The Castle Pines Connection

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…

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…

Tina Hansen, Marketing Director By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Tina Hansen The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is a member-based organization that promotes and supports local businesses. As part of the Chamber’s focus to make it easy for its members to successfully operate businesses in Castle Pines, the Chamber has welcomed a new marketing…

Article and photos by Patte Smith Fourth- and fifth-graders ran circles around each other hula hooping while they danced at the annual BRE Sock Hop. While no 50s or 60s music played, the kids twirled to the music of Juice Wrld and Fall Out Boy, among other new artists. Fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Parker was rocking…

Marion Dahlem (left), volunteer coordinator for the Help and Hope Center (Douglas County/Elbert Task Force) received socks with Susan Elizabeth Lee (right), co-founder of the Sock It To ‘Em campaign, which collects new socks for those experiencing homelessness. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Susan Elizabeth Lee It is through the community’s help that the…

Information and photos provided by Castle Pines Athletics The weather is a bit colder, and the comfort of your couch is where you are likely watching the NFL these days, but just a few short months ago, kids in Castle Pines representing teams from the NFL played for a Super Bowl championship of their own.…

Seventh-grader Matthew Hardin coordinated an educational class called “Stop the Bleed” for teachers and staff at RHMS as part of his Eagle Scout project. Information and photos provided by Michele Hardin Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 46. The national average for emergency medical services response times is…

Information provided by the USPS and UPS We’ve all heard it: “…anything fragile, liquid or perishable …?” Can you legally mail alcohol? Cigarettes? Fruits and vegetables? These questions and many others about the prohibited and restricted items for shipment with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are answered at www.usps.com/ship/shipping-restrictions.htm. All prohibited domestic items are also…

By Patte Smith Keep your brain active – that is the mantra as people age. Statistics reaffirm the importance for older adults to not only be active, but to also keep challenging their brains. There are many websites dedicated to the subject of lifelong learning and its benefits. For more than 30 years, Osher Lifelong…

With materials and instructions provided by Paint-A-Sign, participants enjoyed a fun and informative evening creating message signs. Information and photos provided by Julie Matuszewski Moms, friends and neighbors of Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) attended a “mom’s night out” fundraiser on November 7 with locally-owned and operated Paint-A-Sign (www.paintasign.com). Paint-A-Sign provided an enjoyable evening of sign…

Castle Rock resident and Zumba instructor Van Oberly knows the importance of creating fun celebrations in the classes she teaches. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Rumor has it that the average American gains ten pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Can this be true? According to multiple online sources, including nutrition magazine Real…

Congratulations to American Academy – Castle Pines elementary art teacher Kelsea Fischer for being named New Professional Art Educator of the Year for 2018 by the Colorado Art Education Association (CAEA). This award recognizes excellence in contributions, dedicated service, and professional achievements of outstanding CAEA members in the field of visual arts education. Award recipients…

By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Carrie Brown The Village at Castle Pines Starbuck residents Shane and Carrie Burton met 20 years ago at a tire store in San Marcos, Texas while they were going to college, and sparks flew. Two decades later, they have finally “settled down” and tied the knot. It started when…

By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Community lunch, an afternoon for students to gather and prepare a meal together, has been a DCS Montessori tradition for many years. This past community lunch brought an exciting change. For the first time since building a greenhouse, students were able to harvest the vegetables they grew…

By Catalin Varela Yes, absolutely! But cutting holiday trees kills the earth, right? Well, here are a few reasons why you should fall off the artificial tree bandwagon and consider a real tree this holiday season: First of all, they’re just so much fun to pick out! You can’t trade a trip to the tree…

By Patte Smith; courtesy photo “Magic on Mainstreet” is the theme for Parker’s Christmas Carriage Parade that will be held on Saturday, December 8 at noon on Mainstreet in downtown Parker. The small-town feeling of the parade brings back memories of simple Christmas joy. There will be horses on parade, horse-drawn carriages and wagons, a…

By Patte Smith As the holiday season winds down and the decorations get stowed, those who keep the tradition of a live tree have the choice to recycle them. Whether putting the tree curbside or taking it to recycle, here are some tips to follow: Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic wrap, tree stands,…

The Rock Canyon High School junior varsity soccer team, including Mason Baker (left) and Jason McHenry (right), gathered at their coach’s home to make burritos for the homeless in Denver. The team distributed 1,200 homemade burritos in Civic Center Park. By Madison Merritt, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo Volunteering is a big part of some…

Next time you see the bison herd at Daniels Park, check out their large shoulder humps. The hump allows the bison to swing its head from side-to-side to clear snow and graze on vegetation below. A bison’s winter coat is said to be so thick and well insulated that snow can cover their backs without…

By Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of www.cdc.gov Vaping among teens has reached the epidemic stage, according to national statistics as well as local narratives. At a recent Douglas County sporting event that brought together competitors from several of the area’s high schools, I spoke with parents and student-athletes alike who all agreed that vaping is…

By Amanda Merriman As we enter this time of year, thoughts often turn toward philanthropy. There are a myriad of options available to those considering donating. It can be a difficult and time-consuming task, deciding which charity to support. Luckily, I discovered DonorUp. DonorUp is free to download on iOS and Android devices. The creators…

By Terri Wiebold When you read The Connection newspaper every month upon arrival in your mailbox, there is hopefully something wonderful and nostalgic about the smell of the ink on the paper and the turning of the pages. But, did you know that The Castle Pines Connection also has a plethora of additional resources beyond…

Information and photo proavided by Rock Canyon High School A business start-up company at Rock Canyon High School wishes to create a feeling of belonging and togetherness. This sweatshirt was designed with the purpose of symbolizing community and supporting the Lauren Townsend Wildlife Fund at the Denver Foundation. Lauren was the first student to lose…

By Barbara Neff Six important changes are coming in 2019, which have already been announced by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Following the decade-long Great Depression, 1929 to 1939, the elderly in the U.S. were in particularly dire straits. The SSA estimated that by the early 1930s, more than half of Americans ages 60 and…

RCHS students and teachers traveled to Concordia Language Villages French and Spanish immersion camps in Bemidji, Minnesota in November to learn about the languages and the cultures of the countries. By Amanda Brauchler, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Alexis Savas A group of students huddled in the snow, bags in hand, in the unfamiliar…

Information and photos provided by Julie Matuszewski The spirit of Halloween brought ghosts, ghouls and little goblins flocking to Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) for Halloween Family Bingo night; an event organizers hope will become an annual happening. This scary-fun event was held Thursday, October 25 for TTE families and students, and featured a planned potluck…

By Daniel Williams In 2007, my wife and I were living in Los Angeles and looking for somewhere else to raise our three-year-old child. We got out a map of the country and pondered our options. “How about here?” my wife said, pointing to Seattle. Her parents are originally from England and the rain reminded…

RHMS cross-country runners ran the Castle Pines Run Wild five-mile/5K race (from left to right): Kayden Glauser, Luka Schymik, Cale Maguire, Jessica Derickson, Julie Olsen (coach), Nico Wood, Drew Lukowski, Kendall DeFord, Nate Bolin, Logan Scheichenost and Logan Heppe. By Ryan Miller, RHMS intern writer; photo courtesy of Jeffrey Smith The City of Castle Pines…

By Patte Smith The Santa’s Sharing adopt-a-family program, organized by the Help & Hope Center (formerly the Douglas/Elbert Task Force), is asking the community to support families that need assistance during the holidays. Client families who are struggling the most are selected by case managers to receive assistance. Perhaps it is a single mom or…

Walker excited to start his first day of school with DCS Montessori. Article and photos provided by DCS Montessori DCS Montessori has a new student!! Walker the yellow Labrador retriever is a service dog in-training and will be bringing a new dynamic to Chris Scovil’s classroom as their official mascot. Walker is a member of…

Information and photo provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Did you know you have choices in how you get Medicare hospital, medical, and prescription drug coverage? Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7) is your chance to think about what matters most to you, and compare coverage options for 2019.…

By Michelle Post The 21st century is all about the customer, and we can say thank you to the internet and social media for this. Never has there been a time that a customer can express his or her emotions so easily and often. Therefore, the question then becomes, “Are you, aka your business, all…

Poles in hand, fifth-grade students at Sage Canyon Elementary learned proper techniques prior to trying their hands at fishing. Information and photos provided by Lance Schoenwald On October 18 and 19, a group of 120 fifth-grade students from Sage Canyon Elementary attended “Fishing in the Schools Program” hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife at Lehow…

Noah Kelley, culinary student at Johnson & Wales University, a private college. Kelley is working part time as a chef at Legacy Village of Castle Pines. By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of Noah Kelley Noah Kelley, a student at Johnson & Wales University (JWU), knew that his educational path was going to look different than…

By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Amy Ball, Julie Matuszewski and Pam Scheichenost Each year, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) holds a move-a-thon to promote physical activity while raising money. This year, the sixth for the school’s primary fundraiser, the theme was “moving mountains.” September 20, students rotated through six outdoor stations: the obstacle course, agility…

Clyde Ullrich (left) and Gary Conder (right) enjoy a sunny day in The Village at Castle on the pickleball court. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Take a walk through a park on any sunny Colorado day and you will likely hear the echo of a ping and a pong. It is not quite the…

September 30th was the 9th annual Turweston Lane cul-de-sac Chili Cook-Off. “It’s a great way to meet new neighbors and catch up with everyone else,” stated Laurie Jacobs, organizer of the event. “The weather was perfect for chili – sunny and a bit chilly!” Congratulations to the winners: Chili/Main Dish: 1st Place: Laity family, “Green…

Retired U.S. Army Captain Michael Sennett now enjoys the peaceful feel of Castle Pines with his wife, Janet, and mini-Labradoodle named Teddy. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Michael Sennett Michael Sennett recalls being part of the U.S. Army during one of the most tumultuous eras of American history; the Vietnam War. “I deployed to…

By Amanda Merriman Sometimes expenses come up with friends or family when we are woefully ill prepared. There are also situations when it is easier for one person to pay the bill, rather than splitting the check multiple ways. This is where the app Splitwise comes in. Splitwise is a free app available to Apple…

Patte Smith, map courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tromping through the forest, whether snowy or dry, to get the family Christmas tree is a memorable occasion. Pack a picnic lunch or bring a pot of chili and hot chocolate – this is an exhilarating outing for friends and family, but do not forget…

By Lisa Crockett ‘Tis the season to share your meals with others. If you are sometimes (or possibly always) happy to have others roast the bird and host the traditional gatherings that happen this time of year, be sure to have a few tricks up your sleeve for lending a hand. Here are a few…

  Cherokee Ranch & Castle Executive Director James Holmes (center) pictured here with local artist Judy Bell (left) and Cherokee Ranch & Castle Special Events Coordinator Jane Hannen (right). By Terri Wiebold; photos by Nancy Koontz Fall is a glorious season, particularly in Colorado with the changing of the foliage and the ushering in of…

Turkey hand pies Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love Thanksgiving. I love a day devoted to gratitude. I love a day devoted to national pride. I love a day devoted to eating delicious, once-a-year treats. After weeks of preparing, planning menus, stirring cranberries as they stew on the stove, reviewing seldom-used recipes, and…

By Daniel Williams Residents in the 80108 ZIP code are blessed to live in a beautiful natural surrounding, but a spree of recent incidents involving collisions between motorists and wildlife is a reminder of how close we live to many of our wilder, four-legged neighbors, including coyotes, deer, elk, bears and mountain lions. In light…

A beautiful hike up to Castle Rock on a sunny (albeit sometimes crisp) day is a great way to spend quality time with a loved one. Article and photo by Catalin Varela The leaves are turning, the snow is falling, and love is in the air. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend the most cozy…

Nine-year-old Nathan Fields (front row center), pictured alongside his friends Molly Terry (front row, left) and Jack Dodge (front row, right) and his family and support team at Timber Trail Elementary School, presented the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) with a giant check for $4,798.01 – the proceeds from The Castle Pines Connection’s Chalk It…

The yellow line above indicates the widening area of RidgeGate Parkway that is planned to begin in early 2019. The road will be widened from Havana to the east boundary of the City of Lone Tree (blue area). By Patte Smith; map courtesy of the City of Lone Tree Traffic under I-25 and RidgeGate Parkway…

After following the leader as they cross Daniels Park Road, camera-shy turkeys dash into the brush when passersby stop. Article and photograph by Barbara Neff On just about any given midday, lucky sightseers along Daniels Park Road or Happy Canyon Road in Castle Pines will be treated to the turkey trot. Flocks of wild turkeys…

By Barbara Neff We avoid making a plan, and figuring out why is easy. No one likes to contemplate the end of one’s life. Even accepting the inevitability of it all, and even having witnessed how lack of a plan can wreak havoc on the lives of survivors, we stall and procrastinate and avoid, and…

By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Douglas County Office of Veterans Affairs This Veterans Day, we honor all the men and women, past and present, who have served our country in the armed services. On this day, we pay tribute to their strength and commitment to all of us and our country. Humbled by the…

The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, fell in 1989. The Wall was actually two walls as depicted. Between them was a no-man’s land of mines, dogs, and machine guns. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner As discussed in part I of this series last month, Berlin is a favorite place; I go annually. The role…

By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Lisa Storey (pictured above), affectionately known throughout Castle Pines as “Mama Lisa,” opened the doors of ROUX World Kitchen to family and friends last month for a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce. Formerly Mama Lisa’s Little Italy, ROUX…

Turning both valves (pictured here in blue) perpendicular to the direction of a pipe will ensure the water flow from the pipe is off. If the valve is in line with the direction of the pipe, water will be flowing. Information and photos provided by South Metro Fire Rescue While usually applying water as a…

Information and photos submitted by Corin Meibos Buffalo Ridge Elementary held its annual 5K Fun Run on Saturday, September 29. Awards for school spirit and speed were awarded to various students.  Ronda Gutierrez held Rock Slide Training on Tuesday mornings before school during the month of September to help train students, staff and families. Everyone…

James and Melissa Coudeyras at James’ retirement ceremony on Pearl Harbor Naval base in Oahu, Hawaii. James served for 20 years and one day with much of that time as an information warfare officer. He retired as a commander. By Daniel Williams; photos courtesy of Melissa Coudeyras After serving twenty years in the navy, James…

Information provided by DCSO The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is holding its 14th annual Community Safety Volunteer (CSV) Academy to train citizens who have the time, talent and desire to volunteer by serving their community. The CSVs allow the DCSO to provide better service across the county. “We’re looking for individuals who actively want…

By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Jim Mandeville, The Nicklaus Companies After living a life of remarkable accomplishments, businessman and philanthropist Jack A. Vickers Jr. passed away on September 24 at the age of 93. A Castle Pines resident for more than three decades, Vickers was the founder of the Castle Pines Golf Club and…

Article and photos by Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Kimberly McCarthy On September 28, 46 first-graders from Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) visited Legacy Village of Castle Pines to meet and share with more than 20 residents there. “We’re hoping to develop a buddy reading program,” stated Julie Schade, TTE first-grade teacher. “We thought it would…

Pictured right: Rocky Heights Middle School yearbook staff brought home the All-Colorado Award from Journalism Day at Colorado State University. Students from left to right (back row): Kaderia Barela, Kennedy Vasquez, Kelsey Brown, Anna Porter, Hailey Taylor, Raegan Synk, Annabelle Girard, Alivia Ball, Nicole Flocco, Sophie LeGrande, Rachel Cook, Jessica Wang, Maia Vernetti, Sydnee Nach…

Jim Worley, interim CPNMD district manager Information and photo provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District During its regularly scheduled October board meeting, the Castle Pines North Metro District (CPNMD) Board of Directors named Jim Worley as its interim district manager. “Mr. Worley brings a strong depth and diversity of water and wastewater utility…

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. This month I had the treat of reading the memoir of Castle…