Read the stories from the latest issue:
The Rausch family are MCT alumni and performed as merchants and farmers in “Jack and the Beanstalk.” By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Dave Tweed On Saturday, July 22, children from Castle Pines brought the characters from the classic story of “Jack and the Beanstalk” to life. The Missoula Children’s Theatre production included weeklong…
Dr. Jason Ortman and Dr. Jamie Anderson of Castle Pines Eye Care are giving back globally by partnering with the OneSight organization to help bring a temporary eye care clinic to Mexico and a sustainable eye care clinic to Zambia, Africa. Both doctors plan to offer their services for future international trips. By Kathy Fallert;…
By Michelle Post; photo courtesy of Barb Findlay In true patriotic fashion and celebrating our nation’s independence for the Fourth of July weekend, Castle Pines Parkway was lined with five crisp, beautiful American flags. Special thanks to Gary Leiker with RE/MAX Professionals for presenting the idea to the city council and for donating the flags…
Information provided by Tri-County Health Department On Saturday, August 12, the Tri-County Health Department will host its annual drive-through Douglas County Household Chemical Roundup in Highlands Ranch at Shea Stadium, 3270 Redstone Park Circle, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many common products found in your home such as oil-based paint, mercury, gasoline, degreasers, cleaning…
By Lisa Crockett If you are a human being alive on the planet today, there is a good chance you have some sort of obsolete computer or electronic equipment somewhere in your house. A law passed four years ago in an effort to encourage recycling of so called “e-waste” (think computers, monitors, televisions and cellphones).…
Resident artist Jerod Anderson free-handed a chalk drawing of the Statue of Liberty on the sidewalk outside King Soopers a few years ago and has created chalk drawings at several Castle Pines community events in recent years. Anderson will be doing an exhibition piece at the Chalk It Up 4 Charity event at Elk Ridge…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Paul Masovero At a time when it feels like development may be taking over the community, it is breathtaking drives like this one just west of the Wildcat Mountain Trail parking lot on Monarch Boulevard (looking west) that remind us of the beautiful dedicated open…
By Terri Wiebold Have you had any tattoos or body piercings within the past 12 months? Have you spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 to present? Have you traveled outside the United States within the past 12 months? Are you currently under a doctor’s care for surgery or an illness?…
By Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) has a new twist on an old favorite, happy hour! Members bring their dogs to accompany them on the social lawn for “yappy hour” where they frolic in puppy pools and enjoy treats alongside their owners.…
Information provided by Guaranty Bank The holding company for Guaranty Bank and Trust Company announced in June the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire the holding company for Castle Rock Bank. Following the closing of the transaction, Castle Rock Bank will be merged into Guaranty Bank and Trust and all Castle Rock Bank branches…
Jane Jenkins, TTE B.A.S.E. program team leader, contributed to the program’s success and high-performance standards, which resulted in a COA honor. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Janie Ino Recently, the Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) Before and After School Enterprise (B.A.S.E.) program received honors for its hard work and dedication to the students, parents,…
By Michelle Post I have been a fan and user of Google Alerts since its inception in 2003 and have found it to be very useful in my business. This free tool is a great way to track online activity about you, your brand, your product or your industry. Here is how it works –…
Six TTE families worked together to pack food bags for almost 70 families in need. Individualized lists were used to gather food items for Fresh Harvest. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Spitzer Castle Pines resident Anna Spitzer and her family actively volunteer in the community. Last year, Spitzer approached Timber Trail Elementary…
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…
Information provided by Slowfoodnations.org This July, Slow Food USA welcomes the world to Denver for Slow Food Nations, a festival to taste and explore a world of good, clean and fair food for all. The weekend will combine the energy of a street food festival, the rigor of an academic conference and the inspiration of…
By Terri Wiebold; photo by Lynn Zahorik Two newcomers to the 80108 dining scene are Zoës Kitchen and Rocket Fizz, both featuring back-to-basics products and a bit of nostalgia. Zoës promises ingredients that are delivered fresh daily. Their team hand-washes, cuts and prepares each item from scratch in the kitchen because as founder Zoë Cassimus…
Is digital marketing killing print advertising? The 1979 pop song “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles posed the hypothesis that radio as a musical medium was no longer viable due to the explosion of video in the recording industry. And yet nearly four decades later, I still listen to the radio when I…
Connecting people to agriculture By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of CALF In 2002, lifelong Douglas County residents and ranchers John and Bea Lowell saw the tremendous pace of growth happening along the front range and felt that people and especially children needed a place to learn about agriculture. Together with a group of like-minded…
Librarian Kyra Hahn, lover of books and a very special place, at the Douglas County Libraries – Castle Pines. Article and photo by Patte Smith Entering the Douglas County library in Castle Pines is a treat. The welcoming staff greet everyone who walks in the door and they are always available to help patrons find…
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…
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…
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…
Cutline and photo by Elean Gersack The Rock Canyon orchestras, choirs and guitarists came together for the year-end Arts Festival Concert on Tuesday, May 9, in the Rock Canyon gymnasium. The sound and song spanned from classical to pop hits and energized the families and friends who filled the bleachers. In this photo, directors Benjamin…
Kayla Inman, a Castle Pines resident and recent graduate of Rock Canyon High School, won first place at the America the Beautiful Congressional Art Competition. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Kayla Inman Kayla Inman of Castle Pines took first place at the Fourth District’s Congressional Art Competition, a nation-wide high school arts competition held…
Duke’s Steakhouse owner Neal Minarick showed samples of their new one-of-a-kind dinner rolls, made specifically for Duke’s by Best Buddies Bakery, one of Wellspring Community’s enterprises, a local nonprofit serving special needs adults. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo by Terri Wiebold What do you get when you mix a wonderful nonprofit organization with a popular…
By Kathy Fallert Originally from Eastern Nepal about 20 miles away from India’s border, Ashok Neupane grew up learning a lot about Indian cuisine. Neupane is now the owner and manager of India’s Kitchen on Mainstreet in Parker, with a second location in Centennial near County Line and Holly. The Parker location was opened in…
Yearbook staff members Lauren Dressler, Belen Hebbelinck and Gabby Botero posed for a picture after winning the national Pacemaker Award on April 8 for the RCHS yearbook “U Discover.” By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Kristi Rathbun As the school year came to a close, high schoolers throughout the country reflected on…
In addition to receiving goodie bags, The Connection intern writers from Rock Canyon High School were treated to lunch at Duke’s Steakhouse. Pictured left to right: Jack Hibbett, Sarah Bermingham and Riley Busch. We love and appreciate our student partnerships! Article and photos by Terri Wiebold The Connection is thrilled to be working again this…
Resident Sue Fraley, participating artist Information and photos provided by the Douglas Land Conservancy Douglas Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the 4th Annual “Capturing the Beauty of Open Land” event will take place on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at the White Pavilion in downtown Castle Rock. “Capturing the Beauty of Open…
Ann Marie McDonnell sprucing a room for a family at Joshua Station in Denver, which helps families transition from homelessness to a healthy, stable living environment. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Ann Marie McDonnell and Lady Uhlig Photography For Ann Marie McDonnell, interior designer and HOA #1 resident, designing and staging spaces represents more…
