Read the stories from the latest issue:
Castle Pines residents and seniors at RCHS Courtenay Krause (left), Lauren Karaba (center) and Alexa Narlinger (right) donated blood during the RCHS blood drive in November. By Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Hannah Olsen The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Key Club held its annual blood drive November 1 with help from…
The friendly front-office staff at Brandon Linn Orthodontics. Article and photo by Carin R. Kirkegaard Brandon Linn Orthodontics, a local Castle Pines business, is partnering with the Salvation Army and the organization’s Angel Tree Program to help provide Christmas for those less fortunate this holiday season. The holidays can be economically challenging for many and…
DCSM sixth grade students Chloe Goodman-Scott, (left) Michelle Batson (middle) and teacher Diana Visser (right) learn that providing customers with exceptional service is a big part of the Starbucks experience. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori While it’s not uncommon to see the Castle Pines local Starbucks’ baristas multitasking behind the counter, it…
By Patte Smith Horse-drawn carriage rides will take families and friends on an old-fashioned jaunt around the Schweiger Ranch Austrian Christmas Festival & Christkindl Market on Saturday, December 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Kids get to visit with Santa and his reindeer, make crafts and have their faces painted, while adults can attend…
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, and cinnamon until the mixture is well incorporated. Spread pretzels in a large roasting pan (16x13x3 inches) and drizzle with oil mixture, tossing well to coat. Bake pretzels for 30 minutes, stirring mixture every 10 minutes to ensure pretzels…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard; Photos courtesy of the City of Castle Pines Mayor Tera Radloff, members of the city council and residents of the City of Castle Pines cut the ribbon for the official opening of the new fitness court located at Elk Ridge Park. Attendees received a hands-on orientation of the seven-circuit training system…
By Celeste McNeil Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) fifth grade students are honing their writing skills by partnering with writing buddies from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS). The partnership, linking students from the college preparation American English class with 11-year-olds is new this year. According to fifth grade teacher Michelle Parker, each BRE student has a…
By Bryan Goodland Christmas is coming fast upon us. If you haven’t finished or even started shopping, it is time to roll up your sleeves and get to it – especially if there are kids on your list. What should you buy the kids in your life? Keeping up with the latest trends in toys…
The color contrasts at Binalong Bay detail the orange lichen, azure seas, white clouds and blue skies of the region. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner As noted in the October issue of The Connection, the Tasmania experience is a breed apart. It is refreshing and temperate, unlike the Australian mainland. Lightly populated, it’s a…
Allan Dyer, Castle Pines resident for 16 years, is the new baseball coach at Rock Canyon High School. Dyer has a big vision for long-needed improvements to the field and the facilities. He is excited for the community to see all the positive improvements which, he said, “are a testament to the great people who…
Pictured right: The only girls in the third/fourth grade age group, Jordan McCrary (left), Sophia Bonnstetter (center) and Winter Keough (right) helped bring the LA Rams team to victory. Information and photos submitted by Castle Pines Athletics While the NFL pro football season is still in full swing, youth flag football in Castle Pines culminated…
Dan Casper shared some of his beautiful artwork, which is not for sale, at the Autumn Wine Walk in The Village at Castle Pines last month. He creates the pieces in his home studio and shares them with anyone interested in viewing them. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz There is an artist living in…
Legacy Village of Castle Pines residents enjoyed handing out candy while the ghosts and ghouls practiced their trick-or-treat manners. By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Bundled up in their favorite Halloween costumes Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) preschool students and first graders enjoyed a walking field trip to Legacy Village of Castle Pines.…
By Joe Gschwendtner: photos courtesy of Denver Public Library The Roaring ‘20s in the Wildcat Mountains did not lack excitement. Bootlegging and gambling were rampant, especially in Larkspur, where the Feds found and busted the two largest moonshine stills in the county. Their proprietors would do 3-5 years in the pen. Perhaps the headline event…
Castle Pines residents Natalie Roesch (left) and Mimi Brosh (right) volunteer at La Cache, a high-end, vintage consignment store in Denver that helps support Children’s Hospital Colorado. In the background is a poster honoring the store’s total donations of $5 million to the hospital since La Cache was established in 1982. By Patte Smith, photo…
Information submitted by LEAP As Colorado’s winter snow rolls in, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) kicked off the 2019-20 season with expanded eligibility criteria for individuals and families needing heating assistance. Enrollment for the 2019-2020 program started November 1 and will continue through April 30, 2020. “We are grateful that a larger number…
By Michelle Post Have you ever visited a mall, zoo, and/or theme park and needed to head straight for the huge map at the entrance? You want to know where you are and where you need to go. You look for the words, “You Are Here.” Then you look for where you want to go,…
First grade students from Mrs. Byrd’s class made stuffed teddy bears, friendship bracelets and tic-tac-toe games to sell at Market Day – the culmination of their economics unit. By Celeste McNeil; courtesy photos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) first grade students culminated their economics unit with a profitable Market Day. Serving as the fall semester showcase,…
By Lisa Nicklanovich If you struggle with trying to find a just-right gift for everyone on your holiday list, give Giftster, a private web and mobile gift registry a try. The giftster app is free for iOS and Android devices and both the app and website are very easy to use. It makes sure the…
By Bryan Goodland; graphic courtesy of DAWG Nation In October 2020, the City of Castle Pines may potentially become home to a new multi rink ice arena. The facility is a partnership between the City and a local nonprofit called DAWG Nation Hockey Foundation (DAWG Nation). Martin Richardson, the CEO of DAWG Nation, met…
for Children and Operation Santa By Carin R. Kirkegaard The holiday season, for many, is met with joy and anticipation, and perhaps a dose of stress. Across the Denver metro area, there are many families that struggle through the holidays. Tennyson Center for Children (TCC), located in the Highlands neighborhood of Denver, is able to…
American Academy student Ella Smith shines as bright and confident off stage as she does on stage. By Julie Matuszewski; photo courtesy of American Academy American Academy Performing Arts (AAPA) eighth grade student Ella Smith has landed the title role of Matilda in the Parker Arts and Sasquatch Productions live performances of “Matilda, the Musical.”…
This mischievous photo of “Gus” was sent in for the Cutest Pet in the Pines contest in 2016. If Gus is your cat, email editor@castlepinesconnection to receive a $25 gift card. By Susan Helton; courtesy photo A few pet safety considerations can help keep the holiday season happy for the whole family. Holiday Plants: Many…
Left to right: Sydney Cohen, Kate Anderson, Pablo Stewart, Gabe Dozois, Christian Caron and Chloe Connell had an amazing experience getting into character for Mystery History. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Fifteen years ago, DCS Montessori (DCSM) began the Mystery History celebration, the school’s much anticipated tradition celebrating Halloween. While many schools…
By Susan Helton Connection writer Susan Helton is an avid reader – more than 100 books so far this year. This month, she shares a collection of Christmas letters. Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien is a delightful collection of letters to the Tolkien children from Father Christmas, as Santa Claus is known in…
By Bryan Goodland Every two years, the Douglas County Assessor’s Office revalues all real estate in the county as of an appraisal date set by state law. According to Assessor Lisa Frizell, Douglas County homeowners will likely see an increase in their 2019 property tax bill, arriving in the mail in the next 6-8 weeks.…
A cup of Christmas comfort By Michelle Post; courtesy photo According to Ancestry.com, 77% of my ethnicity is located in England, Wales and Northwestern Europe. Perhaps this is one of the reasons I love tea. My mother, Annie, was a proud Newfoundlander who was born and raised on tea. In my book, Heaven Has Tea…
By Terri Wiebold A vibrant sense of community is one of the characteristics 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…
Second graders (left to right) Kensington Hulley, Taryn Pettis, Scarlett Borner, Jenna Prewett and Jolene Luber took their team off the field for a cool down session with popsicles. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students transformed into the Altitude Avengers for a fun day of outside activity…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love cranberries, with their quintessentially American flavor and deep red color. To me, they just scream “holiday.” I love cranberry sauce, cranberry bars and cranberry bread. The tart flavor of the berries is such a nice contrast to the heavier offerings that abound this time of year, their…
Pictured above, Melissa and Andy McCune have happily called Castle Pines home since 2011. Pictured left, Melissa’s book provides inspiration for drawing pictures. By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Melissa McCune Castle Pines resident Melissa McCune strives to share her love of art with as many individuals as possible. As an educator, she can reach…
The Holcomb family has so much fun building a pyramid of Jack-o’-Lanterns each fall for their neighbors to enjoy. Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Daryl Holcomb Each October, the residents on the cul-de-sac of Clare Court look forward to the festive Halloween display orchestrated by their neighbors Daryl and Dottie Holcomb.…
Castle Pines resident Ken Patrick (right) credits Black Diamond Eye Care optometrist Dr. Rachel Hasler (left) with saving his eyesight. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Wellness is an important part of everyday life, as well as a critical component to a successful career. The Castle Pines Connection recently received this letter from a resident…
By Susan Helton Connection writer Susan Helton is an avid reader, once reading 64 books during the summer – just because. This month, she shares a new high-tech thriller. Kill Zone is a tense disaster thriller by bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson and Doug Beason, local author and resident of The Village. The book was…
Caption and photos by Terri Wiebold Residents ushered in fall last month at the Autumn Art Walk 2019, sponsored by LIV Sotheby’s International Realty in The Village at Castle Pines. Stunning works created by Colorado artists included bronze sculptures, photography, painting, ceramics and more. Guests were treated to live music, wine and hors d’oeuvres, and…
AA Castle Pines campus elementary Principal Tami Bostick (left back row) with NatureBridge educator Geode Sibbick (back row middle), prepped the Castle Pines campus students for their full-day hike up Mt. Storm King. Due to erosion, students found that the rocks were smoother at the base of the mountain. By Julie Matuszewski: photos courtesy of…
and Memorial Day Flowers By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Memorial Day Flowers It has been said that Veterans Day is for the living and Memorial Day is for the fallen. Many have cause to mark both holidays and reflect on loved ones who have given their lives to service. Victory for Veterans is…
By Celeste McNeil; photos courtesy of Sarah Neumann and Katie Abner Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) recently held its annual Rock Slide fun run event. Families gathered to walk and run the 1K or 5K courses through the neighborhoods around the school and to encourage physical and social health. School spirit was evident by the sea…
By Stacie Chadwick When I was a senior in high school, I applied to two colleges. The first was the school I was destined to attend. The second? An afterthought, just in case the world’s largest sink hole, triggered by a flying unicorn tethered to an alien spacecraft piloted by Tom Cruise, happened to swallow…
By Lisa Nicklanovich In the How I Built This podcast, which is produced by NPR and Guy Raz, listeners meet entrepreneurs, innovators and idealists whose companies you are probably familiar with. How did they create and build the world’s leading businesses? Scroll through all the podcast episodes to find one that interests you. I was…
TTE student and families make their way through the numerous tables and shelves of books, bookmarks, pencils, erasers and trinkets. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary It was a great way to start the day for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students and families. Krispy Kreme doughnuts, coffee and juice were served by…
Liz and Brian Van Vechten Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Village at Castle Pines residents Liz and Brian Van Vechten opened their home last month to host a fundraiser for Happy Crew, an organization dedicated to destigmatizing mental health issues for teens by creating community and sharing the message: You matter. You belong.…
Jeremy Poincenot and Maureen Shul Article and photo by Nancy Koontz Maureen Shul, former and founding mayor of the City of Castle Pines, has much to be proud of. Her Wings of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer Research nonprofit, which she founded in 2012 after losing both her brother, Victor, and mother, Blanche, to pancreatic cancer…
Caption and photos by Kathy Fallert Saturday, October 12 was a beautiful fall day to enjoy some savory chili samples and mix it up with friends at the 11th annual Best in the West Chili Cook-off in The Village at Castle Pines. For $5, visitors got to sample all the red and green chili they…
A small sction of the Painted Cliffs rock formation at Maria Island National Park. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy map Among the world’s most remote and enticing places, Tasmania vies for my blue ribbon. Time will stand still for you in “Tassie”… Getting there takes some doing. Brace yourself: Denver to California, then…
County Commissioner Lora Thomas, City of Lone Tree Mayor Jackie Millet, Keith Simons of RidgeGate Investments and Schweiger Ranch, County Commissioner Abe Laydon and John “Turk” Montepare from Great Outdoors Colorado celebrated the opening of the new segment of trail by tossing native grass seeds along part of the trail that runs past Schweiger Ranch…
The two closest Christmas tree cutting areas to Castle Pines and the surrounding neighborhoods are Buffalo Creek and Rampart Range Road. Other areas are shown on the map for those who want to adventure a little further from home. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r2/recreation/?cid=fseprd562604 for more information. By Patte Smith There is nothing like heading up to the…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the Colorado Historical Society Yes he was. Tom Campbell. Dead. Finished off with a bullet in George Manhart’s dance hall in Sedalia on Saturday, May 6, 1899 as reported in The Castle Rock Journal at the time. Campbell, aka Thomas Jackson, was a tough customer. Well-known in Douglas County…
The Wasson family (pictured left to right) Rachel, daughter Reese (10), Andrew, and son Austin (8) found the perfect location for their brewpub in historic downtown Castle Rock which opened in October of last year. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Andrew Wasson What do you get when you combine three family members, all Air…
Deni Loritsch has been telling stories her whole life as a way to connect with those around her. She has completed four children’s stories; one of which is ready for publication. By Carin R. Kirkegaard; photo courtesy of Deni Loritsch Speech pathologist, writer and storyteller are all words one could use to describe Castle Pines…
By Patte Smith Remember, Medicare open enrollment and the chance to make changes to your 2020 Medicare plan ends on December 7. Medicare’s open enrollment period started October 15 and continues until December 7. During this time, individuals who qualify for Medicare can enroll in health and drug plans for 2020. Individuals who qualified in…
The Rock Canyon High School boys basketball team spent the day completing many “honey-do” tasks at Warren Village First Step transitional housing for single mothers Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard The Rock Canyon High School boys basketball team partnered once again with Warren Village and its First Step program to give back through…
By Patte Smith Crisis Center in Castle Rock is asking the community to sponsor client families and individuals with their holiday 2019 Adopt-a-Family program. These families and individuals struggle day-to-day to try to make ends meet. Through their courage and resilience, they have removed themselves, and many times their children, from abusive homes and conditions.…
Members from the Castle Pines Brownie Troop 65517 (pictured left to right) Elle Scott, Flannery Cool, Ellie Kasal, Lenya Sanford and Reagan Ramsey tackled the trash on Castle Rock’s East Plum Creek Trail. Article and photos by Carin R. Kirkegaard Castle Pines Brownie Troop 65517 worked toward earning their Eco Friend Badge and helped collect…
Caption and photo by Terri Wiebold The Castle Pines Connection would like to congratulate resident and long-time business partner Derek Kliner for his grand opening of Realty ONE Group Premier in downtown Castle Rock. Kliner is one of three managing partners in the Colorado region. “I left RE/MAX after 24 years because of the opportunity…
Axel Sammy Special thanks to the Isert family from BriarCliff for sending in this adorable picture of Axel (top) and the McCracken family from Pine Ridge for sending in this regal picture of Sammy to accompany our story. Both local pet owners will receive a $25 gift card for their participation. By Susan Helton; courtesy…
Two amazing canines have joined the force at South Metro Fire Rescue. Dedicated to supporting the first responders, Emergency Responder Service Dogs Molson and Champ bring positive energy into the daily lives of their firehouse family. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue There is a new member of…
Advanced mixed doubles first and second place: Rich Nipert and Abeer Miller. Men’s advanced doubles first and second place: Josh Reel and Brent Miller. Beginner mixed doubles first and second place: Kirk Bergner and Dana Smith. By Celeste McNeil; Photos courtesy of Beverly Carr Recently, pickleball enthusiasts held a round-robin style tournament in The Village…
By Kathy Fallert It’s hard to believe it’s November already. But here we are, and Thanksgiving is coming up quick! Cooking holiday dinners usually falls on my plate every year, and this year is no exception. I was looking for an app that would help keep me organized this holiday season with grocery lists, recipes…
OPENED IN OCTOBER Arapahoe Basin: OPEN Keystone: OPEN Loveland: OPEN Wolf Creek: OPEN NOVEMBER Eldora: Nov. 1 Breckenridge: Nov. 8 Copper Mountain: Nov. 8 Winter Park: Nov. 13 Vail: Nov. 15 Monarch: Nov. 22 Purgatory: Nov. 23 Steamboat: Nov. 23 Beaver Creek: Nov. 27 Crested Butte: Nov. 27 Aspen Mountain: Nov. 28 Snowmass: Nov. 28…
Excited to be SWAT operators for a day, Ms. Roda’s DCSM class received a hands-on lesson exploring the inside of the Lenco BearCat armored vehicle. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori What started off as a regular school morning turned into a morning of excitement as a FBI Denver Division Special Weapons and…
By Michelle Post In an article titled 17 Unusual Things to be Thankful for in Life, the author said this about failure: “Most of us are afraid to fail because we see it as a sign of weakness and worthlessness, but with the right mindset you can take failure and turn it into something for…
Shari Peck, coat coordinator By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Shari Peck Local realtor and Hidden Pointe resident Shari Peck is once again collecting coats for a good cause. “It it is something I have done the last two years,” stated Peck. “I feel it is important to give back to the community, and it…
At Rock Canyon High School, graduates who serve in the military are honored with a plaque, made in the RCHS ACE print shop, on the Military Wall of Honor, which was created this past February. Article and photo by Amanda Brauchler and Maddy Merritt, RCHS intern writers Every year, November 11, Veterans Day, serves as…
Program leaders Jane Lenz (end second row on left) and Kristen Ward Brown (middle top row) stand proud with the Timber Trail Elementary Red Shirt Rookies student athletes as they got ready to hit the field for their first soccer practice. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) has…
Ryan Kolb, Castle Pines American Academy campus Dean of Students, commemorates Constitution Day by reading about the signing of the Constitution to a fourth grade classroom By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy On Tuesday, September 17, all American Academy (AA) campuses held a day of celebration in honor of Constitution Day. Students and…
Laura Kirkland, RHMS art teacher Article by Andrew Kim, RHMS intern writer; photos by Karmel Bedhoodi, RHMS student American historian Henry Brooks Adams once said, “Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops.” Laura Kirkland, formerly known as Ms. Carter, is a teacher with a never-ending influence. She is an astounding art…
A blast of a journey By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Jimmy Dozer and Tim Clark As vice president and managing broker of LIV Sotheby’s International Realty (LIVSIR), Tim Clark manages all three of the Douglas County offices. “My awesome wife, Maureen, who goes by ‘Mo’, is also my business partner,” Tim stated. Having recently…
By Carin R. Kirkegaard After 35 years, the Castle Pines North Association (Master Association) board of directors will recommend that the community-wide homeowner association dissolve. The recommendation, explaining the reasons in favor of and against dissolution, will be made to each sub-association delegate at the annual delegate meeting held on November 14. The meeting will…
Castle Pines residents and juniors at Rock Canyon High School Izzy Holsman (driver) and Blake Burnham at Daniels Park. Research shows that teens understand they are vulnerable and are well aware of driving risks. So, focusing on positive actions that teens can take to be safe and to keep their friends safe, can be powerful…