Read the stories from the latest issue:
Caption and photos by Daniel Williams Until August 26, Inner Connections Yoga is offering free Yoga in the Park classes every Sunday from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. at the amphitheater at Philip S. Miller Park, located at 1375 W Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock. Yogis and yoginis of all ages and levels are…
By Michelle Post; photos by Lynn Zahorik and courtesy of Megan Hassler and Maddie Provost This was my first year to attend the Food Truck Frenzy in Castle Pines. Wow, what an experience. The many mouth-watering smells beckoned me to try one of everything. People everywhere, enjoying the food and fun. The live band, vendor…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Portugal was on top of the world in the 16th century. Capitalizing on the skill of her navigators, their discoveries and trade routes, untold wealth flowed into the national treasury. It was a golden age in which (King) Manuel I and his explorers set the pace for all of…
Castle Rock Rotary Club member Gordon Allott (left) and Ducky Derby visitor Richard West (right). Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Rich Bangs There were three cash prize winners at the 22nd Annual Rotary Club Ducky Derby event in June. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Castle Rock, High Noon Rotary…
By Amanda Merriman My oldest child will be heading off to college in two short years. My husband and I have come up with a way to deal with this reality. Forced family time! In all seriousness, we thought about taking a fun trip together to try and squeeze in more memories. Thus, the idea…
Photographer Joe McDaniel captured the contrast between the rare leucistic deer and her brown sibling. By Barbara Neff; photos by Joe McDaniel When Douglas County resident, travel writer and wildlife photographer Joe McDaniel heard murmurs among neighbors this past fall that they had spotted a white mule deer fawn in the area of Tallman Gulch…
A tale of adversity turned into a vision, then action By Patte Smith, courtesy photos Several years ago, Susan and Pat Mooney jumped in “boots” first to establish a safe and supportive community for adults challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thus began the story and growing reality of Tall Tales Ranch (TTR). Their son,…
Christian Brothers owners Steve and Andrea Peterson (center) host a lunch every Friday for their employees. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Every now and then you come across business owners who truly have their heart in their business and are equally as invested in their employees. On Friday afternoons, Christian Brothers Automotive owners Steve…
Castle Rock Adventist Hospital opened its Healing Garden in June for patients and visitors. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of CRAH Castle Rock Adventist Hospital (CRAH) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 19 in celebration of the opening of its new Healing Garden, located between the Alexander and Briscoe Buildings on the hospital’s medical…
Fun with a taste of another time Article and photos by Susan Helton Costumed “royalty” and other characters entertain the festival visitors who eagerly await the opening of the gates. For a day trip that offers a taste of another time, a visit to the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur is just the…
By Terri Wiebold Vacationing this summer? While Colorado has some amazing adventures that are drivable, many of us take to the skies and travel by plane to our summer destinations. Security lines have become less-than-predictable and there is little worse than not clearing security in time to make your flight. There are lots of options…
Article and photo by Catalin Varela With summer break upon us, teens in the 80108 area have buckled up and hit the road for summer fun activities. As the adult ultimately responsible for their actions, make sure you and your teen drivers are informed on the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws in Colorado. Though…
Information and photo provided by Castle Pines Athletics Kids participating in the Castle Pines Athletics NFL flag football program wrapped up the spring season in May with playoffs at Elk Ridge Park. The top two teams in each age group advanced to Super Bowl VI. Congratulations to the winning teams: Green Bay Packers (1st-2nd grades)…
Gathered together at the Crowder home for their weekly bridge group are, left to right: Kate Riess, Carol Kingery, Jan Jacob, Jane Johnson, Mary Jo Rodeno, Eileen Gass, Angie Crowder, Sandy Harden and Ellen Dugan. This collection of ladies has been together for 16 years. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Every Monday morning, eight…
By Catalin Varela On Tuesday, August 7 the community is invited to connect with the Castle Rock Police Department and ask any questions they may have at Philip S. Miller Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event, National Night Out, has historically been a night where residents can host a block party and…
A great workout can now be found at Cyclebar indoor cycling studio, which rode into Castle Pines on May 24. Located in the former Safeway shopping center, Castle Pines Cyclebar offers energizing rides tailored to all fitness and experience levels. Owner Scott Marshall and instructor Jacove Snapp-Cook inspire, motivate and pump up riders starting at…
Rea Williamson enjoying a gentle breeze and the blooming flowers at her new home at Legacy Village of Castle Pines. Article and photo by Daniel Williams Although Rea Williamson grew up in the Chicago area, Colorado has always held a special place in her heart. After college, she traveled west for a teaching job, and…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of The Bureau of Land Reclamation (U.S. Government) William Headland was an early homesteader in the Castle Pines Village area. Having paid $200 cash for his 160 acres in 1870, his holdings centered on Saxon Place. By 1880 he had comfortably settled in on his ranch and found himself a…
Taylor Wiebold at a college tour at the University of Texas in July. By Terri Wiebold High school students who are entering their senior year are likely starting to think about what college or university they would like to attend, if they are planning on pursuing higher education following graduation. With a college sophomore and…
Article and photos by Patte Smith Whittling a stick is one of my fondest memories growing up when my family went camping. My brother, sister and I would sit on a rock and “being very careful” would create a work of art – funny, our handiwork always turned into a pointed stick. Well folks, another…
Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Car Wash Express celebrated its grand opening in Promenade at Castle Rock on June 14. The Colorado-based company started in 2001 and now has nine locations throughout the Denver area. During their first two weeks of business, customers received their car wash for free, and Car Wash Express has…
COPS Camp teens work together to complete team building challenges. Article and photo by Catalin Varela Leadership and teamwork are the most important qualities to foster in the teens who are pioneering the future. This is what Commander Sam Varela of the Castle Rock Police Department thought when he started COPS Camp almost nine years…
Caption and photos by Nancy Koontz The Castle Pines Village Annual Father’s Day Cookout and Pool Party took place at the Canyon Club on Sunday, June 16 starting at noon. Hamburgers, brats, and hot dogs were grilled up throughout the day along with sides, watermelon, desserts, and beverages. Fun activities such as the cannonball splash…
By Elise Brassell; photos courtesy of Groundspeak Inc. (dba Geocaching) One of the many great things about living in Castle Pines is the easy access to multi-use trails. But, did you know that if you’ve used these trails, or even walked through local neighborhoods, you’ve probably passed hidden treasure many times and didn’t even know…
By Terri Wiebold; photo by Bob Wiebold Construction is well underway and two model homes are now open at Prato at Castle Pines Village, located just north of Santa Fe Drive and east of Daniels Park Road in Castle Pines Village. According to Infinity Homes Collection Community Sales Manager Matt Cassidy, the development is comprised…
Krysta Parr, The Connection’s very own Wonder Woman (or design goddess as we refer to her), “geeked out” and made the rounds at the Denver Comic Con convention last month on June 15-16. She is pictured here with actor Jason Momoa who played Aquaman in Marvel’s “Justice League.” Comic Con is a celebration of many…
By Michelle Post Start with what you have. This saying reminds me of the movie, “Apollo 13,” based on the true story of the 1970 Apollo 13 mission to the moon. The rocket carrying astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert encountered a critical failure en route to the moon. As the crew systematically…
Information and photo provided by the National Institute on Aging With summer here and the temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks that excessive heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. The…
Building youth leadership skills through acts of service By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Eden Mendrala It is often said that leaders aren’t born, they’re made, and many great leaders are being made right here in Douglas County and throughout our state as a result of the innovative programs at Colorado Young Leaders (CYL). CYL…
Rock Canyon varsity baseball players charge the mound after a come-from-behind victory against Cherry Creek High School to reach the Elite Eight By RCHS intern writer Alec Sutula; photo courtesy of Josh Terry The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) baseball team had a very successful season this year under first-year head coach, Garrett Duman. The…
Local residents in support of “the reform team,” as they called themselves, showing support in the days leading up to the recent Castle Pines North Metropolitan District regular election. By Daniel Williams; courtesy photo Residents of the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) voted down a ballot measure last month that would have authorized the…
The inaugural gathering of the Castle Pines Pistons in the Pines Car Show was snowed out on April 21 (Colorado you know), but the next day, with the sun shining, 60 awesome dream machines rallied for an impromptu car show in the Safeway parking lot. May’s Pistons in the Pines event was rainy, but it…
The whole fifth grade performed. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Wendy Wilson With the student-selected theme of “Time Travel,” the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) fifth-grade dance tradition continued this year, serving as the grand finale for the annual variety show in early May. “This was one of my most favorite parts of my fifth-grade…
Pictured above left are first-graders Leyna S. and Abby M., and above right are Kendall and Kayley McClarran with their mom, Michelle, all made sure to get their donuts before they were gone. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On a chilly April morning, TTE students and moms gathered for the Donuts with…
Above left: The Peru Enrichment class (clockwise from top center): Oskar Trueman (grey CK shirt with blue and green hoodie), Victoria Mallinson, Karmel Behboodi, Jamie Horan, Keira Ruys, Savannah Hilgendorf, Cassidy Dobler, Connor Brown, Kayden Ozdemir, Cade Miller, Ty Sloan and Ryan Carlson. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Early June sees 12…
Ellen Pals of Happy Canyon, local author and expert in creating celebrations. By Elise Brassell; photo courtesy of Michele Hafey Wondering what to do with bored kids on summer break, when family comes to town, or when friends visit? Local author Ellen Pals said, “Take time to celebrate!” She may just make you question all…
Information and photo provided by Buffalo Ridge Elementary Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) held its 7th Annual Science Fair on Friday, April 27. The science fair was open to all students at BRE. More than 60 students researched projects. BRE had an amazing day celebrating these young scientists as they presented their findings through demonstrations, experiments…
By Lisa Crockett It’s strawberry season. Through the miracle of the modern food system, of course, most consumers can get strawberries year round, but they’re hitting their peak ripeness in the next few weeks, which means they’re at their most tasty and least expensive right now. Here are some ways to make the most of…
By Elise Brassell; courtesy photo As the weather gets warmer and summer begins, thoughts often turn to vacations and reading a good book by the pool, far away from work, school and the bustle of everyday life. The thought of finding a good summer read made us at The Castle Pines Connection wonder, what does…
Information and photo provided by Carrie Manion The Castle Pines Village 3.5 ladies tennis team hosted a tennis social Friday, May 11 at the Canyon Club tennis courts to kick off the season. They enjoyed food, drinks and fun tennis that was open to all ladies that live in Castle Pines Village. The tennis activities…
By Patte Smith It is no surprise to the Castle Pines and surrounding area residents that Douglas County was recognized as the healthiest county in Colorado. With that in mind, tune up your bikes, put air in your tires, fill up your water bottles and join family and friends to celebrate Colorado Bike Month in…
Castle Pines Parkway in the City of Castle Pines was adorned with American flags, thanks to a partnership between the city and a patriotic resident. Article and photo by Daniel Williams; photo by Kathy Fallert When Michael Penny became Castle Pines city manager earlier this year, he wanted to understand the identity of the community. …
By Kathy Fallert BRE fifth-grade students shook, shimmied, hula-hooped, and back flipped their way (among many other things) to perform “The Evolution of Dance” on April 19 in the school’s gymnasium. Led by music teacher Cathy Deneault and P.E. teacher Ronda Gutierrez, the kids performed to a full house and displayed some star dancing and…
Information and photo provided by Arapahoe Community College Arapahoe Community College broke ground on its $40 million “Collaboration Campus” in Castle Rock last month. The project will consist of two 54,000-square-foot buildings on a 14-acre site in The Meadows, west of Highway 85 and northeast of Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. Joined by the Town of…
CBS4 Denver’s Lauren Whitney (left) presented RCHS student Molly Dolan the Future Leader in STEM award. Lauren McCaffrey (left) and Molly Dolan (right) holding test tubes with fruit flies from their research on type 1 diabetes at Rock Canyon High School. Article and photo by Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of CBS4 CBS4 Denver recognized Molly…
By Amanda Merriman I am a huge fan of author Lisa See. When I got her latest novel, “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane,” I excitedly delved into it. She is a master of historical fiction and this is proven again with this book. This saga begins in 1988 in the remote mountains of China,…
RCHS students beamed with pride as they presented their $3,000 “giant” check. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Janna Robinett Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students created Canyon Clothing (see related story in February 2018 issue of The Connection) as part of a business strategies class to learn about creating and running a business. The…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Residents joined Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) Parks & Open Space Manager Craig Miller at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines for part four of a six-part series on the principles of xeriscape. Miller has been presenting classes on xeriscape and landscape maintenance for the last 15 years…
Jack Gebhardt (left) and Maria Pangolos (right) both earned top honors at the DECA world championship. Rock Canyon High School students at the DECA world championship in Atlanta, Georgia. From left to right, back row: Maria Pangalos (CP), Sydney Nation (CP), Zander Robinett, Nidhi Unnikrishnan (Air Academy High School), Derek Chen (CP), Neeraj Dodda, Jack…
This aerial photo taken looking west shows the development progess happening in the City of Castle Pines on the east side of I-25. The grading is initial infrastructure for the first residential component of The Canyons, being developed by Shea Homes. By Daniel Williams; photo by Bob Wiebold Motorists roaring along I-25 might not have…
Explore scenic Rueter-Hess Reservoir from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 2. The reservoir will be open for hiking and paddling recreational opportunities. Guided hikes will be taking place every 60 minutes from 9 to 11 a.m. The hikes will be between 1 mile and 3 miles round trip. The guided hikes will be limited…
On a coastal night wade, DCSM eighth-graders used cast nets to pull some marine life from the Gulf. They pulled sand crabs, hermit crabs and ghost crabs to take a closer look. By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Rebecca Jones At the end of April and beginning of May, DCS Montessori (DCSM) seventh-grade and eighth-grade…
Caption and photo by Terri Wiebold Boy Scout Troop 826 led the Castle Pines City Council in the Pledge of Allegiance at the council meeting on May 8. Pictured left to right: Nathan Fields, Aiden Dexter and Quinn Polk. The boys stayed for part of the meeting to see “what these people do.”
Derek Chen and Charlie Fu sharing their knowledge with fellow students in a tutoring environment. By Catalin Varela; photos courtesy of Derek Chen Think back to your time in high school. Does it make your skin crawl with stress? Today, high schoolers have so many academic responsibilities it can be overwhelming to handle alone. Derek…
The Castle Rock Historical Society and Museum is looking for a few good people to join its board. If you can help in any of the areas, please consider joining this dynamic and important team. The board meets on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge on Wilcox Street.…
Chelsea Gause Cheer, University of Colorado, Boulder Coach Amanda Mundaca said, “Chelsea is a competitive gymnast who made the switch to cheerleading this season, and we could not have been happier to have her. Her fun personality and exquisite tumbling will be an amazing addition to the University of Colorado Boulder all-girl cheer team!” Avery…
RHMS debaters at the national tournament (left to right): Carter McDonald (CP), debate coach Lynn Legg, Morgan Brent (CP), Frankie Stroud, Andrew Dupper (CP), Emma Kate Squires (CP), Mahika Anand, Allison Willner (CP), and Krish Kumar. Not pictured: Landon Hoffmeister. By Kira Zizzo, RHMS intern writer; photo courtesy of Megan McDonald Words roll off tongues,…
Article and photos by Lisa Nicklanovich; photos by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of Julien Bouquet The Castle Pines Connection joined in on the Douglas County School District’s Employee Appreciation Week to thank the teachers and administrators from all of our local schools who help with our stories in so many ways. Their support makes it…
Article and photo by Barbara Neff By 2030, a whopping 46 million drivers in the U.S. will be over the age of 65, which will represent 25 percent of the total driving population, according the American Automobile Association (www.seniordriving.aaa.com). In a comprehensive 2015 publication by Bruce J. Winick and Alina M. Perez, “Aging, Driving and…
The City of Castle Pines has approved the installation of two “crime fighting” security cameras at the major gateways into the city. The technology captures vehicle license plate numbers and checks if the vehicle has been reported stolen or if the registered owner has any outstanding warrants. By Daniel Williams; courtesy photo With the help…
Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Sometime this month, it’s likely that my oven will go on hiatus for six or eight weeks. I can usually be found at the backyard grill on a warm June day, making an effort to leave the heat and the mess outdoors where they belong this time of year.…
By Joe Gschwendtner In May, I got another close whiff of Russia on the Curonian Spit in Lithuania. For those with a yen for history, Kaliningrad is a Russian exclave, surrounded by Lithuania and Poland. It is a heavily militarized, warm water port on the Baltic. It was also once Königsberg, home of the Teutonic…
Lightning struck a home on Buffalo Ridge Way in August 2016, igniting a small fire along a roof joist in the attic. This image shows the mammatus clouds looming in the background. Information provided by Einar Jensen, SMFR Risk Reduction Educator; photo courtesy of Eric Hurst SMFR Since 2011, lightning has caused 38 fires in…
Article and photos by Nancy Koontz Once more, the Castle Pines Village Garden Club’s (CPVGC) annual luncheon and fashion show on May 11 was a sell-out success – standing room only. Held at the Castle Pines Golf Club, with its spectacular views, the event boasted 80 attendees. The weather was perfect on the day of…
Fourteen-year-old DCS Montessori eighth-grader Jaden Sherman was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer service at Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Information provided by Douglas County Libraries; photo courtesy of Jaden Sherman April was National Volunteer Month and Douglas County Libraries (DCL) honored its volunteers for their dedication to the library district…
By Amanda Merriman Summer is here, and that gets me thinking of concerts. As much as I love listening to live music, I find that I miss out on shows because I did not know about them or I heard about them too late. Bandsintown is an app I came across that keeps fans in…
Adventure high on the mountain By Michelle Post; courtesy photos Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers thrills, chills, oohs, ahhs and fun for all. Colorado has so much to offer, I never get bored living here. An excellent adventure for the whole family is the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs. It is 157.4…
Guest panelists at the Douglas County Community Foundation Focus Forward breakfast this year included, pictured left to right: Pamela Schenck-Kelly – Park Meadows Retail Resort, Michael Dunlap – Schomp Automotive, Karen “Casey” Cortese – Charles Schwab, and moderator Amber DeBerry – Douglas County Libraries. By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of DCCF On May 10, The…
Article and photos by Michelle Post I did not think I would ever say those words, “I inherited a dog,” but I do now. Tuffy Newman is his name, and he is a 12-year-old Pomeranian. He was the beloved companion of my Aunt Jean and Uncle Bob. It was not in my aunt’s final will…
By Michelle Post Social media must be strategic and tactical; however, over the last decade the mantra has been “be everywhere and post a lot.” This is not the case any longer. Instead, social media is an integral part of a business’ identity. It is a digital representation of its physical representation, both internal and…