Read the stories from the latest issue:
It will be time to hit the slopes before long. Get a pass and make plans for some great skiing and boarding this season. Here is the run-down for 2016-2017 season pass information: Epic Schoolkids Colorado Pack The Epic Schoolkids Colorado Pack is FREE for kindergarten through fifth-grade students. It provides four days of skiing…
Zack (left) and Grant (right) raised funds and awareness – along with Nick – during the Cancer League of Colorado 5K. Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basch Castle Pines residents Zach Fornelius, Grant Gooding and Nicholas Gooding had energy left for some fun after the 20th Annual Cancer League of Colorado’s Race for Research…
By Patte Smith Wisdom Within These Walls, an education and entertainment organization whose mission is to inspire cultural re-consideration of the question of wisdom and the vitality and strength that accompanies aging and seniors, will present “Wisdom Matters.” This very special readers’ theater production, based on interviews conducted with seniors in the local area, has…
Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Please join the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce in helping to change the lives of homeless students right here in our area. In 2015, there were 910 homeless students in the Douglas County School District. This number seems unreal given that Douglas County is one of the…
Information provided by Discovery Running Join the City of Castle Pines and Discovery Running in their all new Castle Pines Run Club! The Castle Pines Run Club meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in front of Duke’s Steakhouse. Enjoy a three-to-four mile jog followed by a post-run social. There are also opportunities for destination runs…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s here, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Crocktober. It’s the time of year when we dust off the slow cooker and put it on regular rotation in the kitchen. There’s a chill in the air, leaves on the ground, Halloween candy in the store; the perfect kind…
Article and photo by Elean Gersack Have you ever been caught in the back-and-forth of trying to plan and coordinate a meeting with several different people, all of whom have different schedules and availability? Talk about a logistical nightmare! Not any more … Scheduling a meeting or event has never been easier. Doodle.com and the…
Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner Events in Colorado history didn’t really accelerate until the 59ers swarmed the Pikes Peak region, Russellville (near Franktown) included. By 1861, Colorado would become a territory and in another 15 years, attain statehood. Those 17 years to statehood were tumultuous. No one suffered greater upheaval than the Native American. …
By Patte Smith, photo courtesy of the Castle Rock Fire Department This year Castle Pines area kids have two not-so-scary shopping areas where they can gather goodies. Trick or Treat Street(s) will be on October 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the shops and businesses along Castle Pines Parkway and also at The…
By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos The Garden Club at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted its 2nd Annual Farmers Market fundraiser event. And just like last year’s event, it was a huge success in providing funds to the school’s upcoming plans for the outdoor educational garden. The farmers market event raised more than $800 during…
A temporary Journey Church sign hangs at the construction site where the new church will be located and a rendering of the 14,250 square-foot Journey Church currently being constructed. Article and photo by Patte Smith; rendering courtesy of Journey Church Construction crews have started excavating the 12.6-acre Journey Church site, located at 9009 Clydesdale Road. …
Information provided by the Tri-County Health Department The final drive-through household chemical roundup this year will be held October 1 at 175 Kellogg Court in Castle Rock from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is offered free-of-charge to Douglas County residents. However, participants will be asked for a $25 contribution to help offset the…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Anthonette Klinkerman On a late August evening at Civic Green Park in Highlands Ranch, Castle Pines author Anthonette Klinkerman celebrated her latest book, “Aloha, Mr. Hand: An Alternative Trip Through Education” with her supporters. The collection of stories relays the remarkable accounts Klinkerman witnessed throughout her years teaching…
Scenes from Cranelli’s Italian Restaurant By Lynne Marsala Basche “Can you pass that plate?” “How does the sauce taste? Does it need more mustard?” “I’ll be right there once I grab the wine.” Identical statements were heard at every one of my family dinners growing up. This time, however, they were overheard at Cranelli’s, where…
Article and photo by Amanda Merriman The 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 her obsession. Clare Mackintosh accomplishes the exact opposite with readers of…
Photo by Amanda Merriman Castle Pines canine Molly got a jump start on Halloween by dressing as Elsa from the movie “Frozen.” Her owners plan on submitting her photo for the annual Cutest Pet in the Pines contest in December, when The Castle Pines Connection awards cash prizes for the top three entries. Watch for…
Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) firefighters were met by generous Castle Pines and Castle Rock King Soopers shoppers when they put out their boots in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Fill the Boot campaign over the beautiful Labor Day weekend. The spirited annual drive raised $101,564, which…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos On the 15th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, approximately 2,500 firefighters and community members gathered at Red Rocks Amphitheatre to honor and remember the people touched by that day. Each participant was given a card with the photograph of one of the first responders who died on September…
Building a basis for excellence By Lynne Marsala Basche Readers may not be aware of the DCEF, but chances are high they have taken advantage of their services. For the past 25 years, the DCEF has been a partner with all Douglas County schools to prepare students to become career, college and citizenship-ready and not…
Development is underway on a 177-unit senior living complex located at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard. Completion is anticipated by year-end 2017. By Kathy Fallert; map by Tim Gamble Construction of the Legacy Village of Castle Pines development at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard in…
Rows left to right: Claire with her sweet Layla who happily managed the trails thanks to her innovative wheelchair. A beautiful September day welcomed dogs and their owners as they hit the trail to raise money for the Buddy Center. Proud owners with their super hero miniature dogs ready for Halloween – Batdog, Wonderdog and…
IT’S OPEN! In partnership with Douglas County and the Colorado Department of Transportation, Castle Rock’s largest ever roadway project is ready for vehicles. Drivers may have seen a new freeway exit sign off I-25 (pictured above right). Information and map provided by the Town of Castle Rock; photo courtesy of Lynn Zahorik We have all…
By Elean Gersack; courtesy photo After a several year hiatus, the Winter Park Ski Train is back in action. The scenic two-hour ride from Union Station in Denver to the base of Winter Park Ski Resort is a great way to enjoy the Colorado high country and avoid the hassles of driving. A bucket-list opportunity…
Team “Fresh Kicks of Ball Air” won this year’s mother and son kickball tournament. Pictured left to right: Brenda and Ethan Nohavec, Donna and Logan Mash, Stacy, Nicholas and Blake Stall, Jess and Wyatt Petau, Gidget and Andrew Long, Alicia and Logan Carpenter, Shanda and Colten Bravec, and Whitney and Thomas Shank. By Lynne Marsala…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Located just south of the Village Square commercial district, Lagae Ranch is a 249-acre planned development that includes Elk Ridge Park and three additional neighborhood parks, American Academy Charter School, up to 231 single-family homes, 400 multi-family residences, an additional elementary school, 76 acres of open space…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County recently announced a two-way data-sharing partnership with Waze, the free, real-time navigation app. This collaboration will assist those who live, work and play in Douglas County with important information about current road conditions and construction projects to assist their commute around the county. “We know that one of…
Information provided by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. The Douglas/Elbert Task Force received $8,540 from the Food Bank of the Rockies for the purchase of a new walk-in cooler to support its food bank program. The new refrigerator will increase the Task Force’s capacity to store additional refrigerated items, such as dairy products and fresh produce…
MDA summer camp gives kids with limited muscle strength and mobility a life changing experience in an environment without barriers. By Lynn Zahorik; photos courtesy of MDA Rocky Mountain As we escort in the month of September, we are greeted by the annual International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA)…
The Rockyard Brewing crew welcomed beer lovers to a day of tasty food and beer sampling. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Blue skies and warm temperatures welcomed beer enthusiasts to the fourth annual Rendezvous at the Rock Beer Fest on Saturday August 13. Twenty-five Colorado craft breweries from around the state converged on…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett Early fall is apple season. One of my favorite treats is an apple picked in the wee hours on the Western Slope, then delivered to the farmers market, and then my kitchen in time for dinner. You can buy decent apples nearly year-round, but the apples available this time…
Information provided by DCCF The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce and the Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) together will be combining music from the 80s mix of high energy music and fun with local philanthropy at this year’s Colorado ArtFest After Party on Saturday, September 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 pm in downtown Castle…
From left to right: Douglas County Commissioner Roger Partridge, former Douglas County Coroner Lora Thomas, Park Meadows’ Santa Larry, and Castle Pines resident and Park Meadows Senior General Manager Pam Kelly. Information provided by Park Meadows Retail Resort; photos by Laura Gooding As part of the 20-year anniversary celebration, Park Meadows hosted its annual pancake…
By Amanda Merriman There are some great tools out there to help track your finances. My family has been using Mint.com for years now and we have been extremely pleased with it. Mint is a free app that tracks and organizes your spending all in one user-friendly space. It is available to Android and iOS…
Sculptor Kris Kollasch explains the tree sculpture project to a MorningStar at RidgeGate resident, who is creating his own leaf for the tree. Douglas County Libraries in Lone Tree hosted the art event for MorningStar seniors. Article and photos by Douglas County Libraries Douglas County Libraries and MorningStar at RidgeGate recently partnered for the sake…
Castle Pines resident Gail Jackson recently took her family to ride the Georgetown Loop Railroad, which is a scenic trip between Georgetown and Silverthorne that was a great time for all. Excursions such as this are a great way to celebrate Grandparents Day as a family. By Amanda Merriman; photos courtesy of Gail Jackson National…
Information provided by the Crisis Center The annual Future for Families Gala will be held on November 4 at the Inverness Hotel and Conference Center in Englewood. Join family, friends and the Douglas County community and enjoy a night of fun that supports a very important organization – the Crisis Center. The gala evening will…
By Amanda Merriman September is national Suicide Prevention Awareness month and is an opportunity to open the dialogue about this issue that impacts communities nationwide. Douglas County has taken a proactive, multi-faceted approach to addressing suicide prevention through school-based programs like Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S. – see related story Here to help…
Castle Pines residents Zane Sokolowski (left), Trevor Wright (right) and Xander Zdravecky (below) were finalists in the National Premier League (NPL) National Championship held at Aurora Sports Park in July. By Lynne Marsala Basche; courtesy photos Three 14-year-old Castle Pines residents – Zane Sokolowski, Trevor Wright and Xander Zdravecky were finalists in the National Premier…
And the winners are (pictured left to right): Noah Scott, Dante Nori, Chase Jaworsky, Kohl Rullo, Carson Tinney (CPV), JT Shank (CP), Dyaln Goltl (CP), Garrett Tripplett, Dominick Cristinzio, Julian Terrazas, Khaden Rullo and Brayden Duman. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Shank family That crazy talented team of Castle Pines (CP) and Highlands…
Information provided by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force Everyone join in the fun for the new Sassy Sunday sponsored by the Douglas/Elbert Task Force (DETF). The free event will be held from noon until 3 p.m. on September 11 at Treasures on Park, 1638 Park Street in Castle Rock. Early bird tickets that offer shoppers an…
DCSO Public Information Officer Lauren LeKander is enjoying her adopted home of Castle Rock, where she lives with her husband George and their four children. Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce An interview with Lauren LeKander Tell me a bit about your background and how you ended up as the Public Information Office…
Article and photo by Amanda Merriman The 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 her obsession. What do you get when you combine the tumultuous,…
By Elizabeth Wood West After breaking ground in 2013, the multi-million dollar North Meadows Extension roadway project is in its final stages of construction and, as of press time, is expected to be open to the public in September. The new two-mile long roadway, now referred to as Castle Rock Parkway and North Meadows…
By Lisa Crockett A jar of jam is a simple thing, and this time of year it’s easy to find some delicious goodies to put on your pantry shelf. Sure it’s great on a peanut butter sandwich or a piece of buttered toast, but jam, jellies and fruit butters are amazing ingredients for a myriad…
Animal lovers gathered under the big top in Castle Pines Village to enjoy the talented Diana Ross at the 15th annual Lulu’s BBQ fundraiser. This event benefits homeless pets and horses at the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center in Castle Rock and the Harmony Equine Center in Franktown. Thanks to so many generous donations, the event…
On tap for beer – Farm House at Breckenridge Brewery By Lynne Marsala Basche It is a gorgeous afternoon; the kind of lazy day that begs for time spent with friends and family. Wandering around the property, bikes and a tube or two (courtesy of riding through Littleton Open Space and floating down the Platte…
Article and photo by Patte Smith Neighbors in the 80108 ZIP code decided to handle fire mitigation around their property with three cashmere goats. Mommy goat Katie, little goat Troubles, and leader of the pack Fluffy have successfully trimmed many scrub oaks and munched oodles of weeds. “We are getting attached to the goats,”…
The Castle Pines City Council approved annexation of Sage Village Properties at the northwest corner of Castle Pines Parkway and I-25 at the July 26 meeting. These graphics show possible gateway improvements that Council is considering at the location. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the City of Castle Pines On July 26, the City…
Article and photo by Joe Gschwendtner Wildcate Lore Beginning this month, The Connection will be featuring a column titled “Wildcat Lore.” As it turns out, the Castle Pines Connection serves residents of the Wildcat Mountains, a name pioneers and historians gave to high country paralleling I-25 from Highlands Ranch and Lone Tree south to Castle…
Here to help and serve By Lynne Marsala Basche Alcohol, social media, bullying, drugs, sexting – these are just some of the challenges that students face today. It can be overwhelming especially when these pressures shift and new ones surface faster than they ever have. Douglas County, however, is fortunate to have the Y.E.S.S. program…
A selfie of Gene and Cindy Wenninger, Sturgis bound on their Harley. Article and photos by Cindy Kessinger-Wenninger Every August, motorcycle enthusiasts attend the popular Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, named for the town near the prairie in South Dakota. This year, my husband Gene and I, along with our friends decided to join a half-million motorcycle…
By Patte Smith Yikes! Is it already time to apply for Medicare? Believe me, as soon as you turn 63 you will receive numerous phone calls from health insurance companies, insurance agents and brokers soliciting the Medicare plans they offer. Even if you are on the “do not call” list, these companies or individuals are…
Article and photos by Elizabeth Wood West This year’s Taste of Douglas County provided an outstanding food sampling line-up from some of the very best local and area restaurants. A longtime favorite with food fans, the Taste of Douglas County was launched 14 years ago by Mike Boyle, the host of the “Restaurant Show” on…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photo Jump into the back-to-school spirit by taking advantage of some of these free and low-cost ways to continue your education beyond the classroom. Not only will you learn something new, but you will expand your skills, discover new talents and get inspired! Technology allows you to access the world…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Julie Lamb Castle Pines photographer Julie Lamb won six out of seven entries at the Douglas County Fair photography contest last month. Lamb’s entry, The Sanctuary, won the award for Best of Show. The magnificent photograph was taken on a foggy morning and showcases the beauty of our community.
Above American Academy students Drew Cooke , Brendan Goodfellow and below, Cooper Dozois were top scorers in Colorado for third graders on tests in math, reading, language arts and science through the Western Academic Talent Search. By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos Of all the third graders in Colorado, three American Academy (AA) students were…
Information provided by Douglas County Libraries Douglas County Libraries is seeking volunteers to bridge the generation gap by helping children learn through oral storytelling. Spellbinders are seasoned volunteers ages 50 and older who stay young at heart by telling stories to children in Douglas County schools. A four-session Spellbinders training will be held at Douglas…
Teachers and staff from The Joshua School surround Kari and Matt Ansay in this sweet photo at the XDrive Classic on August 1. Also pictured is Kari’s mom, Karen Armato, (back left). Armato watches over Jessica and the entire Ansay family and creates the most fabulous silent auction for the XDrive, too! By Elean Gersack;…
The annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary school carnival on Friday, August 19 was set up outdoors but was quickly moved inside due to wind and pounding rain. Games and activities were carried into the school’s main entryway except for the dunk tank and multiple jump castles. Burger and hot dog catering provided by Duke’s Steakhouse of…
By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Wes Schuneman Becker was a charter member of the RCCP and humbly prides herself on her service work that started many years ago in the Peace Corps. After a lengthy career in telecommunications, Becker served in Bulgaria for three years doing local government administration and small business development…
Bushey (in orange at right) volunteers with Front Range Angel Gowns, which transforms donated wedding dresses into burial gowns for babies lost too soon. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Brenda Bushey Want to learn new skills, make new friends, strengthen our community and bolster your resume? Then consider volunteering. Whether you have a few…
Article and photo by Patte Smith Bank of America is moving into the office space east of Dazbog at the northwest corner of the King Soopers parking lot. The office will have one ATM for its customers to do their banking. No personnel will be on hand to manage the office. The Bank of America…
The 2016 Rock Canyon High School poms staff (left to right): Christina Leone, Paige Hesen, Amanda Gesell and Erin Marken at nationals this past year. Article by Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Christina Leone In addition to having an extremely successful poms season and a great score at the National Dance Team…
Information provided by the City of Castle Pines Castle Pines is fortunate to have several different organizations that provide vital services to its residents. However, sometimes it can be difficult to remember who provides what. The map pictured below provides a quick reference to help residents better understand what organizations provide what services, and it…
RCHS graduate and 2012 Paralympic athlete Brickelle Bro preparing for the “Road to Rio.” By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; photo courtesy of Joe Kusumoto With the recent action of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, all of the world has been cheering on their fellow countrymen and women. This year at the…
The Miller family with their dogs Cadence (left) and Cora, a Golden Retriever/Border Collie mix that was fostered and adopted by them. They also have an adopted cat, Ninja. By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Valerie Miller Brian and Valerie Miller have no boundaries when it comes to helping people, getting involved in the Surrey…
Scholarship recipients included: (left to right) Matt Hoffman, Sam Kahn, Blake Follansbee, Ryan Hough, Mackenzie Maslowski, Reese Hummel, Bailey McCue, Danielle Compton, Taylor Kelley, Abby Buretz, Paul Dugan, Ryan Simpson, Ben McGraw, John Wood, Morgan Adams, Tanner DeBoer, Blake Mounts, Jennifer Leonard and Kristen Thomlinson. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Since 2007, members of…
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (District) ramps up water conservation efforts with free sprinkler inspections for thousands of gallons of savings for qualifying homes. As the hottest summer days bake Front Range yards, the District is offering free sprinkler inspections to homes in their service…
Peg Ellefson (left) was congratulated by Susan G. Komen Colorado CEO Keri Kallaway (right) at the annual Stars in Pink luncheon. The luncheon, hosted by the Denver ChopHouse & Brewery, honored the top 100 individual fundraisers for the Komen Colorado Race for the Cure. Ellefson and the other Stars in Pink raised a combined total…