Read the stories from the latest issue:
Have you read a good book this summer? Share it with us at editor@castlepinesconnection.com. Pictured are some of the books from the suggested summer reading list. Be sure to check them out! Article and photo by Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer Teens love the free time they get over the summer, so here is a…
Picture of Ed Wolfensberger, age 25 By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Douglas County History Research Center We know much of the Chases, Krolls and Schweigers who dominated our early upland history. Life for smaller landholders was far more gritty and tiring, often merely subsistence. Often unable to afford nominal land prices, many homesteaded on…
The three goats, Larry, Curly and Moe, entertained the children attending the event along with the other educational activities on site. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz On Saturday, June 3, the Cherokee Ranch & Castle held a special event for a limited number of visitors to see the 100 new Santa Gertrudis calves born…
“We stand today on the edge of a new frontier – the frontier of the 1960s, a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils, a frontier of unfulfilled hopes and threats. The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises – it is a set of challenges.” ~ John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)…
Information provided by Douglas County Are you a Douglas County resident with a love for the County Fair and Rodeo tradition as well as a background in the music industry and family-friendly entertainment? If so, you could be the next member of the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo Board – representing a community tradition that…
The Raptors U15 silver division champions at the USAFA tournament. Pictured from left to right front row: Justin Schwab; second row: Coach Joel Pick, Danny Zimmerle (CP), Tripp Thompson (CP), Jack Meigs (CP), Zach LaForest, William Bobby (CP), Jack Basche (CP), Jackson Wisler, Alex Fuselier (CP), Coach Randy Fuselier (CP); back row: Grant Gooding (CP),…
Mark Lewicki, Director of Sales and Marketing Information and photo provided by The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) is pleased to introduce its new Director of Sales and Marketing, Mark Lewicki. Lewicki joined the club at the beginning of June and he has been busy, having arrived shortly…
Matthew Givin of Castle Pines, a recent Rock Canyon High School graduate, was selected by the Marlins in the 20th round of the Major League Baseball draft By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Many athletes dream of the moment their name is called in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft; for Matthew Givin of Castle Pines,…
Pictured left: The RCHS girls golf team after placing second at the state championships at Rolling Hills Country Club in Golden in May. From left to right: Alexis Chan, Brandy McClain, Brooklyn Murphy, Amelia Lee (CP)and Ashley Kozlowski. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Chang Lee “We had almost the perfect season,” said Rock Canyon…
Article and photo 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. Summertime is the perfect time for a thriller. That…
Information provided by TTE Timber Trail has a philanthropy opportunity just for our school on Friday, July 7 (6:45 p.m.- 8:45 p.m.) to pack bags of food for those in need. Then on Saturday, July 8 (8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) to help on distribution day to give out the food bags and fresh food to the…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls volleyball program hosted its fifth annual summer fundraising tournament in June. Thirty teams comprised of two girls per team from schools all over Douglas County competed for prizes and bragging rights. The event is an opportunity for friends who attend different schools…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines In June, traffic on Lagae Road north of the southern roundabout was rerouted, bypassing it completely. The new Lagae Road detour is designed to accommodate final construction of the roundabout. The road improvements are part of the construction of the Castle Pines Valley development. Learn more about…
Information and photos provided by Beverly Coggins The Country Club at Castle Pines celebrated its amazing members and showcased its menu and chef at the annual summer “The Taste” event in June. Members sampled more than 60 wine, liquor and beer selections and enjoyed live music performed by classical guitarist Ron Dorr.
BRE perfect attendance recipients (pictured from left to right) Heath C., Gavin G., Jake P. and Principal John Veit. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of Valerie Miller What’s worse than finding out you have a doctor appointment on the last day of school when you’re just about to complete a year of perfect attendance? That…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett When the weather gets hot, I have some pretty strong, nostalgic cravings. July in particular, with its attendant Independence Day pool parties and barbecues, really gets my taste buds set for something cold and sweet. In my mind, there’s nothing better than homemade ice cream in a cone, drippy…
Mueller State Park offers grand vista viewing of several mountain ranges, a site to behold. Article and photos by Michelle Post Colorado has 42 state parks, and Mueller State Park in Divide claims the title of the second most visited park in the state. Only 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, visitors can take Hwy…
Fifty RHMS eighth-grade students at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., the first stop on their five-day trip. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Sharon Majetich Since opening its doors in 2003, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) eighth-grade students have had the opportunity to participate in an end-of-year trip to Washington, D.C. This year’s students…
By Lynne Marsala Basche On May 25, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) held two sessions and met with residents at the Castle Pines Community Center. Public Information Officers Lauren Lekander and Jason Blanchard, along with Crime Lab Manager Tracey Montano hosted the event with a goal to have an open discussion on collaboration and…
From left to right, volunteer Nisha Thiruchelvam (Malaysia) and students Rury Hmaidan (Italy), Jamain Bauer (Germany), Maria Pangalos (USA), Matteo Sahuc (France), and Noemi Giglio (Italy), pose with the Malaysian flag at their AFS orientation camp in the jungles surrounding Kuala Lumpur. Article and photos by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer Junior year of high…
Jane Sanders By Nancy Koontz; photos courtesy of Cathy Kaier and family via Facebook The Castle Pines Village community is one laugh quieter following the passing of Starbuck neighbor and dear friend Jane Kathleen Sanders on May 23. Originally from St. Joseph, Missouri, the Sanders family moved to Colorado where Jane grew up in north…
By Michelle Post “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” — Lao Tzu In a world of “enough is never enough,” it is easy to forget meetings, birthdays, anniversaries and deadlines. However, there is hope to improve one’s daily focus and productivity and decrease stress. The word for the 21st century is…
PEGASUS RESTAURANT offers good food, good prices, and good old-fashioned character What do I like the most about summertime? There are many answers to that question; being outdoors, hiking, camping, going to the pool, watching the thunderstorms from my porch. But one thing stands out for me during the summer and that’s going to a…
Goats roam a hillside in Castle Pines as part of the city’s annual fire mitigation program. Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photos by Paul Masovero For the third year in a row, the PineRidge Homeowners Association in Castle Pines contracted with Goat Green, LLC and its herd of goats to help work…
Animals are known to have a positive effect on people of all ages and can be an important part of an older adult’s life. Bonding with a pet is known to reduce blood pressure, stress levels, help lower cholesterol, fight depression and help protect against heart conditions. By Patte Smith; courtesy photos Millions of Americans…
Jack Dreyfuss earned his Eagle Scout ranking in April, and his love of scouting and art led him to create his final community-related service project, which was building 15 easels for Shiloh House. Dreyfuss (center) had the help of friends and other scouts working on his project. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Jack…
The Colorado snow did not stop the crew of “Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford” from building and filming an amazing backyard makeover of the Sethi home in Castle Pines. Above center, left to right, Gautam and Monica Sethi, winners of the “Backyard Paradise 2017” contest, show producer Chelsea Lipford Wolf and home improvement expert Danny…
The Gruenhaupt family at Nathan’s commissioning ceremony in CSU Fort Collins on May 12. Pictured from left to right: brother Jacob, father Darin, Nathan, mother Jenny and brother Sam. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Nathan Gruenhaupt Castle Pines resident and Douglas County High School graduate class of 2012, Nathan Gruenhaupt graduated on May 13…
By Lisa Crockett It’s a great time of year to stock up on fruits and veggies at the farmers market, and if you’re a gardener, it’s likely that the first evidence of your hard labor is beginning to make an appearance at the dinner table. It’s a delicious time of year, and a healthful one,…
U9 third-grade elite champions at USAFA on June 4 (pictured from left to right) back row: Coach Rob Smith, Head Coach Ray Cross, Coach Jeff Genuario, Coach Carlos Aragon, (Coach Justin Kliewer not shown); middle row: Alexander Brown, Patrick Mulstay, Cole Kliewer, James Cross, Aiden Mitchell, Spencer Smith, Jace Vaserbinder, Cayden Aragon, Parker Schultz, Wilson…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Bob Wiebold Alberta Development Partners (Alberta), the developer of Promenade at Castle Rock (Promenade), submitted a preliminary project application to the Town of Castle Rock (Town) on May 24 requesting the annexation of two parcels of land from Douglas County’s jurisdiction into the Town. If annexed, the combined 21.7…
CPV Garden Club members Suzanne Awner, Wanda Ford, Pam Cooper, Susan McGuinn, Sharon Winders, Darcey DeRose and Judy Bat had a fantastic time showcasing beautiful fashions to their peers. Denise Snyder, owner of Mariel Boutique in Cherry Creek, enjoyed outfitting the ladies and describing the fashions as they took to the runway. By Amy Shanahan;…
By Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of Ted Tice Ted and Lynn Tice moved to Castle Pines in June from Chicago, Illinois where they both were born and raised. They were drawn to Colorado because of the active lifestyle which they had enjoyed when they lived here while Ted was employed by CoBank from 2004 through…
Article and photos by Michelle Post Michael Sherman (Sherm) is a man on a mission for kids. On Friday, May 26, Sherm hosted the second annual golf tournament for his organization, 4KidzSports.org. The tournament was held at The Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course (The Ridge). The weather was perfect, The Ridge personnel were…
The City of Castle Pines is dedicating time, manpower and financial resources to improve the roadway conditions in the city. To take a quick survey of the roads in Castle Pines, visit www.castlepinesgov.com/street-maintenance. Information and photos provided by the City of Castle Pines Summer road repairs are well underway in Castle Pines. The City is…
By Amanda Merriman In the June edition of The Connection, The Next Chapter gave readers some tips for searching out senior discounts on the internet. Building on that train of thought, there is an app called Sciddy that can really streamline the process of finding local deals for those of us on the other side…
By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Valerie Miller Every school across the country that participated in a Boosterthon Fun Run program came together on May 20 to pack up meals for local food bank organizations. Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) was honored to be asked to host the Colorado event. Volunteers from around the Denver metro…
The SuperTanker can release retardant, water, gel or foam or a mixture to fight wildland fires. Information and photos provided by Douglas County and Global SuperTanker In May, Douglas County was in the news as the county’s Emergency Management Office announced its “call-when-needed” contract with Global SuperTanker and its converted Boeing 747-400, the world’s largest…
Buddha is microchipped and neutered; two ways to keep your pet safer. Information provided by the Dumb Friends League; photos by Krysta Parr The metro area’s population explosion does not only include people but pets too. Many pets have relocated with their families, and while most live here full-time, others have traveled to Colorado for…
Article and photos by Michelle Post Mueller State Park offers grand vista viewing of several mountain ranges, a site to behold. Colorado has 42 state parks, and Mueller State Park in Divide claims the title of the second most visited park in the state. Only 45 minutes west of Colorado Springs, visitors can…
A labor of love and dedication By Michelle Post; photos by Terri Wiebold For more than 60 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle nestled in the San Isabel National Forest, stone by stone. Bishop’s perseverance and dedication to his quest are a testament that everyone has greatness within. A very colorful character with…
Horses find hope and homes By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DDFL Chances are high when people hear about the Denver Dumb Friends League (DDFL), their thoughts immediately turn to dogs, cats and possibly rabbits. However, it might be a surprise to learn that the Dumb Friends League has a 168-acre facility dedicated to…
Residents Jim and Linda Day hosted a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for soldiers and veterans who have taken their lives. The event was a way to honor their son, Ryan James Day, SPC US Army, 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion (pictured above), who ended his life at the age of 21. By Lynne…
By Patte Smith Searching the internet for senior discounts produces savings options that are offered to adults 50 and older. Here are a few important things to consider when searching for resources: – Be aware that if you search on the web for discount lists, many have not been updated. Verify that the information is…
RCHS student and Castle Pines resident Annika Kellner’s photograph using a technique called black light photography. Kellner’s art, along with art from students all over Douglas County, was presented at the Continental League Art Show in Castle Rock in April. By Jack Hibbett, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Annika Kellner On April 11, students,…
Information provided by Douglas County The Let’s Talk Colorado campaign is spotlighting the stigma around mental illness so that the people who need help are more likely to seek it. “We need to get to the place where we understand that mental health challenges are like physical health challenges,” said John M. Douglas, Jr. MD,…
Kroll’s Glendale Farm, circa 1915. Today with buildings long gone, this is now Douglas County dedicated open space and a dog park directly east of I-25 and opposite Surrey Ridge. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Douglas County History Research Center at CR Library Who were these homesteaders who chose to settle in our Wildcat…
Members enjoyed celebrating the reopening of the golf course and renovated clubhouse at The Country Club at Castle Pines. Information provided by The Country Club at Castle Pines; photos by Nancy Koontz The Country Club at Castle Pines celebrated the grand reopening of its golf course on Friday, April 28 after being closed for renovation…
Castle Pines resident Kelsey Buffington as Adelaide in the RHMS spring production of “Guys and Dolls.” The high-energy musical brought down the house in early May. Contributed by RHMS student Allison Willner; photo courtesy of Izzy Holsman On the evenings of May 3 through May 5, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) was taken back into…
By Amanda Merriman My kids love to do karaoke, so I searched for an app that would let them sing when we were away from our karaoke machine at home. Really, it was just for the kids. Okay, I confess – I love to sing myself, so I tested Smule Sing! quite a bit just…
The Massman family (left to right) Gabrielle, Eliana, Catherine and Mike enjoy finding the balance in life and making sure family time takes priority. By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Catherine Massman Castle Pines residents Mike and Catherine Massman, owners of Audio/Video Environments, Inc. (AVE), a custom electronics integration company, are busy parents who have…
By Patte Smith On average, within Douglas, Arapahoe and Jefferson counties, 1,100 children are in foster care. These children have been abused, abandoned or neglected and are in need of a safe, caring home. The Collaborative Foster Care Program is holding free information nights in Douglas County in June and August. These presentations are open…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo provided by DCSD Congratulations to 2017 Jane Lenz at Timber Trail Elementary for receiving the Douglas County Educational Foundation Apple Award this year for Elementary Educator of the Year. “This is such a tremendous honor; not only to be recognized, but I am humbled and blessed to be called…
Next Level Walkers organizers (left to right) Elise Matson, Julie Gibbons, Angela Gosling and Eileen Barry invite the community to join them on approximately three-mile walks every Wednesday. The group meets at Eye Level Optical in Castle Pines at 5:30 p.m. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photo Winter hibernation is officially over, and the weather…
Swim time can be a fun, all-day activity when adhering to water safety rules. Always make sure children are supervised by an adult when around water. Information provided by South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) and the American Red Cross Summer is here and families are headed out to the pool, the lake, and the backyard…
By Michelle Post I recently celebrated one of my students as she received her doctorate degree, and after the ceremony, I reflected on my own doctoral journey. I realized the importance of the power of others. I could not and did not complete my doctoral journey alone. I needed the power of others. I believe…
The incubator and brooder set up for this year’s chick hatching allowed students throughout BRE to peek in and see the progress. Article by Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) held its second annual chick-hatching event at the school to help their students learn about embryology. Forty-one fertile eggs were donated to the…
Information provided by Leadership Douglas County Leadership Douglas County (LDC), a program of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, is designed to bring diverse people together to enhance their experiences, perspectives and take their personal and professional leadership journey to the next level. The communities within the county serve as the classroom. Participants learn through…
The RCHS girls varsity tennis team after winning their region and advancing nine of 11 girls to the state championships, the first time in the school’s history. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Stacie Chadwick The girls varsity tennis team at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) won their region and advanced nine of 11 girls…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photosDouglas County High SchoolDavid Roney, golf, The College of Wooster, OH. Coach Jeff Riley said, “David has been a varsity player for us for four years. He was the leader of our golf team for the past two years, and he is a remarkable young man. He has a tremendous…
The top three winners in the RHMS Spring Speech Smackdown (left to right): Megan Williams, Olivia Gibson and Jazlyn Eskanos. Contributed by RHMS student Kira Zizzo; photo courtesy of Judi Holst On May 1, the Spring Speech Smackdown, with the theme of “This I Believe,” took place at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS). Students spoke…
Some of the members of the Village Idiots Cycling Club on a drizzly morning at their third annual bike drive. One hundred and one bikes were donated that day. Article and photo by Patte Smith Kids riding bikes, laughing, pedaling their way to a friend’s house or off to school – the innocence and…
Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar is officially open for business in the City of Castle Pines. Article and photo by Terri Wiebold New restaurant owner and local resident Joe Sabia stood proudly outside Pino’s Italian Kitchen & Bar (formerly La Dolce Vita) while the finishing touches were completed on the restaurant renovation and signage change.…
“Yet they are without doubt the healthiest and most educated generation of elders that ever lived—and, of course, the wealthiest.” ~ Neil Howe People from across the United States came together in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963 to peacefully demonstrate their support to end racial segregation in schools and the creation of jobs for…
BRE fourth-grade Health Team 4 (left to right) front row: Emmet D., Grace K., Bella W., Joey S., Grant R. and Kyle D.; Second row: Mia W., Kristie V., Carson S., Blake H., Georgie H. and Olivia B.; Third row: Maddie K., Andrew A., Emma T., Morgan B. and Palmer W.; Back row: Mrs. Gutierrez,…
Nine consecutive years of coaching are nearly in the record books for Castle Pines resident Jeff DePasse (left) with his 12-year-old son Nick (right). By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photo Twelve-year King’s Crossing resident Jeff DePasse has been volunteering his time as an athletic coach for the local sports program Castle Pines Athletics (CPA) for the…
RCHS orchestra and choir students enjoyed Times Square in New York as part of a trip of sightseeing and music inspiration. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Andrea Scott and Julia Dale In April, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) choir and orchestra took a trip to New York City. More than…
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. Erika Swyler’s interestingly named first novel, “The Book of Speculation,” has all…
For more than 60 years, Jim Bishop has been building a castle nestled in the San Isabel National Forest, stone by stone. Bishop’s perseverance and dedication to his quest are a testament that everyone has greatness within. A very colorful character with a lot of passion, Bishop welcomes visitors to his handmade castle in the…
A very optimistic Cindy Kessinger, the new Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra executive director. By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Cindy Kessinger Congratulations to Cindy Kessinger who was appointed as the executive director of the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra (LTSO) in April. In her new role as the executive director, Kessinger will continue to build on…