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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…
Information courtesy of Tri-County Health Department Tri-County Health Department has opened a new birth and death certificates office in Castle Rock at 410 South Wilcox Street, located one block south of the Wilcox and Plum Creek Parkway. A certified copy of a birth certificate is needed for passport applications, many school activities, and to apply…
By Amanda Merriman My seven-year-old daughter and I were looking for a way to pass the time during my 10-year-old’s soccer practice. An hour can feel like an eternity to a seven-year-old. Luckily, I remembered I downloaded an app called Sandbox to try. Sandbox is a color by numbers game that will entertain people of…
A Western Bluebird. Western Bluebirds perch or flutter among branches to take berries. By Susan Helton; Mountain Bluebird photo by Dick Vogel, courtesy of the Colorado Bluebird Project; Western Bluebird photo courtesy of Barbara Spagnuolo. Returning bluebirds are one sure sign of spring. In the Castle Pines and Castle Rock areas, birders have even spotted…
Information provided by the National Institute on Aging and Douglas County With winter’s return, the colder temperatures in Colorado bring some particular risks for older adults and people with chronic conditions. Older adults can lose body heat faster than when they were younger, and changes in their bodies can make it more difficult to be…
By Daniel Williams; photos by Terri Wiebold and courtesy of John Basche and Hutch Tibbetts In February, the City of Castle Pines celebrated its tenth birthday old school-style with a party hosted by the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Complete with pin the city on the state, an “original businesses” cake walk, a community…
Article by Kathy Fallert with courtesy photos Friday, January 26 was a wild and crazy night at Buffalo Ridge Elementary as the school hosted its annual mother and son Nerf wars at the school. Cardboard barricades, safety goggles and lots of foam bullets were provided for the evening’s entertainment. Numerous participants brought their weapons of…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Lisa Storey Lisa Storey opened Little Italy’s dining room on January 31 to volunteers from the Gameday 14 U Angels Baseball team. The group put together 3,000 goodie bags for the Zackari Parrish 5K Run/Walk #BackTheBlue event. The sold-out February 3 race at the Douglas County Event…
Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of Latvia.eu Sandwiched between Estonia and Lithuania, Latvia accommodates some 2 million people. Like Estonia, her terrain is rich in natural beauty, thickly forested with rolling plains. But for capital Riga with a million inhabitants, Latvia is otherwise a country of small towns and villages. In a…
By Daniel Williams Whether you are looking to buy or sell a home in 80108 this year, you are likely to find an interesting dynamic at play – a historically low inventory in the metro Denver area that is impacting housing sales throughout the region. How tight is the housing crunch? Consider in the past…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson On a chilly January evening, Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students braved the weather at Rink at the Rock to help raise money to purchase playground items and gym equipment. A portion of all ticket sales and skate rentals were given back to TTE.
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori Courtesy of the Google Expeditions Virtual Reality program, DCS Montessori (DCSM) students had a unique opportunity to have several field trips brought to their classroom as opposed to having to venture outside of Castle Pines. The virtual reality tools took students around the world, including visits…
BRE’s top 15 spellers (pictured from left to right) Palmer W., Joey S., Colton R., Lana C., Katherine S., Mia L., Lila O., winner Emily R., Simon H., Riley C., Kyle D., runner up Gavin R., Milena A., Kasen L. and Isaac H. battled it out in the school’s gym on January 26. Article and…
Troop 91 (left to right) back row: Amelia S., Izze P., Tori G., Morgan M., Sophie A., Natalie X., Lillian F. and Kate S.; front row: Aimee B. and Chloe F. (Not pictured: Sienna D. and Taylor D.) By Susan Helton; photos courtesy of Jennifer Greer American Academy (AA) Girl Scout Junior Troop 91 braved…
The map shows the proposed Amendment 5 planned usage areas in the RidgeGate Development District. Amendment 5 has not yet been approved. By Patte Smith Construction of the end-of-line RTD light rail station parking garage and rail tracks continues to move forward with completion planned for early 2019. Currently, new water main lines are being…
Michael Penny Information provided by the City of Castle Pines The City of Castle Pines is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Penny as interim city manager. City council approved a city management agreement with Penny during a special meeting on Friday, February 16 and his first day with the organization was Tuesday, February…
Canyons Community Church 4825 North Crowfoot Valley Road, Castle Rockwww.canyonscc.org Easter services: April 1 at 9:30 a.m. (traditional) and 11:00 a.m. (contemporary), with nursery and Canyons Kidz Sunday School offered during the 11:00 a.m. hour. Castle Oaks Covenant Church 826 Park Street, Castle Rockwww.castleoaks.org Easter Sunday worship services: April 1 at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Amy Shanahan Community residents gathered on January 31 along with Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce members and representatives from Lennar for the official ribbon cutting of the Lennar at Castle Valley development at the southwest corner of Lagae Road and Castle Pines Parkway. Guests toured the new model…
Rock Canyon High School biotech research students Kylie Hutchison (left) and Madison Dittmer (right) study cancer cells using the new EVOS FL microscope, which is a cell imaging system that combines precision optics, high resolution display and a highly sensitive monochrome camera. Article and photo by RCHS intern writer Sarah Bermingham Rock Canyon High School…
By Lynne Marsala Basche If you are a person who does not use glasses or wear contact lenses, you may not think about getting yearly eye exams. However, eyes can begin to experience age-related changes in our early 40s, and as we continue to age, the possibility of developing eye disease increases, which is why…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson The American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart event has become a much-loved tradition at Timber Trail Elementary (TTE), and once again, this past February, students participated in the campaign to raise money and awareness for heart health. February is American Heart Month, and TTE students…
Castle Pines residents Molly Tanaka (pictured above center) and Zach Shadwick (pictured below) find the program a great opportunity to learn and enjoy playing music with friends. The Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation was pleased to host the “Save the Music!” event on February 9. In conjunction with the Colorado Chamber Orchestra’s Early Instrumental…
The Rock Canyon High School girls swim and dive team won the continental A-league championship for the third consecutive year and went on to come in 6th place at the 5A state competition. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Nicole Vanderpoel For the third year in a row, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) kindergarten and first-grade students celebrated the 100th day of the 2017-2018 school year in a variety of fun and engaging ways. Students built castles with 100 cups, made necklaces with 100 Fruit Loops and beads and had a challenging time transferring 100…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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 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…
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…