Read the stories from the latest issue:
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have an aspirational collection of cookbooks. Sure, the internet is a virtually limitless source of ideas and inspiration for what I might do next in my kitchen, but there’s something delightful about paging through a cookbook, especially one filled with exotic ingredients and luscious photography. My friends and…
By Steve Whitlock; photo courtesy of Jason Anguiano Jason Anguiano and Gina Anguiano are multi-generation Colorado natives – both born and raised in the inner city of Denver. They grew up with needs of various kinds and now appreciate how vital it was to receive support from others who stepped into their lives. Without their…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Shannon Jensen Hard work, dedication and tenacity are more than mere adjectives; they have shaped the life of Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) Detective Shannon Jensen. Jensen has consistently pushed herself to never give up. Growing up in Southern California, Jensen stayed close to home after high school, attending…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Harry Abramovitz Creativity can be expressed in a myriad of ways. If lucky, creating can also become a viable option for a career. Harry Abramovitz has discovered his path for a creative career with the training programs offered at Teaching the Autism Community Trades (TACT). As far back…
By Carin Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the RCHS cheer program Rock Canyon High School’s varsity cheer team finished fourth in the nation and the school’s junior varsity cheer team finished fifth at the National High School Cheerleading Championship held in Orlando, Florida. The team made history as the first RCHS team to make it straight…
By Carin Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Meredith Love The Rock Canyon poms team made program history with their best finish at the 2020 National Dance Team Championship in Orlando, Florida. The team placed third and earned two bronze medals in both the Medium Varsity Pom and Large Game-Day Pom divisions. In addition, the team had…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos February 5 was National Signing Day, when high school student-athletes all over the country sign letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. We commend all the student-athletes and congratulate the following 80108 student-athletes as they celebrate their hard work and look ahead to their futures: DOUGLAS…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of the Village Idiots Cycling Club The Village Idiots Cycling Club is growing and welcoming new members. They have several meet and greets planned in the coming weeks to get to know prospective members better. The annual membership meeting will be on Thursday, March 5 at 7 p.m. at MiYO…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the Jackson family Annually, the Foundation for Douglas County Schools along with the Douglas County School District selects the top female student athletes from across the district to be honored at the National Girls and Women in Sports Day luncheon. Mia Jackson (pictured left) was among the five…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is currently evaluating student enrollment throughout the district, including school capacity, enrollment numbers and attendance boundaries for all DCSD schools. Scenarios for possible changes in the future will be presented at a Board of Education (BOE) meeting on March 10. “We have pockets in our…
By Uma Kotwal, student writer; courtesy photos Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) gathered its top spelling participants on stage for the annual Douglas County School District Spelling Bee. In total, 27 students participated in the initial round with the top three spellers moving on to the district spelling bee. It took 10 rounds to eliminate…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Jerome Price Six committed Rocky Canyon High School (RCHS) special education assistants raced headlong – maybe tip-toed – into freezing cold slush for the Polar Plunge at Aurora Reservoir in support of Special Olympics Colorado. The 2020 Unified Canyon team, led by Coach Jerome Price, included first-time plungers Kristin…
Learning life lessons By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Wer gu yaram; or rather, cheers to good health. This is a common phrase used in Wolof, a Niger-Congo language spoken mainly in the Republic of Senegal. As part of DCS Montessori’s Human Differences month, students were treated to a special African cultural assembly. Designed to…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy Fifth graders from American Academy (AA) – Castle Pines campus took part in a community service project, creating bundles of joy to support students attending Douglas County School District’s alternative high school, Eagle Academy (EA). AA students filled 150 gift bags with donated goodies like goldfish crackers,…
By Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Heidi Wing In February, the Rock Canyon Community Alliance (RCCA) fundraised for the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) annual After Prom event and also for classroom grants. The rock-themed date night event for RCHS community parents and faculty called Rock the Night Away was held at…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary Timber Team had all kinds of fun on their minds when the student leadership group coordinated a game day with the residents of Legacy Village of Castle Pines. Members of Timber Team joined residents of Legacy Village for a fun interactive game of…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Tim Ryckman The annual third grade show at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) had a special treat for those attending the show this year. Art teacher Tim Ryckman led the third graders in a unique art project to accompany their show – they collectively designed and painted a wall mural…
By Claire Bauer, student writer; photos courtesy of Deanna Thaler The bond between those on a sports or club team is strong. You are there for each other through thick and thin. You support each other. You lift each other up. It’s no different in a choir. Studies have shown that choral singing can help…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori In 2019, Diana Visser’s DCS Montessori (DCSM) sixth grade class wrote letters of thanks to the Colorado Air National Guard (CO ANG) 140th wing stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora. The 120th Fighter Squadron, a unit of the CO ANG 140th wing, was deployed to…
Article and photo by Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer Seniors at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Matt Mejia, Sage Wheeler and Nick Quam started a club called the Rock Canyon Broadcasting Network (RCBN) when they were sophomores. The three started and ran a similar program when they were students at Rocky Heights Middle School. “Due…
By Julie Matuszewski: photos courtesy of Gina Luber and Linda Johnston Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) daughters and dads dressed the part for the annual Daddy Daughter Dance held in February. The school’s halls and gym transformed into the biggest fiesta with Latin-inspired decorations and traditional beats that brought TTE daughters and dads out on the…
by Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) in February for Heart Month. The AHA’s mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Each year, students participate in the American Heart Challenge, which not only gets students dancing,…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Bianca McCarty Photography Maybe you think about your overall health, but do you think about your blood vessel health? As a vascular surgeon, Dr. Colleen Hupp wants to raise awareness about cardiovascular health. Hupp specializes in peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a blood circulation disorder that causes the blood vessels…
By Elizabeth Wood West The 2020 general election in November is 10 months away, but there are many other important elections this year and they start as early as the first week of March. Colorado Presidential Primary Colorado’s presidential primary election is Tuesday, March 3. This is the day that Colorado and several other states…
By Steve Whitlock; photos by Terri Wiebold When Gresh launched the Castle Pines Municipal Court in 2010, there was no computer system. As a result, shoe boxes were first used to file documents, including infractions and parking tickets. Gresh calls those the “horse and buggy” days. Today, the court is noticeably different, with recent examples…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Kevin Rants Kevin Rants, the City of Castle Pines newest councilmember, was sworn into his new role representing District 2 at the City’s council meeting in January. Three main areas Rants intends to focus on during his tenure are: Ensuring a clear, transparent and accountable government; ensuring long-term…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard How many times has the phone number of an incoming phone call looked suspiciously familiar? Maybe the prefix is the same as yours, or maybe it is even exactly the same number as your spouse’s phone number. When you answer though, it is a telemarketer. This tactic is called “spoofing,” and…
The next Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 24. There will be a presentation on the Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Rate Study, as well as the associated findings and underlying rationale for proposing cost-of-service rate/fee increases for the remainder of 2020. Immediately following the…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos by Terri Wiebold History is a tricky thing; it happens whether we are paying attention or not. But what a gift it is to be able to look back and trace the steps that led to today. The Castle Pines Connection is happy to have found its place in history…
Motorists traveling north and south along U.S. Highway 85 between Louviers and Sedalia will see the 2.5-mile, two-lane stretch of roadway reconstructed and widened to a four-lane, divided highway. This, thanks to County voter-approval of Ballot Issue 1A last November and a new cost-sharing intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Douglas…
By Terri Wiebold For many, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to show those you love or care about a little extra affection and attention. In a romantic relationship, that might mean flowers, chocolates, dinner out or maybe even a Hallmark card. But what about a business relationship? Aren’t the things that build meaningful personal relationships…
Football and hot wings: A family tradition Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Ulrich family Lincoln is not only Nebraska’s capital city, on Saturdays in the fall it is flooded with a sea of red as all eyes turn to watch the University of Nebraska’s football team take the field. Nebraska…
Information provided by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce; photos by Terri Wiebold More than 150 business members and owners attended the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce annual members luncheon at Cielo at Castle Pines last month, making it the Chamber’s highest attended luncheon to date. The afternoon event included a farewell presentation for outgoing…
Article and photos by Terri Wiebold A mere two short months following the closing of Dazbog Coffee in the King Soopers shopping center of Castle Pines, the rich aroma of coffee will waft out the doors of 7298 Lagae Road once again. Ziggi’s Coffee opened in 2004 as a small coffee shop on the corner…
A wealth of Colorado heritage caught on camera By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Julie Lamb The National Western Stock Show (NWSS) has been promoting American agriculture and Colorado’s rich western heritage since 1906. For local photographer Julie Lamb, it is one of her favorite events to capture behind the lens. “Can you believe…
Thoroughly Modern Manners – Ask Mrs. Abramovitz Dear Reader, Let’s talk about some of the manners around being a great party hostess and an awesome party guest. If etiquette is the road surface and manners are the rules of the road, let’s talk about which lane to get in. One of the rules I’m most…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Johnna DeBella Forty-eight years ago before book clubs were in vogue, a group of avid women readers banded together for the love of reading and discussing books – all kinds of books. The nine ladies are still going strong, and while some of the members have come and gone,…
Be in the Know – Discovering what’s hip, what’s hot and what’s happening NOW By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Taylor Wiebold The selfie has changed how we communicate with each other, and it is ubiquitous. The idea of taking a photo of yourself is not new, but where did the term selfie come from, and…
By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photos The stock market crashed on Black Friday in October 1929, ending the Roaring ‘20s. That day marked the beginning of the greatest economic downturn these United States have ever known. President Franklin Roosevelt sought ways for the federal government to stimulate the economy. One program was the Civilian Conservation Corps…
Making a difference By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of the DAR The Castle Rock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is furthering its mission to, among other things, promote patriotism and preserve American history. At its membership meeting last month, the organization welcomed The Castle Pines Connection for a presentation and…
The history of a Hallmark holiday Reprinted in part from The Castle Pines Connection, Volume 5, Number 2 On February 14, people all across the world will take part in Valentine’s Day, a day predicated on the celebration of romantic love. This holiday is celebrated in the Americas, Europe and even parts of eastern Asia.…
Healing little hearts By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of J.C. Heinen New Year’s Day 1975, J.C. Heinen gave birth to her daughter Jessica Renee. Jessie was born premature with a congenital heart defect (CHD) called Tetralogy of Fallot. Her condition required Jessie to remain in the pediatric intensive care unit for the first 18…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner After touring Wellington last month, let’s ship out, on a 3.5 hour, $44 ferry ride, crossing Cook Strait to the South Island. The 12th largest island on Earth may also be its finest. If you are Maori, you’ll call it Te Waipounamu; if you are Hobbit, Middle-earth. After sampling…
The historic fires and subsequent devastation happening in Australia has left many wondering how they can help. The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) has compiled a list of vetted and certified ways to give: GlobalGiving’s Australian Wildfire Relief Fund is a U.S. intermediary that can help channel donor advised funds or organizational donations to support…
By Kathy Fallert With February being National Pet Dental Health Month, it is wise to keep in mind that dental disease is more than just cosmetic. If you find your furry friend has red gums, yellow teeth and stinky breath, it could be a sign of oral disease. If left untreated, oral disease can lead…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County received a grant for $494,000 from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Federal Transit Administration to improve reliable transportation services for the County’s senior population and adults with disabilities. The grant will fund door-to-door, demand-response transportation services throughout the year. All Douglas County seniors and adults…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Michelle McClarran Castle Pines Girl Scout Troop 65517 took the opportunity to make some friends and play a little bingo at Legacy Village of Castle Pines. The girls spent an afternoon with residents calling out letters and numbers, searching for a straight, layered cake, baseball diamond and even…
By Bryan Goodland Being in a good relationship takes practice and time; it is a skill learned throughout one’s life. As the saying goes, with age does come wisdom and what better gift to give future generations then teaching them how to care for the ones they love. Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett
A tale of making a classic dish my own Article and photo by Lisa Crockett This is comfort food season. It’s the time of year when I crave things that are hearty, filled with flavor, and – most importantly – warm. Mardi Gras takes place this month, bringing with it the flavors of the south:…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of the Wing family Heidi Wing, president of the Rock Canyon Community Alliance (RCCA) is long-time volunteer and advocate for the Douglas County School District (DCSD). Wing saw a need at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) and created RCCA to help raise funds for not only the school’s after…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; Photos courtesy of Ashley Oxton Castle Pines resident Ashley Oxton remembers a time – long before King Soopers was at the corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway, long before Daniels Park Road was paved, and long before the first house was built in the Castle Valley development – back…
Article and photos by Shaun Kernahan Although its seats will be vacant on Super Bowl Sunday, Empower Field at Mile High encompasses the ultimate Colorado football experience. Having opened in 2001 at a cost of $400.8 million, the six-level stadium is double the square footage of its predecessor Mile High Stadium, but it has just…
By Shaun Kernahan; photos courtesy of the Jones family September 24, 1994 was the date of, arguably, one of the most memorable single plays in sports history for the state of Colorado – the Miracle at Michigan. The seventh-ranked University of Colorado (CU) Buffaloes were in “The Big House,” facing off against the number four…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Ashley Oxton The commitment to a healthy lifestyle begins with that first step, and for many that first step is taken on New Year’s Day. Castle Pines Running (CPR) held the 5th annual Waterton Canyon New Year’s Day run, offering more than 60 runners an opportunity to take…
By Zachary Lipfield, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Jeff Douglass Rock Canyon High School (RCHS), Castle View High School and Douglas County High School together have an ice hockey team named the Castle View Sabercats (CVS). The team was terrific last season, winning the state tournament. This season started out hard with the team…
By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo As a high school senior, the idea of paying for college is a concern I know I share with many. Scholarships are a great way to help lessen the cost of college, but it can be difficult to know how best to find and apply for them.…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students were greeted with brightly printed posters and fellow students waving shining blue and gray pom poms as they returned to school after the long winter break. TTE Timber Team students showed their Timberwolves pride by welcoming students and families back to…
By Patte Smith In January, the Healing Our Youth – Get Educated symposium was held at Cresthill Middle School in Highlands Ranch. Hosted by the Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee and sponsored by Highlands Behavioral Health System, the event was profoundly moving, alarming, motivating and educational. Mental health care professionals, physicians and parents presented…
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy American Academy (AA) joined the nation in honoring local police officers for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9. Recognizing local officers and staff for their hard work and dedication to keeping our communities safe is a new tradition at AA. At a school where uniforms are…
By Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Sage Wheeler Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) senior Sage Wheeler earned a perfect score on the ACT. It was his second time taking the test. To study for the test, Wheeler used the Official ACT Prep Guide by Wiley. He did numerous practice tests which he…
Photo by Meredith Love
By Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo The National Charity League Inc. (NCL) Elevation Chapter is a nonprofit organization that promotes mother-daughter relationships through volunteering and serving their communities. The Elevation Chapter supports numerous philanthropies, including Developmental Pathways, Clothes to Kids, Parker Secret Closet and the Help & Hope Center. NCL provides many opportunities…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori New records were made during the DCS Montessori (DCSM) youth physical fitness test. Earlier in the school year, students completed two fitness tests measuring upper body strength. Push-ups and abdominal curl-ups were both part of the test. Demonstrating the student’s endurance, each exercise was performed to fatigue.…
By Amanda Brauchler, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Nicole Vanderpoel It was only 46 degrees outside when 27 swimmers jumped into the outdoor pool at Colorado Athletic Club Inverness on January 3. The group from the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls swim team started their new year off by participating in the third…
By Sophia Bobier, student writer; photos courtesy of Jaidyn Shirley and Julian Bouquet Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) is home to many extra-curricular activities. These activities include numerous sports, performing arts, technology and more. There is one club, however, that stands apart from the rest. National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a group of talented…
Article and photo by Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Jessica Bird Landing the first job, living independently, paying the bills and cleaning house are all life skills we learn and acquire throughout our lifetime. Many of these skills came as a result of that one person, group or organization that believed in us and our…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Michelle Parker Young Americans Center for Financial Education is unique. It’s a financial institution designed specifically for kids, anyone 21 and younger – the only one in the world – and it’s right here in Denver. Young Americans is more than just a bank. It hosts numerous educational experiences.…
By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori The first student leadership council was recently elected at DCS Montessori (DCSM). Cougar Council (CC) is made up of 10 sixth grade students, all of whom were voted in by their fellow sixth grade classmates. The CC will represent the student body in school activities. With no…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photos courtesy of Julie Lamb The Castle Pines community has many amenities to offer residents, including natural trails, breathtaking views and a variety of wildlife. Neighboring Cherokee Ranch & Castle is home to roughly 1,000 elk. As fall turns to winter, vegetation for the local herd is scarce, which is why…