Read the stories from the latest issue:
Nine-year-old Gavin Ross took second place at his very first tennis tournament in Bison Park this summer. By Kathy Fallert; photo courtesy of the Ross family July 22 -24 was the start of an annual tradition – the Castle Rock Tennis Tournament played at Bison Park in The Meadows. Out of eight kids in the…
Partners in the Northwest Douglas County Water Project celebrate the project groundbreaking. (L to R) Roger Partridge, Douglas County Commissioner; Barbara Biggs, Chair, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Metro Roundtable; Jill Repella, Douglas County Commissioner; David Weaver, Douglas County Commissioner; Lisa Darling, Aurora Water; and Larry Moore, General Manager, Roxborough Water and Sanitation District. Article and…
Information provided by BREA Delicious Jonathan apples will be delivered to the Castle Pines area on or around September 14. The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA) is selling full bushels – perfect for canning and dehydrating (approximately 85-100 apples) for $35 a bushel or $20 for a half bushel. Colorado apple farmer John McCallister, the…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…