Read the stories from the latest issue:
Craftsman inspired by family By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of the Howarth family The Castle Pines Connection and Woody Howarth, builder/designer and president of Sterling Custom Homes, Inc., have a long history together, almost to The Connection’s very beginning. In 2009, Woody and his company stepped forward to help neighbors who had lost their home…
Easy Cream Biscuits, May 2017, page 29. Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Most of life’s big events have food associated with them – cake in particular features heavily in nearly all of life’s milestones. A perfect slice of chocolate birthday cake evokes memories of childhood. The top tier of a wedding cake, tucked carefully…
Pictured left to right: Celeste McNeil (The Village at Castle Pines), Steve Whitlock (Surrey Ridge) and Julie Matuszewski (City of Castle Pines). Check out everyone’s bio at www.castlepinesconnection.com. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Build it and they will come. That was valuable advice I received 10 years ago when contemplating publishing a free community…
The support and generosity of the Castle Pines community brought the library from a small bookmobile to an improved storefront facility to the magnificent state-of-the-art center the community currently enjoys. Along the way, to celebrate the forthcoming structure, a temporary “Little Free Library” for swapping books graced the property where the new library would stand.…
By Barbara Neff Worldwide, approximately 50 million people now struggle with dementia, and approximately 10 million people are newly diagnosed each year, according to the World Health Organization (www.who.int). Dementia has been studied extensively the past decade. Its alarming rise has been tied to fitness levels, diet, heredity, extended use of some medications, environment and…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Sedalia Historic Fire House Museum and Gardens Harriet (Hattie) Davis Beeman was made of tough stuff. Kevlar before its time. Born in Denver in 1885, at age 9 she moved with parents and family to a farmstead on Upper Riley Hill Road (Daniels Park). She attended Round Top School…
Electric pressure cookers are all the rage, and this particular brand, Instant Pot, topped the wish list for many this holiday season. Article and photo by Catalin Varela So you got an Instant Pot for Christmas…now what? The contraption has so many buttons and flashing lights it could probably launch to the moon. Before you…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Like a fresh coat of snow, the new year offers a blank slate. Now is the time for contemplation and simplification. Perhaps this year you’ve decided on resolutions pertaining to healthy habits or sticking to a budget. Maybe instead of formal resolutions, you’ve simply decided to be open to…
Information and photos provided by the Village Castle Pines Garden Club The Village Castle Pines Garden Club held its annual Christmas brunch on December 7 at Cherokee Ranch & Castle (CRC). It was a crystal-clear morning and the views from the castle were spectacular! The gorgeous Colorado morning set the stage for coming together with…
As academic and creative ambitions increase, more and more students are reaching out to peer tutors. Locally, a number of those reside in the Sapphire Pointe neighborhood, and they’re making a real difference in the lives of others. By Steve Whitlock; courtesy photos Community is what you get when a neighborhood comes together to help…
By Amanda Merriman To say that time moves fast is an understatement. As months and years roll by, I find myself wishing there was a way to (if not slow things down) at least remember the little things a little better. I always loved the idea of a diary but lacked the dedication to write…
Christmas for Kids event supports children in foster care By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of James Dewhirst Photography Four years ago, friends Tom Vieregger and Kuntal Vora had an idea to create a charitable event that would help kids in foster care have a happier holiday season. The pair created Christmas for Kids benefiting Kids…
Timber Trail lunch bunch staff relaxing and enjoying their potato bar, courtesy of the TTEA. By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Timber Trail Elementary The Timber Trail Education Alliance (TTEA) was busy this holiday season warming the hearts and filling the tummies of Timber Trail faculty and staff. TTEA and parent volunteers wanted to give…
Information and photos provided by CPNMD The Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) Board of Directors appointed Chuck Lowen to fill the available board vacancy created last October. Lowen owns and manages a successful commercial property management and brokerage company that he formed in 2006. He has expertise in every facet of real estate property…
The boys basketball team in Derby, Australia wore uniforms donated by Rock Canyon High School (RCHS). The boys basketball team at RCHS learned about the Derby team after coaches from Derby came to RCHS and spoke about their community. Article by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo by Andrew Jackson Donated Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) boys basketball…
Information provided by the Town of Castle Rock While we all want to stay in the holiday spirit for as long as possible, experts recommend recycling live Christmas trees right after the holiday. Don’t let your tree take up space in a landfill. Let your last gift for the season be to the environment, and…
By Amanda Merriman Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she shares what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. While I read this month’s selection, I thought to myself, “Oh the…
By Lisa Crockett It’s the time of year after the most wonderful time of the year. If you’ve overindulged, perhaps you’re looking for a way to get back on track. Or, maybe you’re simply looking to improve your health and wellness. Or maybe you want to shed a few pounds. One excellent strategy for achieving…
Heart of the bundt business By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of the Randall family Pam Randall, The Bundt Shoppe owner, is fond of many Bundt flavors. “But my all-time-go-to-when-I-want-to-eat-the-whole-thing flavors are the double chocolate and the lemon squeeze. So delicious!” stated Pam. When she started The Bundt Shoppe, Pam believed her family thought, “There goes…
RCHS sophomore Morgan Wetzel lights the “mole cannon” as sophomore Julia Drobish aims it at the back of the classroom where her peers are standing. Chemistry teacher, Dave Ferguson instructed the students on how to safely light and fire the cannon and students in the back of the room were wearing eye protection as they…
Mayor Jason Gray (pictured center) and Town Council ceremoniously shoveled the dirt, signifying the official groundbreaking of the East Plum Creek Trail extension project. Information and photo provided by the Town of Castle Rock Whether you’re hiking, biking or out walking the dog, the Town of Castle Rock (Town) is known for its beautiful outdoor…
The ladies of the Balmoral cul-de-sac gathered together to kick off the holidays. Good food and great fun was had by all, as whimsical white elephant gifts were exchanged. The general rule was the tackier the gift the better! Front row, left to right: Candy Beach, Carol Van Voorhis, Linda Nystrom and Rebekah Goodman. Back…
Students and faculty enjoyed the sweet treats during the Lean on Me bake sale. Article and photos by Julie Matuszewski Grateful is how several families from Crisis Center in Castle Rock felt over the holiday season for Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) third-grade classes participating in their project based learning (PBL) unit titled “Lean On Me.”…
Freshmen Roshni Nandi and Caley Kalecek practiced coding at the “Hour of Code” event at RCHS. The event, which is part of the program Girls Who Code, encouraged interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, particularly computer science. Article and photo by Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer Women comprise only 29 percent of…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Corin Meibos There were some very powerful moments at the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) choir concert that took place December 11 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch. The evening featured the four choirs of RCHS: Women’s Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Select Choir, and Select Mixed…
Sigler, one of the founders of Troop 1920, the first female BSA troop, shot a rifle at Centennial Gun Club as a part of her Venture Crew 563. Venture Crews were the first co-ed opportunity in BSA before their policy change that will allow females to have access to the same opportunities as males. Article…
By Terri Wiebold; photos by Lynn Zahorik Colorado gives day was December 4, 2018 and more than 157,700 donations supported 2,481 nonprofits to the tune of $35.1 million in Colorado. Locally, the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce hosted an event at Haven in the Pines for its nonprofit members, including The Chelsea Hutchison Foundation, The…
The holiday Womenade gathering at the Bell Mountain Ranch home of Leslie Beauchamp was a celebration of the season and raised funds to help two local families in need. Womenade holds quarterly potlucks in homes in Castle Pines, Castle Rock and other nearby areas to raise funds to help with needs that otherwise might not…
By Catalin Varela After emerging from the self-induced holiday food coma, everyone has their hearts set on creating resolutions to manifest their best year yet. According to TIME magazine, these are some of the most popular New Year’s resolutions that no one can seem to keep…and we’ll talk about how to stick with them. Eat…
Stacked up old TVs and a computer table left outside the Help & Hope Center after hours. These items will cost the Center several hundred dollars to recycle them using funds that are needed to help individuals and families who are struggling. Please do not leave items such as these at nonprofit organizations. By Patte…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Jennifer Chiu Although they may not have ever heard the word before, second-grade students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) gained a first-hand understanding of benevolence through the school’s annual Adopt a Family pay it forward project. Recently having completed their community unit and heading into…
Officer Jacob Coyle (left) and Officer Austen Schlecht (right) enduring the freezing temperatures at the Castle Rock Starlighting to continue their involvement with the community. By Catalin Varela, photo courtesy of Castle Rock Police Department “To provide a sense of independence to an otherwise dependent community…” That was Castle Rock Police Department’s mission when they…
A hike along Plum Creek in the Columbine Open Space trail south of Castle Rock, is easy and features an original red barn and an old rock spring house. By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Winter can be chilly, but also invigorating. Coloradans are outdoor folks. It does not matter what the weather is, people love…
Information provided by RTD Changes to the Regional Transportation District (RTD) fares and pass programs will begin on January 2, including the implementation of a youth fare that increases the discount offered to riders between 6 and 19 years old to 70 percent. The new, age-based youth discount – no longer requiring enrollment in elementary,…
By Terri Wiebold The interesting thing about publishing a newspaper is that you have to think a month ahead of where you really are on the calendar … writing deadlines, print production schedules, planning meetings, etc., all happen in advance of the month readers receive the paper. This is especially challenging for me because I…
Information and photos provided by Buffalo Ridge Elementary The Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) kindergarten classes of Andrea Gale, Anne Estrada and Sherri Rumminger studied the different ways that other countries and various cultures celebrate the holidays. They did more in-depth studies on India, Mexico, Canada and Sweden. The kids wore wreaths with candles on their…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Brenda Young Last month, The Connection E Guide featured a promotion for Mountain Man Nut & Fruit Co. in which we showcased an adorable squirrel asking, “Did someone say nuts?” Little did we know at the time we designed the ad, that the locally-owned franchise actually has an unofficial…
The Stutler family, (from left to right) Bryce, Michelle, Kirk, and Haley helped coordinate the event, provided food and beverages for their team and set the bar for holiday attire. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Lin Giampietro Team Stutler gathered on December 9 in Washington Park for the eighth year in a row for…
Editor Terri Wiebold (not pictured) and Castle Pines Connection intern mentor Lisa Nicklanovich (second from left) joined our three new Rock Canyon High School intern writers for lunch at Via Baci last month. By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos We are thrilled to welcome three new intern writers to The Castle Pines Connection. All three writers…
Sherrill Clark, resident of Castle Pines, makes and keeps New Year’s resolutions. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Anything that causes us to examine our choices and habits cannot be all bad. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is one of those things. Sure, we all know resolutions are made to be broken. At…
Kristi Stearns By Barbara Neff; photos courtesy of Kristi Stearns Kristi Stearns is a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, who has lived in The Village at Castle Pines since 2011. How a woman with a career as an insurance agent, a side gig as a movie promoter, and mother to 15-month-old twin daughters, Mia and…
Pictured left to right: Bill Hodges, Ron Cole, Geoff Blue, Fredrick Lee, Jean Henry, Erik Bowman, Jim Mulvey, Carol Lewis, Dave Brennan, James Coudeyras, Charley Heard, Judge Louis Gresh and Jeffrey Huff; not pictured: Doug Gilbert. Information and photo provided by the City of Castle Pines The 13-member Home Rule Charter Commission was sworn in…
Two lovable deer, who are sisters, were captured snuggling together and grooming each other in the Surrey Ridge neighborhood. The two are seemingly inseparable during the day and they sleep together at night. Bonding in this way is not only a means of survival, it is a show of affection and nurturing. Photos by Patte…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Dave DeFore The south metro Denver (SMD) chapter of the American Wine Society (AWS) held its second local gathering for a sold-out crowd at Trestles Coastal Cuisine in The Village at Castle Pines on November 29. The theme was “Bubbles Around the World,” and guests were treated to delicious…
Castle Pines resident Jennifer Alvarado will lead students, faculty and staff of Kingsway Christian Academy into the new year in a new school building. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Kingsway Christian Academy Kingsway Christian Academy (Kingsway) is an independent Christian school based in Castle Rock that works in partnership with families, students and all…
Jack Koressel, 12, has become an award-winning dancer, often training more than 15 hours each week. By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Christie Koressel To truly be exceptional at something often takes commitment and sacrifice. It can mean investing extra practice time when you would rather be hanging out with your friends; it can mean…
Cutline and photo by Patte Smith Buffalo Ridge, Timber Trail and Wildcat Elementary schools’ beginning and intermediate band students joined the Rocky Heights Middle School orchestras and Rock Canyon’s jazz band, concert band, symphony orchestra and marching band for a concert on December 12. The program was remarkable, and the younger musicians were inspired by…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela The new year brings new beginnings in all areas of life, including the closet. We all have that corner of the closet we have not touched in a while; that corner that we swear every year we are going to either fit into or get rid of. This year,…
The Castle Rock Community Ringers delighted audiences with their holiday musical performances. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik The sweet and silvery sound of bells entertained many as the Castle Rock Community Ringers (CRCR) rang in the holiday season. The CRCR handbell choir is a nonprofit group that was formed 10 years ago to bring…
Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) fifth-grade students spent some time before the holidays making fleece blankets for the Linus Project. This community service project made soft, cozy blankets for children in hospitals. The students worked so hard and did a fantastic job to put a smile on someone’s face – while putting one on theirs too!…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce They made their list and checked it twice, ensuring all the families who signed up for the annual Holly Jolly Breakfast were in for a treat during their special visit to see Santa and Mrs. Claus last month. The Castle Pines Chamber of…
Caption and photos by Lynn Zahorik The Village at Castle Pines hosted its annual Santa in the Pines event in early December, kicking off the holiday festivities in the community. With gorgeous weather and lots of fun activities – including carriage rides, caroling and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus – the event was the…
Pictured from bottom of stairs up: Diane Stavaski, Angel Resatar, Marylou Giampietro, Lin Giampietro, Michelle Loud, Lisa Bartmann, Susan McCauley, Alison Weiner, Stacy Gaines, Angela Williams, Christi Catalano. Not pictured: Lisa Adams and Alison Peery. By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo The members of the Castle Pines Bunco group have been meeting for roughly 10 years,…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and a big part of every celebration is food. My family has lots of favorites that we make year after year, but I’m always looking for new ideas, and when this little gem of a recipe caught my eye, I just…
By Daniel Williams Whole Foods will be opening a store in Castle Rock in early 2020. The natural-grocery supermarket chain has signed a 20-year lease for space in Promenade, the 166-acre retail development just north of the Outlets at Castle Rock between I-25 and Highway 85. Already in place at Promenade are well known brands…
By Susan Helton Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver 9950 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Treewww.denverjewishcenter.com Chanukah Festival: December 2 at 3 p.m. (Family Sports Center and Lollipop Park, Centennial). Community Chanukah lighting celebrations: December 3 at 5:30 p.m. (O’Brien Park, Parker), December 4 at 5:30 p.m. (Eastridge Recreation Center, Highlands Ranch), December 9 at…
By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of Buffalo Ridge Elementary Elvis and Bob Ross were in the building! Students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary were in the spirit with creative costumes for Halloween this year. Not to be upstaged, the teachers showed their creativity with a wide variety of characters, ranging from Cinderella’s fairy godmothers and Maleficent…
Pictured left to right: Leyna, Charlotte, Franca, Madilyn, Kendall, Ellie, Siri, Flannery, Lili, Raegan, and Elle. Information and photo provided by Jennifer Calvanese In a true collaboration with the community, the Brownies from Girl Scout Troop #65517, which includes girls from Timber Trail Elementary, Buffalo Ridge Elementary and Sky View Academy, collected and donated more…
By Elise Brassell Each month, The Connection profiles a different nonprofit organization that is active in Douglas County through our Angels Among Us column. From caring for animals, to teaching kids leadership skills, to dressing in costume to help cheer up families struggling with illness, there are Angels Among Us who wake up every day…
By Elise Brassell The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) brings together citizens in need, supportive nonprofit organizations and philanthropic donors to create a better quality of life in Douglas County. In support of its growth strategy, DCCF has added three community leaders to its board of directors, including Jody Soper, executive vice president of marketing…
By Michelle Post In this fast-paced world, it is important to stop, be still, and reflect. Unfortunately, reflection for many only involves a quick glance at the next task on one’s to-do list. If you are like me, and I hope you are not, I am always thinking ahead of what I need to do;…
By Patte Smith; courtesy photos When the holidays and hubbub are over, what do you do? Number one is rest. The hoopla and festivities are behind us and we start thinking about our New Year’s resolution. Eeeegad – forget the pounds you gained and focus on more fun with friends and family. The Colorado winter…
By Lisa Crockett ’Tis the season to be … busy. In a perfect world, holidays would come with extra hours in the day with which to create scrumptious goodies in the kitchen like elves in Santa’s workshop. Alas, we mere mortals are stuck with the same old 24 hours a day we get the rest…
As of Tuesday, November 27, statewide official results of the 2018 General Election can be found by visiting the Colorado Secretary of State website at results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/91808/Web02-state.222648/#/. For local Douglas County General Election results, visit results.enr.clarityelections.com/CO/Douglas/91828/Web02.222611/#/.
Article and photos by Nancy Koontz If you are new to The Village at Castle Pines, the Castle Pines Homes Association welcome group has a special event for you. Every quarter (February, May, August and November), the Association holds a new resident reception at The Country Club at Castle Pines. Guests enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres,…
Christina Kohl, a 17-year Castle Pines resident, returned to work after being a stay-at-home mom for 13 years. Kohl founded the Back 2 Work Club to provide resources and encouragement to others who want to return to the workforce after a career break. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Christina Kohl If you are a…
By Daniel Williams Americans don’t move enough. That’s the theme of a recent study published in JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, “approximately 80 percent of U.S. adults and adolescents are insufficiently active.” And that inactivity comes with a cost. The study revealed that, “an…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela The holidays are in full swing which means cookies, cakes, and pies are on every table. Unfortunately, for those of us with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, this often means missing out on the sweet-tooth fun. Think again. I am going to share with you my favorite gluten (and…
By Patte Smith Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) is a federally funded program that helps eligible hard-working Colorado families, seniors and individuals pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. If you, your family, or someone you are caring for, such as older parents, are struggling financially, you or they may qualify for…