Read the stories from the latest issue:
Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Heather Cotterman At an event in August to celebrate the opening of Sky View Farm Center for Learning and Therapy, owner and founder Wendy Ingraham got emotional when talking about the program, and for good reason. Ingraham had spent the past year following a dream of…
Fascinating rock formations, commonly called “hoodoos,” which are columns of soft rock capped by harder rock, adorn Daniels Park Road Photos and captions by Barbara Neff Douglas County offers marvelous sightseeing opportunities in every direction on virtually every road. Daniels Park Road is particularly beautiful. From strutting wild turkeys to soaring birds of prey to…
Information provided by Chuck Lowen On Thursday, October 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, join neighbors and business owners in the Pino’s parking lot to donate blood for a terrific cause – Children’s Hospital Colorado. Registration is recommended and spots are limited, so be sure to sign up early and make a difference in a…
Photos by Lynn Zahorik http://photos.castlepinesconnection.com/slideshow/2018/concert/index.html
By Lisa Crockett Harvest season is in full swing, and store shelves and farmers markets are chock-full of delicious goodies. Tomatoes, one of Mother Nature’s most precious treasures, though, will wane in quality as the month goes on. If you’re fortunate and end up with a haul of perfect tomatoes, consider yourself lucky and eat…
Surrounded by family, Douglas County Commissioner Roger Partridge accepted the “Code of the West” award from the Northwest Douglas County Economic Development Corporation. The award was given for the first time and will be given annually to a Douglas County community leader who exemplifies the values at the heart of the “cowboy way.” Article and…
Aron Bukary, RCHS student, running the ball during a rugby match for the Ranch Rugby program. By Alec Sutula, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Aron Bukary Rugby can arguably be described as one of the most violent sports besides hockey or football. Hockey and football players, however, wear protective gear – from shoulder pads…
Information and graphic provided by the Tri-County Health Department Unwanted or expired medications are often a common sight in the medicine cabinet. Storing unwanted medications – prescription or over the counter – in the household can pose the risk of accidental ingestion, especially for children and the elderly. Traditionally, unused medications have been disposed of…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I recently returned from a trip to Quebec, Canada. In addition to visiting beautiful churches, lovely gardens and quaint village streets, I spent a fair amount of time discovering the unique food of Quebec. Poutine – a satisfying pile of fresh French fries topped with gravy and cheese curds…
Joe Gschwendtner/author standing on parapets of Valenca’s 13th-century fortress. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Douro River valley is reason alone to visit Portugal in the fall. Terraced hills are necklaced with red, orange and yellowed leaves on vines grown heavy with grapes awaiting harvest. A bit of cheese, bread and last year’s vintage,…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Isabella Schneider and Greg Smith Surrey Ridge neighbors gathered at the community park to meet Douglas County Sheriff’s Office deputies, including SWAT team members and emergency responders at the 2018 National Night Out event. “We were able to chat and have fun with these individuals who are citizens like…
By Barbara Neff Many middle-aged people across the nation and in our community have adult children living with them. Some adult children have continuously lived with parents through childhood into adulthood. Most, however, left for work or school and eventually returned to the homes of their parents, usually for economic reasons. According to a 2016…
Members of the CPV Green team, pictured from left to right: Josh Reel, Brad Smith, Mike Hance, Michael Shorts, Alec Wynne, Kevin Manion (Captain), Seshu Velpuri and Chad Williams. Not pictured: Dave Markowski, Darius Kerman, Matt Carlson, Carsten Hannen and Pete Rather. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Kevin Manion Congratulations to the Mens CPV…
By Patte Smith with information courtesy of the Suicide Prevention Lifeline Volumes of information have been published about suicide, suicide prevention and the people who have lost someone to suicide. This information is vital and not to be ignored. We need to educate ourselves, our children, families and friends about the risk factors and warning…
Jana (second from left) and Fred (far right) Bartlit paused for a photo opportunity with Alabama members Teddy Gentry (left) and Randy Owen (third from left). Information provided by Maia Brusseau; Photos courtesy of the Dumb Friends League On Saturday, August 18, Castle Pines Village residents Jana and Fred Bartlit hosted the 17th annual Lulu’s…
By Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Dave Celecki Members of the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) soccer team took on Grays Peak this summer as a team building exercise. The prominent 14,278 foot fourteener is the tenth highest summit of the Rocky Mountains and is situated on the Continental Divide. Fourteen soccer players were guided…
By Catalin Varela It can be quite the challenging balance to support and guide your student through academic success while trying not to seem “over protective” or a “helicopter parent.” But you have gotten them this far, so take a second and appreciate yourself for that! No matter the age of your student, there are…
BRE fifth-graders drew on the sidewalks leading up to the school on Tuesday, August 7 at the annual “Chalk Talk.” The messages welcomed BRE students back to school on Wednesday afternoon for a meet-and-greet event. At the meet-and-greet, several students helped distribute grade level T-shirts.
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Jan Comstock Dog lovers unite! Drop into the new LIV Sotheby’s International Realty home at 482 West Happy Canyon Road on September 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and visit some adorable dogs that you can fall in love with and give them a new home. The annual…
Linda Sovich of Castle Pines says she loves her job of helping others get their lives in order through her company, Clutter Control. “Everyone wants an organized life, but when you’re busy living life, you don’t have time. I’ve seen the transformation of clients from being depressed to feeling great and living the life they…
Caped crusaders at large in the community By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of The OathKeepers What do Chester Cheetah, Mr. Peanut and a high school mascot all have in common? Vinessa Olp, founder of The OathKeepers has portrayed them all. The OathKeepers is an all-volunteer, costuming for charity organization. Costumers for charity don costumes of…
By Catalin Varela Before your backpack turns into a black hole of despair and causes you a lot of pain, try a few of our tips to keep your load light and tidy. 1). Always pack heavy items closest to your body That way your backpack isn’t dragging you across the hallway floor. Pack your…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of J. Schmidt For many in Castle Pines Village, the large gated driveway below the I-25 intersection with Happy Canyon Road is a curiosity. From Country Club Parkway, one sees, well, maybe a mansion. I visited with John Schmidt, the owner, last month to get the whole story. His family…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of US Patent office and Douglas County Library History Research Section Willis Walker likely often lived in the shadow of his wife Sarah, known nationwide and internationally for her work with Colorado wildflowers. On closer historical inspection, we find that Willis was no shrinking violet. Born in 1858 and later…
Information provided by the Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District Board of Education (BOE) has authorized bond and mill levy override (MLO) questions for the 2018 ballot. At the August 21 meeting, the BOE unanimously voted 6-0 (director Wendy Vogel was absent) to place before voters a $250 million bond and a…
Jennifer Riefenberg from Castle Rock describes her art as “capturing the beautiful, one brush stroke at a time.” By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Peter Morales Not since Bob Ross painted his happy little trees have we had such an exceptional opportunity to see a painting take shape from blank canvas to work of art.…
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Douglas County Commissioner and Board Chair Lora Thomas, Castle Pines Mayor Tera Radloff, city officials and community members at the dedication of the newly-designed Daniels Park Road. Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo courtesy of Douglas County As hikers, cyclists and tourists may have noticed this summer, much of…
The Castle Pines Connection owner and publisher, Terri Wiebold (left), accepted the 2018 City of Castle Pines Partnership Award from Mayor Tera Radloff (right) at the July 24 City Council Meeting. Information and photo provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines presented The Castle Pines Connection with the 2018 City…
As part of their physical education, six-year-old Dominic (red shirt) and eight-year-old James Bogue enjoy climbing on rocks. By Susan Helton; photo courtesy of Imelda Franklin Bogue Home education has existed throughout history. Many well-known people were homeschooled, including John Quincy Adams, Louisa May Alcott, Venus and Serena Williams and Tim Tebow. Douglas County School…
Information and graphic provided by Susan Lee Susan Lee Resident Susan Lee (creator of the Sock it to ‘Em sock campaign) has again partnered with MiYO Cafe in Castle Pines Village to do great things and give away free stuff. For the first 40 families who have a preschooler age 2-5 that come into MiYO…
Roadside wildland fires pose a high risk in Douglas County. Although the cause is often times accidental from vehicles, the dry conditions cause the flames to spread quickly, sometimes endangering structures. Once a fire is extinguished, crews stay and ensure all the hot spots are contained, sometimes lasting several hours. Information and photos provided by…
Donna Gordon with a few of the many rugs she has made since 2001 using a traditional rug hooking method where the artist pulls fabric up through a backing. Varying in size and expression, the rugs add warmth and color to Gordon’s Castle Pines home. Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich When an artist who…
View of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in the Belem district. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Many tourists in Portugal don’t get much beyond Lisbon. For good reason. It is a welcoming city of cobbled street neighborhoods, hills, monuments, wide boulevards, arches and squares, rich in architectural delights. Aimlessly wandering alleys, boulevards and seven hills makes…
By Amanda Merriman On a search for apps that do not use Wi-Fi, I came across Lifeline. Lifeline is a text-based game with a branched storyline. The app costs $1.99 to download on Android or Apple devices (including the iWatch). However, my teenage son downloaded it previously, which allowed me to put it on my…
Outstanding scenery and room to breathe Article and photos by Susan Helton The wide-open reservoir and extensive shoreline at Eleven Mile Park offer plenty of room to play. Scenic vistas include a panoramic view from the western end of the lake. Boasting a variety of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, Eleven Mile State Park…
By Daniel Williams; Photo renderings courtesy of the City of Castle Pines Earlier this year, Atlanta-based Davis Development submitted a land use application to develop a 200-unit multi-family project on the 10.4-acre property located on the southwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Lagae Road in the City of Castle Pines. As submitted, the project…
By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Dumb Friends League Walking through the Denver Dumb Friends League Buddy Center (Buddy Center) feels like visiting a community center where the love of animals is shared by everyone inside. Buddy Center is a full-service animal shelter, just off Meadows Parkway in Castle Rock, offering pet adoptions, lost-and-found services…
After three years of exemplary service, Castle Pines City Council says goodbye and thank you to City Clerk Sharon Washington. “Sharon has been the welcoming smile and the friendly voice that anyone who has dealings with the city first comes into contact with,” said Mayor Tera Radloff. “We wish her all the best on her…
People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. – Simon Sinek By Michelle Post What seems to be a simple question sometimes turns out to be a difficult one. I discovered Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk many years ago on how great leaders inspire. And the answer is, they know their why.…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Every once in a while, I encounter a recipe so strange, I simply have to try it. A few years ago, this column featured a salad of fresh mozzarella tossed with basil, olive oil and chopped peaches, which was also the result of me thinking, “That can’t possibly be…
Mary and Vern Harris chose the ViewHouse as their gift card and are looking forward to using it. By Terri Wiebold; courtesy photos Last month we invited readers to sign up to receive The Castle Pines Connection monthly e-subscription free of charge. Congratulations to the following readers who all received a $50 gift card to…
Imelda Franklin Bogue is an opera singer who enjoys collaborating with conductors on new music and loves singing oratorio, such as Handel’s “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s “Gloria.” Bogue’s current major projects are a reduction of “Carmen” and her one-woman operatic sketch comedy “The Secret Life of Opera Singers,” which premiered in Denver in June and plays…
The first location offers a beautiful view across Douglas County and well beyond. Article and photo by Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Savannah Brassell Sometimes it seems as if there are so many wild, scenic and beautiful places in Colorado, that you could explore for years and still not see them all. Douglas County recently…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela The summer months invite the farmers market season, but what is intended to be a delicious adventure can easily turn into a daunting slew of confusing terminology. What the heck is the difference between “free range” and “cage free” anyway? Let’s chat about it. When buying food locally, the…
Caption and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Tim and Jennilyn Biery celebrated the grand opening of their new store, Big Frog Custom T-shirts in June. The Bierys invited the public to enjoy refreshments, special promotions and music as part of their celebration. Big Frog Custom T-shirts is located at 4714 Milestone Lane in Castle Rock,…
Sandra Ozolinsh hand tailors each one-of- a-kind handbag using genuine leather and exotic skins for her collection of unique women’s purses. By Patte Smith, photos courtesy of Sandra Ozolinsh Castle Pines resident Sandra Ozolinsh had a lifelong dream of designing and creating all types of art and hand crafts since she was a little girl…
2017 winner 11-year-old Isabella Bird (above left) went all out on her landscape featuring elk and mountains and trees. Bird presented Harmony Equine Center (lower right) with a donation check for $3,314.69. Above right, Connection staff members enjoyed handing out the baskets filled with goodies for participants. By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Zoë Zizzo…
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. I dug into Paula McLain’s 2011 bestseller, “The Paris Wife,” as I…
Parking lot and traffic flow improvements at RHMS were designed to decrease congestion and improve safety. Article and photos by Elise Brassell It’s already time! After a short summer break, it is time for families with school-aged children to start the school year with new teachers, new schedules and also for families at Rocky Heights…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 18-06 and Resolution No. 18-24, setting into motion the first steps needed to transition the City from statutory rule to home rule. The July 24 decisions call for a special election to be held in coordination with the Douglas…
Pictured left: Director Thomas A. Blomster (left), DCYO Student Composer in Residence Emma Spears (center) and composer and former Colorado Chamber Orchestra President DR. C. Howard Treibitz. By Catalin Varela; photo courtesy of Mary Carter Since she was a little girl, Emma Spears has always been fascinated with music in many different capacities. She took…
By Lisa Crockett; courtesy photo A traditional bento box is a treasure trove of Japanese treats, a lovely mid-day container of surprises, with separate compartments for meat or fish, rice, and vegetables. Often, these mainstays are arranged in the shapes of fish or flowers. While few American parents go to that kind of trouble to…
Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Local members of the Castle Rock Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) gathered for a summer picnic in Larkspur on July 7. Pictured left to right are Castle Pines DAR members Janice Baker, Debbie Mulvey, Kathy Erdman and Regent Cindy Cole. Erdman was one of four…
By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Lisa Hunsicker Next time you’re stuck in a line of cars driving 35 mph on Monarch, know you’re not the only one wishing you could go faster. For Lisa Hunsicker of Castle Pines, going faster is what it’s all about – she drives speeds up to 140 mph in…
In early July, Rachel and Kirsten Buhay competed at the fencing National Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. Rachel, 13 years old, has competed nationally for four years. Two years ago, she took fifth place and a bronze medal in Y10 at nationals. Ten-year-old Kirsten has competed nationally for two years. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy…
The Pine Canyon proposed annexation in Castle Rock could add more than 1,300 homes to the area. By Daniel Williams; graphic courtesy of Town of Castle Rock A substantial mixed-use development that could bring as many as 1,320 new homes to Castle Rock continues to go through an extended planning process, though a new round…
By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Larry Post Colorado Mountain Club climbers enjoying their first 14er, Crestone Needle. Colorado’s beautiful Rocky Mountains boast 53 peaks that reach an elevation of 14,000 feet or higher, the most of any state in the U.S. These are known as “fourteeners” or “14ers” to locals. Although the Colorado…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of Lynn Zahorik Driving through the community on July 4, it was inspiring to see so many houses proudly displaying the American flag. There were a few, however, that caught our eye. If either of these two houses is yours, you are the winner of a $50 gift card! Email…
By Catalin Varela, photos courtesy of DCSM While most schools are taking a break for the summer, the fun has continued at DCS Montessori with even more outdoor camps. Students have gone geocaching in Castlewood Canyon, mountain biking in Daniels Gate Park, rock climbing at ROCK’n & JAM’n and beachcombing at Cherry Creek State Park…
Caption and photos submitted by DCS Montessori DCS Montessori students have been spending their summer experimenting like scientists in “Mad Scientist Camp” and crocheting up a storm in “Crochet Camp.” Other camps the students have been enjoying this summer include “Adventure Camp” and “Harry Potter Academy.” Needless to say, DCS Montessori students are having a…
C shift crew members of the Castle Rock Fire and Rescue Department enjoyed a change of pace – working WITH fire in the kitchen as part of a charity dinner. Pictured left to right: Lieutenant Adam Gallegos, Battalion Chief Rich Martin, Paramedic Jason Norris and Engineer Matt Osborn. Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West…
Ella Miller (left), Sophia McHenry (center) and Sadie Rowe (right) took their National History Day website project “444 Days in Captivity: Iran Hostage Crisis” all the way to nationals, taking first in state for group website, junior division, along the way. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Richard Diehl What a grand culmination of their…
Michael Padilla, goatherd for Goat Green, smiles as he shares his experiences tending weed-controlling goats. Article and photos by Barbara Neff Though Michael Padilla, age 32, grew up in the tiny community of Mora, New Mexico, his ties to Colorado are strong. For nearly three years, he has worked for Cheyenne company Goat Green, the…
Lemonade stand girls from left to right: Izzy Kliner, Alexa Benda, Zoey Benda and Clara Geuzaine. By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Kali Benda It is said that when kids host a street-corner lemonade stand, it teaches them valuable lessons like economics, supply and demand, sales and customer service. Profit and loss. Sweating on the…
By Catalin Varela In recent years the gluten-free diet has gone from being a medical necessity for many individuals to a trend diet that has caught lots of media attention. You wouldn’t be hard pressed to open a magazine and find an article about celebrities who eat gluten free because it’s “trendy.” But the media…
By Joe Gschwendtner; courtesy photo In 2003, Castle Pines Village excavations gave rise to a Nancy Drew-style mystery. While digging utility trenches for Hidden Pond Road, construction workers uncovered the grave of a young woman, most likely buried before the Homestead Act of 1862 opened these lands up to private ownership. Unidentified bodies are a…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County What if your smartphone was also your gateway to the real-time waiting room experience at Douglas County’s Motor Vehicle, Driver License, or Recording offices – before making the destination decision to renew your vehicle registration, your license, or your passport? With more than one million total customer transactions…
By Patte Smith Attention older adults and families with seniors … Get your party hats on to celebrate the accomplishments and positive impacts older adults have contributed to our community on National Senior Citizens Day (NSCD). This little-known holiday and world-wide celebration is observed on Tuesday, August 21. NSCD is a day to celebrate the…
The Connection account manager Lynn Zahorik and her husband, Steve, celebrated their wedding anniversary at Sierra in Lone Tree. We invite you to share your celebration pics with us, too!