Read the stories from the latest issue:
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…
Park Meadows Retail Resort is celebrating 20 years this month. Since its inception, the shopping and dining center has undergone many changes, but it has managed to adapt and stay contemporary and relevant. The surrounding area of Douglas County has also grown and experienced significant changes, but Park Meadows has remained central to the growth…
The RHMS Costa Rica enrichment group enjoying time exploring at Jaco Beach. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Clark Wilhelm Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) offers an abundance of enrichment classes that meet once a week throughout a quarter or the school year. One such enrichment class, the Costa Rica class, gave sixth through…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Cindy Baker The Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) thespian troupe traveled to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln to perform on the main stage at the International Thespian Festival June 20-25 (see related story in May issue of The Connection). The play entitled “The Women of Lockerbie” was the…
A spectacular view of Prairie Canyon Ranch, where Douglas County Open Space Day is celebrated every August. Horseback riders and hikers can take guided tours of the ranch, while other visitors enjoy the festivities in the barnyard area. By Patte Smith; courtesy photo Douglas County is rich in beauty and in history. Prairie Canyon Ranch,…
Guests took in the amazing views at Cherokee Ranch & Castle’s annual Waterloo Birthday Celebration in honor of Tweet Kimball. Article and photos by Nancy Koontz The annual Waterloo Birthday Celebration at the Cherokee Ranch & Castle on June 18 was extra special this year because it not only celebrated what would have been Tweet…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Pam Schenck-Kelly During the past 20 years, Park Meadows Retail Resort has become a vibrant hub for shopping and dining for residents from all over the south Denver area. Central to the success of Park Meadows is its sophisticated and energetic Senior General Manager Pam Schenck-Kelly, who is a…
By Patte Smith When autumn in Colorado arrives, it is a special time to enjoy cooler blue sky days and picturesque fall drives along the Front Range and in the mountains. Whether taking a day or an overnight trip, many scenic destinations not only offer colorful fall foliage but festive events with music, arts and…
Information provided by Douglas County School District This is the eighth year of the Douglas County Educational Foundation’s (DCEF) Lend A Hand Back 2 School Supply Drive. Last year’s effort provided 975 students with supplies ranging from crayons to composition books. Supplies were collected by more than 60 organizations and individuals who contributed to…
A Toast to Toast By Lynne Marsala Basche There is something so satisfying about wrapping your hands around a mug of hot coffee; fingers laced together as the aroma of freshly-brewed goodness wafts in the air. It is a simple pleasure that takes on a new dimension when combined with comfort food with a twist. …
By Terri Wiebold Geographically situated with Lone Tree to the north, Castle Rock to the south, Parker to the east, and Sedalia to the west, there lies an expanse of beautiful open space and clusters of charming homes that we at The Connection collectively refer to as “Castle Pines.” They are the homes and businesses…
By Patte Smith There is an overwhelming amount of information on the subject of helping parents as they age. From protecting aging family member’s assets to finding a new living situation for them, adult children and older spouses stress about what to do and where to find helpful resources. This month, The Next Chapter focuses…
By Amanda Merriman; photos courtesy of Michelle Blouin Barton Every 4th of July is celebrated in HOA2 with a parade and a pool party to remember. One of the highlights of the pool party includes a belly flopping contest for adults. The winner of the contest gets bragging rights along with some cold adult…
Mount Rushmore Memorial is visited every year by nearly three million people who come to marvel at the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and to learn about the history of the famous carvings. Article and photo by Lynn Zahorik On August 25, the National Park Service turns 100 years old. The centennial…
Hope thrives here By Lynne Marsala Basche The numbers are startling. Despite being one of the wealthiest counties in the country, 100 percent of all Douglas County high schools and middle schools have homeless students, and elementary schools are not far behind with 82 percent. In fact, in the last five years, the homeless student…
Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce What happens when you take several of the most popular community events – Wine Walk in the Village, Oktoberfest, Run Wild and fireworks – and combine them into one action-packed, fun-filled weekend? You get a Party in the Pines! Party in the Pines is a three-day…
Father/daughter day of adventure for Father’s Day! By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Barbara Goldy Guy Casey, 77, of Chateau Ridge in Castle Pines Village gave up the “friendly skies” when he retired as an international pilot for United and Continental Airlines. However, when his daughter Daneen Lindner recently flew in from California, they…
South Metro Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Mike Dell’Orfano (left) presented KnightsBridge residents Dean Nickell (center) and Pierce Jacoway (right) with a Citizen Award on July 6 for performing CPR on a neighbor in April. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue A few months ago, two Castle Pines residents performed CPR on…
Effective July 11, Sheriff Tony Spurlock has enacted Ordinance O-012-004 restricting open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County (until further notice).
The Global Leaders and Learners group in Dresden, Germany on their way to Berlin. The group studied the human rights of democracy while traveling. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photos courtesy of Kate Hartline Roughly 60 Douglas County students and chaperones travelled to Prague, Czech Republic and Berlin, Germany for ten days in June to focus on…
Information provided by Denver Dumb Friends League Join us from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, September 1 at Glendale Farm Open Space Trail, located east of I-25 between RidgeGate Parkway and Castle Pines Parkway. Hike the beautiful 1.6-mile trail with your dog, shop for pet-friendly merchandise and enjoy demonstrations and food trucks. All proceeds…
Information provided by Tri-County Health Department Many common products found in your home, such as oil-based paint, mercury, gasoline, degreasers, cleaning compounds and garden chemicals may be hazardous to your family and the environment if used or disposed of improperly. It is important to read the product labels to safely store, use and dispose of…
Special thanks to the Castle Pines Arts and Cultural Foundation for bringing Aladdin to the community this year. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Dave Tweed A magic carpet arrived in Castle Pines on July 11 and took kids on a week-long journey. Starting with auditions and ending with two full-scale musical productions, more than…
By Amanda Merriman I downloaded Pokémon Go to experience what has been occupying the rest of the world recently. Pokémon Go, a game by Niantic, is the latest app to go viral. It is actually projected to surpass Twitter in daily active users if it continues being downloaded at its current rate. Mobile users are…
Dakota Nack (left) with the President of Colorado Mesa University Tim Foster. Nack, an exceptional student, was pinned with the Presidential Scholar award for the spring term 2016 by earning a 4.0 GPA. By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of Denise Kelley Congratulations to Castle Pines resident Dakota Nack who received the Presidential Scholar award for…
By Lisa Crockett It’s hot. Like, melt your face off, lay down and die hot. So the last thing you are likely to want to do is step into the kitchen and get cooking. Still, it’s pretty likely that you (or someone who lives with you) will want to eat something on a regular basis,…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett August is the month that summer is in full bloom. Backyard barbecues and potluck parties seem to happen just about every weekend this time of year; the delicious haze of neighborhood grills perfuming the air with tantalizing scents. I love a burger hot off the grill or a bratwurst…
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. Mary Kubica proves that she is a master of…
Gabriel’s owners Jan and Matthew Bundy are celebrating their restaurant’s 30th anniversary in August. They have raised garden beds next to the restaurant’s patio area, where they grow their own herbs, vegetables and flowers. Gabriel’s is located at 5450 Manhart Street in Sedalia. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Jan and Matthew Bundy Gabriel’s…
Sally Mason was a no-nonsense, vibrant member of the Castle Pines community who will be greatly missed. Sally passed away on June 12 at her home in Castle Pines from renal cancer. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Mason family August 7 would have been the 46th birthday for 17-year Castle Pines resident Sally…
Cutline and photo by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) students (pictured left to right) Jack Gebhardt, Nick Purchase, Jon Meade, Gavin Burkholder, Daniel Kim, Maria Pangalos, Mallika Kumar, Bryanna Benassi, Ashley Swett, Maya Patel, and Hannah Phillip before the 2016 National Leadership Conference for the Future Business Leaders of America…
Partners in purpose Christina Carter (left) and Castle Pines resident Sonia Nelson (right) are working internationally to help women who help others through Carter’s company Azmera. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of the Nelson family Stonecroft resident Sonia Nelson started serving as a volunteer counselor with a local ministry about six years ago when she…
Congratulations to Ryan Burke ($100 Hapa Sushi Bar and Grill), Nicole Eubanks ($50 Duke’s Steakhouse) and Diane Wheeler ($25 Rockyard Brewery) for winning The Castle Pines Connection’s “Fun with Food” contest at the event. The winning words were “phone”, “exhibitionist” and “jabberwocky.” Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce It was indeed a frenzy! …
Victorious kids celebrated last month following the end-of-season Castle Pines Athletics springtime Super Bowl II. Congratulations to the New York Jets, the Super Bowl champions of the six-to-eight year-old age group and to the New Orleans Saints, the Super Bowl champions of the nine-to-11 year-old age group. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Castle Pines…
This team of fun women had a blast participating in Questival in May. “Fabullamas” from left to right: Cynthia Martin (CP), Deanna Olson (CP), Danyelle Aylsworth, Candy Palazzo, Angela Martin (previously CP now in Texas), Michelle Drent (CP), Madeline Ogelsby, Kim Oberosler (CP) and Lisa Jones. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Candy Palazzo This…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I have always loved a hot dog. Juicy and salty, they’re the taste of summer barbecues and outings, tucked into a soft and fluffy bun. Washed down with something cold and sweet, a hot dog fresh off the grill transports me instantly back to childhood memories of warm days…
At left, Lynne Marsala Basche, newly appointed Castle Pines Connection managing editor and, at right, Elizabeth Wood West, Castle Pines Connection advertising sales manager. By Terri Wiebold; photos by Tim Gamble The Castle Pines Connection is thrilled to welcome Lynne Marsala Basche as our new managing editor and Elizabeth Wood West as our new advertising…
By Terri Wiebold; photo by Kathy Fallert Flag Day was June 14, and The Castle Pines Connection staff hit the streets on “patriotic patrol.” Following a Facebook post announcing the contest, we combed the streets taking photos of homes proudly displaying American flags. We were happy to see so many demonstrations of patriotism in 80108…
By Joe Gschwendtner; photos courtesy of The Village Homes Association 2016 is truly a banner year for Castle Pines Village. Celebration plans will kick off with the annual July 4th parade and continue well into fall, with monthly festivities all underwritten by its governing organizations. A special edition of the community’s Village Reporter newsletter commemorated…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Beverly Coggins The ladies 9-hole golf league at The Country Club at Castle Pines was thrilled to host its 20th annual Rally for the Cure golf tournament to raise money in support of breast cancer. Christina Staley, herself a breast cancer survivor, co-chaired the event and remarked, “It…
Ada (center) and other contestants at National American Miss got energized and had some fun during the pageant weekend. By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of the Hanley family It has been a year full of firsts for Ada Hanley. She tried playing volleyball for the first time, she sprained her wrist for the first time,…
Happy Canyon resident Steven Chalmers invented “AquaPurr,” a low-maintenance drinking fountain for cats. By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Steven Chalmers Happy Canyon resident Steven Chalmers looks at the world around him with an uncanny ability to assess a problem or need and then create a solution. Chalmers has a computer science degree and…
Always bee delicious at honey B’s macarons By Lynne Marsala Basche Imagine gazing upon beautifully-crafted, delicate confections. Eyes dance over the gorgeous display case, dashing from tray to tray. Mouths water while reading placards with names such as orange dreamsicle, strawberries and cream, and milk chocolate basil and cracked black pepper. Antici-pation builds as thoughts…
Castle Pines Village resident Sara Black created an advertisement to raise awareness for poverty as part of her social studies curriculum at Rocky Heights Middle School. Article and photo by Kathy Fallert Castle Pines Village resident Sara Black was asked to do a project on a global problem and possible solutions as part of her…
Aspen Walker, Manager of the Castle Pines and Roxborough branches of the Douglas County Libraries. Article and photo submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce Are you a native to Colorado? Yes, I’m a fifth generation Douglas County resident. I grew up in the mountains above Sedalia and still call Sedalia my home…
By Patte Smith Fact is fact – learning at any age is beneficial for a healthy brain. In and around the Denver-Metro area, the 50+ community has numerous opportunities to engage in classes, lectures, presentations and field trips that are all a part of lifelong learning. Here are a few suggestions of where older adults…
Granting comfort and hope By Lynne Marsala Basche Knowledge is power. Three words that CHF founders Doug and Julie Hutchison want everyone touched by epilepsy to know. With a mission to raise awareness about the Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), CHF exists to grant comfort, hope and positivity to individuals and families living with…
Dave Hammel with BRS Architecture, a subconsultant to Logan Simpson for this project, was available to answer questions regarding the feasibility of a recreation/community center in Castle Pines. Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basche On June 18, Castle Pines Mayor Jeffrey Huff welcomed residents to the parks and recreation visioning kickoff event at the…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Susan Clifford The Country Club at Castle Pines (CCCP) and the Homes Association from Castle Pines Village (CPV) were pleased to host their third annual party for all CPV residents. This event is open to all residents and is a great opportunity for neighbors to socialize in a spectacular…
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. Dear readers, if the post-World War I era, lighthouses, life-course altering choices, and an exploration…
By Amanda Merriman; photo by Terri Wiebold Since Angel Donuts opened in Castle Pines in early June, donuts have been flying off the shelves, bringing heavenly sweetness to many happy customers in the area. The Connection caught up with Louisa, Olivia and Audrey Gorton (pictured below), along with their house guest Amanda who was…
By Amanda Merriman Finally, there is a free app out there that can make shopping for wine easier and more fun than it already is. Wandering among bottles of wine trying to decide what to buy can be a little intimidating without any guidance. Remembering that great bottle of wine at a friend’s dinner party…
Approximately 10,000 rubber duckies raced to the finish line in East Plum Creek during the 20th Annual Ducky Derby in downtown Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; photos by Jeff Mosal The Rotary Club of Castle Rock, High Noon Rotary Club of Castle Rock, and Castle Pines Rotary Club held their 20th Annual Ducky Derby…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos by Terri Wiebold Jessica Reedy has not experienced carefree teenage years. Struggles and challenges filled Reedy’s childhood, but looking ahead Reedy points out that she would not have it any other way. Thanks to the Hide in Plain Sight (HIPS) organization, Reedy received some financial support that will enable her…
By Lisa Crockett Summer is cookout season. But for some diners, the fun ends with a trip to the doctor’s office. Most savvy party planners know that Aunt Joan’s famous macaroni salad will cause trouble if it gets too warm for too long in the summer sun. Retail stores and specialty shops are filled this…
The crew of South Metro Fire Rescue Station 36 met with the PineRidge HOA Board members on May 7 for Wildfire Preparedness Day to plan for the Ready, Set, Goat! event. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik; photo courtesy of SMFR Last month the PineRidge Homeowner’s Association (HOA) welcomed a herd of goats onto its…
The 2016 RCHS undefeated JV lacrosse team (pictured from left to right) back row: Coach CJ Gerber, Hayden Brauch, Duke Avery, Tanner Stopkowski, Cole Hassett, Nicolo Piccolotti, Matt Wing, Roark Huene, Brad Hansen, Vinny Curci, Dalton McKeel, Cayden Fish, Brandon Martinez, Sean Thompson, Sean Stavaski, Jason Skogland, Ty Jensen, and Coach David Crosby; front row:…
By Terri Wiebold; with contributions by Tricia Anthone Since the inaugural issue of The Castle Pines Connection in February 2009 (ironically the same month The Rocky Mountain News published its final edition), The Connection newspaper has been direct mailed to homes and businesses in the 80108 ZIP code free of charge. Our community “lifestyle” newspaper…
Left to right: Andrew Ubben, Celine Wicks, Matt Wilson and Ann Guenther are ready to support RHMS for the 2016-2017 school year. Submitted by RHMS eighth grade student Jack Hibbett; photo courtesy of Tim Rykman Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) has an impressive past and a promising future, which brings in families year after year. …
Table for four in the box seating of the new MAC amphitheater includes wait staff service for food and drinks throughout the evening. Article and photos by Kathy Fallert Saturday, June 11 was the second concert at the brand new Miller Activity Complex (MAC) amphitheater in Castle Rock. The venue was hosting The Beatles impersonation…
By Terri Wiebold Back by popular demand! The Castle Pines Connection will resume its periodic email blasts to the community in the coming months. It has been more than a year since we sent our last email blast, but our readers have spoken and we are listening! Because The Connection is a monthly publication…
Roz Schroeder (center), owner of Cielo at Castle Pines, hosted a fundraiser for the American Military Family and Danny Dietz Memorial Fund nonprofit organizations last month. Charlie Daniels (right), shown with his manager (left), joined an all-star roster of U.S. veterans raising funds and awareness for soldiers suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder. Article by Elizabeth…
By Terri Wiebold; additional information provided by Douglas County For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our nation’s strength and unity. It has been a source of pride and inspiration for millions of citizens, and we celebrate Flag Day on Tuesday, June 14. The United States Flag Code…
A rendering of the RTD RidgeGate Parkway Station, east of I-25 and west of Havana Street. The station will have a 1,300-space, four-level parking garage and bus transfer facility. By Patte Smith; artistic rendering courtesy of Regional Transportation District (RTD) On May 16, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. (BBII) broke ground on the southeast FasTracks rail…
Information provided by the Castle Pines North Metropolitan District The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (CPNMD) and the Ridge at Castle Pines North golf course have reached a new 20-year water supply agreement. The new agreement, which was signed by the CPNMD’s board of directors at the May 16 meeting, extends the District’s ability to…
By Patte Smith; photos courtesy of South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) chose the Surrey Ridge neighborhood for its wildland fire training in May and June. The nature of the area provided the crews many opportunities to practice their firefighting skills. Einar Jensen, community risk reduction specialist for SMFR, noted that…