Read the stories from the latest issue:
There is an ever-aging yet very active population of individuals in Douglas County entering the next chapter of their lives. Whether transitioning to empty nesters, retiring from the corporate world, caring for elderly family members, or just turning the page to see what is to come in their life’s journey, readers are asking for more…
AA Boys and girls show off their shoes, sans socks, for the final day of the “Sock it to ‘em” sock drive on January 26. By Liz Rector; photo courtesy of American Academy Many would be surprised to learn that the most requested item of clothing from the nearly 45,000 homeless children in Colorado is…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of DCS Montessori Upper Elementary students at DCS Montessori (DCSM) took part in a chilly adventure in February. The fourth through sixth-grade classes visited the U.S. National Ice Core Laboratory (NICL) in Lakewood. The NICL is a facility for storing, curating and studying ice core samples from around the…
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. It is always a delight when I get to read works from…
By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Corin Meibos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) Principal John Veit made some meeting time with Terra Shaffner’s second-grade class on Monday, February 5. Veit happened to be in Schaffner’s classroom when the students were working on a writing piece about birthdays and talked to some of the kids about their…
Part one of three By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of John Lake and Meg Anderson Were there a Colorado Mt. Rushmore, Tweet Kimball’s profile might well be chiseled there. Born in 1914 Tennessee, where women wielded limited political power, Bryn Mawr-educated Mildred Genevieve Montague “Tweet” Kimball never got the message. After acquiring Charlford Castle in…
Caucus meetings for Republicans and Democrats will be held Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at various locations throughout Douglas County. Visit www.dcgop.org or www.douglasdemocrats.org for locations and additional information.
Avid book reader and local resident Suzi Scott poses for a picture with Cynthia Swanson at a release party on Feb 6 for Swanson’s new book, “The Glass Forest.” Scott presented Swanson with a copy of The Connection that includes the review of Swanson’s newest work. By Amanda Merriman; photo courtesy of Suzi Scott Suzi…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Crock-Pots, generally a pretty ho-hum kitchen tool, have been making headlines lately due to their involvement in the (fictional) tragedy that took the life of a (fictional) popular family man on NBC’s hit drama series “This is Us.” For their part, the Crock-Pot company seems to have taken the…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Brought to you by Page to Stage productions, this year’s opening performance of “Peter Pan,” the classic fantasy tale of a faraway land, pirates, and a boy unwilling to grow up, will be hosted by Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines in partnership with the Front Range Theater Company.…
Cultivating future leaders By Lynne Marsala Basche During her high school years in South Dakota, YouthRoots founder Lacey Books participated in a basic leadership program. When Books was out of school and looked back on the experience, she realized how beneficial it would be to have been able to apply those lessons and skills right…
A sweeping view of Sandstone Ranch, the 2,038 acre, newly acquired, Douglas County Open Space property featuring scenic red rock formations, rocky ridges, forested hillsides and meandering creeks and ponds. Information provided by Douglas County One of the largest and most historic properties in Colorado, located along the foothills between Denver and Colorado Springs, is…
By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photos courtesy of Camille Leach At Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS), the seventh-grade Adventurers team learned the ins and outs of first aid and how to apply their newfound knowledge in case of an emergency. The skills the students learned are crucial in that they could save someone’s life…
By Lisa Crockett Proponents of vegetarianism often tout “Meatless Monday” as a way to get a proverbial “taste” of what a vegetarian lifestyle might feel like. Whether or not you’re looking to make a switch to vegetarianism, however, the occasional meatless meal is a great way to make meals healthier and more interesting. Here are…
Information provided by the CPACF The Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation is looking for volunteer board members to work in helping bring art and cultural opportunities to the greater Castle Pines community. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) that sponsors events like authors and art presentations, musical performances, scholarships and summer children’s theatre. If you…
By Amanda Merriman The Castle Pines community certainly has a lot of talent within the city. One such talent is resident E. B. Mann, author of a young adult novel named “Karina.” (Read a review of “Karina” on page 21.) I recently had the opportunity to speak with Mann, which is a pseudonym, and learned…
By Michelle Post I know what you’re thinking, “What the heckfire! I don’t even want to think about being hit by a bus.” Me neither; however, I learned about this concept from a colleague. She told me that everyone in her department was so specialized if anyone were sick it would affect the day’s productivity…
Residents lined the interstate on January 5 along with South Metro Rescue firefighters on the Castle Pines overpass to honor and pay their respects to Deputy Parrish. By Lynne Marsala Basche; information provided by the Town of Castle Rock; photos courtesy of Kathy Fallert and Catherine Van Houten On December 31, 2017, the Castle Pines…
By Terri Wiebold A heartfelt thanks goes out to those who have shown your support of The Connection by mailing in your voluntary subscriptions. We are humbled by the response and appreciate your participation. We especially enjoy reading your comments and feedback about how we are doing as your community newspaper. The Castle Pines Arts…
Article and photo by Nancy Koontz Blending a family is like blending a fine wine. Both require patience, passion and love, and both have been the focus for Steve and Laura Durie since they met three-and-a-half years ago. It was match.com that brought the singles together for lunch; a lunch that would last seven hours…
Information provided by Douglas County As we head into the height of flu season, the health department is reminding residents that it is not too late to get a flu shot. When more people get vaccinated against the flu, less flu spreads through our community. “Flu activity increased sharply recently in Colorado, with more than…
Article and photos by Daniel Williams For many in the 80108 ZIP code, hiking means getting in a car and hopping on I-70 or I-25 and driving an hour or more to a rugged trailhead for a day of gut-busting, adrenaline-pumping exercise. But most people do not have the time nor the inclination to make…
By Daniel Williams Contrary to recent claims being made on social media platforms, the former Safeway location in the city of Castle Pines will NOT become a cannabis grow operation. The Connection received several inquiries about the rumorings, so we reached out to city officials for further explanation of local marijuana laws and to clear…
Homes in the Cherokee Castle story, from hardscrabble homesteads to castles for society minions. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner In 1879, the Kansas Hansborough clan settled on East Plum Creek near Sedalia. John Blunt, husband of Mary Hansborough, sent his family to await him in Colorado while he drove cattle from Kansas. When reunited…
Information provided by CDOT Car Seats Colorado is reminding parents and caregivers that bulky winter coats pose a danger to children riding in car seats and should not be worn underneath the harness. While it may seem counterintuitive (who wouldn’t bundle their child up when it is freezing outside?), strapping your child into his…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On January 17, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) opened its doors to family, friends and the community for a showcase to highlight what the students have been doing the first half of the year. The event was a school-wide opportunity for students to display and present their…
Congratulations once again to Bruce Cochrane for being selected as The Connection’s Cutest Pet in the Pines for 2017. Bruce was happy to receive his gift basket containing treats, toys and gift certificates to Happy Tails, The Pet Stuff Place and As You Wish Pet Sitters. Runners up Carmel Calfee and Abby Maday also each…
Information provided by the Douglas County School District The Douglas County School District (DCSD) is seeking its next permanent superintendent. The DCSD Board of Education has selected Ray and Associates (no relation to DCSD Board Director, David Ray) to conduct the search for the next superintendent, following a thorough vetting of potential search firms. In order to…
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. When I read second novels of authors I admire, I often do…
Do you know someone who deserves to be included on the Douglas County Fair Foundation’s Wall of Honor? The Wall of Honor is reserved for distinguished citizens of Douglas County who are dedicated to preserving the rural heritage of the County and have demonstrated a high level of service and long-standing commitment to the operation,…
This photo is taken looking east on Happy Canyon Road at the intersection of the newly-constructed Lagae Road, expected to open by the end of February. The inset photo is taken from Lagae Road looking south toward Happy Canyon Road. As of press time, the roadway was not yet open for public traffic. Update and…
By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Amy Shanahan Entrepreneurs, freelancers and remote workers gathered January 8 at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines for an informal morning of coworking: a gathering of people who are working independently, but with opportunities to collaborate and share ideas. Sponsored by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce and The…
The RCHS poms team recently won the Varsity Brands 2018 American Spirit Leader Award with an approximate retail value of $8,000. The program supports RCHS athletic events and programs at all levels. The varsity team has been named as a CHSAA Academic State Champ for three consecutive years, participates in a multitude of community events…
Andrea and Steve Peterson own the Castle Rock Christian Brothers Automotive franchise and just opened their new Lone Tree location in January. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Andrea Peterson When Steve and Andrea Peterson entered their “empty nest” phase of life, they decided to leave their home in Texas and relocate to Colorado,…
RHMS eighth-graders were honored at the National Girls and Women in Sports Luncheon. From left to right: Sarah Kendall, Kaley Nolte, Naomi Hawkins, Sophia McHenry, Campbell Coddington and Samantha Crispe. Not pictured, Rylee Tinney. By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photo courtesy of Elizabeth Duffie At Chaparral High School on Friday, January 12, the National…
Rock Canyon High School Business students, from left to right, Ann Gibson, Thomas Kerker and Jack Gebhardt outside King Soopers selling their product, Canyon Clothing. The company was created to learn more about owning and managing a small business. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Gisselle Moreno and Kevin Huang Rock Canyon…
Former mayor Jeff Huff took a moment to smile for the camera with his daughter Elena (right) and John Beckwith (left), a board of trustees member with the Douglas County Libraries, at Huff’s farewell gathering at Pino’s Italian Kitchen in Castle Pines last month. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Terri Wiebold January 8 saw…
Information provided by Douglas County Are you a sculptor with a desire to have your work on public display? Have you considered submitting your artwork to the Douglas County Art Encounters (www.douglas.co.us/artencounters/) public art program? Founded in 2007, Art Encounters is a year-long, outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media…
By Patte Smith The Village Idiots Cycling Club is holding their Annual Membership Meeting, Tuesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. For current members and anyone who is interested in learning about the club, meet at MIYO Café at the Village Shops, 858 West Happy Canyon Road. The cycling club organized by John Rehl, president of…
Information provided by the Colorado Press Association Inspiring creativity and a passion for writing is at the heart of journalism. Programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels of education in Douglas County allow students to explore journalism as a career choice for the future. Our very own intern writers at The Connection come…
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in old town Tallinn, Estonia. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner While Europe struggles with politics and copes with a mass influx of not-always-welcomed migrants, three small Baltic States offer fresh adventures: well-preserved cities, idyllic lakes, sand dunes and enchanted forests – what travel guide “Lonely Planet” calls the super-nature experience. Many…
Information provided by the USPS; photo courtesy of Terri Wiebold The U.S. Postal Service implemented new postage rates on January 21. Listed below are the highlights of the 2018 USPS rate increase for customers buying postage: First Class Mail Letters The rate for a first class mail letter (1 oz.) for postage purchased at the…
Information provided by Douglas County Government Taxpayers 65 years and older as of January 1, who have owned and occupied their property as their primary residence for at least 10 consecutive years, may qualify for the Senior Property Tax Exemption. The exemption reduces the actual taxable value of a qualified residential property by 50 percent…
For 15 years, Felicity Thompson of Forest Park has been traveling to Guatemala as a volunteer with Faith in Practice. Pictured with her husband Richard, who has volunteered for the last 11 years, Thompson and a team of medical personnel, including volunteers from the United States and many Guatemalans, work together to provide cancer screenings,…
RCHS’s 2018 Women in Sports honorees are pictured left to right: Keeley Kenton Davis – volleyball, attending Creighton University; NE, Carmen Martinez – poms, CSCA All Colorado spirit team; Makenna Mathieson – swimming, attending San Jose State University, CA; Julia Skibness – cheer, CSCA All Colorado spirit team; and Emily Sloan – cross country and…
By Lisa Crockett Protein is an important part of a healthy diet and is often the centerpiece of plans for losing weight or gaining strength. This is great news for diners looking to amp up the health quotient in their diet because most high protein foods are delicious and satisfying. What’s better than a steak…
BRE’s spirit week was a good time for students who went all out for holiday movie character day. Pictured left to right: Jonas T. (Santa Claus), Sydney A. (Cindy Lou Who from “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”), Chase C. (Ralphie from “A Christmas Story”), Lauryn W. (“Elf”), Simon H. (“Napoleon Dynamite”), Brandon W. (Uncle Eddie…
Jack Golden has been a registered therapy dog since 2016. Jack participates in the Bark for Books program at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines where children have an opportunity to read to Jack (left), as well as at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital with Angel Paws (above). Congratulations to the duo on being chosen Denver…
Curt Soloff, standing, chats with the bridge players. Soloff offers lessons on duplicate bridge and some of the strategies. By Patte Smith; photos by Georgiana Butler The Castle Rock Bridge Club is encouraging people who like to play duplicate bridge to join them on Monday and Wednesday at 1 p.m. Currently the club plays at…
Rock art rock stars Flannery C., Aubrey D. and Harper F. displayed their fancy painted rock creations to raise money for Children’s Hospital. Jordan G, Ellie K. and Caleb Y. focused on their culinary skills and made fruity rolls and banana chips to sell at the showcase. Article by Kathy Fallert with photos courtesy of…
By Amanda Merriman Over the past few months, if you have been at a large gathering you might have noticed the party coming to a standstill with people suddenly glued to their phones; more so than usual, that is. I recently observed it at my sister’s wedding rehearsal dinner party. It is no coincidence that…
By Susan Helton; map courtesy of Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority, photo courtesy of Melissa Coudeyras Now that the recreation master plan for Rueter-Hess Reservoir has been approved, the Rueter-Hess Recreation Authority (RHRA) has planned regular meetings throughout 2018 to work on developing recreational amenities for the reservoir. The Authority is taking a phased approach to the…
Community service for children By Lynne Marsala Basche In 1915, Kiwanis International was founded by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Michigan with a mission to “empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.” The local Kiwanis Club of Castle Rock takes that statement to heart as the…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett My relationship with Valentines Day is complicated. I am always ambivalent about this “Hallmark holiday,” waffling between protesting the naked commercialism it’s based on and embracing an opportunity to treat the people I love with a little something special. Valentine’s Day also lands firmly in my New Year’s “get…
New mayor Tera Radloff accepted flowers while mingling with friends, family and residents during the reception. Article and photos by Liz Rector On Monday, January 8, at the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines, approximately 120 people gathered to witness the swearing in of the newly-elected mayor and city council members. At 6 p.m., everyone…
Business Person of the Year recipient Lisa Storey of Mama Lisa’s Little Italy shared the spotlight with Community Member of the Year Joe Sabia of Pino’s Italian Kitchen. Both were recognized for their contributions to the Castle Pines community. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo by Terri Wiebold On January 18, the Castle Pines Chamber of…
By Lynne Marsala Basche There is nothing wrong with running on a treadmill, but when cabin fever sets in, feet may twitch thinking about getting outside, despite the falling temperatures. Winter is no reason to stop an outside running routine; it just needs to be tweaked a bit. Here are a few tips: Dress in…
Pictured above standing left to right: Coach Richard Diehl, Aron Bukary, Drew Bright, Kevin Gusdorf, Isaac Abramovitz (CP), Colton Brown (CP), Keaton Carnes, Turner Evans and Coach Reid Heller. Kneeling left to right: Jack Zilligan, Mike Pinkerton, Carson Carnes, Jack Basche (CP), Porter Welch and Bret Mobly. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Richard…
Pictured back row, left to right:: Dana Hall (Premier Home Loans), Jeff Douglas (MountainStorm Insurance), Whitney Shank (Chamber events director), Greg Segal (Stone Segal Wealth Management Group), Kerri Morgan (Douglas County Libraries), Steve Peterson (Christian Brothers Automotive), and Joe Roos (Hide in Plain Sight). Front row, left to right: Karin Miller (Chamber finance director), Stacie…
By Michelle Post Reciprocity in business has long been expressed in tangible forms (i.e., hand-written thank you notes, the giving and receiving of business cards at networking events and coupons for customer loyalty, to name a few.). As technology changes, businesses that want a competitive edge must adapt and evolve, and increasing customer engagement in…
RCHS student and Castle Pines resident Kira Deal setting up for the movie night for students with disabilities. The event was a senior studies project designed to make a difference in the community. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Kira Deal In the unique class of senior studies at Rock Canyon High…
Get lost in and urban hike Article and photos by Daniel Williams For many in the 80108 ZIP code, hiking means getting in a car and hopping on I-70 or I-25 and driving an hour or more to a rugged trailhead for a day of gut-busting, adrenaline-pumping exercise. But most people do not have the…
Information provided by the Douglas County Youth Initiative Nominations for the 2018 Douglas County Outstanding Youth Awards are now being accepted. This one-of-a-kind award encompasses all youth: youth who have not finished their K-12 education, youth in traditional classroom settings, youth in group homes, youth in alternative schools, and youth in foster homes. Ten award…
By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Denver Museum of Nature and Science Have a passion for nature, culture and science? Indulge that passion with a visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS). Whether for just a couple of hours, or for the whole day, the museum is an excellent place to explore,…
By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of DMNS Have a passion for nature, culture and science? Indulge that passion with a visit to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS). Whether for just a couple of hours, or for the whole day, the museum is an excellent place to explore, especially when the weather…
Castle Pines Boy Scout Troop 316 recently honored three new Eagle Scouts at a Court of Honor ceremony held at Kirk Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The honorees were Dylan Armstrong of Castle Pines, Joshua Bullock of Castle Pines Village, and William Gray of Highlands Ranch, and they join an elite club. By Daniel…
Photos courtesy of Sierra The Connection staff was thrilled to join Sierra in Lone Tree for its ribbon cutting ceremony and soft opening on December 14. The upscale wood fired kitchen served up amazing cuisine in addition to some stunning views. The interior decor was as beautiful as the exterior architecture, and the much-anticipated opening…
By Patte Smith The holiday festivities are officially over, and now the clean up begins. Whether putting your tree curbside or taking it to recycle, here are some tips to follow: Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, plastic wrap, tree stands, wire, rope, nails, etc. before disposing of trees. Live trees with artificial snow sprayed…
By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of Katie Abner and Lindsay Matthews Who would have thought entering a pet photo contest could lead to adding a new member to the family? Last December, the Abner family’s 10-year-old son, Andrew, entered his guinea pig Cosmo into The Connection’s Cutest Pet in the Pines photo contest. To their…
CPVGC members Renee Newfield, Beth Hernandez, Liz Lively and Linda Preston. A view of Cherokee Ranch & Castle’s festive dining room from loft during the annual CPVGC’s annual holiday party. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Elizabeth Lively On Friday, December 1, the Castle Pines Village Garden Club (CPVGC) held its annual holiday party…