Read the stories from the latest issue:
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo by Kathy Fallert Beginning in February, the City of Castle Pines will begin extending the end of Monarch Boulevard east through the [currently under construction] Lagae Ranch development to a new roundabout at the intersection of Monarch and re-aligned Lagae Road. The new roadway is designed…
A great time was had by all who came out to provide 120 foster kids in Colorado with gifts for the holidays. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Tom Vieregger Stonecroft resident Tom Vieregger and Hidden Pointe resident Kuntal Vora were having a drink in a bar one day when the idea came up to…
Article and photo by Terri Wiebold; photos courtesy of The Country Club at Castle Pines One of the great pleasures of the holiday season is all the shopping that is available at local crafts fairs. Hand-made, one-of-a-kind creations are the best, and there were plenty of them to be found at The Country Club at…
This substitute teacher was very excited to be at BRE for the 9th annual cookie exchange day. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert It must have been the Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) staff’s favorite day of the year on December 15. Yes, that is right. It was the 9th annual cookie exchange held in the…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori DCS Montessori (DCSM) students were abuzz with the sole purpose of making the holiday season brighter for those less fortunate. The entire school participated in different events and activities designed to spread good cheer. Denise Glenn’s primary class of pre-school and kindergartners collected Scholastic book points…
Giving now for generations to come By Lynne Marsala Basche The Douglas County Libraries (DCL) system has always played a vital part in its communities and has been fortunate to have strong leaders with innovative ideas that have allowed DCL to thrive and become a nationally recognized district. As districts look to secure funding, creating…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lin Giampietro For the last six years, Team Stutler has been participating in the annual Jingle Bell 5K run/walk, which raises funds and awareness for arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. Friends and family from Castle Pines and the surrounding area joined in the fun on December 11…
The RHMS wrestling team puts on their game faces for the 2016 season. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Richard Diehl Wrestling at Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has ebbed and flowed over the years. At one point, the school could not field a team due to the lack of a coach. This year,…
By Elean Gersack There are many great fields and parks in Castle Pines available by reservation for sports practices, parties or gatherings. The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District manages Coyote Ridge, Daniel’s Gate and The Retreat Parks while the City of Castle Pines manages Elk Ridge Park. Here is how to make reservations: Coyote Ridge,…
By Lisa Crockett Happy Hogmanay! That is the Scots’ word for the last hour of the year and is synonymous for the celebrations involved with New Year’s in Scotland. Of course no Hogmanay would be complete without shortbread and whisky. And though that particular combination of goodies isn’t meaningful here in the states, it is…
TTE students were excited to help make the holidays bright for those less fortunate with various school drives this season. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anna Mallinson Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students spent the holiday season thinking of others and providing for those less fortunate. Every student was involved in some way and…
Denver Botanic Gardens 1007 York Street, Denver 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.www.botanicgardens.org Monday, January 16 Monday, February 20 Wednesday, March 22 Sunday, April 2 Wednesday, June 14 Monday, July 17 Tuesday, August 29 Friday, November 10 – Winter Gift Market Saturday, November 11 – Winter Gift Market Denver Botanic Gardens – Chatfield Farms 8500 Deer…
Enthusiastic players, coaches and parents helped make the inaugural season of the third grade Raptors team an undefeated success. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Mandy Krause It was the kind of season that players, coaches and parents will remember long after the football and uniforms are put away for the winter. The Raptors…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Sixteen years after the Wright brothers’ epic 1903 first flight, night-time navigational aids (other than bonfires) were non-existent. With the demand for airmail growing ever stronger, night flight was inevitable. Two pilots, Don Bruner and Jack Knight, figured it out. Artificial beacons on high terrain could be used…
Roni and John Lambrecht held a book release party for Roni’s book “Parenting at Your Best” and were thrilled to share the evening with family and friends. The couple lost their son three years ago, and the book has aided in the healing process. “It goes without saying that losing Dalton has been the most…
Pictured left to right: Brenden Bernsdorf, Griffin Rushall, Zach Neeb and Mila Penner will be competing in the Colorado Middle School All State Choir in February. The RHMS students auditioned with 1,600 other seventh and eighth grade students across the state for the opportunity to compete. Submitted by RHMS student Zoe Bair; photo courtesy of…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Share your passion of literacy and lifelong learning by becoming a tutor. Douglas County Libraries (DCL) needs volunteer tutors for its English as a Second Language (ESL) program. The majority of students are adults who are English-language learners with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Tutors work with…
Judy Carlson is a joyful woman with a quick laugh and a genuine warm personality who has worked hard to overcome tremendous challenges during the past four years. “We all go through such hard times, but if we stay faithful to what we are called to do, we survive,” she said. Carlson loves living in…
The peer counseling group at Rock Canyon High School poses with the Rachel’s Challenge representative at the Kindness is Contagious campaign assembly in November. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Marlaine McMechen Rachel Joy Scott had a vision of a better world where people are kind to one another. She was a…
The Castle Rock Adventist Hospital’s holiday festivities kicked off with a concert of Christmas classics by The Wellspring Wonders Choir and Chorale. The 40-member strong choir made its third appearance at the hospital. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik The jubilant voices of The Wellspring Wonders Choir and Chorale filled the lobby of the Castle…
We meet the first Tuesday of each month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., primarily at the Philip S. Miller Library in Castle Rock. Meetings include speakers on a variety of horticulture topics for all levels of gardening interest and knowledge. Visitors are welcome! For date and meeting location changes and/or additional club information,…
Eighth grade student Gatlin Zbylski was one of the actors in the RHMS fall play, “The Audition.” The play depicted the lives of middle school students and teachers. Submitted by RHMS student Kyla Frazee; photos courtesy of Kylie Devin and Breck Dahlgren Lights, camera, action! On November 3 and 4, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS)…
The Castle Pines Connection staff annual holiday dinner celebration at Pegasus restaurant in downtown Castle Rock. Pictured left to right, back row: Lynne Marsala Basche, Cindy Kessinger, Paul Masovero, Laura Gooding, Joe Gschwendtner, Tim Gamble, Terri Wiebold and Cindy Cranstone; Front row: Elizabeth Wood West, Amanda Merriman, Kathy Fallert, Heidi Lewellyn, Kay Bryant, Lisa Nicklanovich,…
Thank you to all of our readers who submitted pictures of their adorable pets for our 2016 “Cutest Pet in the Pines” holiday contest. This year’s submissions were full of holiday spirit! After much deliberation, the staff of The Castle Pines Connection chose the winners and would like to congratulate Marley Thompson, whose playful selfie…
The Dizmang family holiday portrait last month was complete with the addition of soon-to-be-adopted Samuel. By Kay Bryant; photos courtesy of the Dizmang family The Dizmangs’ story began in 2008, when MeiLon and Michael Dizmang were married. The Dizmangs have been 80108 residents for more than eight years. This blended family of eight was already…
By Amanda Merriman This month’s APPtitude selection was easy to make. When I discovered that Sponsored Publications (creators of Our Neighborhood Directory) designed an app for the Castle Pines community called “Our Hood Hub,” it made sense to try it out. Our Hood Hub is free and launched in November. Both Android and Apple users…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Ben Pric In November 2016, the Castle Pines City Council appointed Ben Price to fill the vacant Ward 2 position. Price, along with his wife Heather and their three daughters – twins Lily and Claire (12) and Noelle (10), moved to Castle Pines two years ago from Highlands…
The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) cheer team in a pyramid at the end of their routine at the CHSAA Colorado State Spirit Championship in December. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Dawn Seymour Photography The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) cheer team won the All Girl 5A Cheer division for the third time in…
Fifth grade student Mia Kettler in front of her art show submission at the Highlands Ranch Library. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Wendy Wilson The month of November was very special for nine Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) students. The Highlands Ranch Library hosted the elementary art show, and while there was no particular…
Submitted by Jeff Stotler; photo courtesy of Mark Tepsic The 4th annual Castle Pines adult punt, pass and kick competition was held on Thanksgiving morning at Elk Ridge Park. Unlike previous years that were dogged with controversy, this year’s competition went off without a hitch. With a total of 27 men and 10 women, there…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of the Johnson family When a Castle Pines family on Turweston Lane moved away, little did they know that the Christmas decoration they left behind would be passed on from neighbor to neighbor, showing up in unlikely places! A light-up reindeer, missing a leg, was originally left in the…
Information provided by South Metro Safety Foundation A four hour, hands-on adult/senior driving skills class is being offered through the South Metro Safety Foundation in January, February and March. The class, for adults over the age of 21, teaches skid recovery and crash avoidance skills. The course is held at the South Metro Training/Joint Service…
Some of the students in the RCHS School of Business program who have created a business, Canyon Containers, as their senior project. They will be donating proceeds of their water bottle sales to Charity Water. Pictured back row: Jesse Hernandez, Leighton Koldyke, Eric Young, Seth Lawson. Middle: Hannah Philip, Sara Davis, Brian Dunn, Brayden Lambrecht. …
By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of the Nathan Yip Foundation Twelve-year Castle Pines Village residents Gayle and Gary Ray will be honored by the Nathan Yip Foundation on January 28 at the newly-remodeled McNichols Civic Center Building in Denver. The Rays are known for their volunteerism and generosity throughout the Colorado community. Gary and Gayle…
Jami Arthur shown working in her much-loved sculpture studio where she gets lost in the process of creating art. She also has the advantage of taking a break to enjoy her picturesque property — a bit of inner meditation. Article and photo by Patte Smith In 2009, Jami Arthur decided to take up sculpture, and…
Researching senior resources pays off with the right location, the right care and comfortable surroundings. By Kay Bryant; courtesy photo Many seniors and their families are challenged to find acceptable and desirable homes and services for family members. Some seniors want to downsize out of their home and relocate to a smaller, simpler life. Some…
Sue Lee with 4,700 pairs of socks at the Annual Dolls for Daughters and Toys for Boys Toy Shop. Lee said, “This year we hope to provide 15,000 pairs of socks for children.” By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Sue Lee Castle Pines Village resident Susan Elizabeth Lee started the Sock It To ‘Em Sock…
By Lisa Crockett Each month, The Connection Food & Dining guide insert features a restaurant in the center spread that the editorial staff feels good about recommending to our readers. Sometimes the places are fancy, other times they are strictly jeans and flip-flop kinds of places. Sometimes they are independently owned and other times they…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love to give a gift from my kitchen this time of year. I think it’s a lovely way to show my affection at a reasonable cost, while not burdening my recipients with an item they’ll have to store or feel compelled to display. It’s a perfect plan, except…
Castle Pines Arts & Cultural Foundation (CPACF) was honored to welcome celebrated photographer John Fielder to the community on October 21. Fielder presented ‘Celebrating 100 years of Colorado’s National Parks & Monuments’ to an overflowing crowd at the Castle Pines Community Center. The CPACF runs purely on donations from the community at events like this…
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. When I searched for this month’s book to feature,…
By Lisa Crockett This time of year is a natural for gathering friends together to celebrate. Giving the gift of yourself and the gift of time together is often better than any other present you might be able to come up with. Sometimes though, the prospect of preparing the house, assembling the food and then…
By Patte Smith Now is the perfect time to offer struggling families and individuals a happy holiday season. The Crisis Center in Castle Rock is asking the community to support Operation Elf, a program that matches families with sponsors who help provide a Christmas to families who are financially and emotionally in need during the…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Thirty-six million years ago a massive volcanic eruption near Mt. Princeton hurled molten rock and gases into Douglas County. Traveling nearly 100 miles per hour and landing in parts of Park and Teller Counties as well, the quick cooling ash created 15-30 foot layers of “Wall Mountain Tuff” classified…
By Lynne Marsala Basche In 1999 Deputy Ronald King was killed by a drunk driver when he and his partner were returning from an assignment. At that time, Douglas County had no benevolence organization that could step in and help his family with expenses. With the notion that we are one incident away from becoming…
Information provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) has received numerous reports of fraud schemes involving Green Dot MoneyPaks (reloadable debit cards). These pre-paid cards have become the money-moving method of choice for scammers and are readily available at many retail outlets, including grocery and drug stores. The scammer convinces…
By Lynne Marsala Basche Starting in January, The Castle Pines Connection will begin sending out an email at the beginning of every month to our electronic subscribers with a link to the online edition of the newspaper. The email may also highlight a few stories and/or events in an effort to keep readers informed about…
Chas and Mary Recine helped collect a whopping 245 pounds of candy for the troops. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photo Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) students Mary and Chas Recine and their family decided to collect Halloween candy for the troops. BRE assisted by sending out communication and collecting the candy at the front office. It…
Information provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office provides the following suggestions to protect residents from porch piracy this holiday season: – Enlist the help of your neighbors. If you have a stay-at-home neighbor or friend, ask them to pick up packages you are expecting. – Consider an alternate shipping…
Lorrie Ball, volunteer grant writer for LifeSpark, was joined by Castle Pines friends and family at their “Touching Tomorrow” fundraiser luncheon. Pictured from left to right, front row: Helen Ball, Amy Ball, Donna Riley, and Ellen O’Connor; back row: Susan McPherson, Donna Galloway, Lorrie Ball and Marcia Pinkstaff. Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik…
BRE celebrated its second annual box top competition with a championship kickball game between the two highest collecting teams who were the Front Office Misfits and Jenna DiLoreto’s third grade class. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos The Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) front office staff aka the Front Office Misfits (FOM) were back at it again…
Ansay, #29, takes a shot on goal during the 2016 Rocky Mountain Center Ice Showdown. Article and photos by Elean Gersack On Friday, November 4, Rock Canyon High School alum and current Colorado State University junior Austin Ansay hit the ice at the Pepsi Center for the 2016 Rocky Mountain Center Ice Showdown against The…
Cherokee Ranch & Castle Executive Director James Holmes is joined by Douglas County Detective Dan Brite’s wife Christine and daughters as the detective’s brother Steve Brite provides an update on the officer’s injuries. Detective Dan Brite Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West There was a special gathering at Cherokee Ranch & Castle (CRC) in…
Kraig and Suzanna Smiegowski launched their small business CanineKids Outfitters in hopes of making a difference toward canine cancer research and treatment. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Suzanna Smiegowski Castle Pines Village residents Suzanna and Kraig Smiegowski love their dogs. In fact, since the Smiegowskis do not have young humans in their household, their…
Pictured right: The RCHS varsity volleyball team presents its first place regionals plaque to the camera after advancing to state competitions. (Photo courtesy of Chris Zadra.) By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photos Last month, the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) girls varsity volleyball team closed its season with a successful and record-setting journey…
By Lynne Marsala Basche During the 2016 holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service will deliver billions of cards and packages. While it may seem like shipping is the hard part, consider these suggestions to make the process hassle-free. Shipping early is key to making sure packages arrive at their destination by Christmas. Not only is…
Information provided by Douglas County Senior Resources When searching for information about resources but you don’t know who to ask or what number to call, the First Call Information Referral and Assistance program is your first stop. First Call has trained staff and volunteers to help you access resources throughout Douglas County. Start your search…
From left to right: Jacob Messenger, Jake Roblyer, Christian Butler, Eric Young, Leighton Koldyke, and Nick Caldwell earned a first place finish in the afternoon session of the Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of RCHS The Junior Achievement Stock Market Challenge took place on November 3 at the University of…
Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Mother Nature provided July-like weather on Wednesday, October 26 as the new Legacy Village of Castle Pines project broke ground at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. Community leaders from the city and the chamber joined the developers for the groundbreaking ceremony. Pictured from left…
Phase 1 of construction for the Lagae Ranch 249-acre development is well underway. Information provided by the City of Castle Pines; photo courtesy of Bob Wiebold Phase 1 of construction for the new Lagae Ranch development is now underway. Current work includes grading activity, clearing and grubbing existing vegetation, the first phase of realigning Lagae…
By Kathy Fallert Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) and Timber Trail Elementary (TTE) will both be registering incoming kindergarteners who have siblings already enrolled at one of the schools on Wednesday, January 4. New family kindie registration will be held at both schools on Thursday, January 5. Registration hours at BRE will be from 9 a.m.…
Visitors to the Blossoms of Light event at the Denver Botanic Gardens take in the wonder of the season. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens Coloradans are known for their love and celebration of winter. Check out some of the many festivals and events that remind us how great it is to…
Thanks to the Castle Rock Historical Society, people of all ages took in a bit of history recently at Cedar Hill Cemetery. The resting place for many old-time Douglas County families, the cemetery became a Douglas County Historical Landmark in 2005. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik A spectacular fall day welcomed more than 80…
By Amanda Merriman The latest social media craze has thankfully moved on from the Water Bottle Challenge. Over the past month and a half, it has been all about the Mannequin Challenge. What is the Mannequin Challenge, you ask? It is believed to have been started by high school students in Florida who wanted to…
Tibbles 2011-2016 Article and photo by Terri Wiebold I would like to offer my most heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff at Castle Pines Veterinary Clinic for the care and compassion they showed my daughter’s pet guinea pig Tibbles, who died last month from pneumonia. Tibbles’ passing was a surprise to our entire family and…
The girls and boys varsity cross country teams at Rock Canyon High School before going to the state meet. By Sarah Bermingham, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Kira Hartz The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) cross country team had an amazing season. “I feel like we pushed ourselves to the limit, and it paid…
By Kathy Fallert; background photo by Lynn Zahorik While we had an exceptionally warm autumn until November 17, snow is now in the Pines. The Douglas County School District (DCSD) has a website available that lists school closure status as well as delayed start information quickly and accurately. Delay and closure information is also available…
The RHMS yearbook staff responsible for creating the 2016 yearbook celebrate winning the Colorado Student Media Association All Colorado Award in Fort Collins, October. 20. Submitted by RHMS student Zoe Bair; photo courtesy of Tim Ryckman Click! Snap! Last year, Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) yearbook staff created a wonderful, interactive yearbook to highlight the…
Claire Preen Shipley has appeared on numerous TV shows and has written two books: “50 Shades of Chocolate!” and “Diva’s Guide to Dinner Parties” which can be purchased through Amazon. By Nancy Koontz; photo courtesy of Claire Preen Shipley Castle Pines Village resident Claire Preen Shipley leads a very active lifestyle. For the last year,…
St. Andrew volunteers handed out goods to the homeless in Civic Center Park last year. By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Jennifer Kloeppel With the holidays in full swing, many organizations and communities are uniting to help those in need this holiday season. At St. Andrew United Methodist Church, several communities…