karen” is not only the given name of hundreds of thousands of intelligent, kind and beautiful girls and women, it is a name – much to the chagrin of real Karens worldwide – that has become the essence of the latest meme that has taken pop culture and social media by storm.…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert With warm weather finally here, we ventured out to Chatfield State Park. If you haven’t taken your dog there, it’s a must-go for dogs who like water. Having two web-footed Labradors, it’s a sure stop for us. They absolutely love it and will swim until they drop. As a…
Thoroughly Modern Manners – Ask Mrs. Abramovitz Dear Reader, How about a last-minute party? Are you ready? We find ourselves underscheduled for once, and we’re all just ready to bust out the hospitality. I’m not talking about cleaning the house and hosting a multi-course meal, I’m talking about friendship and togetherness, not entertaining or impressing.…
By Lisa Nicklanovich There are many popular books that have been adapted to film recently, giving us the opportunity to see how the same story can be reimagined and beloved characters brought to life. The following film adaptations have been released to streaming platforms for rent or purchase due to theater closures. Check for film…
Information and photos provided by Cy DeBoer Bin Blessed, a grass roots organization that collects donations for families with critically ill children through the nonprofit There with Care, has partnered with Peak Refreshments to help fill the gap of services that have been canceled in recent months. Neighbors in the Castle Pines community were able…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard, courtesy photo Homelessness is a prevalent, growing and evolving issue. For those individuals experiencing life on the street, there may be a stigma of prejudice and ridicule that creates isolation and vulnerability. Facing Homelessness: Denver (FHD), a Douglas County-based nonprofit, is working to end homelessness by inviting the community to be…
By Lynn Zahorik; courtesy photos One of the most coveted graduation gifts is a T-shirt quilt that showcases all of the many activities and community events within a child’s school career. In 2017, a group of moms with soon-to-be graduates who had been working on picture collages for Rock Canyon High School’s senior hall realized…
By Bryan Goodland When times are economically tough, people look for creative ways to make ends meet. An option known as a reverse mortgage is a financial strategy that is often considered by older homeowners on a fixed monthly income. A reverse mortgage is a loan that a homeowner borrows against the value of their…
Unfinished symphony By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo Hotel Nanichant was completed in 1889 to accommodate visitors to the planned Village of Lake Wauconda, its Native American name meaning echo. In 1891, Bela Hughes’ son-in-law, Charles Roberts, built his own home there calling it the Manor House. It is still in use today as the Perry…
By Bryan Goodland; Photo courtesy of Paula Kirkegaard Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the man who kissed your skinned knee or cheered your star performance in the grade school production of “Annie.” How do you celebrate someone that has done so much? Here are five very personal gift ideas to consider for your…
Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Many area farmers markets have opened for the season, and more are scheduled to open this month. Before you grab your shopping bags, familiarize yourself with these few helpful tips: Shop with an idea or list of what you need to make your shopping trip as quick as possible.…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photo Every kid knows treats taste better when the kids get to decorate! Children are excited to show off their creations and to share their goodies with those they love. The Yingst children recently shared a delectable treat with their family on Mother’s Day. In keeping with the house rules, mom,…
By Steve Whitlock; photos courtesy of the Kuna family Finding innovative ways to spend their time, Keller Kuna (13) and Aaron Perry (13) are creating outdoor furniture from recycled skis. It was a need they readily identified and addressed, shared Kuna. “We saw that a lot of people had old skis in their garages and…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Journey Church In 2018, Denver Street School (DSS), located across three campuses in the Denver metro area, received a grant from Journey Church Legacy Fund. The school is an alternative high school that is fully accredited and serves at-risk youth. Over the years as the church has grown, Journey…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of the Kamel family Faith, family and fitness are the pillars that frame Perry and Lindsay Kamel’s world. These three cornerstones have continually defined the Kamels’ lives. Active members of Journey Church, the Kamel family is community conscious. They moved to Castle Pines 14 years ago from Maryland after looking…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; Photo courtesy of the Liepins family “There is nothing better than seeing a flower open or the top of the kohlrabi appear,” said Donna Gordon, a community resident who spent 10 years overseeing an organic garden as part of her job as curator of education at the Littleton Museum. “Many children don’t…
By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Marco Fields Taking a break from her back-to-back Zoom business calls, Marco Fields started our interview with, “I’m a storyteller, and I have lived an amazing life!” Marco was born in the early ‘70s in Los Angeles and grew up in a small conservative college town in Utah. With…
By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of the Gallegos family As a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Sky Ridge Medical Center (SRMC), Kathy Gallegos’ days are long. Not merely because of the 12 hour shifts she works, but also because of the magnitude and number of events Gallegos encounters each day…
By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of Kelsey Cristiano Kelsey Cristiano, a 2007 graduate of Rock Canyon High School’s inaugural class, will have her athletic prowess featured June 10 on the Fox network’s new game show, Ultimate Tag. The show debuted in May and is hosted by the NFL’s Watt brothers – J.J., T.J. and Derek.…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos With graduation ceremonies postponed and many typical traditions canceled, school administrators and parents were challenged to find ways to celebrate graduates. Families “adopted” seniors throughout the community, delivering treats and inspirational words; schools blanketed neighborhoods with yard signs commemorating continuation for many grade levels; chalk messages decorated driveways and…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Last month we featured graduates in the 80108 ZIP code from traditional and private Douglas County high schools. The Douglas County School District provided the list of graduates. The following 80108 students also graduated in the Class of 2020 from STEM or secondary schools. Any names/schools not in the…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Debbie Rochau As part of the curriculum for the significant support needs (SSN) program at Rock Canyon High School, students learn life skills that they can carry with them after high school. Before the Douglas County School District transitioned to remote learning, students were shopping for cooking ingredients at…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Just as high school commencement ceremonies looked different this year, so too did local elementary and middle school continuation celebrations. Rocky Heights Middle School moved its traditional slideshow online, sending eighth graders off to high school using technology. American Academy honored eighth graders by placing a sign of congratulations…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy With the help of Online Physical Education Network’s national trainers, American Academy’s Castle Pines students were able to enjoy this year’s annual field day tradition from their homes. Using household items like baskets, Tupperware, socks, balls and water bottles, backyards transformed into courses for timed field day…
By Julie Matuszewski: photo courtesy of Buchold family American Academy (AA) engineering instructor Melissa Sitzmann loves to see her students using their free time to work on something that interests them – especially if they are expanding their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) knowledge. AA seventh grade Castle Pines student Andrew Buchold is a…
Celebrates Healthcare Workers By Carin R. Kirkegaard; courtesy photos The newly-formed National Elementary Honor Society at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE), for its first community service project, reached out to each BRE class and asked for students to create a video featuring letters or pictures to show their thanks and appreciation for frontline healthcare workers. Students…
By Julie Matuszewski Parenting is a rewarding job that can come with sleepless nights. Which school to enroll a child in is one of many decisions that can keep parents awake. Touring community schools is the best way to determine if a school is right for a student. A tour helps parents identify a school’s…
By Julie Matuszsewki; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Outdoor Ed is a three-day overnight trip and one of many school highlights for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) fifth graders. This year Stone Canyon Outdoor Education virtually brought outdoor adventure to students, including the traditional barn dance with links to the “Chicken Dance” and the “Cha-Cha”…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy Members of the American Academy (AA) engineering staff love to find new and innovative ways to solve problems. When it became clear that procuring protective equipment for healthcare workers would be difficult for many health organizations, the AA engineering staff collaborated with a local designer and started…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori (DCSM) families and students finished the school year with a sense of renewed energy. The DCSM Education Foundation not only raised money for the school year, but also raised morale within the DCSM community. The organization planned weekly themed events for the entire family. Families…
By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos After nearly 35 years of public education, Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) physical education teacher Ronda Gutierrez is trading her indoor classroom for an outdoor one. Gutierrez has been getting students moving in the Douglas County School District (DCSD) since 1986, a fixture at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) for the past…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy DCS Montessori Trekking through Colorado’s geologic past along the Front Range is like stepping into another world. Panoramic view of Pikes Peak, red rock formations standing taller than buildings, and the Dakota Hogback take a person’s breath away. Each magnificent view delivers a subtle message of its history. Prior to…
By Lynn Zahorik; courtesy photos As we honor mothers of all ages this month, one family in The Village at Castle Pines celebrates both Mother’s Day and the 97th birthday of a remarkable woman who has been a mom for 73 years. Known as Libby Wright to most, Elizabeth Louise Miller was born on May…
Uncertainty and fear; two elements that criminals and con artists thrive on. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends consumers be especially alert to avoid falling for a scam. Below are several recent reported scams, along with tips to identify and avoid them. Phony cures and fake masks. The BBB has received reports of people receiving…
The Rotary Club of Castle Pines (RCCP) has a long history of helping community efforts. With the arrival of the coronavirus and its economic impact, Help & Hope Center of Castle Rock that serves individuals and families in Douglas and Elbert counties, is experiencing a shortage of food and pantry items. RCCP generously donated much-needed…
Help & Hope Center need you! Help & Hope Center is in need of volunteers. The center is following the Center for Disease Control guidelines and protective measures for volunteers. These include: No one over the age of 65; social distancing – volunteers have specific areas they work in; hourly handwashing; disinfecting tools and surfaces;…
By Celeste McNeil; photo courtesy of Brian McKelvey Castle Pines Cub Scout Pack 856 has been busy. They joined with their chartering organization, Castle Rock American Legion Post 1187, in assisting with the Legion’s annual spring food drive. All food, supplies and money were donated to Help & Hope Center, the Douglas and Elbert County…
Information provided by Douglas County Removing tree limbs, shrubs and brush (slash) from your property is essential for wildfire risk reduction. Douglas County’s slash and mulch site at 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock is open to dispose of unwanted slash on Saturdays only from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. through October 31. Residents can dispose…
By Patte Smith May is Mental Health Awareness month and Douglas County is proactively helping adults and youth get mental health help when needed. In 2017, the first adult mental health Community Response Team (CRT) was organized in the county. With a much-needed mental health response team for youth, Douglas County formed a CRT specifically…
Information provided by Douglas County Nonprofit organizations serving the local community have become increasingly more critical in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents. The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) established a COVID-19 Recovery Fund to help strengthen and stabilize local nonprofits that are working to support those most impacted. Priorities include food banks, food…
By Terri Wiebold We’ve all heard about the multitude of loans the government is issuing to help small businesses, but there are other industries that are stepping up to help both businesses and residents alike – including the insurance industry. The amount of driving that people are doing has sharply decreased, and car insurers have…
Information and photos provided by the City of Castle Pines In lieu of a traditional egg hunt this year, the City of Castle Pines created four egg designs that residents downloaded, printed and had their children color to display in the front windows of their homes. The “Egg Scramble” challenged families to search out eggs…
By Carin Kirkegaard; courtesy photos Spring has sprung and Castle Pines gardeners are sprucing up home landscapes. The ash tree makes up 15% of Colorado’s urban forest and is in danger of being obliterated by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). In August 2019, the first evidence of the EAB outside of a federally quarantined area…
Connecting with Nature Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski In a world of uncertainty, confusion and constant stimulation, it can be hard to quiet the mind and take a needed mental break. Connecting with nature through a hike provides a peaceful escape far away from the traffic, meetings, chores and business of daily life. Being…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Julie Lamb Wildlife and clear skies are an everyday occurrence in Castle Pines neighborhoods. We are home to a herd of elk that roams the surrounding open space. Residents catch glimpses of bears waking up from hibernation as they lumber across driveways. Walking the trails in the community,…
…through the Little Free Library Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Resident Michael Dauro made it a little easier for neighbors in the Kings Crossing subdivision of Castle Pines to pay it forward and share a good book. Dauro installed a Little Free Library (LFL) along the sidewalk at Oxford Drive and Malvern Court.…
Memorial Day National Moment of Remembrance by Patte Smith As Americans, we dedicate two days of the year to honor those who have served in our U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans Day in November celebrates the service of all who have served the country in war or peace, while Memorial Day in May honors those who…
By Joe Gschwendtner Americans have long been known for ingenuity and creativity in challenging situations. Currently faced with cabin fever, accompanied by claustrophobia and frustration, many of us have become quite resourceful in maintaining our sanity. What follows may be just what the doctor ordered. Consider old tonics. A bottle of wine is a good…
By Stacie Chadwick As we travel life’s journey, we pre-check a lot of big moments. Seminal ones like weddings, milestone-inspired birthdays and bringing children into the world. Most of these occasions have memory-searing significance, and they bear a weight and stature that’s truly breathtaking. What we don’t see and feel as much are unplanned occurrences…
By Lisa Nicklanovich There are many popular books that have been adapted to film recently, giving us the opportunity to see how the same story can be reimagined and beloved characters brought to life. The following films and television shows are in production, and the release dates are either unknown or have been postponed. Now…
Thoroughly Modern Manners – Ask Mrs. Abramovitz Dear Reader, Let’s talk about the May ritual known as graduation and the subsequent commencement ceremony. As we wade through the next few weeks or even months of self-quarantine, we’re all wondering if graduation will be postponed, held virtually, or even canceled? I can’t answer that, but I…
Animals enjoy sanctuary in Colorado By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo by Terri Wiebold A friend recently said, “You’re not really in quarantine until you’ve watched Tiger King.” According to the data firm Nielsen, the Netflix series, billed as a true-crime documentary, was watched by 34.3 million people over its first 10 days of release. The huge…
Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner; information sourced from Fading Past: The Story of Douglas County, Colorado by Susan Consola Appleby Periodically we golf at Perry Park. When on the course, it is impossible not to be drawn into the sheer, raw beauty of the place. Like Roxborough Park, this tucked-away enclave captures true Colorado…