The Castle Pines Connection

By RHMS student Riley Busch; photos courtesy of Judi Holst “Yes, there is a world out there and even if you decide you don’t want to meet it, it’s still going to hit you right in the face.  Believe me.  So, best you start thinking about the world now and what it means to you.” …

Pictured front row (left to right):  Rachel Kelly (track, Coe College, IA), Erica Kelly (track, Upper Iowa University), Jack Lamb (track, University of Mary, ND), Tori Ritter, (diving, University of Cincinnati, OH), Joe Bove (tennis, Lake Forest College, IL), Justin Hunter (football, University of Oregon), Brickelle Bro (swimming, Stanford University, CA), Ellie Rich (volleyball, University…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Jimmy Dozer The shop owners at the Village at Castle Pines (VACP) kicked off spring in a big way with their inaugural Spring Fling event on April 25th.  Hundreds of neighbors and friends came together to celebrate on a typical Colorado spring day that brought both sunshine and afternoon…

By Elean Gersack Summer is a great time for ‘tweens and teens to earn some extra money while helping families with babysitting needs. South Metro Safety Foundation (SMSF) is the place to get the skills to be a SUPER sitter, since keeping kids safe is top priority. The SMSF Super Sitting course is for youth…

There are few pleasures in life greater than a great steak.  That’s especially true at Eddie Merlot’s, a brand-new eatery in the Denver Tech Center, where steak is king.  Mouthwatering cuts of beef, ranging from a fork-tender filet mignon to a hearty ribeye, take center stage. Of special note are the menu’s Greg Norman Signature…

Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Grigs Road, which connects the City of Castle Pines and Highlands Ranch and serves as an alternate route to Monarch Boulevard, is not scheduled for paving any time soon, despite recent speculation. The road, which leads north and west out of the city from Daniels Gate, is maintained by…

Fifth graders at Timber Trail Elementary presented a “gumboot” style dance at the annual school talent show.  The dance style originated with mine workers in South Africa, who stomped their feet while singing during the workday. Most soloists for Timber Trail’s annual fifth grade dance this year were boys, many of whom were attracted by…

This summer, hit the highway Article and photos by Maria Pangalos, RCHS intern writer   For high school students, summer means freedom, late nights, travel, light clothing, pure bliss and endless adventures.  Here is a starter list of absolutely awesome things to do during the beautiful Colorado summers. Daniels Gate: Many have ventured to Daniels…

By Patte Smith; photo courtesy of Douglas County Rejoice mountain bike riders, you can now ride tricky terrain in your own backyard, so to speak. Strap on that bike helmet and tackle the obstacles at the new mountain bike skills park in Bayou Gulch Regional Park. What a blast maneuvering over 12 man-made beginner and…

A core group of regulars enjoy visiting Dodds Wine Vault each Friday evening to taste and become educated on new wines.  On occasion the shop owners also introduce their guests to interesting spirits like the bourbon whiskey from Laws Whiskey House.  There is something for everyone. Braden Dodds (left) with Al Laws, the owner of…

Local dignitaries, volunteers, and residents celebrated the commencement of construction of the new library in the City of Castle Pines last month. The library is due for completion late this fall or early this winter. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Dignitaries and volunteers from the City of Castle Pines and the surrounding areas gathered…

By Patte Smith Farmers markets continue to grow in popularity as consumers’ interest in farm fresh produce grown locally has significantly increased.  Both consumers and farmers have found that they enjoy the opportunity to get to know each other throughout the growing season – it is a win-win for both the shopper and the grower.…

By Patte Smith Several outdoor music concerts are in Castle Pines own backyard.  Pack up a picnic basket and grab the lawn chairs to listen to tunes at the park.   The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Forever in Blue Jeans,”  a Neil Diamond tribute band, at its inaugural Food Truck Frenzy on…

Savannah and Cassidy exhibiting school spirit and collecting donations curbside at the BRE Clean Your Closets event. By Lynne Marsala Basche; photo courtesy of Caitlin Streich The Buffalo Ridge Education Alliance (BREA) along with BRE’s Green Team and the community participated in the first Clean Your Closets for BRE event.  The effort benefited BRE, as…

Hall’s hand-milled, re-purposed wood brewhouse east of Parker on a seven-acre homestead where Aubrey Hall also lives. By Joe Gschwendtner; photo courtesy of Hall Brewing Co. Craft beers, meaning those that emphasize quality, flavor, and small batch brewing techniques, are a marvelous industry success story.  Douglas County is fertile ground and today home to eight…

Kelly Storick, who will be a junior at Rock Canyon High School this fall, received her license this past November.   By Elean Gersack; photo courtesy of Julie Storick Gone are the days of in-school driver’s education classes, taking a carload of friends to the drive-in, and a mere three-month driving permit.  The rules have…

By Amy Shanahan; photo courtesy of the Yehle Family Lauren Yehle was recently honored by being one of only 40 high school seniors in the state of Colorado to receive the prestigious Boettcher Scholarship.  Yehle graduated from Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) in May and is a busy, happy, grounded and amazing person who is…

Theresa Bakken keeps bees in McArthur Ranch and produces bottled honey and homemade caramels. Hand made Honey Salted Caramels from the Bee Ranch in McArthur Ranch, are scrumptious local treats reminiscent of another era. Article and photos by Lisa Crockett Spring is in full bloom in Colorado, and honey production is in full swing at…

By Elean Gersack Businesses beware.  Recently, The Castle Pines Connection nearly fell prey to a misrepresentation scam involving the “let your fingers do the walking” logo and wants to make sure everyone is aware of this particular tactic.   The scam has been around for years and ebbs and flows with many variations.  The key…

Residents will most miss the friendly and caring people who were the essence of the Safeway in Castle Pines.  Cashiers Tara (above) and Sandy (below) were an important part of the customer service experience. Article and photos by Joe Gschwendtner The Safeway Corporation made some tough decisions on store closures last month.  Kris Staaf, Safeway…

Music is an important part of Front Range Christian Church’s ministry. Lead pastor, Ernest Smith, teaches the application of God’s word to everyday life during a Sunday service.  When Ernest is not leading FRCC, he is cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, playing sports, or pulling for the Broncos who he has supported since he was…

Friends and student council surround the registration table during the swab drive for Lukas Larsson at RCHS. Event organizer Robert Falk got a little direction from his mom Beth while he took his mouth swab.   Lukas (third from left) with friends, Robert Falk, Kimball Eggett, and Will Steffe.  It is time to get on…

Castle Pines neighbors connected at the Master Association’s annual garage sale last month.  To view a fun slideshow of the event, visit www.castlepinesconnection.com and click on “Photo Album.” By Elizabeth Wood West; photo by Lynn Zahorik If you enjoy looking for bargains in a beautiful neighborhood full of nice people, consider visiting Sapphire Pointe’s eighth…

By Amy Shanahan; photos by Lynn Zahorik More than 900 runners from the Castle Pines community and beyond came together on May 2 to participate in the Rise & Run 5K event in support of Denver Police Officer John Adsit who was severely injured in December of last year in the line of duty.  Adsit…

By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Trudi Broschat Rock Canyon High School’s (RCHS) varsity club hockey team won the state championship at Edge Ice Arena in Littleton on May 10.  The final score was 5-2 against Lewis Palmer.  The team won the state championship in 2013 and in 2014 they were the runner up.  Consisting…

By Elean Gersack; photos courtesy of  the Gibson, Hilgendorf, Jacobs, McDowell, and Ogden Families ‘Tweens and teens from Castle Pines got spruced up and took on social skills and etiquette for the 21st century during the Jon D. Williams Cotillions’ Spring 2015 Douglas County Cotillion held at The University of Colorado Liniger Building (formerly The…

Members of the Castle Pines Village Garden Club enjoyed showing some sass while being models for the day at the club’s annual banquet and fashion show.  Pictured left to right: Judi Walker, Michele Volkl, Mary Evans, Peggy Schultze, Janice Wright, Kathy Pollock, Liz Clarke, and Rose Essy. Article and photos by Amy Shanahan The annual…

Brad Hansen (center) collected donations during school lunches.  He was aided by his friends Cooper McNeily (left) and Lance Opp (far right). Submitted by RHMS students Amber St. Laurent and Shayna Smith; photos courtesy of Brad Hansen and Jack Thompson “It was really awesome… It was really fun,” said the star and recipient of the…

By Lisa Crockett; photos by Lynn Zahorik Residents descended on the community center last month in search of a good book.  The event, which is held annually, was sponsored by the Castle Pines North Master Association and was organized by event coordinator Carla Kenny.  Kenny was ably assisted by 12 volunteers who collectively spent more…

Pictured above right:  Dr. Malin and Genny Sadler hosted a Castle Pines Chamber ribbon cutting ceremony in May at their new concierge medical practice, For the Family Medical Care in Castle Pines. Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Dr. Malin Sadler and wife Genny, owners of For the Family Medical Care, welcomed family, friends,…

A year following her graduation from Rock Canyon High School, Morgan Roos of Castle Pines signed her letter of intent to play basketball at Clemson University in South Carolina.  Roos is the first female ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) basketball player to come out of Colorado. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Kimberly Roos Morgan Roos…

New members of boys team charity Mile High League Nicole and Ryan Wight of Castle Pines participated in Comcast Cares Day at Denver Health on April 25.  The team picked up trash around the hospital grounds, cleaned out flower beds and planted new flowers. By Lisa Nicklanovich; photo courtesy of Lesley Gibson Castle Pines residents…

Damp weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the DCS Montessori School community as they gathered to celebrate the end of the school year with great music and great friends.  After the sun went down, Big Hero 6 played on the big screen. The DCS Montessori school held its first ever Summer Celebration last month at…

By Elizabeth Wood West Town of Castle Rock’s (Town) Clerk Sally Misare has determined that citizens collected enough valid signatures for the Promenade referendum petition to authorize the Town to move forward with the referendum process. The petition, brought about after much controversy surrounding the removal/relocation of prairie dogs on the property, seeks to reverse…

2015 Chamber award winners (left to right):  John Medved, Donna Scott, Melanie Calhoun, and Walt Kowalski. Press release and photo provided by Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce The Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce honored John Medved, Donna Scott, Walt Kowalski, Sally Misare, and Melanie Calhoun for their exceptional community efforts April 24 at the Castle…

Pictured above right:  Asarch Center for Dermatology, Laser & Mohs Surgery founder Dr. Richard Asarch (holding scissors), joined with family and friends to celebrate the opening of their new Castle Rock office.   Article and photo by Elizabeth Wood West Asarch Center for Dermatology, Laser & Mohs Surgery (Asarch Center) founding physician Dr. Richard Asarch,…

Castle Pines sisters Chloe and Mia Maciolek brought life to Walt Disney’s classic tale of Sleeping Beauty.  Pictured above,  Prince Phillip defends the sleeping Princess Aurora (Chloe) from the evil Maleficent (Mia). Mia Maciolek (above and below in pink) played Sleeping Beauty in South Suburban Ice Arena’s Fairy Tales on Ice show last month.  Younger…

Elementary school students from Timber Trail and Buffalo Ridge (above) and representatives  from Rock Canyon High School (below) at this year’s Destination Imagination state tournament. By Lisa Crockett; photos courtesy of Christina Kohl Roughly 75 teams from Douglas County schools participated in this year’s Destination Imagination (DI) state tournament, including several from Castle Pines-area schools. …

The Interact club’s final meeting of the year was a celebration of their accomplishments.  Representatives from the Rotary Club of Castle Pines joined the students and their faculty sponsor, along with representatives from two organizations which benefited from the money raised by the club. The Interact club at Rocky Heights Middle School worked on several…

Clockwise from top left, Grand Prize winner Ashley Bradley’s double exposure portrait painted with acrylics. Grand Prize winner Ashley Bradley with Congressman Ken Buck (left) and RCHS art teacher Drew Walter (right) at the Congressional Art Competition.  Laura Kassner’s First Place portrait done with spray paint (background) and acrylics. Ethan Zehnder’s Jury Award winning piece…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Kristen Wylie The Castle Pines Village (CPV) parks and recreation committee held its annual Easter egg hunt on a beautiful, sunny day at the end of April.  Hundreds of parents and their kids turned out for this fun event.  The hunt is broken up into multiple age groups so…

By Patte Smith Boasting crispy fried green tomatoes, Memphis–style spare ribs, jambalaya, shrimp, po’ boys, and bourbon bread pudding, Southern Hospitality is opening its second Colorado restaurant at 7431 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree, the former site of Pasquini’s Pizzeria.   Currently planned to open in May, the eatery serves up fresh, high-quality southern-style food,…

More than 90 members of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) posed outside of the Pepsi Center in early February at a district conference. By Maria Pangalos, RCHS Intern; photo courtesy of Allie Johnson One quarter million middle school, high school and college students all around the nation are partaking in a non-profit organization…

Submitted by the Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce The Castle Pines Chamber of Commerce invites citizens of Castle Pines and Douglas County to join in a free educational event called “Fracking 101” hosted by the Douglas County Energy Coalition.  The free lunch will be held on May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at…

Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Green flags and giant bright green bins are popping up on porches all over Castle Pines.  A new grass roots movement is making its way throughout the community with the mission of serving critically ill children and their families in Colorado.  Castle Pines Village resident Cy DeBoer, who has…

By Amy Shanahan; photos courtesy of Stacy Gaines Project Easter Basket had another successful year thanks in part to the generosity of many Castle Pines residents.  Organizer Stacy Gaines is a Castle Pines Village resident who began this endeavor eight years ago in an effort to provide Easter baskets full of hygiene items, school supplies,…

Doctors Jeff and Stephanie Scheich enjoy being a part of the Castle Pines community and offer personalized, friendly service to their patients. Article and photo by Amy Shanahan Doctors Jeff and Stephanie Scheich and their local family dental practice are well known and loved by many in our community.  Recently, their practice underwent a name…

Victoria Xikes, at home with her talent award which also included a cash scholarship, is a natural performer who has been taking voice lessons for less than a year.  Victoria Xikes put on a dazzling performance at the annual Stars of Tomorrow competition at the Lone Tree Arts Center in March singing “Mother Knows Best.”…

By Elean Gersack It’s that time again … time to part ways with the old to make room for the new.  Each year in mid-May, the community is abuzz with folks from far and wide looking for a great deal.   If your kids have grown out of toys, clothes, equipment, and more, or if…

The BRE Science Fair winners stand proud after being awarded top honors on Monday, April 20. (Not pictured – Drew W. and Jenna P.) Article and photo by Elean Gersack Congratulations to all of the young scientists at BRE who took part in the fourth annual Buffalo Ridge Elementary school’s  Mission: Curiosity! Science Fair on…

The Castle Pines North Metropolitan District (District) is doing some spring cleaning around town, removing “encroachments” to publicly-owned land.   Encroachment is the legal term referring to modifications or additions made to land without the owner’s permission.  Metro District maintenance workers have found a variety of unauthorized structures on its property, including play forts and landscape…

Author Doug Beason’s book “The Cadet” gives readers an inside look at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, one of the most iconic structures in Colorado and the training ground for some of our country’s brightest and toughest fighters, academics, and leaders. Novelist Doug Beason and his wife Cindy enjoy living in…

When Rita Klement (left) told her friends, Laurie Probsdorfer, Emily Hansen and Marne Hansen, she would be shaving her head to raise money for pediatric cancer, and to take control of losing her hair before starting chemotherapy, they said they would shave their heads too. (See top photo.) Rita Klement (left) with her son Sam…

By Amy Shanahan Urban Nights presented by Infiniti of Denver, a fundraiser to benefit Urban Peak, will hold its annual event this summer on August 29 at Mile High Station in Denver.  In its third year, Urban Nights has quickly become an esteemed fundraising event featuring a high-end fashion show, entertainment, a silent auction, pre-…

Article and photo by Lynne Marsala Basche Buffalo Ridge Elementary school was excited to share its third school-wide showcase with the community in March.  The quarterly showcases, which are designed to give family, friends, and the community an opportunity to stop by BRE and view the students’ semester work, are part of the Douglas County…

Information provided by Douglas County 17801 Plaza Drive, Parker 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.www.tchd.org

By Patte Smith Raising awareness for suicide prevention in Douglas County schools is the goal of the second annual DC Proud DC Strong Festival and 5K fundraiser.  This year the organization is reaching out to the community for even more participation.  Join them to ensure that every child and youth at risk of suicide have…

A Taste of Rose’s Bella Cucina Rose’s Bella Cucina, a new Italian eatery in Castle Rock, is the kind of place you go when you’re craving the classic dishes of your youth.  The kind of place that serves things that bring back memories and delight your senses.  The kind of place you go to when…

Castle Pines resident Steve Ihme, together with his family, will once again host the annual golf tournament in honor of his late brother, Rich.  Proceeds from the event will support the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital Colorado.  This year’s tournament is planned for Friday, June 12, at the Highlands Ranch Golf…

Rocky Heights Middle School was proud of the numerous students it sent to the regional competition for National History Day.  The school is sending a record number of competitors to the state competition. Castle Pines Village residents Brad Hansen and Amanda Pavillard worked together on a project about Susan B. Anthony.  Hansen said, “If you…

The Social is thrilled about their new chef and exciting new menu that compliments their impressive wine selection. Pictured left to right: Sous Chef Cameron Sutherland, General Manager Michael Mercandetti, and Head Chef Austin Hornsby.  Article and photo by Amy Shanahan The Social, located in The Village at Castle Pines, has become a local favorite…

Dressed in roller derby attire, Salon 188 owner Lisa Salmon gave Castle Rock ‘n Rollers’ team announcer, “Rock de Mike,” a haircut during a cut-a-thon she held to support her roller derby team.  By Elizabeth Wood West; photo courtesy of Lisa Salmon Salon 188 owner Lisa Salmon held a cut-a-thon at her salon in April…

Information and photos provided by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) is offering its parking lots as “safe havens” for buyers and sellers on Craigslist.  If buyers or sellers are completing an online transaction, the DCSO suggests that exchanges be made at the closest law enforcement station to protect both…

By Elizabeth Wood West The public is invited to attend a Memorial Day band concert hosted by the Town of Castle Rock on Sunday, May 24, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the bandstand at Philip S. Miller Library, located at 100 S. Wilcox Street in Castle Rock.   American Legion Post 1187 is…