Read the stories from the latest issue:
By Lynne Marsala Basche The idea is simple; give where you live. For the past six years, the Community First Foundation and FirstBank have teamed up to promote philanthropy in Colorado. Colorado Gives Day, which begins at 12 a.m. on December 8 is targeted to increase online giving to local non-profit organizations. The Community First…
These residents who are classically trained musicians from the band Proper Scarlet performed at a Halloween party at the Daniels Gate Clubhouse on October 30. By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos Husband and wife team Christian Lowsley and Julia Brochey, residents in Serena, have joined with Esperanza resident Brian Levy to form the trio Proper Scarlet. …
Team 5 in the research biotech class at Rock Canyon High School (left to right): Veronica Pestolski, Katelynne Wilkins of Castle Pines, and Sarah Childs, prepare to study the effects of blue light on zebrafish embryos as part of a real-world scientific experiment. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of RCHS Imagine a high school class…
Architectural drawing of the RidgeGate parking garage and bus transfer facility. By Patte Smith; map courtesy of the Regional Transportation District (RTD) The new 2.3-mile extension of RTD’s Southeast Light Rail is currently being designed and will be built by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. (BBII). RTD’s board of directors awarded the $140 million contract…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Kurt Kaczor After several months of having an interim director serving the Douglas/Elbert Task Force, Kurt Kaczor has been appointed the new executive director of the organization. “I am very pleased to join this organization that has such a rich history of community support,” said Kaczor. “The Task Force…
Mrs. Shaffner’s second grade class had a blast presenting Castle Pines past, present and future during last month’s showcase. Left to right: Jake Pocock, Cooper Hibbett, Daxs Shoenbeck, and Dylan Laity. By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Michele Laity and Meghan McDonald Friday November 13th was not so unlucky for students at Buffalo Ridge Elementary…
The Brent Lail Memorial Tennis Challenge was held October 24-25 in Castle Pines Village to honor a dear friend, family man and teammate. Lail passed away unexpectedly in May. He is pictured here with his dear sons, Garrett, Brandon, and Evan who are now 13, 15 and 18 respectively. By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos The…
Caption and photo by Lynn Zahorik Castle Pines resident Blakelee Guest is the assistant store manager of Bath and Body Works, one of the many stores at the Outlets at Castle Rock. Blakelee finds great joy in helping customers discover that special gift from the store’s unique collection of products. If your holiday shopping…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett I love a cozy dinner this time of year, something warm and simple, but still hearty and satisfying. Daylight is in short supply, but meals that feel comforting and nourishing can help compensate for the otherwise dreary nature of what is happening outside. This season is full of hustle…
By Amanda Merriman The typical flu season lasts from around October through May, peaking in activity usually around December through February. When considering the flu vaccine, it is good to know that in addition to your physician’s office there are convenient options available right here in the Castle Pines community that do not require an…
Connection writer Amanda Merriman admits she is hopelessly addicted to books. It has been this way nearly all her life. Every month she will share what she has been reading with the hope that others will share in the obsession too. When it comes to Donna Tartt’s most recent (and Pulitzer Prize winning) book “The…
By Lynne Marsala Basche The holiday season is in full swing and there are several local churches offering services to celebrate the season’s Holy message. Please note that services are held at the church’s regular meeting places unless otherwise noted. Castle Oaks Church Meets at 826 Park Street, Castle Rock; www.castleoaks.org *Christmas Eve candlelight service: …
Sharon Kollmar embarks on a new chapter in her life, returning to her home in North Carolina to be with family. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Friends, neighbors, and business owners throughout Castle Pines recently bid farewell to Sharon Kollmar, a talented businesswoman and friend who has moved back to her home state of…
Numerous Castle Pines residents participated in a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament alongside members of the local Veterans of Foreign War Post 4266, in order to raise money for homeless veterans in Colorado. By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Pete Solano Castle Pines resident Pete Solano joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4266 in…
Does your furry friend look forward to ornaments, mistletoe, garland, and sparkly lights? If your pet enjoys holiday hilarity and festive fun, please send us your photos for The Castle Pines Connection’s “Cutest Pet in the Pines Holiday Contest.” We have once again teamed up with The Pet Stuff Place in The Village at Castle…
Article and photos by Amy Shanahan SmartLife Audio Video celebrated its one-year anniversary at a wonderful event on November 13 with friends and community members. The evening included food, drinks and giveaways, as well as a presentation on a new line of products. Owners Debbie and Fernando Salazar were thrilled with the turnout and have…
Fifth grader Nikki Flocco made an appearance representing the Renaissance period’s Catherine the Great. Kyle White (left) and Alexa Nicola (right) representing Thomas Cavendish and Charles V, respectively. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori School Since 2001, the DCS Montessori School’s (DCSM) Mystery History festivities have been engaging students in memorable ways. …
Article and photos by Amy Shanahan L’Arrangement, Miscellany, and the new Mainstream Boutique held holiday open houses on November 14 to the delight of the hundreds of shoppers who visited these unique shops in The Village at Castle Pines. Yummy treats, drinks, and exquisitely decorated shops created a festive mood. Castle Pines Village resident…
By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Mira Brand The Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS) cross country team ended its impressive season with an exciting showing at the State Championships in Denver. While this was the Nighthawk’s first time at State, and it will likely not be the last. Technically, the RHMS cross country season…
Next Auto Care’s Nathan, Elise, Delores, Ken and Dave at your service. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of the Stafford Family Castle Pines neighbors Delores and Ken Stafford had finally made one of life’s most difficult decisions. The retirement funding was sufficient, they already owned a home in Arizona, and they had just sold their…
By Adriana Hakes Perhaps it is the winter chill in the air or maybe it is the less romantic side of the upcoming holidays – carrying bags full of presents through crowded shops – that works up an appetite for a hearty meal? Absolutely famished from a recent shopping excursion, I decided to get some…
By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Janna Robinett Paul Bryson and James Klein (pictured left) both seniors at Rock Canyon High School and 80108 residents, scored among the top in the nation on rigorous exams to test their business knowledge. Bryson and Caleb Hester (currently attending the University of Northern Colorado) earned the highest test…
During the 2015 holiday season, the U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver approximately 15.5 billion cards and packages. While it may seem like shipping is the hard part, consider the suggestions to make the process hassle-free. Shipping early is key to making sure packages arrive at their destination by Christmas. Not only is it more…
Alex Lockett, Drew Sotobeer and Kenny Boots are students from RCHS who all had podium finishes at the recent Colorado High School Mountain Bike State Championship. Lockett remarked, “The great thing about mountain bike racing is that it is an individual sport combined with a team event. All the RCHS riders gave each race their…
Many of Promenade at Castle Rock’s new tenants are open and ready for business, just in time for holiday shopping. Promenade is located next to the Outlets at Castle Rock, on the west side of I-25 and Founders/Meadows Parkway in Castle Rock. By Elizabeth Wood West; site plan provided by Alberta Development Partners With the…
Castle Pines residents Alexis Wynne (left), Caley-Rae Pavillard (center) and Becky Swanson (right), all became title-holders representing the state of Colorado in beauty competitions this November. Swanson summed up the true value of these pageants by stating,“These competitions are about internal beauty that is reflected on the outside. You can follow your dreams, you can…
The new Journey Church will be located at 9009 Clydesdale Road on a 12.6-acre section of land between the Surrey Ridge and Oak Hills neighborhoods. If Douglas County approves the plan project, construction will begin in mid-2016. Journey Church’s front main entrance faces north and appears to be a one-story building. The main worship area…
Above and below: Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) varsity cheer at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Southern Colorado Regionals on October 31 in Pueblo where they won the super varsity division, best choreography and earned a bid to the National High School Cheerleading Championships in February 2016 in Orlando, Florida, where the team finished 4th…
By Patte Smith The tree just went up and we are already thinking of recycling it? Well, in the long run it is good to know where to recycle because after the holidays it is back to work, the kids off to school, getting ready for the Super Bowl, and facing the dreaded taxes. Take…
By Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer; Photo courtesy of Blake Unger Blake Unger, director of bands at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) said, “The marching bands where I grew up in the south are a pillar of the spirit organizations in their communities. I feel that in conjunction with the other spirit organizations at Rock…
Shane Kilponen and Brennan Leck are eighth grade students at RHMS who designed a clamp for the doors throughout the school which will greatly improve the safety and security of their school. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The ingenuity and skill of middle school aged kids was made extremely apparent recently at Rocky Heights…
Matthew and Tyler Cohen take a break from the Fall Festival activities to enjoy some ice cream. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of DCS Montessori School With a nip in the air, DCS Montessori School (DCSM) ushered in fall along with all the fun a new season brings. The yearly tradition of the Fall…
By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Jacqueline Shuler Jacqueline Shuler, an accomplished artist and teacher, won first place in the professional division in painting with her original digital painting “Mountain Majesty” at the National Arts Program Front Range art exhibit presented by the Greater Castle Rock Art Guild. “I couldn’t believe it!” exuberantly stated Shuler. …
Tasha Frye was thrilled to design all of the floral pieces for an upcoming wedding design book. The photo shoot for the book took place at the beautiful Domaine des Evis which Frye described as “an amazing gem of a property with gorgeous French country grounds and a beautiful restored stone chateau.” By Amy Shanahan;…
Article and photo by Amy Shanahan; courtesy photo Castle Pines resident Jeff Genuario spent the past thirteen years driving past the Big O Tires shop on Castle Pines Parkway, and often thought “wouldn’t it be great to have a store right here in my own community that my family has grown to love being a…
Craig practiced many, many hours leading up to her performance; here she is wrapping up a dress rehearsal. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photos courtesy of Michelle Craig and Cindy Kessinger If it is a Bird Girl you seek, look no further than down the street. Kaitlyn Craig of Castle Pines dances, acts and truly shines. …
CanyonQuests for Vets (CQV) is a nonprofit organization founded earlier this year by high school teacher Brian Wood. CQV honors veterans and provides socialization and a reconnection to civilian life through three-day canyoneering excursions. These adventures not only bring the veterans outdoors, but also get them utilizing skills learned in the military such as teamwork,…
By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Pam Caruso Castle View High School (CVHS) is excited to invite the community to Be Our Guest as they present the musical version of the well-loved story of “Beauty and the Beast” as their fall musical. The show brings together over 90 students who play a part in this…
Mainstream Boutique owner Dawn Johnson is excited to open her second location of this popular clothing boutique in the heart of Castle Pines Village. Husband Lance has worked tirelessly to renovate the space to make it warm and appealing for their grand opening this month. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Women of all ages…
RHMS “chopped” the competition during the district sponsored Cafeteria Wars competition. By RHMS eighth grade student Sophia Sobota; photo by Amy Shanahan; courtesy photo Three teams from schools in the Douglas County School District, four mystery ingredients, and various pantry items … did they succeed or did the challenge overcome them? Led by teacher Julie…
By Terri Wiebold; photo courtesy of Greg Hernandez After attending the Ruby Trust release party last month in Castle Pines Village, Greg Hernandez and his wife Becky (pictured above center with signed magnum of wine), returned to the winery the very next night to purchase more wine. “My wife is a bit of a wine…
Paul Dannels Article and photo by Terri Wiebold Members of the Castle Pines Metropolitan District gathered with family, friends, and community members at The Country Club at Castle Pines last month to celebrate the illustrious career and retirement of Paul Dannels, manager for the District since 1982. Metro District Board President Joe Gschwendtner shared several…
Article and photo by Lisa Crockett It’s become sort of fashionable to disrespect pumpkin this time of year, mocking its widespread popularity. I recently saw a photo of a Mexican restaurant featuring a marquee sign that read “Pumpkin Spice Tacos Are Here!” I inwardly groaned, trying to imagine how that would taste, before I read…
LTAC Publicity Chairwoman Gayle Spelts (left) with residents Pam and Jim Kelly at the Opening Night Gala. Pam Kelly is the Executive Manager of Park Meadows Retail Resort, which was one of the Gala sponsors. Kelly remarked, “This was a great event and Park Meadows Retail Resort looks forward to sponsoring this event again in the…
CSU graduate and 2013 Mountain West Volleyball Player of the Year Samantha Peters (left) gives play-by-play and color commentary for SIS volleyball. She is pictured above with Northern Colorado Sponsorship Director and play-by-play commentator David Haase (middle), as well as Producer Randy McCoy (right). By Kathy Fallert; photos courtesy of Phil Mildren Phil Mildren, owner…
Best Chili By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of Laurie Jacobs Neighbors on Turweston Lane in HOA2 gathered on September 20 for the 6th annual chili cook-off. Keeping true to tradition, “best of” prizes were awarded for the tastiest grub. Thanks to a few of the younger Turweston Lane residents, Syndey, Samantha and Emma Kate,…
Junior varsity doubles player Erich “lefty” Nuss was thrilled with his team’s first place win for Regis Jesuit High School at the 5A state championships last month. Freshman varsity doubles player Evan Nuss and his partner placed second for Regis Jesuit High School in the number three doubles spot at the 5A state championships last…
Chef/Owner Eric Robbins carefully instructed his students to prepare and cook a squash stuffed with pancetta, apples and walnuts. Article and photos by Adriana Hakes Why is it that no matter what type of gathering is happening at someone’s house, people always seem to be drawn to socializing in the kitchen? Perhaps it’s because the…
By RHMS eighth grade student Rin Wallace; courtesy photo The 22nd of September seemed like a normal day for your run-of-the-mill students, but not for the Nighthawks of Rocky Heights Middle School (RHMS). In the eighth grade Explorers wing, Ms. Holmstad’s language arts classes had the opportunity to hear Tanya Lee Stone speak to them. …
Broncos player Bryce Jurin (front center) celebrated his team’s win with his parents and brother after the game. The Bills bench was ever-ready to go for the next play. Article and photos by Elean Gersack It was a super season for kids in the Castle Pines Athletics NFL Flag Football program. On Wednesday, October 7,…
By Patte Smith When children think about Christmas they get excited and happy – making a list of toys or technology they would like to have, and teens wanting to go to the mall. Parents start planning the Thanksgiving Day dinners and holiday parties – it is a very festive time of year. Our community…
By Lynne Marsala Basche The holiday season is an excellent time of year to look for ways to give back to the community or to reevaluate how to make an impact in others’ lives. Struggling is a reality for some people, and in the spirit and season of giving, here is a small sampling of…
The annual Rock Slide Fun Run had over 300 participants this year. Co-chair Katie Abner commented, “It was wonderful to see kids and adults exercising together! We observed kids encouraging and pushing their parents and vice versa throughout the two course options. The endorphin rush contributed to happy spending at the fall book fair!” BRE…
The list of distinguished Douglas County veterans engraved on the Veterans Memorial will grow as five new names are added this Veterans Day. Article and photos by Lynn Zahorik Nestled in the trees of the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Castle Rock is the majestic Veterans Memorial. Built and erected in 1992, the black granite memorial…
Old Blinking Light – American Food; Southwestern soul By Adriana Hakes A bit of nostalgic history connects Taos, New Mexico to a sophisticated, yet rustic restaurant in Highlands Ranch that captures the diverse richness of Tex-Mex inspired cuisine and bears the name Old Blinking Light (OBL). Taos is a scenic destination nestled in the Sangre…
Members of the Castle Pines Junior Youth Group took part in the Justice Run at Hudson Gardens on October 4. The event supported efforts to fight human trafficking. This is just one of many service projects the youth group supports. Yasmine Lamé, the group’s leader, is pictured third from the left, and her brother, Kian,…
Jimmy Dozer is pictured here in front of the building housing his new studio in The Village at Castle Pines. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Jimmy Dozer and his photography studio have been fixtures in The Village at Castle Pines (VACP) for the past 11 years. Dozer is well-known throughout the area for capturing…
Information and photo provided by Douglas County School District On November 12, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) will host a one-night-only School Choice Fair to help parents better acquaint themselves with the many educational options available within the Douglas County School District. The district embraces parent and student choice by offering a wide variety…
Castle Pines Village resident Mike Lanam enjoys making larger than life-size characters which he displays in his backyard for the holidays. Lanam is seen here with his son Brennan alongside his bike-riding grim reaper which is featured each Halloween. By Amy Shanahan; photos by Amy Shanahan and courtesy of Mike Lanam Kids and adults alike…
The eighth grade Rocky Heights Middle School football champions switch out football pads for ties as they pose for a yearbook photo. The eighth graders made Douglas County history when they closed out the season with an 8-0 record. By Amanda Merriman; photos courtesy of Maggie Bell, Emma Goble, and Michael Knoebel The eighth grade…
John “Alto” Altomari began the meeting by explaining Aktion Club accomplishments worldwide while Kiwanian Jack Zelkin and Sue Evans stood by. There are more than 400 clubs in eight countries with 12,500 members that volunteered 185,000 hours and generated $115,000 to donate back to the community. Article and photo submitted by the Kiwanis Club of…
Information and photo provided by Valor Christian High School The United States Department of Education announced in September that Valor Christian High School (Valor) will be one of 335 “exemplary high performing” schools receiving the 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award. Valor is one of six schools in Colorado receiving the award, and is the…
Information provided by Douglas County Douglas County reports that as of October 1, there were a total of 224,956 registered voters for the upcoming General Election on November 3. Of those, 44,471 were Democrats, 104,150 were Republicans, and 76,335 were listed as other. Make sure your vote counts and ensure that all mail-in ballots are…
In early October, the Rock Canyon High School (left) and Regis Jesuit High School (right) girls varsity and junior varsity softball teams held their fourth annual “Catch for the Cure” game in support of breast cancer awareness. The two teams raised more than $3,200 which was donated directly to The Jill Lamb Foundation, a local…
Tracey McCarthy, Erica Westphal, Lisa Wiggins (Team Captain), Tanya Hunter, Natalie Vickers, Courtney Mendell (Co-Captain) and Beth Markowski. Not pictured, Penny Spencer and Gina Lurie. By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Larry Bundy Castle Pines Village tennis continues to deserve accolades. Most recently, the Women’s 2.5 Red Colorado Tennis Association (CTA) Twilight Team won all…
By Kathy Fallert; courtesy photos September 24 was a beautiful fall day as Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) hosted its annual Field Day themed for Super Heroes. There were multiple stations for the kids to rotate through which included a giant inflatable obstacle course, water balloon toss, Nerf archery, and potato sack races. Organizer and P.E.…
Article and photo by Riley Busch, RCHS intern writer With the start of fall at Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) comes the start of many clubs and extracurricular activities. Among those, the RCHS Sources of Strength (SOS) club has started up again for a great year. SOS is a national organization with clubs in…
Article and photos submitted by Steve Apodaca Alexis Apodaca, 13-year-old resident of Buffalo Ridge Estates, won her second Championship of her young career, this time at The Track at Centennial. In one of the most competitive classes in the region, Alexis won the nine race series among some of the best drivers in the region…